Teachers urged not to participate in after school activities

By Mandy Matthews

The cancellation of extracurricular activities due to Bill 11 has caused mixed feelings among some Windsor teachers and students.

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario president Sam Hammond has urged his 76,000 members to not participate in activities such as coaching teams or volunteering to lead clubs. At least one southern Ontario school is participating. Stephan Lewis Secondary School in Vaughan, Ont. cancelled fall sports at the organizing teachers’ discretion. Windsor students have not experienced the full cancellation yet.

David Collins, a 14-year-old Grade 9 student at Tecumseh Vista Academy, said he hopes to receive an athletic scholarship to a university. He said sports are important to him because he puts a lot of time and effort into them.

“I strive to be successful,” Collins said. “Having a positive mental attitude can make all of the difference in anything you do.”

Retired teacher and coach from D. M. Eagle Public Elementary School Marty Denonville said coaching has always made teaching more enjoyable. However, he also said the way the government has treated teachers is wrong and he would have stopped all of his volunteer activities.

“It has caused much dissension among teachers, students and parents,” Denonville said. “If sports are cancelled most would be disappointed, but in the end would do their best to enjoy the educational opportunities they have.”

Denonville said students will support the teachers if the cancellation of extracurricular activities continues. However, Collins said teachers and coaches have an impact on all of his sports because they encourage him to push himself and his confidence shows in the classroom.

“In cross country, I found that it really teaches you how to take the sport one goal at a time because those little goals, such as trying to catch that one person in front of you, leads to overall goals,” said Collins. “That’s what enables me to focus in the classroom.”

Warren Kennedy , the director of education at the Greater Essex County District School Board said he was unsure of the impact on students caused by withdrawing extracurricular activities. He said he hopes all parties would keep the best interest of the students in mind.

Collins said coaches and teachers taught him to stick together, keep a good pace and work hard and he appreciates their efforts.

“Without coaches telling me how to improve and what mistakes I made I would not be able to improve to the next level,” said Collins.