Premier visits school at centre of sex-ed flap
Kathleen Wynne lends her support to Thorncliffe staff during ‘challenging time’
Premier Kathleen Wynne visited Thorncliffe Park Public School earlier this week as a show of support amid ongoing sex-ed protests.
The elementary school, in Wynne’s riding, has been a chief target in the controversy over the updated curriculum. About 150 students have been out of class on a regular basis since school began in September, instead being taught by volunteers at the park or community centre next door.
Thorncliffe was also hit by vandalism on the second day of school, with “shame on you” scrawled on the building and the kindergarten next door, in four different places.
“As the member for Don Valley West, where Thorncliffe Park Public School is located, Premier Wynne dropped in this week to show support for staff and students,” said Jennifer Beaudry, spokeswoman for the premier’s office.
“This visit was during a challenging time for the school as they have been dealing with protests over the updated health and physical education curriculum. The informal visit was to thank the principal, vice-principals, teachers and support staff for their continued hard work helping students and their families.”
Principal Jeff Crane said Wynne came Monday morning, “walked around and spoke to staff.”
“They were very appreciative of her visit,” he added.
Both Crane and Thorncliffe teacher Susan Mabey — who has fought for gay and lesbian rights for decades — have publicly stated that while the outspoken protesters do oppose the updated sex-ed curriculum, homophobia is also at play.
Unlike the first school she taught at, Mabey said she does not feel comfortable openly discussing her sexual orientation with all parents, but when asked will disclose she has a wife.
Wynne herself, who is openly gay, has said she knows some protesters have “destructive and divisive attitudes.”
Even though it is believed to be a small group leading the charge, Mabey said what’s going on continues to affect staff morale and spirit, and that parents have been bullied for sending their children to school and told the public system is going to “indoctrinate their kids into homosexuality.”
A vocal group in the neighbourhood, the Thorncliffe Parents Association, has posted on Facebook its concerns about hiring gay teachers or even “homosexuality books.” Spokesperson Khalid Mahmood has told the Star the group is respectful of all lifestyles, even those they don’t approve of, and that parents’ real complaint is against outside community groups coming in to talk to their kids about equity and sexual orientation.
The association has no official standing with the school, and Crane has said he does not negotiate or meet with them.
Aposting on the Thorncliffe parent group’s Facebook page noted Wynne’s visit and said she was there to “meet and sense the pulse. ‘Maybe’ she found a new friend,” it said.
“You gave a deaf ear to thousands of Ontarians but you took time out to diligently visit and sympathize a false cry. You are so caring!!”
Some parents have accused the Liberals of not properly consulting them on the curriculum — which was last updated in 1998 — and they have called it everything from immoral to age-inappropriate.
However, Education Minister Liz Sandals has said the curriculum review began in 2007 and included consultations with parent, students, teachers, post-secondary education experts, and more than 70 health organizations.