Eye In The Sky
Army.ca Legend
- Reaction score
- 3,789
- Points
- 1,160
Here's a fact - some people really deserve a punch in the face.
Sorry if any of the mamby-pambys find that offensive.
Sorry if any of the mamby-pambys find that offensive.
A Request from Teacher Rick Boon to Accompany his Father to Liberation Ceremony
- Thread starter Loachman
- Start date
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/04/29/support-for-veteran-art-boon-continues-from-across-the-community-including-students-who-plan-protest
Support for Veteran Art Boon continues from across the community including students who plan protest
By Laura Cudworth, The Beacon Herald
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 10:48:38 EDT AM
The president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario District 8, expressed his disappointment Wednesday morning about a decision that will deny a teacher the opportunity to accompany his father, a Second World War veteran, to liberation ceremonies in the Netherlands.
Kent Cleland said the Avon Maitland District School Board had options it chose not to exercise when making its decision about whether or not to grant teacher Rick Boon unpaid leave to travel with his father Art Boon.
"Applying for and granting leaves of absence is a contractual issue covered by our local collective agreement. The board has the ability to approve or deny requests for leaves. In this case, the board exercised its discretion in an arbitrary and unfair manner when it denied the teacher the opportunity to attend a once in a lifetime event that can never be replicated," Kent said.
He added the trip would provide a unique educational opportunity.
Rick Boon has not spoken publicly about the decision and has not filed a grievance. Cleland said no grievance was filed because Rick Boon just wanted what was best for his father.
Art Boon was invited by the Dutch government to attend liberation ceremonies. Boon, 90, was counting on making the trip with his son. But time is running out as Boon is scheduled to leave Friday.
Art Boon has been a mainstay in local schools sharing his experiences of the war and he plans to attend a history class at Northwestern Secondary School Wednesday afternoon.
At the same time, students at Central Secondary School have organized a peaceful protest at noon in support of Art Boon called #noonforboon.
Before they walk out, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece will ask a question in Question Period at about 11:30 a.m. regarding the Boon controversy.
World-renowned musician Loreena McKennitt will also host a public meeting Thursday night at the Stratford City Hall Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m. The evening will explore the "lessons learned" regarding the denial and resulting public outcry.
There panel will be moderated by writer/broadcaster Ted Barris with panel invitees including AMDSB trustees, Art Boon and Loreena McKennitt. Public participation will also be encouraged.
McKennitt has been a strong supporter of the Boons and started a petition and letter campaign last week. The letters and signatures were presented to the board on Monday. She has also sought legal advice regarding the issue from Toronto lawyer Michael Watson. Last night, he asked school board trustees to develop a policy for leaves of absence specific to events commemorating conflicts in which the Canadian military played a role.
[email protected]
Support for Veteran Art Boon continues from across the community including students who plan protest
By Laura Cudworth, The Beacon Herald
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 10:48:38 EDT AM
The president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario District 8, expressed his disappointment Wednesday morning about a decision that will deny a teacher the opportunity to accompany his father, a Second World War veteran, to liberation ceremonies in the Netherlands.
Kent Cleland said the Avon Maitland District School Board had options it chose not to exercise when making its decision about whether or not to grant teacher Rick Boon unpaid leave to travel with his father Art Boon.
"Applying for and granting leaves of absence is a contractual issue covered by our local collective agreement. The board has the ability to approve or deny requests for leaves. In this case, the board exercised its discretion in an arbitrary and unfair manner when it denied the teacher the opportunity to attend a once in a lifetime event that can never be replicated," Kent said.
He added the trip would provide a unique educational opportunity.
Rick Boon has not spoken publicly about the decision and has not filed a grievance. Cleland said no grievance was filed because Rick Boon just wanted what was best for his father.
Art Boon was invited by the Dutch government to attend liberation ceremonies. Boon, 90, was counting on making the trip with his son. But time is running out as Boon is scheduled to leave Friday.
