This appeal is to bring attention to the lack of awareness and support our school system has for special needs children. On September 9th, 2024, My son Jacob Walker who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and is considered low functioning non verbal was left unsupervised outside his school, Esten Park Public School in Elliot Lake, ON. As a result he wandered approximately 3 block away crossing streets and peoples properties. He was found safe by the OPP inside of a strangers house, thankfully this stranger was one of good faith. This was both terrifying and heartbreaking for us as a family. The principal at this school bares the responsibility for creating and supporting an environment where my 4 year old son who has no awareness of danger was neglected by being left outside unsupervised in an unfenced area and allowed to wander the streets where any number of risks including traffic, wild life, or child predators could have lead to injuries, or potentially worse. 

In fact, Canada’s Auditor General has highlighted the need for more support for special needs students in schools, citing that more than 20% of Ontario students reported not feeling accepted or supported at school (Auditor General’s report, 2017). The severity of my son's situation is a stark illustration of this statistic.

Our plea is not rooted in personal vendetta, but in the hope for change. We believe the removal of the principal, who has shown a lack of understanding and empathy towards special needs students, is the first step in fostering a safe, inclusive and accepting educational environment. We can't change what happened to my son, but together, we can work to prevent this distressing experience from affecting another vulnerable child and their family at this Elliot Lake school. Please sign this petition to demand for the principal's resignation or dismissal.