Parkdale Collegiate teacher who wore blackface Halloween costume to school fired: TDSB
Posted November 17, 2021 6:15 pm.
Last Updated November 17, 2021 6:32 pm.
A white teacher at Parkdale Collegiate who came to school in a blackface Halloween costume has been fired, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) confirms.
Prior to his firing, the teacher was placed on home assignment while an investigation took place.
In a letter to parents and students on Wednesday, TDSB Superintendent of Education, Debbie Donsky, confirmed the teacher’s dismissal.
“The investigation is now complete and the appropriate consequences have been applied. I can confirm that the staff member is no longer employed by the Toronto District School Board.”
Shortly after the incident Parkdale Collegiate principal, Julie Ardell, sent out a letter to parents and students condemning the teacher’s costume as “racist and dehumanizing.”
PCI Letter to Community- November 17 2021 (1) (1) by CityNewsToronto on Scribd
Ardell added that Parkdale Collegiate acted swiftly “including having the staff member immediately wash their face as to not cause further harm.”
Ardell said a report was filed with the TDSB as part of its “Reporting and Responding to Racism and Hate Incidents Involving or Impacting Students Schools Procedure,” adopted in 2019.
Another teacher at the school is also under investigation for allegedly using the N-word a day before the blackface incident.
According to a report from the Toronto Star, on Oct. 28 a staff member used the slur in conversation with a small group of students. The school said the word was used in reference to a song students were listening to.
Administration at the school reportedly became aware of the word being used and sent a letter to the school community.
In Wednesday’s letter, Donsky said that incident is still being investigated and an update is expected next week.
With files from Lucas Casaletto and Michael Ranger