Art Boon has been a mainstay in local schools sharing his experiences of the war and he plans to attend a history class at Northwestern Secondary School Wednesday afternoon.
At the same time, students at Central Secondary School have organized a peaceful protest at noon in support of Art Boon called #noonforboon.
Before they walk out, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece will ask a question in Question Period at about 11:30 a.m. regarding the Boon controversy.
World-renowned musician Loreena McKennitt will also host a public meeting Thursday night at the Stratford City Hall Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m. The evening will explore the "lessons learned" regarding the denial and resulting public outcry.
There panel will be moderated by writer/broadcaster Ted Barris with panel invitees including AMDSB trustees, Art Boon and Loreena McKennitt. Public participation will also be encouraged.
McKennitt has been a strong supporter of the Boons and started a petition and letter campaign last week. The letters and signatures were presented to the board on Monday. She has also sought legal advice regarding the issue from Toronto lawyer Michael Watson. Last night, he asked school board trustees to develop a policy for leaves of absence specific to events commemorating conflicts in which the Canadian military played a role.
[email protected]
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/04/28/avon-maitland-school-board-is-under-fire-for-refusing-to-grant-rick-boon-unpaid-leave-to-accompany-his-dad-to-celebrations
Avon Maitland school board is under fire for refusing to grant Rick Boon unpaid leave to accompany his dad to celebrations
By Bruce Urquhart, Postmedia Network
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 10:02:22 EDT PM
STRATFORD - The public outcry is growing.
What began as a trickle last week has became a torrent of criticism as the Stratford-area public school board stands firm, refusing to reverse a decision to deny a teacher unpaid leave to accompany his war veteran father to next week’s 70th-anniversary liberation celebrations in the Netherlands.
Canadians from across the country have taken to social media to denounce the Avon Maitland District school board for not granting history teacher Rick Boon his request for two weeks off to accompany his father, liberation veteran Art Boon, on the strenuous journey.
Tuesday, on Facebook, an Avon Maitland District school board post of its statement explaining its decision had drawn hundreds of angry comments. The page also came under a barrage of other derisive posts.
"The (school board) becomes more of an embarrassment to Stratford’s citizens and its students as the Boon decision gains national notoriety," Kate Sanderson wrote in one post. "Face-saving over a head-smackingly poor decision by petty bureaucrats is no way to show support for our history or its heroes. A lesson in what not to teach, for us all."
Even a post about an upcoming educational workshop in Stratford drew public ire.
"How about bring someone in to lead a workshop with your brass on how to respect our veterans," wrote Londoner Adam Holowitz.
Boon, 90, an old tank gunner, has been invited by the Dutch to take part in the ceremonies in Holland, a tiny country whose German occupation during the Second World War was broken with crucial help from Canadians, more than 7,600 of whom died in the cause.
Next Tuesday is the 70th anniversary of the German surrender.
Since the story broke last week, legions of Canadians have signed an online petition organized by acclaimed musician Loreena McKennitt, trying to get Boon to Holland, and his story has boomeranged nationwide. His case was also plugged on the floor of the House of Commons by MP Gary Schellenberger, a Stratford-area MP, who called the board’s decision a "travesty."
Even CBC TV comedian Rick Mercer weighed in, taking this swipe at the board in a tweet: "Avon Maitland School Board proudly stands by decision to be cruel & unusual to 90-year-old Second World War veteran."
The school board has been quiet since a statement late Sunday about its decision, which indicated the timing of the request and number of previous leaves granted were considerations.
A decorated D-Day veteran, Art Boon has travelled to Europe before with his son on leave from work.
"He knows what I do," the veteran said of his son.
"Sometimes in the airport, it’s not an easy time and he knows my medical needs."
