Insiders say chaos reigns at York Memorial Institute

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School staff claim that reading and writing turned into bleeding and fighting at the York Memorial Institute.

Amid news of weapons, mass brawls and unrelenting intimidation within the Keele Street and Eglinton Avenue West facilities, teachers began to stay home due to health and safety concerns. A recent day with a gesture of refusing to work.

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Several other teachers and two administrators are on medical leave, also due to school safety issues.

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The Ontario Federation of Secondary School Teachers (OSSTF) also said an unprecedented number of formal health and safety complaints were filed with TDSB by York Memorial teachers.

An insider told City News on Friday Fights break out almost daily at school, and the use of weapons is suspected. School restrooms are said to be no-go zones for sex, fights and drug dealing.

Teachers are receiving death threats and being assaulted. A brawl that broke dozens of students into the headquarters at the end of October was the last straw for teachers, prompting them to refuse jobs.

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The violence and chaos is due to about 100 troublemakers, and staff testify that most of the students are great kids.

The problem dates back to the 2019 fire that destroyed the historic York Memorial Collegiate Institute. Building at 2690 Eglinton Ave. W.

The George Harvey Collegiate Institute at 1700 Kiel Street has been renovated to house the York Memorial student body. The two groups of students finally met in September, but some say the school wasn’t prepared properly, either physically or psychologically.

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There were unfinished renovations and senior staff on vacation. And the number of already difficult students doubled overnight.

The TDSB has scrambled to find new leadership for the school, including a permanent principal, but a TDSB spokesperson said 24 staff members were out of work last Wednesday.

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Still, the school’s acting principal said in a letter to parents that all students would be safe during this adjustment period, and TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird said York Memorial will continue to be “safe and welcoming.” Good school,” he repeated.

“All students and staff should feel safe at school and at work,” he said in a statement Friday.

“TDSB officials have worked closely with the Department of Labor and the Toronto Police Department to address safety concerns raised by many staff members at the school.”

He said most of the concerns have already been addressed. “We will continue to work closely with staff, students and parents to address future challenges and concerns.”