ESTABLISHED French Immersion as a permanent program open to all registrants with an added site at St. Marguerite d’Youville School;

REINSTATED the ‘Our Father’ prayer during daily morning prayers at all elementary and secondary schools;

SUCCESSFULLY reversed the initially planned octomester (one course at a time) for high schools to a quadmester (two courses at a time) during Covid restrictions;

SUCCESSFULLY fought for retaining the pre-International Baccalaureate (IB) and pre-Advanced Placement (AP) math when threatened to be cut by de-streaming;

INITIATED the feasibility study for the expansion of the IB and AP programs;

SUPPORTED all S.T.E.A.M programming initiatives;

SUPPORTED establishment of the International Day of People with Disabilities across all HCDSB schools;

REQUIRED transparency with a successful motion for financial reporting of Covid revenues and expenses;

RALLIED the public against school closures and succeeded in keeping Oakville’s Holy Family School open;

ESTABLISHED the annual International Holocaust Awareness Day across all HCDSB schools.

SUPPORTING and PROMOTING policies that are in keeping with the Catholic Faith;

INCREASING academic achievement in language and math as top priorities;

ADVOCATING for children with special needs;

STRIVING to maintain smaller class sizes;

RESPECTING ratepayers’ tax dollars by requiring transparency and accountability;

STRENGTHENING and BUILDING the relationship between the home, school and parish;

ENCOURAGING youth engagement in social justice projects to foster the spirit of service.

First elected in 2014, Helena is seeking re-election for a third term to continue to build on her achievements and passionately serve the HCDSB community.  She want to be your voice at the board table.

Helena graduated with a BAA from Ryerson in ’86. She is a professional  freelance photographer, homemaker, community volunteer, and a motivational speaker on issues relating to education, marriage, and the family. She is also fluent in French and Czech.

With her husband Henry, they have raised their family in Oakville for 32 years in Ward 5. They have 6 children, ages 16 to 33, and 3 grandchildren.

The Karabelas are parishioners of St. Michael’s Church, where Helena serves as a lector.

Her community involvement includes:
– Founder/Coordinator of Lakeside Girls Club for 18 years.
– Founder/Coordinator of the successful Annual Ladies Tea fundraising event for PEV, Promotion of Education and Values, for 10 years.

As a Trustee, Helena served on:
– The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for 8 years,
– The Catholic Parents Involvement Committee (CPIC) for 4 years,
– Culture of Life Committee for 6 years.

Helena with her husband Henry, their 6 children, her mother and extended family.