With files by Laura Cudworth, Stratford Beacon Herald
--- --- ---
FLAK ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Among the reaction:
Shame on the powers that be. — Jeff Buhrow
"Without the sacrifice of our veterans, the (school) board may not have jobs; there may be no country. in fact." — Peg Hutnick
"Time for the school board to give back. Art Boon has contributed to the school and asked for nothing in return. Let his son accompany him. — James Randall Lowe
Avon Maitland school board is under fire for refusing to grant Rick Boon unpaid leave to accompany his dad to celebrations
By Bruce Urquhart, Postmedia Network
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 10:02:22 EDT PM
STRATFORD - The public outcry is growing.
What began as a trickle last week has became a torrent of criticism as the Stratford-area public school board stands firm, refusing to reverse a decision to deny a teacher unpaid leave to accompany his war veteran father to next week’s 70th-anniversary liberation celebrations in the Netherlands.
Canadians from across the country have taken to social media to denounce the Avon Maitland District school board for not granting history teacher Rick Boon his request for two weeks off to accompany his father, liberation veteran Art Boon, on the strenuous journey.
Tuesday, on Facebook, an Avon Maitland District school board post of its statement explaining its decision had drawn hundreds of angry comments. The page also came under a barrage of other derisive posts.
"The (school board) becomes more of an embarrassment to Stratford’s citizens and its students as the Boon decision gains national notoriety," Kate Sanderson wrote in one post. "Face-saving over a head-smackingly poor decision by petty bureaucrats is no way to show support for our history or its heroes. A lesson in what not to teach, for us all."
Even a post about an upcoming educational workshop in Stratford drew public ire.
"How about bring someone in to lead a workshop with your brass on how to respect our veterans," wrote Londoner Adam Holowitz.
Boon, 90, an old tank gunner, has been invited by the Dutch to take part in the ceremonies in Holland, a tiny country whose German occupation during the Second World War was broken with crucial help from Canadians, more than 7,600 of whom died in the cause.
Next Tuesday is the 70th anniversary of the German surrender.
Since the story broke last week, legions of Canadians have signed an online petition organized by acclaimed musician Loreena McKennitt, trying to get Boon to Holland, and his story has boomeranged nationwide. His case was also plugged on the floor of the House of Commons by MP Gary Schellenberger, a Stratford-area MP, who called the board’s decision a "travesty."
Even CBC TV comedian Rick Mercer weighed in, taking this swipe at the board in a tweet: "Avon Maitland School Board proudly stands by decision to be cruel & unusual to 90-year-old Second World War veteran."
The school board has been quiet since a statement late Sunday about its decision, which indicated the timing of the request and number of previous leaves granted were considerations.
A decorated D-Day veteran, Art Boon has travelled to Europe before with his son on leave from work.
"He knows what I do," the veteran said of his son.
"Sometimes in the airport, it’s not an easy time and he knows my medical needs."
With files by Laura Cudworth, Stratford Beacon Herald
--- --- ---
FLAK ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Among the reaction:
Shame on the powers that be. — Jeff Buhrow
"Without the sacrifice of our veterans, the (school) board may not have jobs; there may be no country. in fact." — Peg Hutnick
"Time for the school board to give back. Art Boon has contributed to the school and asked for nothing in return. Let his son accompany him. — James Randall Lowe
- Reaction score
- 7,830
- Points
- 1,360
I'll bet the board trustee's are already practicing retirement speeches for after the next local elections.
It takes a lot to impress me.
This story did:
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/04/29/peaceful-student-protest-at-central-secondary-school-in-honour-of-veteran-art-boon
Peaceful student protest at Central Secondary School in honour of veteran Art Boon
By Laura Cudworth, The Beacon Herald
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 5:16:52 EDT PM
The claim teenagers are entitled and don't know their own history could not be made Wednesday afternoon as they filed out of their high school to show their gratitude toward a local veteran.
That veteran is 90-year-old Art Boon. He is scheduled to leave for the Netherlands on Friday to participate in liberation ceremonies over the next two weeks. His son Rick Boon, a teacher at the Avon Maitland District School Board, requested an unpaid leave to accompany his father. That request was denied.
