Changes to Tavistock Public School Christmas program leave some parents concerned
- Lee Griffi
- Nov 28, 2024
- 4 min read
By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For many years, family members of children enrolled at Tavistock Public School (TPS) have watched their kids and grandkids perform during the annual Christmas program.
This year will see grades one to three excluded.
The Gazette received numerous comments from parents regarding the change in process this holiday season. The school and Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) were contacted and a response was given by superintendent Dennis Wright. There is no official word yet, but it appears kindergarten students will hold an event in mid-December and grades four to eight the day after.
Wright said he contacted TPS principal Jill Shushkewich, who said last year’s event went on for nearly four hours and the school received many complaints.
“By the time the last classes came out, half the audience had left and unfortunately, we were over capacity for a while because we had so many people from the early grades. They had a conversation as a staff (at TPS) and decided rather than do every single grade, they would do a musical.”
Wright added one of the teachers took the project on and it was open to all grades to try out for.
“That is happening and there is a special presentation from kindergarten students as well. It’s just a change of format. We have two or three additional classes this year and as the school grows, it becomes more difficult to have every single class present.”
TPS traditionally has one Christmas presentation during school hours and one in the evening on the same day. Wright added in the evening, staff are volunteering their time for it to happen.
“The decision that was made is they would have a play that would have as many students as possible. It’s not as if they’re not having a production. In fact, they are probably having a more refined production than they have had in the past,” added Wright.
The Gazette has reached out to and heard from several parents in grades one to three regarding the opportunity to audition for a part in the play. Those parents said nothing was communicated to them.
“I think it's ridiculous to leave out three grades,” said one parent of a Grade 3 student who didn’t want to be named.
“I don’t understand how kindergartens can do a special thing on a separate night and not have grades one to three join. Do one to three one night and the musical with grades four to eight another night,” she added.
Wright said there was a conversation at TPS parent council last week before the December newsletter was released.
“When the December newsletter comes out, that communication was meant to happen and I think you are a little ahead of the communication. We are letting people know in the newsletter what is happening that evening. Everyone is welcome to come. Everyone is welcome to participate. That’s what the teachers have decided to do,” he added.
TVDSB has an equity and inclusive education policy which states “The board believes that equity of opportunity and equity of access to all programs, services and resources are critical to the wellbeing of those who serve the school system and to the achievement of successful outcomes by all those who are served.”
Wright explained his understanding was anyone was able to audition.
“Everyone was allowed to try out for the play.”
When confronted with parental reports of the opposite, he said that was his understanding.
“I’d have to double-check, to be honest with you, but the decision the staff made was to have one production. My understanding is the tryouts were open. If that’s not the case, obviously that’s something we can look at.”
Wright added when longstanding traditions change, people will be upset. The Gazette asked why parents weren’t informed before their children were told what was happening.
“Like I said, it was raised at parent council and there was a plan for it to be in a newsletter. It’s not December yet so I’m not sure the timing could be much better in terms of communication. There was a plan for what the holiday event was going to be.”
The Gazette attempted to get in touch with someone on the school’s parent council but was unable to find any contact information for the group or an updated website.
“We are updating the websites now. We just had a conversation about that today and not all the websites are updated with respect to councils. That information needs to get on the website and it's not, apparently, so we are working on that. There is messaging this week to principals about that,” said Wright.
Christmas programs are an extracurricular activity and nothing in teacher’s contracts states they need to give their time for it. Wright explained he has been at schools where staff haven’t done anything during the holiday season. He added some people felt disrespected by students and parents leaving during the 2023 Christmas event in Tavistock.
“We had to move some people around because of fire code and (the school) had to have a conversation about what that looked like. There are lots of different ways to solve those issues but when it comes down to it, we need staff to lead these things.”
Wright admitted that in a small town, a school needs to over-communicate so parents know what’s happening and feel included.
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