Sad, but true. North Toronto’s senior football team is a no-go this season. To some, it’s not a big deal. To others, such as players, it’s unfortunate.
Yes, there is a junior football team - for now.
No one is pointing the finger at teachers. Indeed, they are paid to teach and no one wants to see a dispute between the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation and the Toronto District School Board or there could be a withdrawal of volunteer services.
The majority of teachers at North Toronto do a great job volunteering time to coach other sports, some times more than one, or deal with yearbook, drama, music and more. No argument or debate.
But former Toronto District School Board trustee and the parent of a North Toronto student, has a point. Why is it that he can be approved as an emergency replacement teacher (and he’s not a teacher by profession) to stand around a classroom all day for a few bucks, but not allowed to have the same supervision while offering to coach - and for free ?
Seems the beauracracy at the school Board needs to find a better solution to keep students active and playing sports - the research shows that kids involved in sports do better in school than those who don’t participate.
Yes, North Toronto has other temporary problems - no football field, no basketball coach, issues resulting from the swimming pool fiasco and on and on.
Keep in mind, lack of interest or availability from teachers to coach is not restricted to North Toronto. Their situation is the first to go public.
Now, the ball is in the hands of the Board to find a solution to keep students playing, help teaching faculty with some remuneration in time or whatever and figure out a better way of dealing with the liability and student code of conduct stuff.
Maybe one of those regular Board meetings can be devoted to dealing with this ?
