2014 Winnipeg Civic Election

Why did you decide to run in the 2014 School Board Election?

Education is an exciting journey where dreams and aspirations unfold. I am passionate about helping children and their families in this journey. I feel I can contribute as a School Trustee. I feel that my present half-time position as a Family Program Leader & Community Connector for the Fort Garry/St. Norbert Healthy Child Coalition and other community experience compliments and supports the responsibilities that a Trustee would have. I work daily at a grassroots level with the families in our ward prior to their entering the school system. I facilitate programs in multiple family centres that are literacy based and encompass nutrition, physical fitness, school readiness and positive parenting. These free universal programs are designed for pre-school children and their parents/grandparents or caregivers to attend together in schools and other community based settings in our ward. This relationship is current and allows me to observe and share relevant information that can support the incoming children and their families as well as the educators who will teach them. We all share the same goals in wanting to help our children thrive and receive the best education possible.

What experience will you bring to compliment your role as School Trustee?

I bring a wealth of experience on many levels that would complement the position. I have lived in the area for over 35 years and raised three daughters who completed Kindergarten through grade 12 at public schools in our division. I have volunteered in many school initiatives and community projects and was previously part of the outreach team for one of the school's parent teacher association. My work has involved the families in South Winnipeg for the last fourteen years as a Family Program Leader and Community Connector. I strive to remain current with the programs that are in the school system and I am personally involved at the elementary level, middle years and high school level in different community initiatives. I have chosen to give up my lunch hour for the past 17 years in support of an elementary school lunch program within our ward as a Supervisor and the past 4 years as the program’s Coordinator. I also have experience partnering with vital community services such as WRHA, Healthy Start Programs, Active Transportation, Manitoba Housing and Pembina Trails Library. All of these experiences I feel would benefit the families in our ward if I were to be elected.

What are some issues that you would like to stand for in your role as School Trustee, and why are these issues important to you?

1. Forming strong partnerships and proactive support between home and school, the strength of this relationship has a major impact on everyone involved and directly affects the quality of education for each child.

2. Matching the needs of our growing community with appropriate resources for capital projects and French Immersion programs to benefit students, parents and educators. Our demographics have changed significantly as well as our population resulting in the need for proactive planning and interim planning that is considerate of the impact that our decisions will have on everyone.

3. Improved communication channels and clarity for parents with children entering the school system at all grade levels. With the demographics in the area changing so dramatically the type of support necessary to maintain quality education, as well as to promote a greater parental involvement requires additional strategies.

4. Creating new solutions to address truancy and develop strategic partnerships that support the goal of regular attendance. Truancy effects every child and the cost involved are re-active and far greater when we are trying to support a child who has fallen behind due to absenteeism.

What is one thing in particular that you appreciate about the school ward or school division you wish to represent?

Pembina Trails has a stellar reputation regarding not only their academic education but for celebrating diversity and teaching the whole child. The division has shown to be an innovative leader in promoting inclusion, active transportation and the use of current technology to support the highest standard in teaching excellence. I am very proud to be a part of Pembina Trails Ward 3.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

I know the people in my community at a grassroots level. I know where we have been historically, how we have grown and changed and I understand were we need to go. Having a strong pulse on the current school system and the experience of being a parent whose children completed elementary, junior high and high school within Ward 3, allows me to bring the knowledge and compassion needed to understand what matters most to our families and educators. As a Trustee, demonstrated commitment to the division is vital and I am committed to Pembina Trails. It would be an honor to be your voice and represent you as a School Board Trustee for Ward 3. I hope I can count on your support on October 22nd.

For the love of a child, I will be there!