Algoma teachers union concerned about violence in schools
More than 1,200 incidents of violence were reported at public schools in Algoma, according to a document presented at this week’s board meeting.
But the Algoma Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) said incidents are likely under-reported.
“Students throwing items in the room, biting, kicking, punching, sometimes you have children threatening the adults in the room, swearing at the adults,” said Shelly Predum, president of Algoma ETFO.
“Learning is being disrupted and the violence is being normalized. And a lot of our young children are being traumatized by what they’re seeing in the classroom. And they really need the supports to work through what they’re seeing and also to support the child that’s struggling in the classroom.”
Predum said some staff wears Kevlar to school so they have body armour to protect against bites and other injuries.
One student was so disruptive and violent, their classroom had to be evacuated three times. Predum said more funding from the province is needed to deal with this issue.
“They can be funding mental health supports, resources, extra EAs, programming that can be delivered to support the students that are having challenges, but also to support the teachers and other children in the classroom,” said Predum.
While there are supports available to teachers, she said they don’t address staffing challenges.
CTV News reached out to the Algoma District School Board, but they declined to comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.