Arthur Rosenplot of Trenton is a family friend of young Landyn Ferris, a 16-year-old special needs student who was tragically killed at school two weeks ago. The young man lived with Dravet syndrome.
Those close to him still wonder how this tragedy could have happened. (The educators) had all the documents and protocols in the world telling them he was not to be left alone, and they left him alone
he said.
They left him alone to die.
Activists and parents of children with special needs share Mr. Rosenplot’s frustration: Some of them attended a rally in Mississauga on Saturday and expressed their dismay. According to them, the problems in the public education system regarding children with special needs are alarming.
According to Kady Daweorganizer of the meeting, the lack of resources and support
is such that she decided to keep her five-year-old child with her instead of sending him to school.
But when Mr. Rosenplot is angry with educators, a union representing them blames the labor shortage and, at the same time, the Ford government.
He was happy
According to Mr. Rosenplot, Landyn was a vital force. He was happy. If you were here right now, you would want to push him away because he would try to hug you and show you his favorite teddy bear. He was an incredible little boy
.
He left us far too soon.
Arthur Rosenplot is a family friend of Landyn Ferris. He is holding the deceased’s favorite teddy bear.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Guy Quenneville/CBC
Mr. Rosenplot has a lot on his mind. It is ridiculous. These school boards and all others do not monitor these circumstances (while) families and parents entrust them with the care of their children. This is their sole responsibility!
According to Mr. Rosenplot, Landyn was locked alone in a soundproof room at the time of his death at Trenton High School on May 14. However, he adds, the medical team
Landyn had made it clear to the school that he was never to be left alone.
Landyn Ferris died May 14 at Trenton High School.
Photo: Radio Canada
Dravet syndrome
This syndrome (…) is part of a group of severe epilepsies characterized by frequent and difficult-to-treat seizures and significant developmental delays.
Source: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Neglected, according to a mother
Mrs Dawe is a mother of three children, two of whom have special needs. She organized the protest Saturday in Mississauga, where participants begged school boards and the Ministry of Education to do so stop neglecting (their) children
.
Kady Dawe organized Saturday’s rally in Mississauga. She is the mother of three children, two of whom have special needs.
Photo: Radio Canada
She also claims that her school board regularly ignores the advice of the doctors who treat her children.
(They tell me that) my children are not disabled enough. (They think) my children don’t have these needs, while the doctors say (the opposite). I am so angry!
She explains that she decided to organize such events because she felt powerless against the school board in her region.
Parents are fighting with the school board and the government one by one, and they are getting nowhere because we are being pushed aside. When we come together, when we raise our voices and demand better conditions for our children, they will have no choice but to listen.
Ashley Ferreira, director of Ontario Autism Coalition (Autism Coalition Ontario, free translation), she directly blames the Ford government for the quality of education offered to children with special needs.
We stand united, exhausted but resilient in the face of the Ford government’s brutal cuts to education. The safety and future of our children are at stake and we will not remain silent.
Not enough staff
But when Mr. Rosenplot says he is frustrated by the treatment reserved for Landyn by those who are supposed to care for him, two union representatives who attended Saturday’s demonstration confirm that there is a labor shortage.
We know that teaching assistants go beyond what is humanly possible. It has to change
to explain Gena Di Giovanni of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
Gena Di Giovanni was at the protest on Saturday as a representative of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
Photo: Radio Canada
(…) Some of our teaching assistants are assigned to students with high-risk behavior or complex needs, and it is not possible to always support these children
she says.
There are simply not enough staff, some of these children need individual support and they are not getting it.
Aisha Persaud, also representing OPSEU and designated as an early childhood educator, adds that the situation is similar in kindergarten.
Aisha Persaud is a designated early childhood educator and also represented OPSEU.
Photo: Radio Canada
The number of pupils per class goes up to 30, or even more, and we have children with special needs in our classes, maximum four or five pupils, (…) and the reality is that this government, the Ministry of Education are reducing the school boards provide funding for these vulnerable students, the most vulnerable in our school systems.
The event was organized in honor of Landyn Ferris.
Photo: Radio Canada
In a statement to the media, the Prince Edward District School Board, which oversees the school Landyn attended, said As with any tragic event in our schools, a complete review of procedures and processes is underway. Due to confidentiality and privacy laws, we cannot disclose any further information
.
Isha Chaudhuri, spokesperson for Education Minister Stephen Lecce, said in an email to CBC in February: We have invested a historic $3.4 billion in special education grants across the province, with $227.4 million going to the District School Board of the District. Peel This year.
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. (archive photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Chris Young
The district school board of Peelhead of Mississauga schools, did not respond to a request for comment before this article was published.
Ms Chaudhuri also made a statement on behalf of the Minister this week, following the death of Landyn Ferris: Police and the school board have opened an investigation into this event, and I know all parties will work together to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.
.
However, the Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that they had initially opened an investigation, but their spokesperson Bill Dickson said she is no longer involved in the case because there is no evidence of foul play.
With information from CBC’s Ethan Lang and Andréane Williams