An accord between Italy and YCDSB on language highlights board meeting
TORONTO – Imagine a publisher/broadcaster faced with “reportable issues” having to make the decision between ‘what could be of interest’ and what ‘everyone is talking about, and matters’. You may not be surprised by what follows.
For this article, we opted for what we know: the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) regular board meeting. In the last several years, I have personally attended their meetings. When I could not, I followed virtually. They have always been “newsworthy”.
While not coming close to matching the controversy of other GTA school boards, the YCDSB used to provide “flashpoints” news items that prompted routine police presence, thanks to showboat nutbars who dominate the Teachers’ Union Local branch.
The news last night was about “civility, co-operation, achievement – on the field, in the arts and in the classroom – innovative collaborative financial agreements between the YCDSB, the business [cultural] community and foreign governments desirous of promoting language and culture”.
Not to diminish the accomplishments of the staff and students celebrated in rugby, track and field, in the classroom or the boardroom (see video here), the fact that two Trustees, Vice-Chair Maria Iafrate and first-term Angela Saggese, teaming with former Chair Domenic Mazzotta, were able to secure the commitment of the Italian authorities overseas to aid in the curriculum development of the renowned Heritage language program is remarkable – especially because it comes with some serious money when even nominal contributions are rare.
More credit to them for acknowledging and complimenting their own Director John De Faveri, other senior staff and colleagues on the Board, for their assistance along the way. It really is remarkable because the Italian authorities made their Agreement contingent on that trio forming a recipient group autonomous of the YCDSB yet with the cooperation of same in the planning of expenditures, hiring of staff and monitoring execution according to predetermined [Ministry of ED.] guidelines and mandates.
To make themselves “legitimate” to the Foreign Affairs Department” in Italy, they needed first to convince the Consul General in Toronto, Luca Zelioli, (represented by the Consul responsible for Education, Laura Innocenti, at the meeting) and obtain his ‘seal of approval’, and secondly obtain participating dollar contributions from “local businesses and community organizations”.
They did. Celebrity chef Luciano Schipano (Boccaccio and Caffe’ 500) made an initial donation of $5,000, and the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (Robert Sacco CEO) came forward with a $35,000 initial injection. They also brought in “outside expertise in the development of broad-based language program instruction consistent with curriculum obligations under Ministry guidelines, Luca Buiani.
Both Iafrate and Saggese (see video here from minute 50) spoke in glowing terms of all who made the initiative possible directly and indirectly, inviting any others to share and give to further initiatives and beyond. As if by co-incidence, art exhibits created by the students at St. Augustine Catholic High School, adorned the entrance at the Atrium (and will for the rest of the month).
Domenico Paglia, immigrant Toronto artist trained at Florence’s famous Accademia delle Belle Arti founded by iconic Raphael, offered to donate painting(s) for the purpose of galas potentially to be held to boost the program.
Here below is a photogallery from the event (pics: Corriere Canadese, CIBPA and Mark Brosens – YCDSB)
