Why am I running for Etobicoke-Lakeshore Trustee on Oct 22?

A Trustee is the only democratically elected office solely responsible for education. It is the Trustee who connects the community to the TDSB on important education decisions that affect our students` daily lives. It is important that the Trustee:

• Have a EXPERIENCE and a FIRST-HAND view of what our children encounter at school
• Have FOSTERED CONNECTIONS in our school communities
• Has DEDICATION and PASSION to advocate for our community and is a member of our community

Unfortunately, many candidates who run for Trustee consider it a position for political gain. They don't have a vested interest in our kids or have engaged our community in education!

Meet Felicia

I was born and raised in Toronto and have lived in the Etobicoke area for the past 15 years. I am a proud believer and a product of our public schools! I am also an engineer by training and am also a big believer in getting the facts to everyone in order to build and implement the best collaborative decisions possible. Partisan politics DON'T belong in our schools. Our kids deserve better.

Experience that Matters

Professional Experience in Engineering

I have worked for 20+ years in manufacturing and a big believer in STEAM-based education to help our students succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.

For the past 5 years I have been serving You as an active parent in the local community as:

• Your TDSB Ward 3 Representative at the city-wide version of your local school Parent Council (called PIAC - Parent Involvement Advisory Council)
• Ward 3 School Council volunteer and active attendee
• Chair and member of the local school council as well as grant writer / contributor
• Volunteer for the Office of the Ward 3 School Trustee at local events and talking to parents and grandparents in South Etobicoke
• Ward 3 Parents Blog contributor
• Frequent in-school and classroom volunteer and STEM program contributor (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
• Local community centre guest speaker
• Co-lead for the 2018 TDSB PIAC School Council Appreciation and Information Event
  • Hosted over 300 school council members and 50 Trustees, PIAC members and volunteers. Speakers included Minister of Education, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Director of Education.
  • Largest Etobicoke-Lakeshore Ward 3 turnout of all-time

During my time as PIAC representative I have listened and heard from many Ward 3 parents with their concerns and brought those concerns to the TDSB.

Key Goals - As a parent, goals for my children and the school community include:

• Focus on Student ACHIEVEMENT as a TOP Priority
• Provide PARENTS and the Community CLEAR AND REGULAR information to foster engagement
  • Studies have shown that family and community engagement have a POSITIVE IMPACT on student achievement and school improvement!
• Decrease TDSB dependency on provincial funding through ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCES
• Spur initiatives to FIX OUR SCHOOLS and address OVERCROWDING in schools (let's reduce the number of portables!)
  • FIGHT INEQUITY that the TDSB DOESN'T get funding (such as EDCs) that OTHER SCHOOL BOARDS DO!
• Access to Program resources such as STUDENT NUTRITION and MENTAL HEALTH and WELL-BEING
• Work to ensure SAFE STREETS to all schools in Etobicoke-Lakeshore through community safety zones and better TRANSPORTATION (including school buses for middle school students)

I strongly support community and parent engagement in the school system as a means towards better Student Achievement. For years I have attended and assisted in organizing the Ward 3 Trustee Meetings at our local schools and have met many of you there. I also believe that the TDSB can be MORE EFFICIENT with its funding and have championed proposals for TDSB-controlled revenue sources that engage and help the community.

I believe in education as a tool to improving road safety and participated in the creation of A Guide to Safer Streets Near Schools by Toronto Centre for Active Transportation to assist communities navigate road changes. I regularly share ideas that school communities can trial to help reduce congestion around school drop off and pick up times.

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

Community-Driven Topics

Health and Physical Education (incl. Human Development and Sexual Health)

The public education curriculum needs to prepare children for society so they can make informed decisions. Parents must also be engaged in curriculum changes that impact their child's progress. There is much debate about the sex-ed curriculum but if elected, I will make sure that parents of Etobicoke-Lakeshore have a voice in the updated curriculum.

For those interested in more details, please see the Longer Answer...