Elementary teachers rallied outside the Toronto District School Board headquarters to show support for their colleagues facing suspensions and dismissals at Bowmore Road Junior and Senior School. A total of eight teachers have been suspended, two fired, and the principal and vice-principal removed from the school, causing upheaval in the community.
Helen Victoros, President of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, described the situation as “absolutely unprecedented,” with students, parents, and affected teachers feeling distressed and eager to return to teaching at Bowmore.
Amidst a lack of transparency from the TDSB, concerns over bullying and safety issues have escalated, leading to drastic changes such as the shift from a rotary-style learning model to a core model for Grades 7 and 8. Parents, like Rebecca McBride, have voiced their frustrations over the lack of support and the impact on students’ well-being.
The TDSB has called for an audit of Bowmore’s safety procedures and appointed new leadership to address the ongoing challenges. However, the community continues to demand clarity and a reversal of the decisions that have disrupted the school environment.
Keyphrase: Toronto District School Board incident