2018 Election

My name is Monique Forster and I currently serve you as Catholic School Trustee for the Town of Ajax. I also serve as the current Vice-Chair of the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB). My husband …and I have resided in Ajax for most of our adult lives and we have had the good fortune of raising our two children here; both proud Ajax Catholic school graduates. As a college professor, language instructor and corporate trainer, I am passionate about education. The past four years have been extremely rewarding for me as I have had the opportunity to work closely with parents, students, educators and school board administrators while serving the needs of our students, their families, their teachers and all those who contribute to their education.

Being accountable to the students and families of our catholic community is a responsibility that I take seriously. I have honoured my commitment to you to respond immediately to every concern and issue affecting our students and those who serve them. As a parent and educator, I know that a safe environment is essential for learning and student success to take place. I therefore take swift action ensuring prompt responses are provided to incidents involving bullying and other threats to the safety of our students.

To optimize student achievement, I act in a fiscally responsible manner by doing my part to ensure the allocation of limited resources in the most effective manner possible. I work diligently to ensure excellence in education for every student regardless of any exceptionality, by fostering and promoting 21st century global competencies along with spiritual development for all students. My previous experience as a Business Manager and Manager of Administration inform my decisions as current Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee and current Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee. My experience as a current member of provincial councils and committees for the protection of the public interest also informs my decisions as a Trustee.

In a world overwhelmed with information but lacking in wisdom, nurturing our spirituality can help us still the noise of the world. A strong connection between school, family and parish will help our children to develop into successful, competent, productive, well adjusted, caring and responsible individuals.

Your vote on October 22 will allow me Monique Forster to continue to serve you with integrity and honesty as Catholic school trustee for Ajax. I will continue to let my faith in Jesus be my guide as I do everything in my power to preserve catholic education for our children and grandchildren.

On October 22 please vote for me, Monique Forster for Catholic School Trustee for Ajax. facebook: re-ElectMoniqueForster More

With some fifty-five year’s affiliation with the Board and its predecessor Boards as a student, teacher, elementary and secondary school administrator, Board administrator(including its Director of Education) …and Trustee, I am running to be re-elected for a second term. Stewarding Catholic Education on behalf of the ratepayers, parents and students of Oshawa has been a privilege. It is my hope to continue to advocate for the very best student programs and services and continue to foster quality Catholic Education in Durham Region. More

With 8 years of parent council experience and decades of healthcare and property management experience, I want to use my skill set to be a part of the strength I see in the students and staff of the Durham …Catholic DSB. More

Hello my name is Teresa Bugelli and I am hoping to become a Trustee for the Durham Catholic District School Board, serving the Town of Whitby. Proud to call Whitby my hometown, I've been a lifelong resident …and fortunate to have raised my three children here as well. Now that they have graduated I am able to focus my energy on serving the needs of students, families, teachers and everyone who contributes to education. I am a Mental Health Counselor with an Honours degree in Psychology from Trent University. The majority of my clients have been diagnosed with Autism which has been a challenging yet rewarding profession. Academically trained to utilize ABA which is (Applied Behaviour Analysis) procedures, this has been extremely effective in teaching strategies for children with exceptionalities. I would love to extend this knowledge within the school board so that inclusivity can be improved and therefore stigma can be reduced. I am also the campaign coordinator for the Autism Speaks Canada Whitby Walk which takes place every November at the Abilities Centre. In being a strong advocate for Mental Health I also dedicate as much time as I can as an active volunteer at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences at the Family Resource Centre. The FRC is open to all community members and I encourage everyone to visit, as this is a resourceful hub for those accessing any information or seeking assistance with regards to any mental health issues. Being a mother who has experienced the diverse stages of children's development, I understand and can relate to the issues that matter. We need to have faith that there is salvation for the next generation and the best way to achieve this is through open communication. I am an approachable, positive and empathetic community leader. There are many fantastic ideas I have for proactive developments that will truly benefit the Durham Catholic School Board. So please, Trust me for your Trustee! More

I am the current Chair of the Board of Trustees and Trustee for the Town of Whitby. With two children in our system, I understand the various challenges students face today and how a Catholic education …can help students cope with the stresses of this technological age. As a result, I enthusiastically promote our strong Catholic school system and I am dedicated to its preservation.

I am an avid supporter of parent involvement and community engagement in schools as a way to foster student engagement and achievement. As I reflect on the past four years, I realize that being a resource to my community and responding in a timely manner to enquiries is of utmost importance.

Building relationships with my community, being present at public consultations and school events helps me to stay informed and understand my community and the needs of my constituents. I have proven my diligence at researching Board resolutions in order to effectively debate issues at meetings and make responsible decisions at the Board level.

As the trustee representative for the Student Senate over the past four years I have promoted student voice in the creation and discussion of board motions, funding and policy. I believe that all students are entitled to the equal and ample opportunities for learning and development. I am also an advocate for arts and technology accessibility for all students in the board.

I will continue to thoroughly investigate and apply due diligence prior to deliberating board motions that involve our Whitby schools. I am committed to supporting programs that nurture creativity, inclusion and promote student achievement. More