...or, in this case, the building.
Just another way to stem the tide of crime. The Toronto District Catholic School Board is being proactive about keeping their students safe and sound. This summer the Board is investing $700k to keep their students out of harm's way.
With any luck, that other school board will think of doing something similar.
Oh, and here's a tip for the Attorney General and Justice Minister of Canada. Mandatory jail time for anyone caught on these cameras near a school yard selling drugs, carrying a weapon, committing a violent crime. That might just beat blaming the Liberal Senators for gun crimes.
Showing posts with label Catholic education rocks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholic education rocks. Show all posts
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
So Much for Getting Rid of The Catholic School Boards
A few bloggers recently demonstrated some errant commentary on whether or not we should discard the Catholic School Boards here in Ontario. Of course, being a Catholic, I let out a medium-sized distaste for said commentary. While many other bloggers sided with said commentators, there were an equal number opposed.
Anyhow, John Tory has opened up a can of whup ass with his announcement yesterday. you see, Mr. Tory fully understands the popularity of faith-based education and the amount of votes one might obtain if one can pull it off.
Offering Bill Davis up as a moderator of public opinion in the matter makes it even more laudable. The same Davis that put forward funding to the Catholics in the 80's. Not only does Tory garner votes from religious education supporters of all walks of life, he now gets the votes of the Catholics. You see the Catholics will shore up their Separate School Boards with the notion that other religious-based groups will now be on par and have no reason to oppose their funding.
Tory plans on funding Islamic, Jewish, Hindu and even Christian schools. Now, who's gonna argue with that? Certainly not those bloggers calling for the dismantling of the Catholic School Board. Isn't their argument all about the bias against other faith-based schooling being left out in the cold?
P.S. The logo at the top is my alma mater. I paid tuition there for grades 11-13. I paid for my books and uniforms too. I had to work my butt off during the summer to do it too. Two years after my graduation, Bill Davis put an end to that. Thanks Bill.
P.P.S. Sapere Aude in the logo is a Latin phrase meaning "Dare to know" or "Dare to be wise", or sometimes translated as "Have courage to use your own reason". Thustly I reason.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Cherniak Forgot about The British North America Act
You see, it's not about doing away with religious schools being funded. It's a constitutional arguement as well. Last time I checked my property tax bill I am paying for my children's Catholic education.
Jason Cherniak said...
It's not a "majority". But if it's the largest ethnic group, I don't think "minority" is accurate either.
For the record Jason, "Catholics are not an ethnic group". They are people from different ethnicities that share a common religion.
Significant Events in the History of Catholic Education
h/t to OCSTA for their history chart.
1841 First School Act for the Province of Upper Canada
There was a need to obtain some financial support from the Crown to pay teachers salaries
Government responds - permitting the establishment of denominational schools and more permanent funding growth
Tache Act
Extends right of Upper Canada's Catholic minority to create and manage their own schools
1863 Scott Act
Sectarian bitterness was very strong and threatened minority rights in Upper Canada
Archbishop Charbonel provides leadership
Government responds
Gave Catholic trustees all the rights and powers of their public school counter-parts: Catholic schools were also allowed a share of Common School fund by Canadian government.
1867 British North America Act
Need to constitutionally secure minority rights of Catholics re: education
Government responds by including Section 93 and the educational rights of the Catholic minority were secured constitutionally
1925 Tiny Township Case
Need for financial support for high schools
Lay Catholic leadership emerges
Government responds - Catholics have just claim for funds for Grades 9 and 10 - no constitutional rights beyond that but opens the door by stating that the provincial government could grant funds beyond Grade 10
1930 Ontario Separate School Trustees' Association is Founded
1930's Catholic Taxpayers' Association
Efforts made to secure equitable distribution of corporate and business tax to Catholic Boards
1950/60 Hope Commission
Recommends that elementary level be cut back to K-6
1961 OSSTA Publishes 1st Catholic Trustee Magazine
Publication continues until 1997 with revised format introduced in 1986
Replaced by Catholic Trustee Newsnotes in 1997
1963 "Equal Opportunity for Continuous Education in Separate Schools of
Ontario" - Brief to Premier and Minister of Education
This was a major step towards obtaining full funding for Catholic schools. The Brief enjoyed the support of all Catholic partners including the Bishops
One of the highlights of the Extension campaign was the Student Rally at Maple Leaf Gardens organized by the Ontario Catholic Students' Federation
In 1971, the Brief was rejected by the then Premier - William Davis
1969 County and District School Boards Created (known as Larger Units of
Administration)
1969 OECTA/OSSTA Religious Education Courses Launched
Courses in the teaching of catechetics offered in winter and summer
Certificates issued by joint associations to teachers who successfully complete the couse
Courses would eventually expand to Course 1, 2 & 3 and be recognized by the Ministry for qualification purposes
1972 Focus on Faith for the Future program Established by OSSTA
Major thrust of the program was to develop a total Catholic school community which would embrace all its component parts - trustees, teachers, administrators, priests and parents
1976 Blair Commission Tours Province to assess reaction to taxing Catholic High
School Property
Through the combined efforts of clergy, trustees, teachers, parents and students the Tax Plan was scrapped
1978 Government Approves Religious Education Credits for Grades 0 & 10
