The TDSB lied when the stated they had not received complaints about the Islamic prayer rituals they have allowed in public schools. Unless of course you don’t count the author of the following e-mail, a retired TDSB Teacher, as a member of the “community”.
With regard to parent complaints made directly to Valley Park Middle School , I direct you to the e-mail that started it all: “And there are a number of other incidents involving Islam and other anti-Christian issues that I complained about…”
And who can forget: The TDSB says they received no complaints until “the arrangement” was highlighted by a “Right Wing” internet blogger!
Dear Xxxx
“I fully support your protest against the TDSB and, while neither Jewish, Hindu or Christian, I plan to attend on Monday.
Watching your video of the news conference, I noticed you had some question about how “the story broke.” I don’t know about the story, but I can tell you I spent the better part of the past year writing on this issue to the TDSB, all the trustees including those newly elected in November, my MPP, the Premier, the Ministry of Education, the media, and to other miscellaneous groups and individuals I thought might share my concern. Just about no one replied. Deafening silence.
Below is the message I sent, lightly tweaked for the various recipients. So you can see that the issue had been raised, contrary to the claims that no one had complained, but officials were ignoring it.
Sincerely,
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx”
The e-mail:
ALLOWING STUDENTS TO LEAVE CLASS FOR PRAYERS IS CONTRARY TO THE EDUCATION ACT
To: Bruce Davis, Chair, Toronto District School Board Trustees, Toronto District School Board
Irene Atkinson, Nadia Bello, Chris Bolton, John Campbell, Sheila Cary-Meagher, Shaun Chen, Michael Coteau, Gary Crawford, Cathy Dandy, Gerri Gershon, Howard Goodman, Scott Harrison, John Hastings, Josh Matlow, James Pasternak, Stephnie Payne, Maria Rodrigues, Mari Rutka, Chris Tonks, Sheila Ward, Soo Wong, Gorick Ng, Fan Wu
Christopher Spence, Director, Toronto District School Board
Date: August 4, 2010
I am concerned that a number of TDSB principals are violating the principle of secular education in Ontario by allowing Muslim students to leave classes for Friday prayers during class time.
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