I was asked by a student what it was that motivated me to become a Trustee.  For many years, since my children were small, I've been on parent councils and volunteered in the schools which allowed me to get to know our schools, parents and students.  As part of the Waterdown Education group, I had the opportunity to work side by side with our school board, Trustee Karen Turkstra, and local government to hammer out a plan for future growth.  Thankfully we were successful in securing funding for a high school expansion and new elementary schools.  It showed me what we can do when we work together. 

 

Around the same time, I was volunteering with at risk youth and realized I had been looking at the exterior and had failed to fully recognize the person inside.  After one of my son's friends ended up down the wrong path, I was determined to help stop kids from falling through the cracks.  I launched Healthy Community - Healthy Youth because I never once doubted that our community would support a positive youth development initiative. 

 

Since HC-HY launched, I've had the pleasure of working with parents, youth, schools, service clubs, businesses, churches, police, the YMCA and youth agencies towards a shared vision where youth in Flamborough are asset rich, make healthy decisions, are involved in the community and are supported, valued and cared for by the whole community.   Listen, Laugh, Inspire is the motto HC-HY adopted and that we live by.

 

So why do I want to continue to be a Trustee?  Over the past 4 years I've listened closely to students, parents and community members to understand the challenges when it comes to our students being successful.  As a member of the Board of Trustees, we have worked hard to build a strong leadership team that builds trust and respect through being accountable & transparent.  The Director of Education reports to the Board of Trustees and in my first year, we hired a Director with integrity who was willing to make tough changes, ensuring student and parent voice are heard and respected.  After extensive public consultation, we set new strategic direction with 5 priorities that each had measurable goals:

• Positive Culture & Well-Being - All students & staff feel safe, supported & accepted

• Effective Communication - improving internal & external communication

• Student Learning & Achievement -  improving math & literacy scores/all students graduating

• School Renewal - improving the conditions of our schools

• Partnerships - all parents, guardians & caregivers are welcome, respected & valued as partners in student learning, achievement & well-being

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Together we've built schools, saved schools, addressed boundary issues and introduced programs that make a difference.  We've built important relationships and helped others nourish their relationship with youth.  We tackle mental health issues and other challenges our youth face.  I want to continue to be a Trustee because years of working within our schools has taught me what's important and what the real issues are and how we can work together towards positive change. As Trustee I am able to affect policy that impacts the lives of our youth and stops our children from falling through the cracks.  

 

All the best,

Penny