The W. Erskine Johnston School Council is led by parent volunteers. Each year in September a new Council Executive is elected by the parent body. At Council meetings, every parent is invited to attend, has a voice and a vote. School Council meetings occur once a month in the school library during the school year. All parents and guardians are welcome and encouraged to come to School Council meetings whenever possible. Strong parent involvement makes for stronger schools.
2022-2023 Council
ExecutivesCo-Chair: Nupur Chakravorty
Nupur is an architect with over 15 years of experience working on a wide range of buildings. She volunteers, as a board member, at Gloucester Community Housing. She previously volunteered at the Canadian Green Building Council (Ottawa Chapter), and was on City’s Pedestrian and Transit Committee. When trying to avoid architecture she enjoys colouring, playing legos, programming, reading or cooking with her two young kids. Nupur believes that kids are the future, and a proper foundation is required at micro (home) and macro (community) level to help them achieve their full potential. She takes the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” to heart, and as such joined the WEJ parent council. Being an immigrant herself she enjoys interacting with newcomers, and in particular, understanding their way of nurturing. Come join her at the next council meeting
Co-chair: Yifan ( Coco) Li
Yifan (Coco) Li worked in an American hospital for more than 10 years. She immigrated to Canada in 2018 and moved to Ottawa in 2019. Right now she is a Mandarin teacher in Kanata North Chinese School. She is also a classroom supervisor or emergency educational assistant in OCSB. In her spare time, she likes to listen to music. Coco believes education is the most important project in the world, because it relates to every individual, every family and every country’s future. Let’s work together to make our kids better.
Treasurer: Tien Nguyen (Tina)
Tina and family immigrated to Canada in 2018 and moved to Ottawa in 2022. She has a background in IT and is working at TD Bank as a Data Steward. Tina’s son is fortunate to start his school life at WEJ, currently at Junior Kindergarten! Tina finds it a fulfilling experience to be part of the WEJ school council where the team contributes to the school’s extra-curricular activities to enhance the student’s experience and well-being. Come join us with your ideas and engagement.
Secretary: Arya Balachandran
I have been working on Analog IC design engineering in the semiconductor industry since 2005. I relocated to Canada from Singapore in 2018 and have been living in Kanata since then with my daughter. I strongly believe in the school council’s supportive role in a healthy school community. I find it a personally enriching experience to be part of school council, able to contribute and learning different perspectives from other parents. This is my fourth year serving as a School council executive and second at WEJ. I also find time to spend on my favourite hobbies of reading, playing badminton and with my family’s support, volunteering at a temporary shelter for homeless youth in downtown Ottawa.
Hot Lunch Coordinator : Sutha Manik
Hot Lunch Coordinator: Vijay Mishra
Members at Large:
Saami Hamid
I am an engineer working at a high-tech company in Kanata. I currently have 2 children in the school system – one still at Erskine Johnston School (WEJ) and one who moved onto Earl of March (EoM) this year. There is one more who is getting ready to join WEJ next year. This is my third year serving as a school council executive; last two years at WEJ and also last year in parallel at Ottawa Carleton Virtual School, Northwest Campus (OCV-NW). Together with the team, we delivered many valued programs to the student and parent community. I have previously served on the board of a non-profit, charitable organization for several years; and volunteered in many community initiatives. I hope to continue to bring forward that experience to serve this organization. I love to spend time with my kids and their activities. It is amazing to see the kids grow and to have their ‘light bulb’ light up when they discover something new. Their school has a big impact on their growth, so I look forward to doing my part in contributing to the school community for everyone’s benefit.