I — IMPROVE SCHOOL & COMMUNITY SAFETY
Safe schools. Accessible support. Accountability with compassion.
Every student deserves to feel safe, supported and ready to learn. Frances understands the heartache parents experience when a child faces bullying or struggles with mental health and well-being—and the frustration of not knowing where to turn.
Through challenges within her own family, Frances learned to advocate and seek help from educators, professionals, government programs, nonprofit organizations and community resources. That journey taught her that support is only meaningful when families can find, understand and access it when needed.
Frances believes compassion and accountability must work together: compassion should never mean overlooking harm, and accountability should never mean ignoring the challenges behind a student’s behaviour.
YRDSB reports that awareness of mental-health supports among surveyed Grade 6, 9 and 10 students increased from 62% to 64%. This is progress, but more than one-third still did not report awareness of available support.
My commitments
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Advocate for mental-health, special-education and community supports that are easier for families to find and navigate.
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Seek transparent reporting on access, service pressures and whether special-education investments are improving support.
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Advocate for consistent prevention, reporting and follow-through on bullying, violence, drugs and serious disruptions, involving parents, educators and community agencies—and police when required for serious safety concerns.
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Support clear and fair procedures that protect students and staff, address harmful behaviour and consider individual circumstances and excused absences without abandoning accountability.
The R.I.S.E. Platform
Frances Yau’s RISE platform brings together four priorities: strong learning outcomes, safe and supportive schools, trusted partnerships with families, and meaningful preparation for life beyond the classroom.
Grounded in her experience as a mother, Realtor, student coach and community volunteer, Frances will bring compassionate listening, practical judgment and accountable leadership to every decision.
R — RESULTS-FOCUSED
Strong basics. Achievable expectations. Measurable improvement.
Frances believes every child can rise when strong academics are combined with timely and compassionate support. Results in learning are about more than grades—they are about mastering the basics, making meaningful progress and gaining the confidence to take the next step.
As a mother of three and a longtime volunteer serving children and youth, Frances has seen young people overcome challenges when caring adults, educators and other professionals listen, understand their needs and provide the right support. Her experiences—from helping her own children navigate academic challenges to guiding a discouraged Grade 12 student toward graduation—inspired her to establish a student coaching program and shaped her approach:
Listen without judgment. Understand with compassion. Guide with wisdom.
YRDSB students perform above Ontario averages across many provincial measures. We should recognize the contributions of students, parents and educators, celebrate academic excellence, effort and improvement, and continue addressing learning gaps so that every student has a path forward.
My commitments
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Strengthen the basics in literacy and mathematics while promoting academic excellence.
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Advocate for transparent annual reporting on achievement, learning gaps and progress.
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Monitor whether interventions deliver measurable improvement and whether class sizes or classroom distractions interfere with learning.
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Scrutinize budgets so that tax dollars support students and produce measurable results.
S — STRONG FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES
Accessible representation. Meaningful listening. Honest communication.
Every parent wants to know: Is my child safe? Are they understood? Will they receive the support they need? No family should have to face these questions alone.
Parents know their children. Educators bring professional knowledge and experience. Students have voices that deserve to be heard. When all three work together and community resources are within reach, children have a stronger foundation to thrive.
As a mother of three who has navigated challenges with her own children, Frances understands how much it matters to have someone listen—and follow through. She will bring community concerns to the school board and keep her decisions non-partisan and student-centred, guided by evidence, practical judgment, legal responsibilities and respect for different perspectives.
Listen with respect. Communicate honestly. Follow through.
My commitments
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Acknowledge constituent inquiries within three business days and aim to provide a response, appropriate referral or status update within 14 business days.
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Hold four community listening sessions each year—two focused on Ward 1 and two on Ward 8—with opportunities for parents, students and educators to participate.
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Publish a non-confidential summary after each session and issue at least four public trustee updates each year.
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Advocate for a centralized, plain-language family-resource guide or portal that builds on existing tools and connects families with education information, reporting procedures and verified support.
Complex or confidential matters may require additional time, and trustees must respect staff responsibilities and individual proceedings. Families should still receive timely acknowledgement, understandable information and honest follow-up.
E — EQUIP CHILDREN FOR THE FUTURE
Practical life skills. Diverse career pathways. Confident futures.
A fulfilling future takes more than a diploma or certificate. Frances believes education should help young people discover their strengths, develop practical skills and move forward with confidence and purpose.
As a mother, entrepreneur and student coach, she understands that success does not follow one path. University may be right for one student, while college, an apprenticeship, the skilled trades, entrepreneurship, the workplace or community living may be right for another. Every pathway deserves clear information, thoughtful preparation, compassion and respect.
YRDSB reports that 24% of students participated in at least one of its reported job-skills programs—SHSM, Dual Credits or OYAP—compared with 28% provincially. Students should have greater awareness of available opportunities and a clearer understanding of where each pathway can lead.
My commitments
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Promote earlier career exploration and clear information about university, college, apprenticeships, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, workplace and community-living pathways.
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Advocate for greater access to job-skills programs such as SHSM, Dual Credits and OYAP, based on student interest, capacity and available funding.
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Strengthen practical, age-appropriate learning in financial literacy, communication, emotional self-management, healthy relationships and responsible use of technology and AI.
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Support critical thinking, creativity, leadership and civic understanding so students are prepared to contribute confidently and responsibly to Canada’s future.