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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Are Toronto students scared to go to school?</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?8277</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:16:23 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>Sameer Vasta</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Oh wow, all those experiences sound extreme. How did school administrators deal with it?]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c260425</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c260425</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:16:19 PST</pubDate>
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<title>Christopher</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I had at least twenty different routes to get home from school, both in elementary as well as in high. I was humiliated, and called names and ridiculed, and all it did was bottle my coming out deep inside of me for years. I don't know how many times I was hurt or sent to the nurse's office with a bleeding nose, and one time I was hospitalized after being shoved into a bandsaw (yeah, THAT'S RIGHT)and hand a finger on my left hand almost severed off.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c260414</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c260414</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:51:05 PST</pubDate>
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<title>Danielle</title>
<description><![CDATA[
For all it's worth, I grew up in Scarborough and graduated from Woburn in '03, a school lauded for it's math rankings, computer science, robotics, the gifted program, dance, drama and music...but also for being centrally located in Tuxedo Court. Gangs, weapons and drugs were common in the halls. The school instituted id cards and hall monitors who were actually a special type of (useless)cop, so we were more wary of them when they would ask us to take our baseball caps off than anything else.

I agree with 'A Student' that for the most part, in a way, avoiding the violence is about keeping your head down, but that doesn't always work. I had friends held up with knives walking from the corner store back to school at lunchtime, and thugs who beat a friend over the head with a baseball bat right after school on the FRONT LAWN. These weren't kids associated with these practices at all, they just happened to walk the wrong way or maybe bumped into somebody. School became a little more than stressful on days in particular when a guy drove by the bus stop outside our school waving a sawed off shotgun. As if bullies weren't enough. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c253224</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c253224</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:04:45 PST</pubDate>
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<title>J</title>
<description><![CDATA[
If I had a nickel for every time someone called me on my use of US English, I'd have like $60.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c253024</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c253024</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:04:02 PST</pubDate>
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<title>A. Student</title>
<description><![CDATA[
As a high school student who attends an inner city downtown school, I am confident in stating that the kids who are afflicted by the violence in schools are not blind to it. There are easy ways to avoid it. They are not innocent bystanders.

The kids who are the disrespectful, blithering idiots portrayed by the media are the same as the 'adults' who are committing crimes right now.

It's not solely factor of economic status, race, or media exposure, it's their decision to be affiliated with these kinds of groups, and the status they try to keep up. 
]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252872</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252872</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:49:54 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Tabish Bhimani</title>
<description><![CDATA[
*colors you naive just for the fun of it*

But thats a good post, Vasta. I have to say, I was on youtube where they were demonstrating how guns can easily be smuggled into school. Apparently, tucking your shirt in reduces the chances of being able to smuggle weapons to school. Some schools do not even allow loose clothing because guns hidden on the belt line of the jeans may easily be missed. This kid took out about 8 guns or so from his person alone to demonstrate how easy it was to smuggle guns in. The question about surveillance (in the sense of information gathering) and the panopticon is the one I look at when it comes to stuff like this. Metal detectors and body searches, security cameras and all that jazz...just a thought...]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252855</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252855</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:15:28 PST</pubDate>
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<title>Lindsay</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I suspect that the report is possibly blowing the 'fear factor' of the average student a little out of proportion for dramatic effect. And who can blame the authors? They are trying to call attention to incidents, which while isolated, are nonetheless highly upsetting. If the report said "most kids seem ok, frankly", well there goes any hope of trying to solve the underlying issue, namely funding. When funding goes down across the board, it hits the kids in the poorer schools the hardest, since their PTA can't pick up the slack and pay for sports uniforms, outings, etc. Funding cuts also mean fewer teachers per class, fewer mentors, fewer hall monitors and coaches. Fewer responsible adults to identify at-risk kids and fewer programs to funnel them into to try to had the problems off at the pass. You want a boogey man? He's sitting in the big chair at Queen's Park. Has been for a generation or so.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252820</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252820</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:57:40 PST</pubDate>
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<title>Sameer Vasta</title>
<description><![CDATA[
My bad on the American spelling Jenelle. I spent my early years in New York City (just before moving to Rexdale) and still have troubles shaking the spelling bug from time to time. You know, once you grow up with something, it's easy to slip back.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252754</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252754</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:31:14 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Jenelle</title>
<description><![CDATA[
What's with the American spelling?]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252741</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252741</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:35:26 PST</pubDate>
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<title>Mike Harris</title>
<description><![CDATA[
School violence. My budget cutting tax saving chickens are coming home to roost, 10 years later. Like clockwork.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252680</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252680</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:28:05 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>blik</title>
<description><![CDATA[
"- So, then we should just go ahead and arrest all poor people?"

No, of course not. Nowhere in my post did I imply that that's what we should do. Get a grip, Steve.