1980 Bill 82 Grants Catholic schools the right to provide "Special Education"
1984 Grade 9 & 10 Students in Catholic Schools are Recognized as "Secondary"
School Students
1984 Premier Bill Davis Announces Intention to Extend Funding to Grades 11, 12
& 13 (OAC) in Catholic Schools
1985 Passage of Bill 30 (including s.136 1.a.) - Extends Full Funding to Grades 11, 12 & 13 (OAC) in Catholic Schools
Would be challenged in the Court of Appeal of Ontario and in the Supreme Court of Canada Section 136 1.a., a Clause which restricted, to a ten year period, the rights of Catholic school boards to prefer to hire Catholic teachers was inserted. It would later be challenged in Court
1985 Completion Office of the Separate Schools Founded
Provides a forum for Catholic partners, including OSSTA, to address political issues arising from "extension" - Bill 30
1986 Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) Founded by the Ontario Council of
Catholic Bishops
OSSTA is a member of the Institute and actively contributes to the work of the partners around issues of Curriculum, Teacher Education, Faculties of Education, etc.
1986 Bill 30 Declared Constitutional by the Ontario Court of Appeal
1987 Bill 30 Declared Constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada
1991 ICE Publishes "Blishen Report"
Provides a vision of the goals for Catholic students as they were articulated by parents, clergy, teachers and trustees
1992 Ontario Fair Tax Commission
OSSTA Participates in Work of Property Tax Working Group including presentation of Minority Report
1993 Royal Commission on Learning Appointed
OSSTA attends Hearings and presents Submission; "The Hope That Lives Within Us"
1995 Royal Commission on Learning Issues Report: For the Love of Learning
OSSTA responds
1995 School Councils Established
Purpose is to bring parents and teachers together for the local management of their schools
OSSTA publishes two major documents: Evolution of Catholic School Councils and Involving Other Parents
1995/96 Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs re: Amendment
to Term 17 of the Terms of Union Between Canada and Newfoundland
OSSTA supports Newfoundland Catholics in their fight to protect Catholic Education in their province
1997 Justice Sharpe rules that Section 136 of the Education Act is
Unconstitutional and of no force or effect
This ruling would be appealed in the Appeal Court of Ontario
The Appeal Court supports Justice Sharpe's ruling
Application to appeal the Appeal Court's decision is dismissed
Section 136 was struck out by the Court as it was unconstitutional. Catholic boards have the constitutional authority to take matters of faith into account in hiring, advancing, promoting and dismissing employees. Employees are entitled to challenge such preferential practices, however, where the qualification is not reasonable and bona fide
1997 OSSTA adopts new Name - Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association
This name more accurately reflects our mission as the provincial representative of English Catholic school trustees
1997 Bill 104 - Fewer School Boards Act (1997)
Roman Catholic Separate School Boards reduced from 53 to 29 Catholic District School Boards and six School Authorities. Catholic trustees reduced from 710 to 250
1997 Education Improvement Commission
Commission mandated to oversee and direct the amalgamation and operation of schools and to oversee the transition of the new system of education governance in Ontario
1997 Bill 160 - Education Quality Improvement Act, 1997
Introduces a fair and equitable funding formula for public and Catholic schools
OCSTA supports direction taken by the Government in the area of curriculum, standards, accountability, reporting and funding
OCSTA expresses reservation about some of the initiative in the area of governance, in the matter of labour relations and negotiations and about the pace of the comprehensive educational reforms in certain areas
1997 Ontario Regulation 461/97 Establishes Policy Guidelines for Representation
of the Interests of Pupils on School Boards
OCSTA publishes "Enbracing the Future: Catholic Pupil Representatives on Catholic School Boards" to help school boards develop local policies
OCSTA Launches Web Site for Student Representatives
OCSTA assists in coordinating in-service opportunities for Student Representatives
1997 Religious Education as Teaching Subject Introduced in Faculties of
Education
1998 Bill 160 - Constitutional Challenges
Justice Peter Cumming (General Division Court of Ontario) finds that it is unconstitutional for the provincial government through Bill 160 to suspend the right of Catholic school boards to set a local mill rate
All other aspects of the challenge are unsuccessful
OCSTA reaffirms that it is unlikely that Catholic boards would see any benefit in exercising their right to tax as raising money beyond equitable levels would be inconsistent with our long-standing goal of fair funding for all students
The government appeals the lower court's decision re: taxation and OPSBA, OECTA, other teacher unions and individuals appeal other parts of the lower court's decision. OCSTA is an intervenor
A panel of 5 Ontario Court of Appeal judges hear the Appeals and eventually reverses the ruling of the lower court. OCSTA is an intervenor
The decision of the Court of Appeal would be challenged in the Supreme Court of Canada
1998 Government Financial Support for Creation of Catholic Curriculum for
Catholic Schools
Coordinated through the Institute for Catholic Education
1999 OCSTA Adopts New Logo
Considerations which guided the design included the need to symbolize in a contemporary style the traditional goals and mission of the Association
2000 Charter of Education Rights and Responsibilities
Heralds an era of accountability
OCSTA publishes document "Visioning the Future: A Reflection on the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities from the perspective of Catholic Schools"
2000 Bill 74 - Education Accountability Act, 2000
2001 Bill 160 Declared Constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada
2001 Bill 80 - Stability & Excellence in Education Act
2001 Task Force on Effective Schools Established
OCSTA responds with document entitled: A Catholic Response to the Task Force on Effective Schools
Jason Cherniak said...
