Letter from co-chairs of Toronto's Alternative School Advisory Committee

Dear Ottawa Carleton District School Board,

The Alternative Schools Advisory Committee is the parent/teacher/ student advocacy group for alternative schools at the Toronto District School Board. We are writing this letter as Co-Chairs of ASAC to support alternative schools in Ottawa. We understand that the OCDSB is conducting a program review of alternative schools. We hope this review will be a way to nurture and grow alternative schools in your board.

As parents and teachers we cannot praise alternative schools enough. These schools have proven to be important parts of our educational system. In today's diverse Canadian cities, we need many different approaches to educating our children. The TDSB heartily endorses alternative schools; 4 new alternative schools were opened this academic year. The parents also endorse them, as all four have full enrollment.

The TDSB did a review of its alternative schools a few years ago. In sum it turned out to be a positive process. The board administration came to understand its schools better, and the teachers and parents felt like they had been listened to. We hope that the OCDSB review will result in stronger, more dynamic alternative schools for Ottawa's children and parents.

Sincerely,

Stephen Cooper and Steph Carrier

Co-Chairs, ASAC for the TDSB