Protest to be held at Weldon, board office, to show support for local teacher

A protest has been organized by I.E. Weldon Secondary School students for May 13, 11:30 a.m. at Weldon before it moves down to the board of education office. The protest is being held to “oppose the stigma of discussing mental health in the classroom,” according to a media release.

Weldon recently received complaints from parents about a teacher openly discussing their past mental health struggles as part of a lesson in class. Following these complaints the administration placed the teacher on leave pending a board investigation. “The students of I.E. Weldon believe that this is an unjust action. Discussing mental health in a classroom setting needs to be normalized,” says the release.

The protest is part of a series of actions the students have launched to support the teacher in question following the decision of Trillium Lakelands District School Board. These efforts include a letter writing campaign by parents and students defending the teacher and discussing why preventing mental health discussions from being stigmatized is so important. A petition was created less than 24 hours ago and has already accumulated more than 370 signatures.

COVID protocols are in place, the release says, and people are asked to wear a mask and social distance. Sanitizer will be available if needed.