Rosie Boileau (Voting Member,(Treasurer))
Ashika Niraula (Voting Member)
Niki Borsas (Voting Member)
Ibtisam Munir (Voting Member)
Crystal Stuckenbrock (Voting Member)
Cynthia Foo (Voting Member )
My name is Cynthia Foo, and I’m a mom to my funny four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Delia, who just entered JAL's senior kindergarten this year. My husband and I have had the privilege of getting to know JAL through its adjoining daycare and by becoming more acquainted with other JAL parents through shared activities in Cliffside. We love our neighbourhood and have been living here for over 5 years. I think we are very lucky to have access to so many parks and amenities and to have met so many down-to-earth, amazing neighbours.
I would like to be a voting member of John A Leslie Public School because I would like to give back to my community. I am a professional fundraiser by trade and currently work at York University. I am also a former educator having taught at universities in the United States and Canada. I have an extensive background in volunteer management, and I have also served on multiple committees and as a Board member for various community organizations, including a food co-op, a film cooperative, and for an artist-run gallery. I am committed to diversity, ethical and accountable leadership, and am never too busy to see the lighter side of life.
I look forward to getting to know my fellow parents and to working together to make JAL the best school for us.
Brian Kelly (Voting Member)
My name is Brian Kelly and I have lived with my wife Cynthia in Cliffside for the past five years. Our daughter Delia attended John Leslie daycare for over a year and recently entered kindergarten in the same building. We’ve come to know and value the community here; having grown up in a small town, I understand the importance that local schools play in the lives of the people in the community and look forward to contributing in any way to support the staff, students and parents at JAL.
Professionally, I am a founding partner of Extra Innings Ventures. Along with my partners and the advisory team, my firm invests in start-up companies in a range of industries. We collaborate with company founders to find commercial opportunities and develop strategies to work with communities, industry stakeholders, and government agencies to help entrepreneurs realize their new venture goals. In earlier roles, I have overseen commercial and regulatory matters in electricity and natural gas markets across Eastern Canada for Calgary-based TC Energy. I have supplied expert testimony before the National Energy Board, Ontario Energy Board, and the Regie de l'Energie in Quebec on issues facing developers and operators of natural gas-fired power generation facilities. In addition to my experience in regulatory and commercial matters, I have considerable development and operating experience with large-scale infrastructure projects, including multiple power generation facilities, high voltage transmission lines, and pipeline projects.
I have also had the opportunity to serve extensively at both the Board of Director and Committee levels; I served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO) for eight years years, including a term as Vice Chair, and served on other Boards in various capacities. It would be my pleasure to bring my experience with complex stakeholders with diverse communities to bear in our diverse community.
Dawn Crawford (Voting Member)
Hello. My name is Dawn Crawford. I have a 10 yr old at JAL who has been there since JK, and I have a graduate who is now in high school and was there from JK grade 8.
For the majority of those years, I have been a voting member of the parent council. During the years I was not a voting member I would still participate in parent council meetings/ volunteer my time.
I am working full time and am a Registered Social Worker and Registered Psychotherapist with a M.A in Counselling Psychology. I have worked in social services with a specialty in trauma for my entire career.
I think it is important to be engaged with my children's school to be able to participate and support the teachers and staff as well as to assist with activities, events, and new initiatives.
I have participated by assisting with several grant applications over the years including the Indigo grant, parent engagement grants etc. I helped to develop plans for the community garden at JAL as well as assisted with watering over the summer the first years it was started. I have brought a speaker to the school before for an evening of education for the parents. In addition, I have volunteered at many events including the fun fair, kindergarten orientation, potluck, holiday events, STEM night etc.
I am running to be a voting parent representative at JAL. Thank you for reading
Tifani Shannon (Voting Member, Chair)
I would like to run for this position because I am passionate about cultivating a positive school culture, bridging the gap between school life and home life and advocating to ensure each child’s unique needs are met.
My vision for the council is a collaborative environment where every voice is heard and all points of view are taken into consideration. I’ve spoken to many parents who advocate that their top priority is simply ensuring the council is doing what’s best for the students and I believe this should be the driving goal of the parent council.
While I have a strong understanding of the challenges and strengths of JAL, I am aware that I am selected for this position; there will be more to learn….but I am committed to the challenge!
I have been actively involved at John A Leslie for 4 years now, from volunteering with school events (pizza lunch, dance-a-thons, etc) to planning and facilitating school-wide initiatives (Eco-Fair).
I have 2 children at JAL (Grades 1 & 3) and look forward to connecting with all members of the school community to learn more about how council can support all of our incredible JAL families!
Alexandra Kaempffer (Voting member)
Hillary Shackleton (Voting Member)
My name is Hilary Shackleton and I am a parent of a JK student.
My background is in healthcare and I have some experience working with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success in model schools.
I strongly believe in public education and want to make a meaningful contribution to my daughter’s educational experience as well as that of other students in the Cliffside community.
Jesse Michaels (Voting Member)
Kirsten Wallace (Voting Member)
Vijitha Prabakaran (Voting Member, Vice Chair)
I would like to be the voice of the parents and the students to communicate their needs, suggestion and recommendations to improve the Learning environment
About Myself.
I have been working at Midland Garden Care Community Long-term care since 2009. My role is RAT Coordinator (Participating in resident Assessment and Co-ordinate with the health team and the Family to provide excellent care as per the resident’s wish.)
In addition, I am a SETU union health care representative at Midland Garden Care Community elected by 347 employees. I address employee concerns and promote an excellent working environment and communicate the policy and procedures to all team members.
Rebecca Kavanagh (Voting Member)
As a new parent at JAL, I would love to be a voting parent member!
My daughter Parker just started JK at JAL and I’d love to get involved. I am a small business owner of my company Paper and Poste, so I’m quite busy but would love to participate where and when I can!
I would call myself a natural leader and I always want to be involved in important things when I can, especially when it will effect my daughter and her future.
Looking forward to it, Thanks!
Anna Sidiropoulos (Voting Member, Past Chair)
I have been actively involved in the JAL school community for 12 years and 8 years as a Chair; I am very passionate about my community. I am a former JAL student, and all three of my children attended JAL. Under my term as chair, the council has raised a record amount of money, council membership has increased threefold, and we have introduced many programs and workshops for students, teachers and the community at large.