advocate for yourself, your child, your school
Guide & Resources to help navigate the education system
aim of this site
As a parent of a secondary student and former TCDSB trustee (2010 - 2018) and Chair of the Board, I know that trying to navigate the education system to advocate for yourself, your child or your school, can be a daunting task.
It's not just the sheer size of a school board, but the highly hierarchical, regulated and siloed nature of the education system - not to mention the lack of consistency when it comes to effective representation by your locally-elected trustees.
And then there is the fact that not all your answers are found at the board. Decisions made by the Ministry of Education - like centrally-bargained agreements, funding allocations, curriculum, classroom size, online learning and more dictate some of the classroom and school realities for your child. Advocacy is not always with the Board.
Getting the answers, help or CHANGE you need is hard and there will be roadblocks in your way.
The aim of this site is to provide parents and students with what you need to:
1. Navigate the education system
2. Advocate for yourself, your child or your school
3, Keep yourself informed of what's going on at Board by those elected to consult with, and represent, you and your needs. As well as how to add your voice to one of the Board's Advisory Committees , your local Catholic School Parent Council or student leadership.
4. Know your rights and expectations based on the Education Act and Board policies.
As well as provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions, links to helpful parent, student and Catholic resources.
The site will be regularly updated both to be kept current, and add answers to questions or issues shared by those who connect with me through the site's Contact page or social media. Can't find what you need? Let me know! Have a great idea that would help other parents and students? Let me know!
Our students and schools need champions. Hopefully this site gives you what you need to be one of them!
