PALMERSTON – A well-known high school theatre program is set to return next school year after renewed student interest and community pushback.
An emailed statement from the Upper Grand District School Board (UDGSB) said Norwell District Secondary School's Grade 9 Arts Performing Projects (APP) class is coming back in the 2024/2025 school year "due to the number of students who selected the program during course selection for next year."
This decision follows over 900 people signing a petition created by a concerned parent after interested Grade 8 students were informed the theatre class was one of six being cut from the school's 2024 curriculum due to low enrolment.
Of the 25 students needed to run the program, which allows students to focus on performance during school time and feeds Theatre Norwell, the school's theatre program, 19 had registered for the 2023/2024 season.
Several members of Minto council also previously advocated for the program and directed the cultural committee to write a letter of support for the class and submit it to the principal, school board, and school board trustee.
In response to the petition, the school board said the course could be offered again if "significant student interest occurs" through the course selection in future school years.
According to the UGDSB, the program has been modified for the upcoming school season and will no longer include a compulsory Grade 9 English course. Instead, two arts credits will be offered.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
