Etobicoke School of the Arts’ principal is leaving, writes Vicky Mochama – June 28, 2018 Etobicoke Guardian opinion article

A June 28, 2018 Etobicoke Guardian opinion article is entitled: “Racism in schools is not pass or fail: Etobicoke School of the Arts’ principal is leaving, writes Vicky Mochama.”

The opening paragraphs read:

After weeks of confronting racism, a gift from the graduating class of the Etobicoke School for the Arts to the next group of students will be a new leader.

Facing calls for her to resign, principal Peggy Aitchison said Tuesday evening that she would be leaving the school.

Aitchison had been under fire for compiling a list of Black students — picking them based on their yearbook photos — and sharing it with teachers at a November 2017 meeting. She announced by email on Tuesday evening that she would request a transfer out of ESA.

Students first learned of the list’s existence in early 2018 but brought up the issue directly to Aitchison in the last few weeks. In a June 12 email to parents, students and staff, Aitchison wrote, “Upon reflection and discussion with others, I recognized that this was a limited, flawed, and ultimately inappropriate approach to identifying gaps in supports and so, that very same day, I retracted that compilation that was based solely on perceptions.”

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