Haliburton parents Phillip Primavera and Minna Schleifenbaum have blasted Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) for its every-two-year student census.
They are questioning why the public institution needs to know “sensitive” information about a child’s race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Distributed to youth in Grades 7-12 in the classroom March 3, TLDSB said the data provides valuable information that helps to improve strategic planning, programming and services with a focus on student achievement and engagement.
This is the third time the school board has collected this information, following previous efforts in 2022 and 2024. A scaledback version was sent home with students in kindergarten to Grade 6 for parents to fill out between March 3-10.
TLDSB noted the census wasn’t mandatory as parents had the chance to opt out, though they had to do so by Feb. 12.
Primavera said he made sure his three school-aged children did not participate.
“Parents entrust educators with the responsibility of teaching academic subjects such as math, science, reading, writing and the practical skills kids need to succeed in life. Schools are there to educate our children, not to collect deeply personal information from them,” Primavera said.
“Even if participation is voluntary, asking some of these questions of minors raises real concerns with me and many other parents about privacy, age appropriateness and the role of schools versus families. Parents want transparency on why this information is being collected and, most importantly, how this is improving the education our children receive,” he added.
TLDSB communications manager, Carolynne Bull, said the census is part of Ontario’s Anti-Racism Data Standards.
Bull noted all questions are grade-level appropriate and consistent with Ontario’s health and physical education curriculum, which was revamped in 2019. Questions regarding sexual orientation and gender were not included in the lower-age census, Bull confirmed.
“The purpose is to identify barriers so that TLDSB can work to address them and to identify areas of strength that can be built upon,” Bull said.
Census results are assessed alongside student achievement data to help the board understand how identities, school experiences and academic success relate to one another.
There are 11 questions included in the older-age census, with Bull confirming five are required by the province. That includes information on first language; Indigenous identity; ethnic origin; race; and religion, creed, spiritual affiliation or belief.
Questions on gender identity sexual orientation and socioeconomic status are recommended but not required.
Bull said only 0.77 per cent of parents/guardians with students in Grades 7-12 opted out of the survey.
Going public
Primavera posted a letter he sent to TLDSB to his social media channels March 9 – within a few days it had been shared over 50 times and drew 3,200 interactions. He said many people supported his stance.
In it, he asked for tangible evidence of how information collected could be used to improve the school curriculum.
“We live in a society where data is the most important thing, but I haven’t seen anything that suggests having access to this information is a positive thing or helps with a child’s education,” he said. “I don’t believe there’s any benefit at all.”
The Highlander asked for specific examples where data had been used to enhance TLDSB programming or adapt the curriculum.
As an example, she said “the Indigenous Student Success Team was established in response to census data to directly support Indigenous students in schools.” Bull added it also led to greater supports for youth who identify as LGBTQ+.
While there haven’t been specific changes to what students are taught, Bull said TLDSB has used data “to identify our equity seeking groups” and engaged with curriculum experts to support classroom-level work so all students see themselves represented in work materials provided at school.
“In order for TLDSB to be culturally responsive, we need to understand the identities of the population,” Bull added. Primavera said many young people are impressionable and believes raising and discussing issues around gender identity and sexual orientation is inappropriate – especially for kids not yet in high school.
“Something like this could put an idea into their head and get them thinking about things that kids don’t really need to be thinking about,” Primavera said.
“Questions of a sexual nature or involving religious or familial matters should be directed 100 per cent to parents. I feel like the school board is putting a lot of unnecessary stress on these kids by pushing things like this,” he added.
Bull reiterated the census is voluntary.
“Any question can be skipped… TLDSB respects an individual’s choice not to participate in the survey, not to answer a question, or opt children out of participating altogether,” she said.
Parent councils chime in
Lauren Adelsen, chair of the Stuart Baker Elementary School (SBES) parent council, said she hadn’t heard any major concerns from families.
“The intentions behind the census are good, and they are trying to identify areas of the school environment that could use more support and resources,” Adelsen said. “However, it is concerning and complicated because the census is not anonymous and asking students directly can introduce some topics that families would prefer to discuss at home.”
Andrea Hogan, chair of the J.D. Hodgson parent council, said she hasn’t received any negative feedback from parents, but understands why some feel uneasy.
While Bull says letters were sent home in February letting parents know about the survey, with more information posted online, Hogan feels TLDSB could have done a better job promoting it.
“Greater transparency from the outset, particularly by sharing survey questions directly with parents in advance, rather than making it onerous for parents to request access, would build trust and allow for more informed participation,” Hogan said.
