'Completely unfair': Students and residents double down in disgust over new Kingsville school name
Students at Kingsville District High School staged a second walkout Friday afternoon. The fallout continues over the new name selected for the new kindergarten-grade 12 public school that opens in September.
Similar to last Friday’s demonstration, many residents and school alumni joined the afternoon protest, calling on the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) of Trustees to rescind and reconsider the name ‘Erie Migration Academy’ after it was abruptly selected last month.
“I think that the name was chosen completely unfair,” said grade 9 student Sarah Denunzio.
“We should have gotten a say as the students,” Denunzio said. “I think that this new school should have incorporated Kingsville into the name. I don't think Erie Migration Academy is a good choice in general.”
Kingsville resident Dan Nowlan said he came out to support the students, noting he was not pleased with how the new name was brought forward.
Students at Kingsville District High School staged a walkout on March 1, 2024, in protest of the new name selected for the new K-12 public school that opens in September. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
“I find it pretentious, arrogant, the procedure unfounded and that the student body has the right to represent themselves going forward in their future,” he said.
Others, like retired teacher and Kingsville resident Laurel Robinet, said it’s important to maintain Kingsville in the new school name, concerned its absence would strip the community of it’s Kingsville identity.
“I appreciate the efforts of the trustees and actually building this school,” said Robinet. “I mean, it's going to be a marvelous project. There's no doubt about that. But I think there's something to be said about process.”
Robinet continued, “And really, all they're asking is for the word ‘Kingsville’ and ‘district’ or ‘area,’ whatever you want to say, to be in the name. I don't think that's asking for too much.”
Students at Kingsville District High School staged a walkout on March 1, 2024, in protest of the new name selected for the new K-12 public school that opens in September. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
In an email to CTV News, a spokesperson for the GECDSB said the school’s administration was aware of the protests that have taken place, noting they followed the necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety while exercising their right to express themselves.
Many at the protest said they’re hopeful the matter will be reconsidered.
“Let's just rescind. Look at it again, and I'm sure we can come up with something better,” Robinet added.
The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for March 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Wildfire near Jasper National Park prompts evacuation order and highway closures
Multiple wildfires in Jasper National Park flared up with a vengeance late Monday night, forcing all park visitors along with the 4,700 residents of the Jasper townsite to flee west with little notice over mountain roads through darkness, soot, and ash.
Kamala Harris likely to follow path blazed by Biden on Canada-U.S. relationship
Observers expect Kamala Harris to follow U.S. President Joe Biden’s roadmap for America’s relationship with Canada as she moves to secure the Democratic party's presidential nomination.
Someone died from untreated AIDS every minute last year: UN
Nearly 40 million people were living with the HIV virus that causes AIDS last year, over nine million weren't getting any treatment, and the result was that every minute someone died of AIDS-related causes, the UN said in a new report launched Monday.
Do you need a lawyer when making a will in Canada?
Many people believe that creating a will requires the services of a lawyer, but this isn't always the case. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew explains a lawyer's role when crafting your last will and testament.
NEW 'The Simpsons' are once again getting credit for predicting American politics
In an episode of 'The Simpsons' from 2000, Lisa Simpson becomes U.S. president and wears an outfit strikingly similar to the one America’s first female Vice-President Kamala Harris wore to the 2021 inauguration
Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu signals ceasefire deal could be shaping up as deaths top 39,000
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signalled that a ceasefire deal that would free dozens of hostages from captivity in Gaza could be taking shape.
Thinking of shoplifting? It's not worth the cost: paralegal expert
Shoplifting and retail theft have become a $5 billion annual problem and the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is concerned about thefts becoming more brazen and violent with weapons being used.
Athletes show off stylish and expensive team clothing for the 2024 Olympic Games
Canadian athletes attempting to reach the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will also be looking fashionable for the entire world to see.
Walkway collapses in massive housing project in southern Italy, killing 2 and injuring a dozen
A pedestrian walkway in a massive housing project collapsed in the southern Italian city of Naples, killing two people and injuring a dozen others, Italian media reported Tuesday.