Parents fear officers' presence creates more problems than it solves

by Kristin Rushowy, TORONTO STAR

Outspoken Toronto school Trustee Josh Matlow went online Tuesday to announce he'll run for city council in 2010.

Using Twitter, Matlow said he'll run for councillor, although added he still has work to accomplish as trustee for St. Paul's.

Toronto public schools should take a spin at cyclist education, one trustee says.

by Don Peat, Toronto Sun

Josh Matlow is trying to get his colleagues at the Toronto District School Board to agree on a bicycle safety awareness campaign for students.

"We offer a driver's education course, we should focus on cycling education, too," the St. Paul's trustee said yesterday. He will make his pitch at the Oct. 14 meeting of the board's programs and school services committee.

"It is important that the next generation of bicyclists is aware of all relevant legislation, rules and safety practices to protect themselves, along with others, when riding bicycles in Toronto," Matlow states in his motion.

If students have an understanding of the rules for both cars and bicycles, both drivers and riders should be safer, he said. Partnerships with organizations such as Toronto Police could keep costs to a minimum, Matlow said.

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by Don Peat, Toronto Sun

Toronto public board officials say the child of a parent who complained about To Kill A Mockingbird won't have to study the book.

Toronto's public school board will look into a complaint about the novel To Kill A Mockingbird if the upset parent files a formal grievance, says Chair John Campbell.

The mother raised concerns about the classic to the principal at Malvern Collegiate, who allowed the teen to read another book.

To ban a book, to ‘erase history’

Natalie Alcoba, National Post

Pulitzer Prize-winning book faces chop at Toronto schools

by Don Peat, Toronto Sun

To Kill A Mockingbird could be on the curriculum chopping block for all Toronto public schools.

A parent of a Malvern Collegiate student has asked the Toronto District School Board to remove the classic American novel from Canada's largest school board, the Sun has learned.

Published in 1960, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Harper Lee chronicles a southern lawyer's struggle against racial injustice in a fictional Alabama town.

Trustees received a note last week from the education director informing them of a complaint about Mockingbird.

"I would argue that it is one of the most celebrated books ever written," trustee Josh Matlow said yesterday. "It is an incredibly important piece of literature and does reflect a history that is admittedly shameful but one we all need to learn about and that students should have an opportunity to discuss."