Re-elect Suzanne NURSE

Since 2006 Suzanne Nurse has established a record of excellence in her role as Trustee. Her commitment, hard work, dedication, and professionalism have enabled her to address issues in a timely and effective manner, always with the needs of the student at the forefront.

Understands Growth

• Effective representation of high growth wards is one of Suzanne’s strengths. She understands the pressures families experience when students are transferred to new schools due to boundary changes. Suzanne advocated for the need to have a more compassionate approach to the process by having boundaries revised and more open dialogue with the communities affected.
• In her current term as Trustee, Suzanne orchestrated the opening of six new schools in the Springdale and Castlemore areas, including Louise Arbour Secondary School which will be welcoming students in September 2010. The rapid growth in north Brampton led to Suzanne being voted in as Chair of the Peel District School Board (PDSB)  Physical Planning and Building Committee. The committee oversees the construction of new schools, as well as additions and renovations. Suzanne brings the voice of north Brampton to the table, to expedite the numerous building projects required to accommodate students.

Thinks Green

• Inspired by students in Peel, Suzanne established and chaired the Board’s first Environmental Committee. This gave birth to the Board’s Environmental Policy that is dedicated to engaging youth through leadership opportunities and nurturing students’ ability to affect positive change — locally and globally. For example, in the Me to We program, students took on leadership roles and changed environmental practices within their schools.

Puts Safety First

• Along with Brampton Safety Council, Suzanne championed the “Safety Around Our School” DVD which educates students and families on safety issues such as crossing roads and using school buses.

Advocates for Parents

• Parental involvement is central to the success of any student. In keeping with this Suzanne is a member of the Board’s Parent Involvement Committee which looks at encouraging increased participation from diverse parent communities.

Opens International Language Programs

• After listening to the concerns of many constituents about the difficulty in accessing existing International Language Programs, Suzanne opened two new language sites at Sandalwood Heights Secondary School and Calderstone Middle School. Calderstone hosts the English Creole Language Program, an exciting new program for students interested in learning more about the language and culture of the Caribbean. Equally exciting is the introduction of the Punjabi, Tamil, and Gujarati language programs at Sandalwood Heights.

Suzanne is an active member of a committee dedicated to expanding availability of regional Arts and Science / Technology programs.  The committee’s hard work  has resulted in the introduction of a Science & Technology program in Chinguacousy Secondary School scheduled for September 2012.