Kimberly Cichon
Wards 11 & 12
Website: www.kc4trustee.ca
Email: [email protected]
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Biography I am deeply committed to ensuring that every decision in CCSD reflects the mission "Living and Learning in our Catholic Faith, so that students, centered in Christ, realize their full potential." As a wife and mother of six, with two children who have graduated from CCSD, I understand the importance of faith and prayer in shaping young lives. I believe in the primacy of parents as the first educators and support all voices advocating for Catholic education.
With a Master’s degree in Special Education, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a certification in Child and Youth Care, I bring a background that spans teaching children with diverse needs, working with foster children, and coordinating an early intervention program. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the unique needs of vulnerable children and those who support them. I am dedicated to ensuring that all students can reach their full potential. In addition to my professional background, I have been an active volunteer in the schools my children have attended, including as the GrACE district-level parent representative for CCSD. I also co-founded the St. Mary’s University Prayer Guild and am involved in my parish’s children’s liturgy and pastoral care ministries. I am passionate about upholding the faith values that make our Catholic schools exceptional and committed to shaping policies that nurture students, staff, and families with the love of Christ. |
Platform As a candidate driven by faith, I am committed to an education rooted in Gospel values that nurtures the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth of every student. I will model my Catholic faith and advocate for policies that prioritize faith formation for students, teachers, families, and administrators alike. Recognizing parents as the primary educators, I will strengthen partnerships to ensure every child benefits from a supportive and welcoming learning environment. By fostering unity, I will act as a bridge between schools, families, staff, government and the wider Catholic community, creating a shared vision that upholds dignity, respect, and collaboration. With hope as my guide, I will plan wisely for the future, ensuring resources are managed effectively to sustain excellence in Catholic education. Together, we will inspire faith, nurture family bonds, and build a united community where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
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7 Questions
1. What are your priority areas?
•Faith Formation: I will promote the upholding and strengthening our Catholic identity, which provides a moral ground for the lives of our students. We are called to promote a welcoming environment for all students, staff, and families, regardless of their faith journey.
•Classroom Excellence: I will tackle the challenges in today’s classrooms by advocating for innovative solutions and increased staff and support for students and educators.
•Supporting Our Staff: I will prioritize recruitment, professional development and morale of teachers, administrators and staff to ensure they feel valued and empowered.
•Student Wellness: I will recognize that our students live in a world of anxiety where their landscape is constantly changing. I will promote policies that uphold a foundation of faith and support the building of communities where students are seen, known and loved.
•Celebrating Success: I will serve as an advocate for our schools, highlighting achievements, building on successes, and encouraging a sense of unity within our communities.
•Catholic Education is a Gift: I will advocate for publicly funded Catholic education to continue to be a public priority.
•Classroom Excellence: I will tackle the challenges in today’s classrooms by advocating for innovative solutions and increased staff and support for students and educators.
•Supporting Our Staff: I will prioritize recruitment, professional development and morale of teachers, administrators and staff to ensure they feel valued and empowered.
•Student Wellness: I will recognize that our students live in a world of anxiety where their landscape is constantly changing. I will promote policies that uphold a foundation of faith and support the building of communities where students are seen, known and loved.
•Celebrating Success: I will serve as an advocate for our schools, highlighting achievements, building on successes, and encouraging a sense of unity within our communities.
•Catholic Education is a Gift: I will advocate for publicly funded Catholic education to continue to be a public priority.
2. What are your views on Funding for Public education?
As our school communities grow and student needs become more complex, I will advocate for increased government funding to provide vital supports and services.
Drawing from my experience managing a small business, I will look for greater efficiency and strategic improvements within our budget to ensure more resources directly benefit classrooms and students.
Drawing from my experience managing a small business, I will look for greater efficiency and strategic improvements within our budget to ensure more resources directly benefit classrooms and students.
3. How Can learning conditions be improved?
Improving learning conditions starts with ensuring manageable classroom sizes that allow teachers to dedicate more time and attention to each student. It is equally important to equip our teachers with the professional tools, training, and resources they need to address the complexities of today’s classrooms effectively. Additionally, increasing the number of Educational Assistants is crucial to provide direct support where it is most needed, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their highest potential.
4. How can trustees and school boards best support teachers?
I will support teachers by actively listening to their experiences and understanding the challenges facing schools. This insight should guide decision-making, ensuring policies and actions address real needs. Collaborating with schools that have implemented effective solutions to tough challenges is essential. Sharing these successes across the district can inspire broader improvements. Finally, celebrating and recognizing the achievements of teachers and schools elevates morale and reinforces a continued culture of faith and excellence.
5. What are your views on the recently released curriculum?
While it is crucial to continually seek the most effective ways to teach and assess children, the timing of the recently released curriculum posed significant challenges for educators. Even the best-designed curriculum will fall short of its potential if teachers are already overwhelmed by existing demands and challenges. Successful implementation requires careful planning and timing, ideally when educators are better positioned to focus on delivering the new material effectively.
6. How do we best encourage and facilitate the calls to action as outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
From a Catholic perspective, addressing the suffering of individuals and communities is central to our mission. As followers of Christ, we are called to care for the most vulnerable among us. We must prioritize forming authentic relationships with Indigenous communities. Listening deeply to their experiences and needs is essential to empowering individuals to make changes for the future. We must prioritize actions that are sincere and impactful, rather than superficial efforts to meet obligations.
7. What are your priorities in creating a welcoming and inclusive district for all?
Our faith teaches that every individual is a reflection of God and is deserving of dignity and respect. To create a truly welcoming environment, we must begin by building relationships grounded in love, understanding, and a genuine willingness to listen. Welcoming others, including those with whom we may disagree, is essential to living out the truth of our faith. Division only serves to weaken our communities, whereas unity and mutual respect allows us to build bridges and achieve meaningful progress together.