It's not a "majority". But if it's the largest ethnic group, I don't think "minority" is accurate either.
For the record Jason, "Catholics are not an ethnic group". They are people from different ethnicities that share a common religion.
Significant Events in the History of Catholic Education
h/t to OCSTA for their history chart.
1841 First School Act for the Province of Upper Canada
There was a need to obtain some financial support from the Crown to pay teachers salaries
Government responds - permitting the establishment of denominational schools and more permanent funding growth
Tache Act
Extends right of Upper Canada's Catholic minority to create and manage their own schools
1863 Scott Act
Sectarian bitterness was very strong and threatened minority rights in Upper Canada
Archbishop Charbonel provides leadership
Government responds
Gave Catholic trustees all the rights and powers of their public school counter-parts: Catholic schools were also allowed a share of Common School fund by Canadian government.
1867 British North America Act
Need to constitutionally secure minority rights of Catholics re: education
Government responds by including Section 93 and the educational rights of the Catholic minority were secured constitutionally
1925 Tiny Township Case
Need for financial support for high schools
Lay Catholic leadership emerges
Government responds - Catholics have just claim for funds for Grades 9 and 10 - no constitutional rights beyond that but opens the door by stating that the provincial government could grant funds beyond Grade 10
1930 Ontario Separate School Trustees' Association is Founded
1930's Catholic Taxpayers' Association
Efforts made to secure equitable distribution of corporate and business tax to Catholic Boards
1950/60 Hope Commission
Recommends that elementary level be cut back to K-6
1961 OSSTA Publishes 1st Catholic Trustee Magazine
Publication continues until 1997 with revised format introduced in 1986
Replaced by Catholic Trustee Newsnotes in 1997
1963 "Equal Opportunity for Continuous Education in Separate Schools of
Ontario" - Brief to Premier and Minister of Education
This was a major step towards obtaining full funding for Catholic schools. The Brief enjoyed the support of all Catholic partners including the Bishops
One of the highlights of the Extension campaign was the Student Rally at Maple Leaf Gardens organized by the Ontario Catholic Students' Federation
In 1971, the Brief was rejected by the then Premier - William Davis
1969 County and District School Boards Created (known as Larger Units of
Administration)
1969 OECTA/OSSTA Religious Education Courses Launched
Courses in the teaching of catechetics offered in winter and summer
Certificates issued by joint associations to teachers who successfully complete the couse
Courses would eventually expand to Course 1, 2 & 3 and be recognized by the Ministry for qualification purposes
1972 Focus on Faith for the Future program Established by OSSTA
Major thrust of the program was to develop a total Catholic school community which would embrace all its component parts - trustees, teachers, administrators, priests and parents
1976 Blair Commission Tours Province to assess reaction to taxing Catholic High
School Property
Through the combined efforts of clergy, trustees, teachers, parents and students the Tax Plan was scrapped
1978 Government Approves Religious Education Credits for Grades 0 & 10
1980 Bill 82 Grants Catholic schools the right to provide "Special Education"
1984 Grade 9 & 10 Students in Catholic Schools are Recognized as "Secondary"
School Students
1984 Premier Bill Davis Announces Intention to Extend Funding to Grades 11, 12
& 13 (OAC) in Catholic Schools
1985 Passage of Bill 30 (including s.136 1.a.) - Extends Full Funding to Grades 11, 12 & 13 (OAC) in Catholic Schools
Would be challenged in the Court of Appeal of Ontario and in the Supreme Court of Canada Section 136 1.a., a Clause which restricted, to a ten year period, the rights of Catholic school boards to prefer to hire Catholic teachers was inserted. It would later be challenged in Court
1985 Completion Office of the Separate Schools Founded
Provides a forum for Catholic partners, including OSSTA, to address political issues arising from "extension" - Bill 30
1986 Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) Founded by the Ontario Council of
Catholic Bishops
OSSTA is a member of the Institute and actively contributes to the work of the partners around issues of Curriculum, Teacher Education, Faculties of Education, etc.
