Parents and students at Ajax school win fight to get their overnight trips back
CBC
Months after parents and students at an Ajax elementary school petitioned administrators to restore their cancelled overnight trips, the two sides have reached an agreement to see them return.
Families received a letter from Southwood Park Public School on Oct. 1 informing them about the decision to cancel such trips, which meant that Grade 8 students would no longer go on a graduation trip to Ottawa.
Students in Grades 6 and 7 would have also missed out on overnight trips to Claremont Nature Centre in Pickering and to Muskoka Woods, respectively.
The letter said overnight trips “can present unintentional barriers for some families due to cultural or personal circumstances."
It also said the trips can be a financial burden on some families and require staff to take on additional responsibilities outside of working hours.
Parents and students petitioned the school to overturn its decision, asking why it was made abruptly without consultation.
Parents initially told CBC News it was made clear that the school wouldn’t be changing its mind.
But after months of negotiations, the two sides have found a way to move forward.
“Thanks to a truly collaborative effort between the school’s new administration, the School Community Council, and the Southwood Parent Coalition, we reached a solution that restores these important experiences for our students,” said parent Erika Hill, in an email to CBC News.
“After thoughtful dialogue, shared problem-solving, and a mutual commitment to student success, the school and parent groups have developed a plan that is safe, accessible, and enriching for all students.”
The agreement will see Grade 6 students visit Claremont nature centre for a one-night overnight trip.
Grade 7 students will get a day-trip to Toronto for multiple experiences, including a Blue Jays game, instead of an overnight experience. Grade 8 students will not be going to Ottawa for the graduation trip, but instead, to Camp Muskoka for two nights.
Denisa Langevine, chair of the local school community council,which represents parents, called some of the concessions bittersweet, but added that the important thing was that these trips were returned.
“It's sweet because the Grade 6 and Grade 8s get to have an overnight trip. It's slightly bitter because the Grade 7s they don't get an overnight trip,” Langevine told CBC News.
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