Africentric school moves ahead
Item moves for board approval May 21
A recommendation to establish an Africentric Alternative School for high school students by 2010 will be up for trustee approval at the next regular board meeting later this month.
The Program and School Services Committee approved the motion Wednesday, May 7 and recommended that staff work on a feasibility report by October 2008. The full board of trustees are scheduled to meet on May 21.
The fact the board is looking into the possibility of offering programming up to Grade 12 is a good sign, said Donna Harrow, who has argued for an Africentric school since last year to address the high dropout rates of local black youth.
"It's a good day and we will continue to work," said Harrow, who is also part of a committee working with Toronto District School Board staff to provide input into the process of establishing the Africentric school. "It's been progressing well. We'll continue to make this a true partnership."
Other recommendations approved by the committee include designating Sheppard Public School as the site for the Africentric Elementary Alternative School as a shared-use facility, offering a junior kindergarten to Grade 5 program, opening in September 2009.
The school board has plans to expand the school to offer programming to Grade 6, 7 and 8 students at the same school by 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively.
While some wanted the Africentric school to be in a stand-alone building, sharing facilities in the under-enrolled Sheppard Public School near Keele Street and Sheppard Avenue West seemed to be a good compromise.
Most in the local community also threw in their support.
"Our school council is in favour of having an Africentric Alternative School at our location," said Hung Tran, school council co-chair. "It will provide many benefits to our school, our students and our community."
The North York elementary school is currently at half capacity with about 300 students enrolled and the numbers have been declining in recent years.
Tran is afraid the school board might consider closing the school if that trend continues. But with more students, he expected more resources will be provided, including new computers, after-school programs and a much-needed upgrade to the library.
His Grade 3 daughter also liked the idea of sharing her school, he said.
"For her, it means more friends," Tran said.
York-Centre Trustee James Pasternak (Ward 5) welcomed the establishment of the Africentric school in his ward.
"This will be the most diverse school at the board," said Pasternak, stressing the school is open to all interested students across the city regardless of their background. "Ideally, we'd like to get it (the school) up to capacity. Then we can do repairs, upgrades, and offer new sports programs."
Lloyd McKell, executive officer with the TDSB, noted that while school registration is open to students across Toronto, transportation will not be provided as is the case with all other existing alternative schools.
"It's something the family will have to consider," McKell said.