On Tuesday night, as teenagers do, they were talking on social media about the decision. By 10 p.m. a group of students at Central Secondary School came up with the idea of a peaceful walkout for the following afternoon and dubbed it #noonforboon.
"It's the whole idea of pay it forward," said Mariana Buchanan, co-organizer. "He's given so much to us, we want to give something back to him."
At 12 p.m. Wednesday about 100 students gathered outside the school chanting "do the right thing" and holding signs with slogans like "respect our heroes." Moments later they broke into a hearty chorus of O Canada.
They marched to the cenotaph and took up their chant once again.
"I was upset from the get go, I was very upset about this. I thought it was something that goes beyond careers and teachers and students and the board, it's really a matter of national pride," said Nat MacPherson, co-organizer.
From the school board's perspective, it's a matter between an employer and employee. The board released a statement early this week listing some of the considerations taken into account when leave requests are submitted including the length of the leave and the impact it will have on students and other teachers.
"We have supported Art Boon many times in the past by granting leaves to his son," said Steve Howe, manager of communications for the school board.
The school board has stood firmly behind its decision.
"Ideally the board would go back on its decision but at the very least we would like other people to see us as high school students who have their own opinion and we'd like to be heard," said Myles Avigdor, co-organizer. "I doubt they're going to budge."
Even with that doubt, one of the key messages was of gratitude toward Boon for both his service during the Second World War and his service as a speaker in their schools.
Boon wasn't at the protest but he heard about it afterwards.
"I appreciate their support and I always enjoy talking to them," Boon said.
He added, he hates to see kids walk out of school because that's where they belong, but he was glad to hear they went to the cenotaph which he called "sacred ground" for veterans.
[email protected]
This story did:
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/04/29/peaceful-student-protest-at-central-secondary-school-in-honour-of-veteran-art-boon
Peaceful student protest at Central Secondary School in honour of veteran Art Boon
By Laura Cudworth, The Beacon Herald
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 5:16:52 EDT PM
The claim teenagers are entitled and don't know their own history could not be made Wednesday afternoon as they filed out of their high school to show their gratitude toward a local veteran.
That veteran is 90-year-old Art Boon. He is scheduled to leave for the Netherlands on Friday to participate in liberation ceremonies over the next two weeks. His son Rick Boon, a teacher at the Avon Maitland District School Board, requested an unpaid leave to accompany his father. That request was denied.
On Tuesday night, as teenagers do, they were talking on social media about the decision. By 10 p.m. a group of students at Central Secondary School came up with the idea of a peaceful walkout for the following afternoon and dubbed it #noonforboon.
"It's the whole idea of pay it forward," said Mariana Buchanan, co-organizer. "He's given so much to us, we want to give something back to him."
At 12 p.m. Wednesday about 100 students gathered outside the school chanting "do the right thing" and holding signs with slogans like "respect our heroes." Moments later they broke into a hearty chorus of O Canada.
They marched to the cenotaph and took up their chant once again.
"I was upset from the get go, I was very upset about this. I thought it was something that goes beyond careers and teachers and students and the board, it's really a matter of national pride," said Nat MacPherson, co-organizer.
From the school board's perspective, it's a matter between an employer and employee. The board released a statement early this week listing some of the considerations taken into account when leave requests are submitted including the length of the leave and the impact it will have on students and other teachers.
"We have supported Art Boon many times in the past by granting leaves to his son," said Steve Howe, manager of communications for the school board.
The school board has stood firmly behind its decision.
"Ideally the board would go back on its decision but at the very least we would like other people to see us as high school students who have their own opinion and we'd like to be heard," said Myles Avigdor, co-organizer. "I doubt they're going to budge."
Even with that doubt, one of the key messages was of gratitude toward Boon for both his service during the Second World War and his service as a speaker in their schools.
Boon wasn't at the protest but he heard about it afterwards.
"I appreciate their support and I always enjoy talking to them," Boon said.
