The Toronto Star has published another article on the Section 23 Dufferin Peel Catholic board saga at St. Vincent De Paul elementary school. High-risk high school aged youth are sharing a school with elementary school children!
In the article, other school boards in the area, including Peel Public, Toronto Catholic, and Toronto Public boards understand that high school kids should be put in age appropriate settings. They also have a consultation with the community prior to putting a Section 23 class in high schools. These boards do not put high school aged kids in elementary schools.
Dufferin Peel Catholic claims to have this program in place for 20 years and yet they have no guidelines, policy or process to inform parents, consult the community or implement safety and security. It is left to the Principal and the PTA to decide whether they want to release this critical information. As I mentioned in my first post regarding this issue, this is an epic fail.
It is time for the Dufferin Peel Catholic Board to follow suit and listen to the parents and their colleagues. Put these high risk youth in an age appropriate school.
The parents are going to turn up the pressure until this issue is resolved. All parents please comment!
Update: The Section 23 program is also in St. Pio of Pietrelcina. I do not know if the parents of St. Pio are aware of this. More to come…
Update: This story also appears in the Mississauga News. You can also comment on their site.
