Sports parent of four kids in the Chilliwack school system, Natalie Sache is running for trustee.
Sache grew up in Chilliwack attended school from Kindergarten to graduation and on to a bachelors degree at the University of the Fraser Valley in 2005.
She’s a volunteer in the community, she’s been involved with a Parent Advisory Committee, and is heavily active in minor hockey and youth basketball. In 2012, she was honoured to receive the Community Sport Hero Award from the City of Chilliwack in recognition for volunteering with children’s sports.
A main concern for Sache in the district is planning ahead for needed space.
“For example, there are currently 93 portables being used in School District 33,” she says. “This needs to be dealt with, as it is an urgent issue.”
(See below for her full press release.)
She said the shortage of teachers on call is another issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
Sache concluded that all students should feel safe attending public school, and it’s crucial to set young people up for success.
“If all practiced tolerance, acceptance and compassion, we would have an optimal learning environment.”
There will be 17 names on the ballot to choose from for the seven seats on the Chilliwack school board. The election is Oct. 20.
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Natalie Sache’s full statement on her candidacy for the Chilliwack school board
I grew up in Chilliwack and attended school here from Kindergarten through to Graduation. It was during those school years when I first experienced the fulfillment I receive from volunteering in our community. I believe my extensive experience working collaboratively with children, parents, coaches, teachers and administrators gives me a well rounded and unique perspective that will serve me well in meeting our student’s needs.
I received a Bachelors Degree from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2005. I have been married for almost 17 years, a parent for almost 15, and I currently have four children attending all different levels in the Chilliwack School District. I have discovered my true passion outside of raising my family lays in the volunteer work I have done for over two decades within the Chilliwack community. Most recently, I have been heavily involved in the Parent Advisory Committee for the last 10 years, giving me great opportunities to gain insight on today’s relevant issues.
As I have always had an athletic background, it was natural for my first volunteer position to be Chilliwack Minor Hockey Association’s (CMHA) Midget C Coordinator. Additionally, for 19 years I have served as the City Commissioner in Chilliwack for Friday Nite Basketball, a non-profit Athletes in Action organization for youth. As a result, in 2012, I was honoured to receive the Community Sport Hero Award from the City of Chilliwack in recognition for volunteering with children’s sports.
I have also had many great opportunities to gain experience within the financial realm. I have served as a treasurer for not only the Parent Advisory Committee, but also on Strata Council, for CMHA teams, and as director on our family farm. I am confident in my ability to balance budgets and prioritize funds so that we have the opportunity to be proactive versus reactive with the school district budget.
Being proactive is also beneficial when it comes to organizing the space we have and require for our schools. For example, there are currently 93 portables being used in School District 33. This needs to be dealt with, as it is an urgent issue. Resources such as gymnasiums, libraries and bathrooms cannot sustain the increased population at the schools. Additionally, it is imperative that the Teachers Teaching on Call (TTOC) shortage is addressed immediately as administrators and specialist teachers have to cover for them on a regular basis.
I believe every student is entitled to an education and should feel safe attending public schools in Chilliwack. Being free from judgement and feeling comfortable attending school is essential when setting our students up for success. If all practiced tolerance, acceptance and compassion, we would have an optimal learning environment.
I am always happy to find new ways to serve my community, so I will consider it a privilege to be chosen as a member of the School Trustees.
@PeeJayAitch
paul.henderson@theprogress.com
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