Poverty Awareness in York Region

Dear Editor,


For a column with such a catchy headline - "Research shows poor schools a concept worth trying", you'd think writer Moira Macdonald would have done some. Did she/they examine the "poor ' school experiment with "poor" kids already done right here in Canada / Toronto area after WW2? No need to study a U.S. model, as you can't get better than already having done it right here.

To quote someone who lived through the "poor" school experiment, " Of my peers at the camp school (this person was able to transfer) a few continued their education but most quit school at 16 and eventually found jobs.Some married young and many ended up in Regent Park." He further stated, rubbing elbows with middle class kids made him realize the importance of finishing high school. " I would have cringed in embarrassment as an adolescent if I had been recommended to attend the "poor school"( like proposed now).
...And what of the "research". There is no proof 'poor" kids in Canada move overly frequently once settled.In fact if they are lucky enough to find an affordable place they are apt to stay longer term. So make more affordable home options, but don't segregate their children.Some are hungry you say? Well then continue to add in-school lunch programs for all, no need to stigmatize to achieve that, and supporting live-able rates for minimum wage earners and stay at home parents might help as well. Invest in our education system by spending more time with kids with issues perhaps, but segregate them?

The writer needs to look beyond Toronto as well, as many towns and cities have schools commonly attended by all "classes". Ever heard the phrase, " If you you want to be a success hang around successful people?"..but when it comes to low income families' kids we suspend this?..Hmmm...

Niagara based their model on an American school model? No offense but we do not have the level of poverty here that the states allow and with a completely different social safety net system, nor does Canada have a pronounced " cycle of poverty" the writer so haphazardly uses as a throw-in buzz phrase before reaching her non-supported smug concluding statement meant to bolster her opinion that it's an experiment worth trying",

" All of this should be about what works for the students. Not what adults may find theologically offensive". She's right. Except as the actual proof above shows - based on actual usage in Canada and not theory - that stigmitization and segregation ends up being the result - not more university grads. No need to "experiment" with people's esteem again - or send her kids to it then if it's such a wonderful idea.

The only difference between the after WW2 school and today's prposal is that there was no white elephant in the room, as everyone knew then that they wanted to keep the "riff-raff" away from their kids...bad influences and all of course...and I wonder if that is playing a part here. I sure hope not. Beware the wolf in sheeps clothing.

Tom Pearson
Chairman, Poverty Action for Change Coalition
Newmarket Ont
289-221-0928