Cosmos turned away from USS

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On a visit to Uxbridge Secondary School by the Cosmos on Monday, the newspaper was told that news media are not allowed on school property.

In an attempt to talk to Principal Michelle Lee about the school's recent announcement that USS would not be holding a school prom this year, the Cosmos was told by administrative staff that Lee would not speak with the reporter and the media is only allowed on school property if they receive an invitation. The staff member said it was a policy of the Durham District School Board (DDSB).

Carolyn Morton, DDSB school trustee for Uxbridge, said in a telephone conversation she was not aware of such a policy being adopted and would look into it.

DDSB communications manager Michele Giroux said the policy to which the school was referring enables schools to focus “on their students and the safe operation of the school,” and that the "invitation only" policy is not directly aimed at the Cosmos.

“To facilitate this, we ask that all media inquiries be directed to the DDSB Communications office. This ensures that principals focus on school operations, and the communications team is able to ensure timely, consistent and responsive communications to all media outlets,” said Giroux in an email to the Cosmos.

DDSB’s Communications regulation is accessible online through its Policies, Regulations & Procedures Knowledge Base. It says “School staff, under the supervision of the Principal, are encouraged to arrange for publicity and media coverage about individual school events or programs.” It also says that school principals are to “ensure that media coverage of situations is managed in such a way as to cause as little disruption as possible for students and staff.”

The Cosmos pointed out that the newspaper has covered the school's Remembrance Day observance for several years, covers the Tigers football games, has reported on music and drama awards, achievements by students and reported on the annual commencement, including printing the valedictorian's speech, all without having received any invitations.

Giroux said the Cosmos will receive invitations to all those events.