“We Need To Fund Our Programs Adequately so They Work for All Families.”

My children have been attending the International Languages Program since JK at Orde St JPS. With the drastic funding cuts to the TDSB, the Board has been forced to weigh which programs will be cut. One of the "solutions" proposed was to move the timing of the International Languages Program from after school to 6:15-8:00.

This change would be devastating for the school community. Our school prides itself on welcoming newcomers and those training professionally in Canada temporarily, and the International Languages Program is one of the ways in which we let our community members feel welcome and accepted culturally and socially. The Language classes provided provide a sense of cultural pride for our students and also extend opportunities for those learning a new language or wanting to experience the cultural richness of our student population.

A time change or cut of the International Programs will moreover be an inequitable loss for some families who do not have adequate childcare and/or work long hours. How are small children expected to attend a program running from 6:15-8:00 pm? Who will feed them dinner? What about bedtime?

We need to fund our programs adequately so they work for all families, not just some.

– Parent