WRDSB approves new names for two public schools
Posted Apr 20, 2023 01:36:35 PM.
After being flagged back in 2021 alongside Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School as warranting renaming, two public schools in Waterloo Region have finally had their new names approved.
Named after Kitchener industrialist Alvin Ratz Kaufman, AR Kaufman Public School in Kitchener was identified as being of “high priority concern” due to the namesake’s connection to the use of birth control as a eugenics measure, as well as targeted sterilizations of the working class, those of lower socio-economic standing and individuals with physical or mental disabilities.
After two rounds of public consultation, the name Hillside Public School was chosen from a short-list of names – said to be derived from the school’s location on a “modest hill” and close proximity to Ingleside Drive in Kitchener.
According to the report submitted to trustees, the Hillside name was received with the most popularity among both students and staff – chosen from a short list including other suggestions like Elm Public School, Avens Public School and Monarch Woods or Monarch Heights.
Members of that committee also indicated that a February 2023 ask for name suggestions resulted in hundreds of responses and 82 renaming suggestions, narrowed down to a shortlist of six.
Trustees also approved the recommendation to renaming Ryerson Public School to Blue Heron Public School, named after the Great Blue Heron species of bird that is said to be native to the Grand River watershed.
In the related report, staff noted that naming committee received 17 names for consideration that met the board’s Naming and Renaming policy, with over 90% of student and staff population participating in the process.
Blue Heron Public School was chosen over a short list of names including candidates like Mapleview Public School, Marshland Public School and Willow River Public School.
In both cases, the renaming of each school will include changes to signage, team uniforms and other items – to be covered by school budgets as well as leveraging of capital budgets.
