As a parent with three children in Vancouver’s public schools — one in elementary and two in secondary schools — and ten years of experience with PACs, first as the PAC Chair at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Annex then as the PAC Co-Chair at Laurier Elementary, Janet Fraser understands the relationship between Vancouver School Board and the community. A good relationship is essential to healthy, balanced communities and families and, most importantly, to students themselves.
Fraser believes in a strong public education system, something critical to our children’s and our city’s future. She is determined to apply her skills and experience to work collaboratively to improve Vancouver’s public schools. Fraser was born in the UK and attended the University of Bristol, receiving B.Sc. and Ph.D. chemistry degrees. She has worked as a scientist and project manager, and has been an at-home parent. Most recently she worked at WWEST (Westcoast Women in Engineering, Science & Technology) advancing engineering and science as welcoming careers for women and girls.
As a school trustee she will advocate for full funding from the province to ensure that all students, including our most vulnerable ones, can reach their full potential and succeed at school. As well, she will use evidence-based decision making — which is second nature to her after decades of analyzing and making decisions as a scientist — to make the best use of the School Board’s limited budget.
As a candidate for the Green Party of Vancouver, Fraser also wants to improve the sustainability of our schools and school system in all regards. For instance, when heritage schools are seismically upgraded or replaced, more than just the capital cost of construction needs to be considered. The long-term operating costs and environmental impacts of upgrading or demolition and rebuilding must also be taken into account. As well, students should be encouraged to walk and bicycle to school, with the School Board working collaboratively with the City to create safe routes to school.
There’s no denying that parents really care about their children’s education. Fraser has spoken with many parents and heard both their wonderful school experiences as well as their more discouraging ones. She wants the School Board to ensure that every family feels confident their neighbourhood school is an excellent school that will support the needs of their children.
Parents also want to be involved in their children’s education so Fraser would work to improve connections with the District PAC (DPAC) and all parents, including improving School Board communications, for example by redesigning the Board’s website to better meet parents’ needs.
On all issues Fraser will work from the six Green principles: social justice, respect for diversity, sustainability, participatory democracy, non-violence, and ecological wisdom. We still have time in our generation to provide for the next generation, and for all the generations to come.
Facebook: facebook.com/janetrfraser
Twitter: twitter.com/janetrfraser
Website: janetfraser.ca
