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WE NEED A STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH TVDB DECLINING NUMBERS
The December board report on the numbers shows that some schools numbers have declined over the past couple of years.
There is a distinct probability that Londoners will have to close/amalgamate schools to meet the Ontario Ministry of Education funding formula. The trustees have a dilemma on their hands of how to please everyone without making the parent’s unhappy.
I have a suggestion: The Ross student numbers will fit in well with the Montcalm Cougars. They are both in the North end and draw their students from a similar social/economic pool .
How about the Thames students finding a new home with the Clarke Road Secondary School campus?
It is not just about numbers and shuffling the deck to please the ministry. It is about time that the Ross/Thames special students have the opportunity to mix with the so-called regular kids. The special needs staff allotment would go along with their students to assure a successful implementation.
When I was Head of Guidance at Ross I discovered that the vast majority of the students came from poor/single parent families. For registration purposes I sent out applications to all of the feeder schools north of Oxford Street which was our designated area. Strange I never received one applicant from Masonville or the other more affluent ( rich) public elementary schools in the area.
I was ticked off and took the time to call the principals to ask why there was no applicants. To my surprise I was told that their parents didn’t see Ross as a positive alternative for their youngsters. Lucas/Central standards were probably too high but Beal Secondary was a lot more acceptable then sending their child to a designated school for special needs students.
You didn’t have to come from a poor/single parent family to be acceptable to Ross or Thames but the majority of the students fit the description.
Give each of these kids a chance at main streaming in a regular school and I bet the majority will find success in a regular high school.
Ask any youngster on the city bus on his way to Ross or Thames which school they attend and my bet is they will not tell you the painful truth. Better to lie a little then to admit that you attend a school for slow learners. Hard on your self esteem.
The first special needs school in Ontario was “Castle Frank” in Toronto. Strange the school closed and the students were transferred to other schools. I wonder why?
Students who graduate from Ross/Thames have very slim/no chance at achieving a post secondary education at Fanshawe College.
Let’s do the special kids at Ross and Thames a big favour. Transfer them to Montcalm or Clarke Road and give them a chance.
Len Lesser