Community-Driven Leadership

Thank you Residents of wards 3, 4, 10, for election me as Trustee again for the 2022-2026 term!

As Trustee for the Greater Essex County DSB for the past 4 years, I have provided strong advocacy and leadership through the challenges we experienced. There was a lot of uncertainty and difficulty - I felt the impact both as a parent and a Trustee. Working together with my colleagues, we heard your concerns and set forward a Strategic Plan to create confident learners, engage communities, and demonstrate ethical stewardship across Windsor-Essex county.

  • Advocated for the use of surplus dollars to cover the costs of unfunded COVID expenses [August 11th, 2020 Public Board Meeting link]; 

  • Advancing the work of the Anti-Racism and Oppression through the creation of an Equity and Inclusion Policy and Committee Strategy [June 16th, 2020 Public Board Meeting; Public Board Meeting Sept. 21st, 2021 Item L.2 & L.3];

  • Introduced the motion for the creation of the Active Transportation Taskforce which established pilot schools (King Edward, Northwood, Talbot Trail, and M.D. Bennie) as sites to develop safe biking and walking routes to school and participate in the W.E. County Active School Travel Committee;

  • Advocated for a Communications Strategy and Officer to engage and support parents [June 16th, 2020, Public Board Meeting link];

  • Chaired the Policy Committee consecutively for 4 years, responsible for: 

    • Gender Expression and Identity Policy;

    • Mental Health and Resilience - Staff Policy;

    • Environmental Education and Stewardship Policy;

  • Chaired the Naming Committee for the new James L. Dunn Public School;

A sample of my record:

CIPKAR PLATFORM 2022

  1. Student Achievement & Well-Being

    1. Advocate for proper supports for learning recovery 

    2. Focus on mental health and well-being initiatives to support families

    3. Continue proactive and transparent communication with parents

    4. Champion equity and social investments for students in priority neighbourhoods

  2. Safe School Zones

    1. Continue collaboration on the Active Transportation Task Force with our municipal, health unit, police, and non-profit partners to increase walking and cycling to school through community-based approaches

    2. Review of school boundary policy - so that it makes sense for families!

    3. Advocate to municipal partners for better infrastructure

  3. Support & Reconciliation with students, staff, families & the community

    1. Advocate for and implement a forward-thinking and inclusive Anti-Racism/Oppression Strategy

    2. Encourage and promote community-based curriculum that focuses on the contributions of Black, Indigenous and racialized minorities in W.E.

  4. Preserving and Reimagining Core Assets

    1. Promote community consultation for Windsor Stadium & W.D. Lowe

    2. Continue to advocate for improved school conditions [Meeting link]

Have questions? Feel free to reach out here or email me at sarah.cipkar@publicboard.ca