Cristina Bairos Fernandes

09/21/2026

“... despite the different levels of funding and the wide variety of regulatory environments across the country, an increasing number of families—from every province—are choosing educational options outside of the government public education system for their children.”
~Fraser Institute

09/21/2026

The board’s definition of "parent engagement" is exactly performative. Instead of investing in authentic parent participation, they waste valuable time and resources attempting to shut it down.

This must end. Full stop.

It's time.

09/20/2026

09/20/2026

Math and reading are foundational to the acquisition of other knowledge, so declining scores are worrying. Every twenty points is the equivalent of one year of learning, so 15 year-olds in 2025 are two years behind where they would have been in 2015 for reading.

Western civilization is rooted in the great texts of Athens, Jerusalem, Runnymede, and Stratford—and its maintenance requires deep, sustained focus on the written word of its authors.

The declines are doubtless muticausal, but overusing technology, abandoning traditional teaching, and an obsessive pursuit of social justice are obvious contributors.

But underwriting each of these maladies is the same root problem: it's become almost impossible to discuss them. For example:

- I tried to initiate discussion at the Parent (School) Council about reliance on Chromebooks at my child's middle school. The principal dismissed this concern out-of-hand ("It's the way the world is now—everything's on a computer.")

- I witnessed the Director of Education telling a parent "I'm not going to talk about this" and refuse to engage in discussion regarding concerns about s*xually explicit material available in school libraries. https://empowrconnect.substack.com/p/im-not-going-to-talk-about-this

- My attempts to have a discussion about lengthy land acknowledgements at another Parent Council were repeatedly shut down. Eventually the School Board ruled that Councils MUST perform these observances and parents CANNOT question them. I'm now challenging this unconstitutional ruling through a judicial review. https://www.jccf.ca/court_cases/parent-launches-legal-challenge-after-waterloo-school-board-mandates-land-acknowledgements-and-bans-debate/

This is just a small sampling of the speech restrictions imposed on parents (and taxpayers, mind you) at the Waterloo Region District School Board.

I'm running for Trustee to see if I can make a difference. I'm not sure I can, but not trying doesn't seem like an option anymore.

You can find out more at https://geoff-horsman.ca/.

Too many kids are being left behind, which means all of our children and grandchildren will suffer if we don't start turning this ship back around, and quickly.

09/16/2026

Let's not lose hope in accessible, quality education for all.

For those of us who continue working to bring stronger principles, greater transparency, educational excellence, and meaningful parental involvement into our publicly funded system, that work continues.

And... we can (and must) do so while also helping families discover options when that system is not serving their child.

Education Options Expo - October 17th in Cambridge ON

https://empowrconnect.substack.com/p/education-options-expo?r=1mq6ch&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

06/18/2024

It's nearly here!!!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 19: Waterloo Region Homeschooling and Pods Info Night!!!
6:00-8:30pm
200 Barnswallow Dr. Elmira

We are thrilled to come together with families to hone in on the ins and outs of homeschooling and pods as potential school options for families across the region and the surrounding area. Whether you're ready to get started, are still exploring the option of homeschooling/school pods, or you're already involved in either - this event is for you!

📚We'll learn from Ann Gillies as she lectures about Peer Attachment & Education,

📚Discover the 'How-tos' to homeschooling and pods from first educators that will guide us through support and socialization, a day in the life, experiential learning, classical education, community and homeschooling co-op.

📚Explore several organizations and groups that are here for you and all families wanting support with affordable and feasible means to high-quality education for their kids.

📚Build lasting connections with others in the homeschooling and/or pod communities

📚Gain the confidence in the choices you are making for your children and family.

📚Know that you can do this and explore why few ever regret it!

This is going to be a great evening! Looking forward to the connections to be made and the empowerment to be felt by everyone in the room 🙌
Please share with everyone whom this may serve!
Hope you can attend!

Please do register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg-mRKoM4ngmyz4MLlQWEis4Aypwwl-ksgwsa5_zGCaZvXPw/viewform?usp=sf_link

For more details: https://open.substack.com/pub/empowrconnect/p/school-options-info-night-honing?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

02/07/2024

I have been honoured to have courageous conversations with Nadine Ness, a former RCMP officer trained in profiling and interviewing s*xual predators - this would include those who are pedophiles and those who aren't.
Nadine learned how s*x offenders think, how they behave and what we can expect from them. Nadine is well versed in the history of pe******ia, the symbols and code language used, and the attempts to normalize it in society.

Below is just a 16-minute snippet of one of our conversations, recorded on November 22, 2023.

You can find the full video here:
https://youtu.be/r8JhR3bE6bI
where we have a courageous conversation about everything from the voting system, Nadine's experience with abuse, the role the school boards' currently play in putting our children at potential risk of s*xual exploration, and how we can unify in standing up to protect our kids!

Here is the video we refer to a few times, by Nadine: Planned Parenthood and its affiliated partners in schools exposed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ3eK-0RpSo
Nadine Ness is the president of https://unifiedgrassroots.com/
Thank you for all of the good work you do, Nadine🙏

02/06/2024

To all of the parents and teachers out there who have said and continue to say:
"Oh, we have 'bigger' problems at our school."
whenever the topic of s*xualization of children or pe******ia or p**n in books comes up...
..I challenge you to a debate on that.

https://x.com/CrisBairosFern/status/1754881789020029051?s=20

01/02/2024

More and more people are 👀!
More and more people are asking 'NOW WHAT!?'
Some have tried reasoning with the publicly funded schooled systems.....some want to see change within it... and ..some want to get the heck out. now!

People have been demoralized.
It's time.🕯️
It's time to be empowered!

It's time people understood that the power is within them - and we all have a role, no matter where you are, no matter where you want to be... there are options. And there is a purpose for you.

If you want to know how to better navigate the current school system (public and Catholic), know your options in order to leave it, or formulate connection and community among those who are already seeking other options, come on out to the School Options Open House and Info Night!

Monday, January 8th - Doors open at 5:30pm, speakers start at 6:30, event closes at 9:30!

Registration is now open:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSft1OtkO-Nuwk_pXPQt62IUjJB-y4ks-HNq4L7pfwojVS52ig/viewform

11/21/2023

If you consent. Do nothing.

👀If you do not and/or want more info in order to obtain informed consent, perhaps think about sending out a message to your principal.

Here is the one I just send to my kids' principal 👇

Hi ​___[principal's name]______,

I hope this school year is treating you well. The kids are enjoying this year and our teachers have been amazing! Thank you for your leadership.

It was brought to my attention that the WRDSB corp. has sent out to the staff, the following message:

[Images below]

My questions are:
- What is ​__[school name]___doing to provide opportunities 'to learn about the transgender people'?

- What is ​our school doing to 'highlight their contributions throughout history'?

- What is ​________doing to 'advance advocacy towards eliminating discrimination and violence that impact the transgender community'?

- What 'lessons' are being led 'about the transgender community and their history'?

- Do ​______teachers receive guidance as to how to approach these topics?

- Would I need to reach out to each of the teachers separately to know what each class may be participating in?

I realize how cumbersome this has become, __[principal's name]____. And for that, I do apologize. I have a duty to be informed of what is entering my children's minds.

I appreciate your openness and transparency.

With gratitude,
Cristina

Waterloo Region District School Board