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I knew this would happen. Not in Toronto at least
Slow start for Africentric school
Slow start for Africentric school
Only eight students have enrolled so far, and the project's supporters blame the school board
December 10, 2008
Comments on this story (3)
Louise Brown
EDUCATION REPORTER
Wanted: At least 32 more students for the most controversial new school in Canada – and the clock is ticking.
As Toronto's Africentric Alternative School prepares to open next fall, would-be principals are being interviewed, lessons are being planned and the roomy Sheppard Ave. W. school that will host it is getting ready to share its playground and computer lab.
But only a handful of parents have turned out for two recent meetings for interested families – the last one is tomorrow night – and supporters say the Toronto District School Board is not doing enough to publicize the program.
To be able to open, the program needs at least two classrooms of about 20 students each in two consecutive grades between kindergarten and Grade 5.
With eight students enrolled since registration began a month ago and officials eager to start hiring teachers, will enough students show up in time to make it a go?
"People don't know about this – the board should have put up a flyer in every school," said parent Maryann Scott, who has enrolled two of her children in the Africentric program, which will open in a wing of Sheppard Public School, just west of Keele St.
"They're going to think nobody cares about the school, but we are interested – just not enough people know to sign up now."
But Donna Harrow, one of two women who have pushed for the school, says she is "optimistic people will register; it's just a busy time of year with Christmas and Eid (a Muslim holiday). I'm optimistic they'll fill those classrooms.
Board officials say they weren't surprised by the modest turnouts at meetings held far from Sheppard, to which bussing will not be provided.
The 7 p.m. meeting tomorrow at Sheppard should prove a better gauge of interest, they said.
Yet Scott has enrolled her children even though she lives downtown. She is hoping to carpool with other families.
"I think it's important for children to see positive role models who look like them, and unfortunately at the TDSB they don't have enough, if you look at the 40 per cent dropout rate among blacks, especially males," said Scott. "It's important to have these role models before high school."
The board set an early deadline of Jan. 9 to give it a sense of hiring needs and space, although families will still be able to register afterwards.
The board has printed thousands of brochures about the school and dropped them in West Indian stores, community centres and taken ads out in community newspapers, but officials note it's tricky to ask principals to advertise alternative programs that could take students away from their already declining enrolments.
"Usually an alternative school has been set up at the request of a group of families so there already is a demand and the board doesn't usually market the program," said Lloyd McKell, the board's executive officer of student equity.
At last week's meeting at North Albion Collegiate Institute, on Kipling Ave., near Finch Ave. W., McKell said the curriculum will have a global scope, but include a focus on African-Canadian achievement.
A Grade 3 unit on early settlers, for example, would include pioneers from all backgrounds, including lessons on those of African descent. A Grade 2 lesson on Canadian traditions would include a discussion of Africentric contributions.
A kindergarten class would learn about the importance of oral story telling in African-Canadian culture.
Tiffany Shelton teaches high school in Toronto and plans to enrol her daughter Nala in the Africentric kindergarten next fall so she can learn about her Caribbean heritage.
"Many schools don't set high expectations for black students in terms of behaviour and achievement, and I think that's important," said Shelton, who lives in Malton but will drive her daughter to Toronto to ensure she has a "school that values her culture and affirms her heritage."
Parents who want to enrol their children don't have to go to the meeting tomorrow – they can sign up on the board's website – but it's the last scheduled chance to hear board staff explain the curriculum and school's philosophy and to ask questions.
Otherwise they can register by going to tdsb.on.ca/africentric
Slow start for Africentric school
Slow start for Africentric school
Only eight students have enrolled so far, and the project's supporters blame the school board
December 10, 2008
Comments on this story (3)
Louise Brown
EDUCATION REPORTER
Wanted: At least 32 more students for the most controversial new school in Canada – and the clock is ticking.
As Toronto's Africentric Alternative School prepares to open next fall, would-be principals are being interviewed, lessons are being planned and the roomy Sheppard Ave. W. school that will host it is getting ready to share its playground and computer lab.
But only a handful of parents have turned out for two recent meetings for interested families – the last one is tomorrow night – and supporters say the Toronto District School Board is not doing enough to publicize the program.
To be able to open, the program needs at least two classrooms of about 20 students each in two consecutive grades between kindergarten and Grade 5.
With eight students enrolled since registration began a month ago and officials eager to start hiring teachers, will enough students show up in time to make it a go?
"People don't know about this – the board should have put up a flyer in every school," said parent Maryann Scott, who has enrolled two of her children in the Africentric program, which will open in a wing of Sheppard Public School, just west of Keele St.
"They're going to think nobody cares about the school, but we are interested – just not enough people know to sign up now."
But Donna Harrow, one of two women who have pushed for the school, says she is "optimistic people will register; it's just a busy time of year with Christmas and Eid (a Muslim holiday). I'm optimistic they'll fill those classrooms.
Board officials say they weren't surprised by the modest turnouts at meetings held far from Sheppard, to which bussing will not be provided.
The 7 p.m. meeting tomorrow at Sheppard should prove a better gauge of interest, they said.
Yet Scott has enrolled her children even though she lives downtown. She is hoping to carpool with other families.
"I think it's important for children to see positive role models who look like them, and unfortunately at the TDSB they don't have enough, if you look at the 40 per cent dropout rate among blacks, especially males," said Scott. "It's important to have these role models before high school."
The board set an early deadline of Jan. 9 to give it a sense of hiring needs and space, although families will still be able to register afterwards.
The board has printed thousands of brochures about the school and dropped them in West Indian stores, community centres and taken ads out in community newspapers, but officials note it's tricky to ask principals to advertise alternative programs that could take students away from their already declining enrolments.
"Usually an alternative school has been set up at the request of a group of families so there already is a demand and the board doesn't usually market the program," said Lloyd McKell, the board's executive officer of student equity.
At last week's meeting at North Albion Collegiate Institute, on Kipling Ave., near Finch Ave. W., McKell said the curriculum will have a global scope, but include a focus on African-Canadian achievement.
A Grade 3 unit on early settlers, for example, would include pioneers from all backgrounds, including lessons on those of African descent. A Grade 2 lesson on Canadian traditions would include a discussion of Africentric contributions.
A kindergarten class would learn about the importance of oral story telling in African-Canadian culture.
Tiffany Shelton teaches high school in Toronto and plans to enrol her daughter Nala in the Africentric kindergarten next fall so she can learn about her Caribbean heritage.
"Many schools don't set high expectations for black students in terms of behaviour and achievement, and I think that's important," said Shelton, who lives in Malton but will drive her daughter to Toronto to ensure she has a "school that values her culture and affirms her heritage."
Parents who want to enrol their children don't have to go to the meeting tomorrow – they can sign up on the board's website – but it's the last scheduled chance to hear board staff explain the curriculum and school's philosophy and to ask questions.
Otherwise they can register by going to tdsb.on.ca/africentric
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