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Jay Brijpaul, Broker, RE/Max West Realty Inc, Brokerage. 96 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto, ON.
Residents battle gypsy moths Parents, TDSB compromise with TreeAzin injections Appeal out to neighbours to join fight
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Princess Gardens’ residents have armed themselves against this spring’s assault of gypsy moth caterpillars. Now they’re inviting neighbours with trees not considered “under risk” to join in the battle. “ Yo u l i v e i n t h i s neighbourhood, that’s what this neighbourhood is – the trees,” said Karen Ashcroft, a 15-year Princess Gardens’ resident, of the area’s oaks, some towering three- or four-storeys high. “I think most people in the neighbourhood realize that. They move here because of the trees. Our area was hit th e worst by the gypsy moth. I think that’s why so many people have been involved with the (TreeAzin) injection program.” Ashcroft heads the newly created residents’ group, the Pr incess >>>I DON’T, page 10
over loss of EAs at Park Lawn CYNTHIA REASON creason@insidetoronto.com
weeks ago informing them that four of their highly trained EAs were set to For many of the special be replaced at the end of needs kids in the Intensive June due to a board-wide Support Program (ISP) at reclassification of EA desPark Lawn JMS, educaignations. Immediately, tional assistants (EAs) are there was a sense of promore than just classroom found loss – followed by helpers – they’re family. stress and anxiety over “The thing with kids what kind of impact the upheaval would have with special needs is, on their already fragile they rely so heavily on their EAs for everything children. from toileting, to dress“We were all in shock ing and undressing,” said – there was no lead-up Shana Randhawa, mom of to it, no warning, no talk five-year-old Park Lawn about it,” Randhawa said. ISP student “ To h a v e Alesandro a sudden I don’t think (the severance Ciampa. “Their EA TDSB) took the to the chilreally is dren’s relachildren’s needs into tionships their parent at school – consideration when with those they comthey made this plan. considered fort the kids, primary – Shana Randhawa, parent they make caregivers for them is them feel safe, they make them feel huge and very impactloved.” ful to children who are Randhawa, whose son already sensitive. I don’t has cerebral palsy, and think they took the chilthe other parents of the dren’s needs into consid15 kids in Park Lawn’s ISP eration when they made class received a letter six >>>EAs, page 15
“
Staff photo/MARY GAUDET
TruGreen’s Genti Xhyhen and Jim Kourniotis have worked with neighbours in the Princess Gardens’ neighbourhood to treat oak trees infested with gypsy moth. This oak also has a monitoring strip to track the infestation.
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