Petition to Keep Mr. Punter at Saint Elizabeth

To: The Administration of Saint Elizabeth Catholic School and the Toronto Catholic District School Board

We respectfully ask that Mr. Punter remain at Saint Elizabeth Catholic School.

We, the parents, guardians, students, and members of the Saint Elizabeth school community, are coming together to respectfully ask the Toronto Catholic District School Board to reconsider the decision to move Mr. Punter, our Grade 7 teacher, to another school.

Mr. Punter is not simply a teacher to our children. He is a teacher who has made a genuine and lasting impact on his students in only a month!  He is deeply respected, appreciated, and loved by the children and families who have had the privilege of knowing him.

He has created a classroom environment where students feel supported, encouraged, respected, and comfortable being themselves. The relationships he has built with his students are incredibly meaningful, and his presence has contributed to making Saint Elizabeth a stronger and more connected school community.

We understand that declining enrolment creates difficult staffing decisions for the Toronto Catholic District School Board. We also understand that these decisions are not always easy. However, we believe that the impact on our students must be considered alongside the numbers.

Due to the current enrolment situation, the Grade 7 class is now being divided, with students being separated and placed into different classrooms. This is already a significant change for the children. Losing Mr. Punter at the same time would mean losing not only a teacher they have come to trust and rely on, but also an important source of stability during an already difficult transition.

Our children have built a strong classroom community together. They have developed friendships, routines, trust, and a sense of belonging. Splitting them apart and moving the teacher they love adds another layer of disruption.

We are asking the school and the TCDSB to please look at every possible alternative that would allow Mr. Punter to remain at Saint Elizabeth.

We believe that the value of an exceptional teacher cannot be measured solely by enrolment numbers. The positive influence a teacher has on students, their relationships with families, and the sense of community they create are equally important.

We respectfully ask the Toronto Catholic District School Board and Saint Elizabeth administration to:

Reconsider the decision to transfer Mr. Punter to another school.
Explore alternatives that would allow Mr. Punter to remain at Saint Elizabeth.
Consider the impact of dividing the Grade 7 students into different classrooms.
Consider the emotional and social impact this transition may have on the students.
Recognize the strong relationships and trust Mr. Punter has established with his students and their families.
Listen to the concerns and wishes of the Saint Elizabeth school community before finalizing this decision.
We are not asking the Board to ignore the realities of school enrolment. We are asking them to look beyond the numbers and consider the children behind them.

Our children deserve teachers who inspire them, support them, and make them feel that they belong. Mr. Punter is that teacher for our children.

Please hear the voices of the students, parents, and families who are asking for him to stay.

KEEP MR. PUNTER AT SAINT ELIZABETH!
We respectfully ask the Toronto Catholic District School Board to find a way to keep this valued teacher and our school community together.