About Felicia (#ParentsNotPoliticians)

She's a Parent and an Engineer

• Mom of 2 children in Etobicoke-Lakeshore schools (TDSB Ward 3)
• Deeply committed to improving education for all students in the ward
• She has worked for 20+ years in manufacturing engineering and a big believer in STEAM education
  • As a product of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programs, Felicia is a testament to how they can really work for students!

The Only Candidate Who has Experience Representing Etobicoke-Lakeshore's Parents and Kids to the TDSB

• She is the current Etobicoke-Lakeshore Parent Council (PIAC) Representative for TDSB Ward 3
• Understands how to navigate the education system
• Current member and executive/chair on school council for over 4 years

She Lives Here

• For over 15 years, she has called Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, home to her and her family

Felicia knows the role of a Trustee is a really a Full-Time one

• Has been working with the TDSB Board of Trustees for years
• Will be Full-Time in the role without other professional distraction

A Note from Felicia

Hi, are you someone who is part of, affected by or interested in our public school education system?

If so, this message is for You.

I am Felicia Seto-Lau , a parent of 2 children in a local Etobicoke-Lakeshore school (TDSB Ward 3) and am running to be your School Board Trustee. I want to make TDSB schools better for all of our children (including my own) as they move from kindergarten through Grade 12.

There is currently a lot of uncertainty surrounding about public education in our community at the moment. Some of the uncertainty comes from long term problems such as our aging infrastructure, mismatches between some legacy pieces of a cookie-cutter education system and an increasingly diverse student base, and an increasingly spread-out Toronto population - all risking overall student achievement. And some of the uncertainty comes from shorter-term issues from policy and funding debates that are currently happening.

In a time of growing uncertainty about public education we need Trustees to help the TDSB work better with parents, grandparents and concerned stakeholders like you. And at times, there are people who run for Trustee that may have competing career and political goals that do not align with solving these very-present issues.

Right now, in an uncertain education environment, we need people who have the experience, skills and vested interest to get the facts and get to all concerned so we can make the best decision we can.

When you start researching your local candidate, please make sure you can feel confident that he or she can represent your voice, your children's voices and understands the system to make the best decisions stick.

I believe I can bring these skills as Trustee, representing Etobicoke-Lakeshore (TDSB Ward 3). I hope you will read more about me here (Get to Know Felicia) to learn more. I also ask for your vote, your support and your feedback on how to improve our schools and education system.

On October 22, vote for someone that has a long track record of involvement, commitment and whole-hearted belief in your Public Education system!

Sincerely,

Felicia

(Your local Trustee candidate for Etobicoke-Lakeshore and also an active parent with kids in our local public schools)

Fun Facts about Felicia

• She's the first woman in her family to graduate from engineering
• She's a patron, alumni and program guest speaker of LAMP and Stonegate Community Centres with her 2 children (Early Years Board, parenting and community programs)
• She likes to learn about how things are made - so much so that she has worked in manufacturing automotive and construction components over her career spanning 20+ years
• Felicia leads the group that organized the Official 2017 TDSB School Council Appreciation and Information Dinner attended by over 300 parents, the Ontario Minister of Education, Chair of Trustees and Director of Education.
• Felicia has been Chair and Executive Council member of her children's school for the past 4 years, leading the school's flagship Annual Games Night event
• Felicia is currently the Parent Council (PIAC) Representative for Etobicoke-Lakeshore TDSB Ward 3, working closely with our community, current Board of Trustees, TDSB Administration, involved parents and other key stakeholders
• She likes to cook - Felicia believes it has taught her skills that help both at home and at work

What do TDSB Trustees Do?

According to the Ontario Municipal & School Board Elections:

"A trustee's role is to maintain a focus on student achievement, well-being and equity and to participate in making decisions that benefit the board's entire jurisdiction while representing the interests of their constituents. Trustees must also communicate the views and decisions of the board back to their constituents. This is not as simple as it sounds..."

How Do TDSB Trustees' Work Affect Me?

The decisions that the Board of Trustees make are wide, varying and often complicated. For example, at a recent meeting, there were 40+ topics tabled:

• 31 decisions made on subjects including:
  • Encouraging new and existing school locations are walkable, bike-able and safe for children to use
  • Changes of the grades that particular schools may teach and the designations for Junior, Middle and Secondary Schools
  • Boundary / catchment area changes for school enrollment
• 13 reports received from other committees and organizations