News & Events

ABC Ontario is supporting our new Simcoe County Chapter in fighting back against the proposed closure of congregated gifted classrooms at Simcoe County District School Board.

March 14, 2026: "Barrie families rally to save gifted class as board scales back" featured in Barrie Today.

https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/barrie-families-rally-to-save-gifted-class-as-board-scales-back-12002225

March 25, 2026: A beautiful letter to the editor by Simcoe County District School Board student Sarjana Shayanthan about the need for congregated gifted placements.

LETTER: Gifted learners need space to be challenged, guided - Innisfil Today

https://www.innisfiltoday.ca/letters-to-the-editor/letter-gifted-learners-need-space-to-be-challenged-guided-12048633 

March 25, 2026: "Parents wear 'don't speak ... just obey' shirts for protest at school board meeting" featured in Collingwood Today.

https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/local-news/parents-wear-dont-speak-just-obey-shirts-for-protest-at-school-board-meeting-12060317 

March 25, 2026: "'They took our voice': Parents blocked from speaking about changes to gifted student program" featured in Orillia Matters.

https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/they-took-our-voice-parents-blocked-from-speaking-about-changes-to-gifted-student-program-12062380 

March 25, 2026: "'They took our voice': Parents blocked from speaking about changes to gifted student program" featured in Barrie Today.

https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/they-took-our-voice-parents-blocked-from-speaking-about-changes-to-gifted-student-program-12063911 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BARRIE, ON, March 10, 2026: The Association for Bright Children of Ontario (ABC Ontario) today announced the formation of its new Simcoe County Chapter, dedicated to protecting and strengthening gifted education programs in Simcoe County. The chapter’s establishment comes in direct response to proposed cuts that threaten the continuation of congregated gifted classrooms—programs that have long provided meaningful academic and social support for advanced learners across Ontario.

ABC Ontario, a volunteer-run provincial organization supporting families of gifted learners, believes that every child deserves access to an appropriately challenging education. Congregated gifted programs have a decades-long history of enabling students to reach their potential in an environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and emotional well-being.