Parent-activists in Ajax are celebrating a small victory when their community school – Southwood Park Public School – yesterday announced it will be holding off on the cancellation of student overnight excursions.
However, the Durham District School Board (DDSB) school advised that the October 1 decision to cancel the trips has been postponed – not cancelled.
“…we are holding off on making any final decisions on overnight trips until we’ve had an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with members of our school community (students, staff, and families),” said a school statement issued to the community.
Families Heartbroken – and Frustrated
Following the October 1 announcement, parent Erika Hill said: “Families and students are heartbroken — and frustrated — after school administration abruptly cancelled all overnight trips for grades 6, 7, and 8, including the long-standing Grade 8 graduation trip.
She called yesterday’s announcement “a positive development in our ongoing efforts regarding the cancellation of overnight trips without any consultation. This is a meaningful step forward, and we are cautiously optimistic.
“We are also pleased to share that we have over 100 parents actively collaborating to develop a unified strategy. We are hopeful that this dialogue will lead to a more thoughtful approach to decision-making and help us bring back overnight trips,” she added.
School-wide Conversations
Yesterday’s update from the school principal, Sarah Mitchell, said: “Since our letter on October 1st, we have heard from many of you—families, staff, and students—who have expressed strong feelings about the role overnight trips can play in your child’s school experience. Your feedback has been heartfelt, passionate, and deeply rooted in the value these experiences have brought to many in our community over the years.
“Our original decision to explore alternatives to overnight trips was made with the best interests of students and families in mind. However, we acknowledge that we did not fully appreciate the depth of connection many in our community feel toward these trips, nor the sense of loss that such a change might bring,” the letter said.
“In the coming weeks, we will create space for school-wide conversations about overnight trips, with consideration of curriculum connections, family needs, financial accessibility, supervision, and safety. We are committed to listening, learning, and working together to find a path forward that honors our diverse perspectives and supports meaningful learning for all students,” it added promising to share more details shortly.
Why The Trips Were Cancelled
The October 1 letter from the school said: “After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to look at alternative options to overnight trips.”
It said several key factors had contributed to this decision:
- Equity and Inclusion: We want every student to feel welcome and able to participate in school experiences. Overnight trips can present unintentional barriers for some families due to cultural, or personal circumstances.
- Financial Considerations: These trips can place a significant cost burden on families, especially those with multiple children or limited financial flexibility.
- Family Preferences: Many families have shared that they are more comfortable with day trips, and this has been reflected in student participation.
- Staff Commitments: Overnight trips ask a great deal of our dedicated staff, requiring them to volunteer time away from their own families and additional responsibilities outside regular working hours.
- District Alignment: Many schools in our region have moved away from overnight trips for similar reasons and we are aligning with broader district practices and values.
The letter said staff was actively planning alternative day trips and in-school opportunities that continue to support joyful and meaningful learning.
You May Also Wish To Read
Ride offers lead to multiple sex assaults; any more victims?