Staff at Toronto school say they're receiving death threats amid near-daily fights, violence
Staff at a Toronto high school say their environment has become unsafe – with students using bathrooms as “fight clubs” and death threats being levied at teachers – leading more than a dozen staff to walk off the job earlier this month.
On a condition of remaining anonymous for fear they could lose their job, two York Memorial Collegiate Institute staff members spoke to CTV News Toronto.
"I think right now our school is likely the most unsafe school of all of TDSB," one staff member said.
"Three vice principals to date have either been assaulted or had death threats," they said, noting that two of the incidents involved confiscated drugs.
In a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) letter sent to parents on Monday, the board acknowledged that the amalgamation of York Memorial and George Harvey have resulted in challenges.
"We know that this is a newly forming school community and it hasn't been without its challenges, concerns and indeed some fears, but we are committed to working collaboratively so all students and staff feel welcome and safe at school and work. They deserve that," the letter read.
The TDSB announced a new temporary principal will be taking over this week until they find a permanent one. They also added an executive advisor to address the issues at the school. The search to fill two vice-principal positions is also underway.
‘SWARMED’ BY STUDENTS
For weeks, York CI’s teachers have felt unsafe, with some adding they’ve been “swarmed by students,” and are witnessing near-daily fights.
They explained that students also feel unsafe, and are even avoiding school bathrooms.
"There was one dedicated to sex acts," said a staff member, who said another was being used for alleged drug use and a third had been deemed a so-called “fight club.”
"The older kids are making the kids that are going to use the washroom fight with each other," said a staff member, "and they're video taping it."
The staff members say students that need to go to the bathroom are either holding it in or leaving the school property.
"Students are using bathrooms in stores off site, they leave the school if they absolutely cannot hold it to either go home or use a washroom at a fast food place close by," they said.
After weeks of turmoil, the principal, along with several members of the school’s administration, did not show up to work on Nov. 2, citing an unsafe work environment.
MAYOR HAS MET WITH SCHOOL BOARDS, POLICE
Mayor John Tory, the Toronto Police Service and The Toronto District School Board met on Monday to discuss violence in schools.
"Right now the city, police and school board often operate on their own," said Tory, "I can just tell you, we're united."
He said he has already asked for another meeting to track progress.
One of the staff members who spoke to CTV News Toronto said there were probably 100 students out of the roughly 1,300 at the school causing the safety concerns, but they are hopeful some long-term solutions will solve what they're calling a "turf war" between the students and staff.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.