Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West records on Wally Keeler

October 15, 1963, Teacher, M C Daniel, Offence Report,

“Disturbing class”

January 16, 1964, Teacher, D. Sutherland, Offence Report,

“The class seemed particularly noisy today. I told Wally to stay in after school for talking. He told me he already had a detention so their (sic) seemed to be nothing else to do but to send him out.

January 16, 1964, Vice Principal, R. A. Graham, Offence Report,

`Keeler is a repeat offender, He was counseled on the ultimate result of this behaviour. Given three one-hour detentions.

Jan, 1964, unsigned teacher comment:

“Persistently resists authority. I warned about talking. Continued to talk. Was given a detention to be served tonight. Went to S R Cafeteria. Was warned about talking; completely disregarded the warning. I do not believe we are obliged to put up with Keeler`s insubordination.

March 19, 1965, letter from `C.G.King, Principal, CDCI-W to Wallace Keeler,

``When I suggested to you a week ago that you get your hair trimmed up, I had no feeling that this was a personal matter. Rather it was to my way of thinking, merely one facet of my duty to our pupils.

As you know, we offer pupils an education in what I call `bookish` subjects and training in certain manual skills. But there is more to it than these two features. There is also that sphere of preparation for the transformation from the school society to the business world. For this change I think that pupils must be made to realize that a certain conformity in dress, deportment and physical appearance is necessary. The body should be clean, the dress should be neat and the hair should be trim – I do not necessarily mean in brush-cut fashion like mine – but all the outward appearance should be acceptable to the potential employer when the pupil makes the transition from school to society.

I have noticed that you have made some attempt to have your hair trimmed. I hope that you have begun to appreciate good grooming and will continue with the proper care of your personal appearance.

In closing may I say that I realize the pressures, some good, some bad, facing young people today. I hope that you will have the sense and the courage to separate the right ones from the wrong, and to follow the former.``

September 13, 1965, Guidance office note,

``Wally had difficult year and has tried to assert self through non-conformity, long hair, feeling of right to do as he pleases, insubordination, etc, have made life hard.``

September 29, 1965, Teacher, Gerry Lawless, Complaint Report, sent to office,

``unsuitable running shoes after two warnings.``

October 1, 1965, Teacher, Gerry Lawless, Complaint Report, sent to office,

``No PE uniform for the 3<sup>rd</sup> time in the week. No proper uniform for several months of PE``

October 25, 1965,  Detention Regulations:

``Wallace Keeler - Ford Blow - Chas. McGinn

Richard Rupert - Ross Dudley - Robert Labrash

Cafeteria privileges , including visits to the lunch counter, are discontinued indefinitely for the above-named students. Until further notice, the students will have lunch as per the following time-table:

MONDAY – Period 6A – Room 202

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY – Period 6A – Room 204

TUESDAY & THURSDAY – Period 6B – Room 204

When the lunch period is 6A, the student will be at the assigned lunch room at 12:00 sharp; five minutes is allowed to visit the washroom and pick up lunch. When the lunch period is 6B, the student will be in the lunchroom at 12:35 sharp. Each day the student will stay in the lunch room in the seat provided. Until the five minute bell at the end of the said period.

Failure to comply with any one of these regulations or conduct deemed unworthy by the administration will result in immediate suspension``

-- Vice Principal, Mr Graham

October 28, 1965, letter from Principal, C. G. King to Mrs Keeler.

``I regret to report that we have reached the limit of our patience with your son, Wallace. Having been implicated in, or connected with, an egg-throwing episode in the Cafeteria (He did not throw it) he has been assigned a room and a seat wherein to spend his lunch period. He is also denied activity period.

Today he was taking part in a noisy disturbance at the end of lunch period outside a room where a grade 13 lesson was being taught. This is the limit. If he is guilty of any more misconduct he will be suspended.``

February 8, 1966, Teacher, J W McGrath, Complaint Report;

``Insolence. he said (after I had given an answer) `How do you know – were you there?` Wallace must apologize before I will permit him to re-enter my class.``

March 19, 1966, letter from Principal, C. G. King to Mrs Keeler:

``I am sending Wally home on suspension for insubordination in that he completely disregarded instructions about talking, …… to him by Mr Graham. Before he is permitted to return I would like you to come to see me ….. In the meantime he is ….. back until Monday at the earliest.``

September 2, 1966, Note by Vice Principal, R. A. Graham,

``As per instructions from Mr King, W. Keeler was sent home (and directed to turn in all school books) for an indefinite period.

February 9, 1966, letter from Principal, C. G. King to Mrs Keeler:

Your son Wallace Keeler, 4A12, was suspended indefinitely today for insolence to a teacher.

It is quite apparent that Wallace is not sufficiently interested in his own future, that his presence is a detriment to the progress of his associates and that his behaviour cannot be further tolerated. 

It will be in Wallace`s interests to obtain employment. If he wishes to obtain information concerning the content of any course, the teachers will provide same on application to the office. If Wallace wishes to write the examinations, he may do so on application, and the administration will arrange for a fair evaluation of his answer papers.

Again it is strongly advised that Wallace obtain employment.``

UNDATED NOTE, UNSIGNED NOTE, reads:

"Write this paragraph twenty times; sign your name after each writing. Write in ink. Write neatly. Number each 1, 2, 3 etc.

Regulations are necessary in any school. A regulation in this school directs the student to be in his room when the final bell rings; the student will then sit in his proper place immediately. This behaviour on the part of any student indicates a desire to cooperate. Students who refuse to cooperate are contesting the authority of the principal. Repeated refusal to cooperate on the part of any student should result in the suspension of the student.``