School Options Open House & Info Night
What did the parents/people of Waterloo Region want to learn more about?
Those who registered for the School Options Open House & Information Night would have been asked:
“What are you most interested in gaining more insight about, at this event.”
Unsurprisingly, a common theme emerged: options.
Notably, the Waterloo Region expressed a significant interest in 'other' or 'alternative' options, with homeschooling being the most mentioned and faith-based learning coming up frequently as a topic people want to know more about.
It was refreshing to witness the community's interest in staying connected and learning more about how to stay informed about the current state of our publicly funded school system. The enthusiasm for 'fostering honest inquiry and respect in education' and the 'grassroots interest that exists for independent education and educational pluralism' were also heartening to see, along with the many other responses received!"
Here is a list of all of the responses submitted prior to the event on Jan 8, 2024:
“Homeschooling”
“Everything”
“I am interested in everything that you will be talking about - what is going on in the public system, what can be done inside the system and what alternatives there are to public schools. I am equally interested in all of these. I used to teach in [location removed] and what I have heard about public schools recently is really concerning to me.”
“Information for staying current with what options are out there. My child is in the Christian education system currently and we are happy. But we don’t want to put our head in the sand and be unaware of what is happening within our region.”
“We decided to try homeschooling this September and it has been very hard for me. Trying to decide whether to send them back, but I was happy to not be part of that system anymore. I would love to meet more people in the field and get others ideas. I could use more homeschooling resources as well.”
“How can we effectively work together to peacefully advocate for kids & teachers in public schools while standing against ‘indoctrination’ aspects and devaluation of parental authority?”
“Alternative options for education. How to assist with the removal of non-STEM, ideological WRDSB curriculum.”
“Support Carolyn.”
“Options for home school groups and support. Hoping to connect with local families, maybe pod Centers for my grandchildren.”
“Options for partial, homeschooling for a student going into grade 11 in particular Catholic religion classes.”
“Interested in hearing Carolyn Burjoski and David [Haskell]. Also interested in homeschooling options.”
“Ways to work within the public school system (to protect kids and maybe even educate school staff).”
“We are grandparents and we are concerned re the ideology that is being fed to the children.”
“Fostering honest inquiry, respect, and education. Moral psychology (e.g. Jonathan Haidt)”
“The grassroots interest that exists for independent education and educational pluralism”
“SOGI and WRDSB procedures vs. policies and how is the public being left out.”
“Local church interest in Christ-centered education in the KW area.”
“New grandparents. Looking for options for our grandchildren.”
“I don't know what I don't know, so I'd like to know more. :D”
“Alternatives to gender ideology for my 12 and 3 yr old girls”
“Current atmosphere of the Waterloo educational environment”
“Hearing from people about homeschooling and other systems”
“Hearing the speakers and chatting with like-minded folks”
“A proper education, as well for faith-based education”
“Learning options outside the traditional school boards”
“Best homeschooling option/curriculum for my children”
“Help with care for younger children (daycare)”
“How to fight the misguided schoolboard ideology”
“How many people show up and what the buzz is!”
“Learn what kids need and don't need to learn”
“Share my homeschool and political experience”
“Why not all Christian schools participating.”
“Learning more about the different options.”
“learning about alternative school options”
“Homeschooling support”
“Hearing about alternative school options”
“I would like to set up a book table”
“Want to know more about education”
“information on available options”
“Christian Schools in the region”
“School options”
“everything!”
“Information”
“alternative high school options”
“how to combat the school board”
“Learning alternative options.”
“How to homeschool on a budget”
“Meeting like-minded families.”
“Unschooling/homeschooling”
“Everything on your itinerary”
“School options for kids”
“Homeschooling options”
“Alternative schools”
“High school options”
“Learning more about the policies coming from the ministry re curriculum and teachers or staff.”
“School alternatives”
“Support Carolyn.”
“Everything”
“Curriculum”
Thank you to everyone who submitted a response through the online registration! If you have more to add, or registered in person - feel free to comment below or send your response to EMPOWRconnect@gmail.com.
Note that we will be obtaining feedback about what people had to say, following the event. That can be found here, once available. We’re thrilled to learn what the people and parents of Waterloo Region want to continue to know more about in order to create better learning outcomes for our children.
Remember, if you are here to support our kids and their education - we’re here to support you!