Stephen Kazman was born in Toronto and has lived in North York his whole life. He attended the University of Toronto and University of Windsor, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. He has a love of nature, animals, archaeology, and ensuring safe, equitable schools in his community. He promises bi-monthly community meetings, accessibility to address concerns, and respect for the diverse cultures and environment in the school system.

1. Stephen Kazman
“For The Children”

2. Stephen Kazman Bio
I was born in Toronto as were my parents. I have lived in North York (
Ward 5) for my whole life, and attended schools from public school to
junior high school to High School in the ward.
I attended University at the University of Toronto, and obtained a Honours
Bachelor of Science degree. I also attended the University of Windsor.
I have travelled throughout the world and love anthropology and
archaeology and have a great love of nature, animals, and the outdoors.

3. Levels of Achievement
I would like to try to ensure that all the schools in Ward 5 are
achieving at close to the same level, if that is possible. I would like
to do what is reasonably possible to encourage that. I fully understand
that there are many different factors working in different neighbourhoods,
including cultural background, working parents, etc. that result in one
school achieving higher than another, but I will do my best to level the
playing field and achieve equality, or at the very least the opportunity
and tools to be the best

4. Toronto School Safety
I believe in providing safe schools and ensuring that there are no bully's
or idiots with guns and knives. Our children have a right to learn in a
safe, clean, friendly and respectful environment. I have no tolerance for
violence or bully's. If children and students want don't want to learn,
and want to show off how cool they are by hurting others then they have no
business being in our school system. The schools are for learning,
friendship, enjoyment, and must be kept safe.

5. Abusive Spending
Currently there has been a lot of press about the past abuses at the
Toronto District School Board (TDSB). If I am elected I will be the
"eyes" and "ears" of the community and will do my best to ensure that this
does not happen. There have been reports of $500 toilet seat
installations, green bins for $644, a pencil sharpener for $143. a cookie
for $28., trips to Whistler, BC and California, for $108,000. This is
totally unacceptable to me, as it should be to other parents and taxpayers
in the community. You work hard for your money, the current trustees
ought not to spend it so negligently and flippantly.

6. Bi-monthly Meetings
If elected I promise to have bi-monthly meeting with parents and community
members at local schools to report on the activities of the TDSB, and
listen to any concerns or issues and problems at the schools, so they can
be addressed.

7. Accessibility
I promise to always make myself accessible to parents and community
members and address their concerns and respond and act in a timely manner
with a view at all times to the best interests of the children.

8. Community Spirit
I want to get the community involved in schools. If elected I will try to
source out suppliers from the local community to give back and instil
pride.
I am also a supporter of local community school events, such as picnics,
BBQ's, to not just have fun but pick up garbage, plant trees, or maybe
paint the school and other such minor general projects.

9. Respect Of Different Cultures
I have worked on archaeology dig sites in Israel and Peru, I love
cultures, mythology and the traditions of the planets many inhabitants.
It is important for our future that our children learn to respect,
tolerate, and embrace the multitude of cultures and traditions in our City
and schools.
the Canadian way is to foster a cultural mosaic, as opposed to the
American belief in a melting pot. I love and respect the differences of
all of us and that is what makes Canada unique and strong. We can all
learn and grow from each other and the unique perspectives and traditions
that we bring. There is too much cultural and ethnic strife in other
countries around the world, we must teach our children to embrace the
differences, and respect one another for the greater good, and so they can
achieve their maximum.

10. Respect Of The Environment
I have a great respect for the environment and delicate balance of our
ecological systems. We must instil in our children an overriding respect
and love of the environment and Mother Earth, before she is irreversibly
damaged. Our life and our children's lives and future depend on it. We
all live on very thin layer of the planet which is capable of sustaining
life, and once this is damaged we all have major problems. Our children
must learn that respect for one another, the environment should take
priority over greed and money and power. Not an easy task, but a
necessary one nevertheless. Our way of thinking must change somewhat.
Success and striving to be the best are great, but at what costs. This is
the delicate balance that we as a society need to understand, and instil
in our children.