1986 Bill 30 Declared Constitutional by the Ontario Court of Appeal
1987 Bill 30 Declared Constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada
1991 ICE Publishes "Blishen Report"
Provides a vision of the goals for Catholic students as they were articulated by parents, clergy, teachers and trustees
1992 Ontario Fair Tax Commission
OSSTA Participates in Work of Property Tax Working Group including presentation of Minority Report
1993 Royal Commission on Learning Appointed
OSSTA attends Hearings and presents Submission; "The Hope That Lives Within Us"
1995 Royal Commission on Learning Issues Report: For the Love of Learning
OSSTA responds
1995 School Councils Established
Purpose is to bring parents and teachers together for the local management of their schools
OSSTA publishes two major documents: Evolution of Catholic School Councils and Involving Other Parents
1995/96 Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs re: Amendment
to Term 17 of the Terms of Union Between Canada and Newfoundland
OSSTA supports Newfoundland Catholics in their fight to protect Catholic Education in their province
1997 Justice Sharpe rules that Section 136 of the Education Act is
Unconstitutional and of no force or effect
This ruling would be appealed in the Appeal Court of Ontario
The Appeal Court supports Justice Sharpe's ruling
Application to appeal the Appeal Court's decision is dismissed
Section 136 was struck out by the Court as it was unconstitutional. Catholic boards have the constitutional authority to take matters of faith into account in hiring, advancing, promoting and dismissing employees. Employees are entitled to challenge such preferential practices, however, where the qualification is not reasonable and bona fide
1997 OSSTA adopts new Name - Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association
This name more accurately reflects our mission as the provincial representative of English Catholic school trustees
1997 Bill 104 - Fewer School Boards Act (1997)
Roman Catholic Separate School Boards reduced from 53 to 29 Catholic District School Boards and six School Authorities. Catholic trustees reduced from 710 to 250
1997 Education Improvement Commission
Commission mandated to oversee and direct the amalgamation and operation of schools and to oversee the transition of the new system of education governance in Ontario
1997 Bill 160 - Education Quality Improvement Act, 1997
Introduces a fair and equitable funding formula for public and Catholic schools
OCSTA supports direction taken by the Government in the area of curriculum, standards, accountability, reporting and funding
OCSTA expresses reservation about some of the initiative in the area of governance, in the matter of labour relations and negotiations and about the pace of the comprehensive educational reforms in certain areas
1997 Ontario Regulation 461/97 Establishes Policy Guidelines for Representation
of the Interests of Pupils on School Boards
OCSTA publishes "Enbracing the Future: Catholic Pupil Representatives on Catholic School Boards" to help school boards develop local policies
OCSTA Launches Web Site for Student Representatives
OCSTA assists in coordinating in-service opportunities for Student Representatives
1997 Religious Education as Teaching Subject Introduced in Faculties of
Education
1998 Bill 160 - Constitutional Challenges
Justice Peter Cumming (General Division Court of Ontario) finds that it is unconstitutional for the provincial government through Bill 160 to suspend the right of Catholic school boards to set a local mill rate
All other aspects of the challenge are unsuccessful
OCSTA reaffirms that it is unlikely that Catholic boards would see any benefit in exercising their right to tax as raising money beyond equitable levels would be inconsistent with our long-standing goal of fair funding for all students
The government appeals the lower court's decision re: taxation and OPSBA, OECTA, other teacher unions and individuals appeal other parts of the lower court's decision. OCSTA is an intervenor
A panel of 5 Ontario Court of Appeal judges hear the Appeals and eventually reverses the ruling of the lower court. OCSTA is an intervenor
The decision of the Court of Appeal would be challenged in the Supreme Court of Canada
1998 Government Financial Support for Creation of Catholic Curriculum for
Catholic Schools
Coordinated through the Institute for Catholic Education
1999 OCSTA Adopts New Logo
Considerations which guided the design included the need to symbolize in a contemporary style the traditional goals and mission of the Association
2000 Charter of Education Rights and Responsibilities
Heralds an era of accountability
OCSTA publishes document "Visioning the Future: A Reflection on the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities from the perspective of Catholic Schools"
2000 Bill 74 - Education Accountability Act, 2000
2001 Bill 160 Declared Constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada
2001 Bill 80 - Stability & Excellence in Education Act
2001 Task Force on Effective Schools Established
OCSTA responds with document entitled: A Catholic Response to the Task Force on Effective Schools
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