He added, he hates to see kids walk out of school because that's where they belong, but he was glad to hear they went to the cenotaph which he called "sacred ground" for veterans.
[email protected]
- Reaction score
- 6,416
- Points
- 1,260
More of the latest via e-mail dated today (attached) - highlights mine:
- Reaction score
- 6,416
- Points
- 1,260
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
- Reaction score
- 223
- Points
- 710
Good to see that Art's grandson will accompany him on this trip.
I disagree with the Minister of Veteran's Affairs using his position to intervene and ask the School Board to change their decision. I see nothing wrong with him having joined the petition as Mr. O'Toole, but find it outside of his bounds to use his position as a Federal Minister to contact the School Board.
I agree with the Minister's comment: “Sticking to your guns when the guns are pointed the wrong way is not leadership.”
I disagree with the Minister of Veteran's Affairs using his position to intervene and ask the School Board to change their decision. I see nothing wrong with him having joined the petition as Mr. O'Toole, but find it outside of his bounds to use his position as a Federal Minister to contact the School Board.
I agree with the Minister's comment: “Sticking to your guns when the guns are pointed the wrong way is not leadership.”
Blackadder1916
Army.ca Fixture
- Reaction score
- 3,486
- Points
- 1,160
This is becoming surreal.
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/05/01/last-minute-decision-means-veteran-art-boon-could-have-his-son-along-on-commemoration-trip-to-netherlands
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2015/05/01/last-minute-decision-means-veteran-art-boon-could-have-his-son-along-on-commemoration-trip-to-netherlands
- Reaction score
- 1,851
- Points
- 1,260
To add to Blackadder1916's post: "Statement from Avon Maitland District School Board's Ted Doherty":
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/school-board-decides-to-let-teacher-travel-with-war-vet-dad-art-boon-1.3057358
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/school-board-decides-to-let-teacher-travel-with-war-vet-dad-art-boon-1.3057358
- Reaction score
- 3,105
- Points
- 1,160
Blackadder1916 said:
"We're not not saying that he might not not get in trouble if he chooses to not not go to work next week, but we're not not not ruling out that there might not not be repercussions. We hope this clears up our position in this matter."
- Reaction score
- 6,416
- Points
- 1,260
Thanks for that.Loachman said:
Interesting phrasing ....
As much as I'd like to see the son get the time off, it makes one wonder what we're NOT hearing about the teacher's situation/relationship/history re: the board.
J
jollyjacktar
Guest
milnews.ca said:
Did not the head of the board mention that they already had in the past granted permission for Mr. Boon to accompany his father overseas on several occasions?
- Reaction score
- 6,416
- Points
- 1,260
jollyjacktar said:
I've read that in more than one place, but like media coverage of some labour-management issues, I wonder if there's more that's been left unsaid.Loachman said:
Either way, safe travels to Mr. Boon Sr. and whoever escorts him
J
jollyjacktar
Guest
Yes, agreed. I hope the Boon's have an excellent visit.
I wish I could have gone to Holland with my dad, especially at my age and life experience now.
I wish I could have gone to Holland with my dad, especially at my age and life experience now.
- Reaction score
- 1,851
- Points
- 1,260
Out of curiosity, I looked up "Family Caregiver Leave" in the ESA.
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pubs/guide/caregiver.php
According to the Act, "Family caregiver leave is unpaid, job-protected leave of up to eight weeks per calendar year per specified family member."
"The eight weeks can be taken consecutively or separately."
"Care or support includes, but is not limited to: providing psychological or emotional support;"
Not an expert in employment law, but ( as I understand the Act ) I don't believe there is a need for a hearing ( fair or otherwise ) with the Employer to ask permission:
1) "An employee must inform the employer in writing that he or she will be taking a family caregiver leave of absence."
2) "The employee does not have to have the medical certificate before he or she can start the leave, but a certificate must eventually be obtained."
Bon voyage!
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