Grade 8 students not ready to leave public board yet
Friendship outweighs sports and other extras for some public school students heading to Herman Secondary School.
CBC News
Posted: Jan 17, 2013 1:15 PM ET
Last Updated: Jan 17, 2013 5:01 PM ET
Grade 8 students were on hand at W.F. Herman Secondary School for their annual recruitment night. Some students say they will stick with the public board, despite possibly losing extra-curricular activities.
Much has been made about lost extracurricular activities for public school students, but many parents who attended last night’s student information session at W.F. Herman Secondary School weren’t ready to jump ship just yet.
Vice-principal Elvira DiGesu has been telling parents the work action is just, “a bump in the road.”
“We will work through this and they can rest assured that their kids are going to come and have a great experience at Herman," DiGesu said.
Greater Essex District School Board student trustee Karren Wang said, it’s not the best situation, but there is much more than sports to look forward to in high school.
"It's not desired to have all our extracurricular withdrawn, but for those Grade 8 students that are trying to pick a high school, I suggest that they don't solely rely on extracurricular activities,” said the Grade 12 student at Vincent Massey Secondary School.
Some students and parents attending last night’s Grade 8 information nights agreed.
“My husband went to Herman, so that’s where they want to go,” said parent Tricia Acchione.
Her twin boys played basketball at St. John Vienne Catholic School. But Acchione said her sons will be heading to a school that supported her husband during his teenage years, with or without basketball.
Amy Bergamin played soccer at David Maxwell Public School. She’s been in public school her whole life and doesn’t want to learn the ropes at a new school board.
“I have my heart set on coming to Herman because all my friends are coming here too,” said grade eight students Amy Bergamin. “I really hope they have sports next year, I wanted to play more than just soccer and meet new friends but I don’t want to start over.”
Herman student Tasha Canty will be returning to Herman next year, but says she understands if some people choose to attend a Catholic school.
“I made the choice to come to Herman, I like it here, I should stick with it,” said Grade 11 student, who plays power hitter on the girls’ volleyball team. “If I came into high school with things the way they are now, I might have gone to a catholic school.”
Marion Jessop’s son doesn’t participate in sports, but there are activities she says he will miss.
She said people might be taking what teachers do for granted.
“I think it’s great that the teachers came out to meet with the students. I know they’re volunteering their time. Teachers put in a lot of volunteer hours, I don’t think people realize that,” said Marion. “I think teachers are justified, but it’s unfortunate that the students have to be put in the middle of this.”
To say teachers are not fulfilling their obligations is misleading, according to Herman teacher Vanessa Harnish.
“It’s not entirely true to say we were legislated back to work. We have been here every day, fulfilling our requirements as teachers,” she said.
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