Recent Timeline of Heydon Park Advocacy

Mar 4, 2026 

Article in Toronto Star  

Heydon Park and Eastdale parents are concerned the TDSB is shutting down their children's schools by stealth. 

See Mar 2026 links in Media Coverage.

Feb 25, 2026 

Update from Superintendent Jennifer Chan  

Heydon Park parents/caregivers received a response from Superintendent Jennifer Chan following a letter sent by Heydon Park's councillor, MPP, and Trustee asking for transparency and commitment to due process. Superintendent Chan repeated information she had already shared with us - offering us no further clarity around Heydon's future.  

Click on the link to read the letter.

Feb 25, 2026 

Article in TorontoToday

Parents from Heydon Park and Eastdale were interviewed about cuts to grade 9 (&10) enrollment. 

See Feb 2026 links in Media Coverage.

Feb 25, 2026 

Letter to Supervisor from Councillor, MPP, Trustee

Councillor Dianne Saxe, MPP Jessica Bell, and Trustee Deborah Williams wrote to the Supervisor on behalf of Heydon Park parents/caregivers to ask for a committment to keeping the school open - including the building, as well as transparency in communications.

Click on the link below to see the letter. 

Feb 22, 2026 

Shout Out from Prime Minister Carney

While at a hockey watch party for Team Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a shout out to a student at Heydon Park:  "A big shout out to Katherine and Heydon Park Secondary School - best school in Toronto, which means it's the best school in Canada. Go Canada Go!" 

Click on the link below to see the video. 

Feb 1, 2026 

Save Eastdale and Heydon Park Coalition

Eastdale CI was informed it would not have a grade 9 cohort in September 2026, and had to rescind offers it had already made to students. It appears the TDSB may also be moving towards closing Eastdale - another high school for kids with special needs. The two school councils have formed a coalition to support our schools.

Click on the link below to read our communications brief. 

Jan 11, 2026 

Heydon Park Advocacy Website launched

Documenting Heydon Park's situation, and efforts of current and past parents/caregivers, graduates, and community members to keep the school open. 

Click on the link below to read about what is happening with Heydon Park. 

Dec 17, 2025 

Visit from Laura Elliott (Supervisor’s office)

In response to a parent's request that the Supervisor visit the school, Laura Elliot spent the morning at Heydon Park. She met with teachers, parents, and the principal, and had a tour of the school. She was given a binder of letters from students and parents in support of the school to share with others at the Supervisor's office. Laura Elliot was visibly moved by the visit. She has an extended family member with developmental challenges. 

Click on the link below to see letters from parents. 

Dec 8, 2025

Delegation by Heydon Park parent at SEAC

A parent from Heydon Park spoke about the school at the TDSB's Special Education Advisory Committee. 

Click on link below to read that speech. 

Dec 4, 2025

Parents at Queen's Park

A group of Heydon Park parents were in the gallery during question period. MPP Jessica Bell asked a question about funding for the school. Parents talked to the media after. 

See Dec 4, 2025 video in Media Coverage. 

Nov 21, 2025

Online Sign up Letter in support of Heydon Park launched by MPP Jessica Bell

In consultation with the school council, Jessica Bell MPP created a sign up letter to support Heydon Park. 

Please see the Petitions section to sign the letter. 

Nov 13, 2025

Parent/caregiver gathering with media outside Heydon Park

Parents and caregivers protested outside the school after Superintendent Jennifer Chan informed us that there would be no open house in Fall 2025, and no grade 9 admissions for Sept 2026. 

See Nov 2025 links in Media Coverage.

Jun 24, 2025

Change.org Save Heydon Park petition launched

A parent created this petition in June 2025 after prospective grade 9 students were turned away from Heydon Park.

Please see the Petitions section to add your name.

Jun 16, 2025

Heydon Park walk out in protest of Sept 2025 blocked admissions

Students and parents/caregivers protested outside the school in June 2025 when the government announced there would be no grade 9 admissions to Heydon Park for Sept 2025.

Please see June 2025 links in Media Coverage.