Education
All Candidates Meeting – October 27th
As mentioned earlier, I’m very pleased that my candidacy has been endorsed by the West Vancouver Citizens for Good Government. The speech I gave the night of the endorsement meeting, and which is reprinted below, focused on my experience as a parent-volunteer within the public education system. These remarks are also featured in the television spot filmed by Shaw Cable Television, a service offered to all Lower Mainland candidates, and which will air on November 6 at 7:15 p.m. and November 13 at 11:15 p.m.
I would love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to forward your thoughts, comments, questions and suggestions to me.
Remarks presented at the West Vancouver Citizens for Good Government Endorsement Meeting – October 27, 2011
Good evening. I’m Luc’s Mom, Reema Faris, and I’m running as a candidate for the position of Trustee with the West Vancouver Board of Education.
Why?
I see it as the next leg of a journey that began when Luc started Kindergarten in 2006.
I walked into the Parents Advisory Council meeting as a new parent and walked out as the school’s representative to West Van DPAC. That transition, in the space of an hour — maybe an hour and a half — reflects my belief in working for my community.
Since then, I’ve served continuously as a member of the PAC executive including two years as Chair and one year as Co-Chair.
One of my favourite projects has been the noon-hour Creative Writing Club which I started last year.
I’ve worked with the community of educators at the school and within the district as well as district staff and parents to expand the playground at Ecole Cedardale, purchase laptop computers, enhance the library’s collection, and much more.
I believe now’s the time to translate my experience from that of a parent-volunteer to making new contributions as a member of the Board of Education.
In that capacity, I’d like to make sure the programs we offer equip students with the critical thinking skills they need to cope with our ever-changing world.
I want to make sure students develop a strong sense of ownership for their own learning. Let’s make sure students learn to ask questions because they recognize the intrinsic value of learning for the pure pleasure of learning.
What about technology? How do we integrate technology use sensibly and equitably in our classrooms while taking into account parental concerns?
I’d like to talk about the arts in education and revitalizing board meetings, but two minutes pass by quickly, almost as quickly as my five years as an active parent-volunteer.
I’m ready to take the next step. Because I believe the foundation of our society depends on the education we provide our children. We need a universally accessible public education system if what we want to build is a socially just society.
My name is Reema Faris and I hope I can count on your support at the ballot box on November 19th.
Thank you.
Helping Secondary Students Contend With Post-Graduation Options
There’s an item on my to-do list that’s lingered for months: not a now thing. It’s an odd name for an action item, but consider it a secret family code.
I’ve been intrigued by the notion of jumping on board the Twitter express and of establishing a personal website as my on-line home. The website, as originally envisioned, would be a private one accessible to extended family members and close friends only. It would also be a platform for sharing my son’s artwork with those we know well. The concept intrigued him and in the evenings he’d ask, “Mama, can we do the website now?” Given that the question was often posed with five minutes to go until bedtime, my answer was, “No, it’s not a now thing.” Thus, the cryptic notation on my to-do list.
With my decision to run as a Trustee candidate for the West Vancouver Board of Education, the not a now thing has become a done thing albeit in a different format and for a different reason. It’s a step I had wanted to take, was hesitant about taking, and then was propelled into taking as circumstances unfolded. I had to make new decisions and had to face the requirement for immediate action. A looming election date is a strong motivator!
This personal progression has made me reflect on a question that’s already popped up a number of times during the campaign. This question is often framed in the context of whether the emphasis on educating our students for a post secondary career in academics neglects opportunities for graduates who may be inclined to other avenues of study.
What a challenging question! We live in a time of straitened resources and there’s very little success to be found when organizations attempt to be “all things to all people”. There are other factors to consider, too. For example, family expectations and pressures which are private and individual to each situation. For those of us who’ve accumulated life and work experience, we also know that our paths and our destinations often change in unexpected ways.
With these and other factors in mind, what role might the school district play in accommodating different learning intentions?
It would seem to me that the answer is not to force students into career decisions too soon, but rather to offer broad horizons for them to consider and to equip them with the tools needed to consider and weigh their options. Providing the resources to investigate alternatives and enabling them to become better decision makers with regard to their own learning and course of studies. Work experience programs, summer internships, guest presentations by working professionals, in residence programs, assemblies focused on career planning, increased counseling support — I’m sure much is already being done and I think there are a myriad of other options which might also be explored.
