Dawn G.

PAUSE

On Friday, March 13th, our students were released to March Break; however, the day before the Ontario government had announced an extension of the break until April 5th. The provincial government announcement was directly related to the World Health Organization declaration that SARS-CoV-2 (virus) had now spread and the disease COVID-19 was at a pandemicContinue reading “PAUSE”

Transit-led Development

When my son started school at York Memorial, the Crosstown LRT was already under construction on Eglinton. I do not recall what the building looked like before the construction happened, so I must not have noticed the last time I lived here. Why does this matter? The future of the school and schools in thisContinue reading “Transit-led Development”

Loss and Grief

The five stages – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with the one we lost. They are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. But they are not stops on some linear timeline in grief. ElisabethContinue reading “Loss and Grief”

Something Smells…

I got the text from my son while I was at work – something no parent wants to read: “…the school is on fire”. Knowing that there was likely to be a school follow-up, when he came home we just waited to hear. He kept following on his social media. When the information came outContinue reading “Something Smells…”

May 6-7, 2019

…a TREMENDOUS loss to this community.

Responsibilities of Leadership

Sometimes, it falls upon a leader to do the “difficult thing” – to be honest and upfront about a situation. Very few people like to be “surprised” by bad information (perceived or otherwise) so it is a wise leader who knows and takes responsibility for preparing the audience. One such important document related specifically toContinue reading “Responsibilities of Leadership”

Why This Hurts

I am a visual learner, so in trying to make sense of why this is so distressing to so many I began looking at the timeline of events. The Infographic to the right is the timeline so far…the last two points are the beginnings of the process for modified Pupil Accommodation Review. I am notContinue reading “Why This Hurts”

The Case for Scenario 4

Update: Regular Board Meeting, February 5th, ten of us attended the Regular Board Meeting of the TDSB (including the principal). We intentionally dressed in red or wore our York Memorial hoodies so that no one could wonder why we were there. Wisely, this prompted our Ward Trustee Chris Tonks to ask to “bring forward” ourContinue reading “The Case for Scenario 4”

Importance of the Regular Meeting, February 5th, 2020

On February 5th, 2020 the TDSB Trustees will be voting on the recommendations proposed in the Initial Staff Report presented on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. The fact that we have had ONE WEEK to process all that is going on is the reason why we, as parents, should be concerned about their plan. I haveContinue reading “Importance of the Regular Meeting, February 5th, 2020”

Welcome

Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has. — Margaret Mead. I am creating and developing this site to create a space for information for parents and guardians of students currently attending York Memorial Collegiate Institute. By doingContinue reading “Welcome”