"I blame it more on the powers-that-be who KEEP people in poverty and won't allow people to either get help or help themselves."

Well, yes. That's kind of what I was saying too when I said that poverty is the root cause of this kind of violence. 

"Blaming this on poverty is part of it, but also stereotypical that just poor people commit crimes"

I didn't say only poor people commit crimes. Don't put words in my mouth.

Should I even bother trying to discuss this any further? ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252661</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252661</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:09:14 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Steve</title>
<description><![CDATA[
A comprehensive anti-poverty strategy would be better, but I can't see it happening any time soon.

well, i agree with you on that, in fact, I see more people joining their ranks...this will get worse before it gets better.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252660</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252660</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:05:20 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>AH</title>
<description><![CDATA[
School shootings and other spree killings are a different phenomenon from ordinary crime. Toronto has not had any Columbine-style school shootings, as far as I know, but has had murders inside and around schools as a result of gang activity, which is linked to poverty.

As far as your last post goes, you're misinterpreting what Blik and I are saying. That poverty and crime are linked is hardly news, nor does it indicate that poor people are "bad." All I'm trying to say here is that the underlying issues-- whether desperation, "gang culture," whatever-- are broadly outside of the TDSB's control, and whatever measures they implement will at best be a band-aid. A comprehensive anti-poverty strategy would be better, but I can't see it happening any time soon.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252659</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252659</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:01:45 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Steve</title>
<description><![CDATA[
"I think it's part of a much wider social problem and AH nails it by pointing the finger at poverty. If young people feel hopeless, powerless, and disadvantaged "
 - So, then we should just go ahead and arrest all poor people? Well, there ya go, if you're poor, you're going to bring a gun to school. See, rich kids in the suburbs handle it much better with drugs, alcohol or by cutting themselves, bullemia or suicide. Those "disadvantaged" poor people need to catch up.
Blaming this on poverty is part of it, but also stereotypical that just poor people commit crimes. They certainly can't afford better lawyers  and they get longer sentences.
I blame it more on the powers-that-be who KEEP people in poverty and won't allow people to either get help or help themselves.
So, some kids in poor schools shoot it out, no biggie, put in some metal detectors. A shooting at a suburban school and it makes national news and suddenly we have to change our laws and protect these kids...inner city kids....eh, not so much, kid, you're on your own.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252655</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252655</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:50:30 PST</pubDate>
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<title>blik</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I think it's part of a much wider social problem and AH nails it by pointing the finger at poverty. If young people feel hopeless, powerless, and disadvantaged is it any wonder that they try to regain that power by arming themselves and acting out violently? Why do you think Toronto's poorer neighbourhoods experience a higher rate of street violence than, say, Rosedale?

I don't know the statistics around school violence by neighbourhood in the GTA but I'm willing to bet it's higher in the poorer areas.

I grew up gay in a small but comfortable town and experienced my share of bullying and teasing. But I was never threatened with physical violence or beaten up.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252653</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252653</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:37:43 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Steve</title>
<description><![CDATA[
By the way...how many mass school shootings do we see in the inner city as compared to suburban schools? Dylan and Eric in Littleton,CO were hardly from a poor family.

per usual.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252652</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252652</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:36:50 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Steve</title>
<description><![CDATA[
My point was when adults act like idiots, why would we expect our children to act any different?]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252648</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252648</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:29:50 PST</pubDate>
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<title>AH</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Steve, you're showing your age if you think that students are told to "go out and take what's theirs," etc. That approach has been found to damage children's self-esteem and is on the decline.

Singling out bad parenting, television, etc. misses the point, per usual. Poverty is the central issue here. The poorer the neighbourhood, the worse the school will be, most likely. Expecting the TDSB to solve widespread social ills seems a bit far-fetched to me. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252647</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252647</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:11:15 PST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>Steve</title>
<description><![CDATA[
It's always amazed me, the pressure to "fit in" in Canada and the USSA everyone talks about being "your own person", "think for yourself", "unique" or "one of a kind" or "special", yet, there is so much pressure to fit in or just go along with what everyone else does. We all know what happens to people who are "different" in high school.
I'm with one of the commenters above, we maybe had a fist-fight here and there...I recall someone bringing a knife and time stood still.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252644</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252644</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:03:01 PST</pubDate>
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<title>mogo</title>
<description><![CDATA[
You know, I think some of the lack of respect might stem from the fact that graduating from high school doesn't mean what it used to mean. Students can't fail classes anymore, kids manage to graduate without going to class. Is it any wonder that some don't take school seriously? I have friends who are teachers now and the stories I hear are just ludicrous. If you don't set some standards, stand by them and allow teachers to actually teach, all you do is reduce high school to a glorified daycare.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252638</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/01/are_toronto_students_scared_to_go_to_school/#c252638</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:39:56 PST</pubDate>
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