It would be great to have the opportunity to work with our community of educators on a well-integrated range of programs and initiatives to let West Vancouver students know that while their career choices may not be a now thing, they have been well-prepared to find their own way among the many, many options available to them.
All Candidates Meeting – October 20th
It was an interesting start to the evening: when I dropped my son off at the community centre for his activity, we had a small personal collision – his head rammed into my nose by accident. This wasn’t exactly the preparation I’d been counting on for the All Candidates Meeting hosted by the West Vancouver Citizens for Good Government on Thursday night! But, as the saying goes, the show must go on.
It was a successful outing. I appreciated the opportunity to address a gathering of West Vancouver residents and voters, and was grateful to the number of friends who were able to attend the event — especially those who don’t normally follow municipal politics and those who drove a significant distance!
Here are the words I shared with the audience:
If you’re an Ian Rankin or Peter Robinson fan, you may think I’m crazy for giving up my ticket to see these two authors speak tonight at the Vancouver International Writers’ Festival.
Rather than a lapse in judgement, I hope you’ll see being here tonight as evidence of my commitment to this election.
Good evening. I’m Luc’s Mom, Reema Faris, and I’m running as a candidate for the position of Trustee with the West Vancouver Board of Education.
Why? That’s a good question. Let me start by saying that I profoundly believe in the value of education and the benefits of learning, and I have a passion for the public education system.
Let me also say that may be only part of my answer. And before you shrug and wave me off for being indecisive, let me explain.
I take great comfort in the question why. As long as I’m asking why, I’m thinking, I’m reflecting, I’m challenging. I am looking for answers rather than assuming I have all the answers. I’m seeking information rather than dictating the way that things ought to be perceived.
To me, this questioning is not about undermining a system and disregarding the work that’s been done. It’s about validating what you believe, being responsive and strategic — making changes when they’re needed, when they’re necessary, and making them at the right time.
This critical thinking skill is a key one for students especially in our increasingly fast-paced, dynamic world. It’s part of developing a sense of ownership for one’s own learning.
In addition to ensuring that students have the opportunity to develop these skills, there are a few more issues I would like to look at if elected.
I would like to work closely with the District team and the other Trustees to ensure that the digital learning environment is one which prepares students for the skills they need without overlooking some of the key concerns parents have about the speedy introduction of technology into the curriculum and the classroom. This is not about going back to a pre-electronic age, it’s about being smart in the way in which we embrace the electronic era.
What measures can we take to enhance community connections and make better use of combined resources? Can we provide better leadership and communications training for administrators, teachers, and staff? How can we incorporate the Arts into our program delivery to ensure that the value of art is held dear by our children?
Did I mention how much I love asking questions?
I would like to commend Jane, Cindy, and Dave for putting their names forward once again. My congratulations to both Carolyn and Christine for having the courage to leap into the fray.
My thanks to the West Van Citizens’ for Good Government for putting this event together and my sincere admiration to all of you for taking the time to be here and to be a part of this very important process.
My name is Reema Faris and I hope I can count on your support at the ballot box on November 19th.
Thank you.
Why I Am Running
My name is Reema Faris and I’m running as a candidate for Board of Education Trustee in West Vancouver.
Why?
I have a profound belief in the value of education and the benefits of learning as well as a passion for the public education system.
Consider, too, that the BC Ministry of Education is pushing the concept of “personalized learning in the 21st century”. Why? What does it mean? Well, I want to be at the table to make sure that if there’s an overhaul of the system it’s done well and it’s done right. That it’s implemented in a way which benefits all students.
Here are some of the other issues I’m thinking about:
• how do we engage students so that they take ownership and responsibility for their own learning at all levels?
• which programs and practices will best help students develop critical thinking skills, good study habits, and build character and resilience?
• are we able to provide better leadership & communications training for administrators, teachers, and staff?
• how do we manage technology in our curriculum and in the classroom, and how do we make sure that the Arts are not overlooked?
• what measures can we take to enhance community connections and make better use of combined resources?
• which steps do we have to take to complete the French Immersion Review that’s been called for in West Vancouver and how do we ensure the implementation of the resulting recommendations?
• how do we ensure that School District operations are as efficient & effective as possible?