Ward Forums

Jennifer Alexander - I have been an active school council member in Ward 2 since 2018. I have been part of the councils at Eatonville, Bloordale, and now Silverthorn. I have watched meetings regularly and was part of Virtual School Discussions with PIAC in 2020/21 and since then have considered becoming more active on the committee. I do see a disconnection in our ward and would like to help build up parent engagement in the area and connect families and councils to build closer relations that could help us all work together.

Frances Shawera - As a Mother of 6 children 5 of whom are in Ward 2 School I have an invested interest in not only my children's education but the greater Ward 2 student / parent / caregiver body. Having served 2 years on the PIAC and FLSLAC Ward 2 boards, I feel that my dedication and skill set would be an asset to serve for PIAC alone this term and continue to grow in this role. I currently hold the position of co-treasurer for my current School Council( of which 4 of my children attend ),  as well as participated in 4 other Ward 2 School councils, which has allowed me to have insight and provide valuable feedback on parent engagement  as well as understanding and sharing best practices. A focal point of over the years have  been to identify and help reduce the barrier of parent / caregiver engagement , as well as develop effective strategies and initiatives which have allowed parents/ caregivers to be more engaged and overall improve student achievement. Given my experience and skill set, I have gained a more comprehensive understanding of my role with PIAC.  I look forward to continuing my involvement for an even more successful term in this position. With that said it would be a pleasure to serve yet again another two years as the Ward 2 PIAC co-representative.

Sarah Ali - My name is Sarah Ali, and I am a dedicated Community Leader and Activist with three children attending three different schools in Ward 2, ranging from Elementary to High School. I have been your Representative PIAC member for the last two years and was a former PIAC member from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, I have served as School Council Co-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Advisor Representative for several schools outside of Ward 2.
Having removed my children from the public school system and homeschooled them for five years before returning to the TDSB amid the pandemic, I understand the challenges families face. Currently, I am the Co-Lead of the School Council Committee, where we advocate on behalf of all school councils to establish email addresses and improve parent engagement during these challenging times.

I am deeply committed to the success of every student. For the 2024-2025 school year, as your continuing PIAC Representative, I am dedicated to ensuring a better understanding of School Council procedures and how they should be run as intended by the Ministry of Education—for parents, by parents. There is a need for increased school engagement and collaboration among various school councils. This involves:

• Organizing meet-and-greet sessions with Ward 2 school councils, especially those linked together, such as elementary, middle, and high schools. This will help parents prepare their children for smooth transitions between schools while fostering ongoing engagement.
• Providing clear guidance on the Treasurer's role and fundraising to ensure that donation money truly benefits the students in each school. I propose that proper training be provided to all Treasurers by the PCEO department at TDSB, as currently, no such training is available.
• Offering support for parents who may not be familiar with their rights and how to advocate for their children within the largest School Board in Canada.
• Sharing information about available funding for parents from both the Municipality, Provincial, and Federal levels with the Ward 2 School Councils.
• Advocating for Mental Health programs and support for students struggling amid the pandemic. Additionally, I will work towards reinstating after-school programs and activities within schools, providing students with valuable opportunities for growth and development.

My election as your PIAC Representative will ensure that I can effectively fulfill these duties. I am eager to bring my experience and dedication to this role, and I look forward to your support and vote in the upcoming election.

"At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the involvement of parents." Jane D. Hull