– (Important) Satpaul Singh Johal, PDSB Trustee, Brampton’s wards 9 and 10, attended the parents’ council meeting yesterday in Robert J Lee Public School (elementary), 160 Mountainash Road in Brampton (ward 10)
– Around 620 students are enrolled this year in Robert J Lee Public School (elementary), 160 Mountainash Road in Brampton (ward 10)
– Out of more than 300, eight parents attended the parents’ council meeting.
– On my (school Trustee’s) question about the uniform, the principal, teachers, and parents (8) in attendance confirmed loudly that there was no request and no support for the uniform for this school.
– The principal L. Sarbadhikari confirmed that this Rebert J Lee Public School has no staff shortage and no portables.
– Principal also reported that late arrival is a huge issue. About 100 (out of 620) students arrive up to 5 minutes late every day in school.
– Illegal parking (every day) by the parents, around and on school property, was also discussed and the principal assured that they are actively following this issue.
– Most of the problems with students’ behavior stem from chat groups (social media). The principal said that student chats happen out of school (at home, in bedrooms). Parents must monitor and know what children do online from home. Teachers have no control over what students do at home.
– Principal also added that students are never asked to bring their phones (devices) to the school. Devices are provided by the Board if needed.
– Parents give phones to their (too) young children, and they join chat groups where violence, harassment, bullying, etc. is widespread. Joining a chat group is easy, but quitting is close to impossible. Kids and modern Youth is being raised by the internet!
– Teachers are not allowed (for privacy reasons) to access kids’ phones, parents can, and they should.
– Racism (uttering the N*** word) was discussed prominently. The principal said that the environment remains tense between the kids from the South Asian (Punjabi) and African communities. Often, students of Punjabi origin would boast about their Jattism (ਜੱਟਵਾਦ). The parents agreed that Jattism (caste) is not taught by the teachers, but rather by the parents and grandparents from home.
– Misogyny (contempt of mothers and sisters, women) by the students, during school time, is another big problem, principal Sarbadhikari said. They added that the students (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਲੜਕੇ ਆਮ) talk (make fun of) the private (intimate) life of their mothers, grandmothers, and sisters.
– The message is clear and loud! (Satpaul Singh Johal, PDSB Trustee, Brampton’s wards 9 and 10)
