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Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

Week of October 11, 2004

Edmonton Catholic School Board trustee candidates

Ward Six

Patrick McDonald - - Ward Six

Patrick McDonald has a wealth of experience related to Catholic education.

Catholic teacher for 35 years.

Religious education consultant.

High school religious education department head.

Board of directors of Western Catholic Reporter.

Chair of board of WCR.

Religious education curriculum development locally, regionally, nationally.

Professional development facilitator.

Jubilee Year Assembly 2000 planning committee.

Liaison with Social Justice Commission and Development and Peace.

Holy Childhood Association.

To support the mission of Edmonton Catholic Schools, which is to provide a Catholic education, which inspires and prepares students to learn, to work, to live fully, and to serve God in one another, Patrick McDonald will strive:

To ensure quality Catholic public education.

To afford every student with the highest quality education possible irrespective of personal or family circumstances.

To increase provincial funding.

To nurture faith-inspired education.

To provide fair and just working conditions for all staff.

To schedule small class sizes.

To enhance professional development in areas of teaching and learning, leadership, theology, religious education, interpersonal relations.

To encourage constructive and meaningful home-school-parish-community partnerships.

Patrick McDonald has a vision for Catholic education.

Catholic education for the sake of the virtues and values of the reign of God.

Catholic education for the sake of the transformation and renewal of the world.

Catholic education according to the social teachings of the Catholic Church.

Catholic education that provides good schools and quality learning.

Kara Pelech - - Ward Six

I believe in working towards the best possible Catholic schools for the future of my children, and yours.

I have two boys. One is in Catholic junior high and one will be going to kindergarten next year. I will definitely be involved in my children's school for the next 13 years . . . guaranteed!

I am committed to working for lower and workable class sizes, and toward ensuring each child reaches their full potential and has the opportunity to do so.

I will work with the district to achieve our goals and keep high standards in our Catholic schools.

I live in and attend church in the ward I wish to represent. I am involved in my community, and am a member of St. Theresa's Parish.

I have been a volunteer at my son's school for the last seven years and have been chairperson of school council for the last two.

I have presented to the Commission on Learning on funding and accessibility for special needs students.

I am an advocate for inclusive education, and am currently assisting in implementing a technology program for accessibility for children that are special learners.

I am a mom who knows what it takes to advocate for the needs of children and I am willing to work for you and with you as a member of our community. I live here.

My kids go to school in this community, and I plan to maintain and strengthen Catholic education in our district.

Jim Shinkaruk - - Ward Six

On Oct. 18, please vote for Jim Shinkaruk, Catholic trustee in Ward 6. His top priority is to budget more education funds for students resulting in smaller class sizes for better Catholic education.

About me: My career in education and administration includes curriculum development, team teaching, teacher education and serving abroad as academic advisor in South America, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Lesotho, Africa.

About prime issues: I, as a trustee, will work on:

Board budget allocation for schools in 2001 was 71 per cent but now in 2004 it decreased to 68.6 per cent - a decrease in millions of dollars that should have been allocated for students in the classroom.

Top priority therefore is realizing smaller class sizes by a more effective distribution of education funds.

Instruction fees in 2001 were $3.4 million, but in 2004 increased to $6.34 million. As trustee, I will work towards reducing/eliminating such fees.

Catholic school enrollment decreased during current 2003-04 term yet statistics show Edmonton population increased 41,000. A plan must be in place to attract students to our schools. Highlights: my community involvement/service:

Board of governors, U of A; Catholic school trustee;
various positions on community, Church and sports organizations,
Alberta Catholic School Boards Association board member;
Edmonton Community Learning Association;
Newman College Senate;
Edmonton Taxi Cab Commission,
Edmonton Board of Health.

Jim Shinkaruk believes in: quality Catholic education - built on Catholic principles, values and religion - with parents, teachers, other staff working together for the benefit of our students.

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