EPISODE 830 MY LAST CLASS AT PARKDALE C. I. and THE BOY WHO STOLE CARS
alan skeoch
June 11, 2023
This was my last class at Parkdale Collegiate institute, 209 Jameson Ave., Toronto. A wonderful class as diverse as
Toronto has become. When I look at their faces today, June 2023 I cannot help but feel our country is in good hands.’Take a close
look yourself. I just love this picture.
NICE THINGS DO HAPPEN
Some readers may wonder why I reported the story about Leila Buckler. My propose was
to let me tell short story about a boy belonging to a gang who stole cars. It’s a story of
which I am proud. I did something that changed someone’s life big time. To tell the story
is to brag. So it needs to be put in perspective. My action was a small thing Leila did
bigger things. She rescued many more kids than I would ever know. And she did it
quietly. So please do not see me as a person with an inflated ego.
THE BOY WHO STOLE CARS
I still remember where he sat in my class. Halfway down the row next to the window
which faced Jameson Avenue. He was a typical kid…a student. The only difference
was that he joined my class midway through the fall term. Our principal or guidance
office asked if I would take this boy mid term. Or maybe the did not ask. No matter,
he was nice little kid who actually did some of the homework assignments and
put his hand up tentatively to help me develop a lesson. He became part of the
class quickly …and shyly.
I mentioned him in some of the staff room babble. The conversation went
something like this.
“Did any of you get that new student…put in our classes mid term?”
“Yes…but he won’t be there long.”
“Why not?”
“He stole cars…part of a car theft ring.”
“You must be kidding”
“No. I think he is being held in a group home until the trial.”
’Such a nice kid. Seems that way to me.”
“That may be so but car theft is a serious offence. “
“How serious?”
“Judge will decide. Car theft penalty is Eighteen months to 10 years in the slammer.”
“He will likely get two years less a day owing to his age. But that is
hard time for a young kid.”
I was startled. Teachers are not told much about their students. That is policy.
Protects kids really, especially those with tough stories. Like Leila Buckler , one
of our cheerleaders. I had not idea she and her dad were living in a flop house
hotel…room for five bucks a night with a bathroom down the hall. Dangerous place
where her dad had to escort her to the wash room. I never knew that. Leila was
just another face in the class. Kids do not want to be centred out.
CONVERSATION CONTINUED SOMETHING LKE THIS
“Jail is no place for this kid.”
“Well, he’s been caught stealing cars…thousands of dollars in property theft.”
“Guilty! Must pay the price in hard time.””
“What happens to kids put in prison?”
“Stories are terrifying. Some become hardened criminals. Kids like him could
also face sexual abuse.”
“does he have anyone to speak for him?”
“We don’t know. Must be social workers…lawyers…”
“What about his parents?”
“Seems they are not in te picture. “
And so the conversation continued. Meanwhile the boy seemed to be enjoying
our high school, Parkdale Collegiate institute…a downtown core high school with
lots of kids in difficulty, And most kids thriving.
The boy preyed upon my mind. Was there anything I could do?
Somehow I became aware of his trial date. I decided to write a letter to
the judge with my positive comments about the boy. Maybe that would help
a bit. Maybe not.
“Your honour, I would like to say that the boy seems to have been led
into criminal activity. He does not seem to be a criminal. I enjoy him As a student in my
class and worry that jail would do permanent harm to him.” (something like that)
Then a month or so later I got a call from the judge. Imagine that!
She said “without your letter I would have been forced to put
the boy in jail. That would not be be the best thing for the boy
Your letter allowed a group home alternative. Thank you
That phone call made me feel really good. I never saw the boy again.
Alan skeoch
Sent from my iPhone
