school | SMART In case you missed anything – a roundup of facts we picked up last month School Zone UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG


Twelve not-for-profit community out- reach programs receive funding Te University of Winnipeg‘s Axworthy


Health and RecPlex Charter Fund Commit- tee is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of the Axworthy Charter Fund Grant of 2017. • The Butterfly Club & The Sister’s Circle,


Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. • MacKinnon’s Y-Not? Anti-Poverty


Program Inc., Te Y-Not? Inner City Karate Program • WASAC After School Soccer Program • Immigrant and Refugee Commu-


nity Organization of Manitoba Inc., After School Program • Graffiti Art Programing Inc., Youth


Dance Workshops • Winnipeg Newcomer Mult i-Sport


Academy • Spence Neighbourhood Association


Futsal Program • St. Charles Soccer Association • The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Winnipeg


Football Club • Gordon Bell High School Grade 7 – 12


Indoor Soccer Development Program • Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Sharing Dance


Initiative • Liberty FC Soccer Academy Winnipeg,


Kids Academy Each of these successful programs


will receive a grant ranging from $2,700 – $4,500 to support their community out- reach programming run at UWinnipeg’s Axworthy Health and RecPlex during 2017/2018. Programming supported by the Charter Fund Grant includes karate, dance, soccer, football, and futsal, among other activities. Some programs engage individuals of all ages, while others focus on at-risk youth where age groups range from 3 – 28. Tese programs develop, support, and


encourage the incorporation of regular participation in physical activity or sport into the achievement of personal and collective goals of health and wellness to individuals and groups from low socio- economic and marginalized communities, refugees, and new Canadians. “The University of Winnipeg believes


that participating in these programs not only allows participants to practice their skills and learn new activities, but also al- lows them to develop a sense of belonging and community while creating pathways to pursuing post-secondary education,” said Dean Melvie, Director, Athletic and Wellness, UWinnipeg. “The Axworthy Health and RecPlex is pleased to partner with and support these fantastic pro- grams.” A small portion of the Axworthy Charter


Fund is reserved to supplement the c ost of RecPlex usage by successful applicants. No community groups under the Community Charter are charged a usage fee. Special thanks to Dr. Lloyd Axworthy,


Dr. Joe Bova, the Paletta Family, and Mr. Ron Brown, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, as well as to all of the donors to the Axworthy Com- munity Charter Fund for making these grants possible.


PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE


Providence president appoints task force for campus redevelopment following Bergen Hall fire


Providence President Dr. David Johnson


has appointed a Task Force for Campus Re- development as the institution moves for- ward following the June fire that destroyed the Bergen Hall residence. Meanwhile, more than $4,500 in donations has been committed towards the $25,000 insurance deductible. “Although the Bergen fire was a huge loss


to Providence we are turning it into an op- portunity to continue our climb to become one of the leading Canadian Christ-cen- tred universities,” says Dr. Johnson, who, alongside the Task Force, will continue


October 2017 Brian Daly, Dr. Annette Trimbee, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, and Joe Bova at a donation presentation.


to tour some of North America’s standout residence facilities in the coming months. Following the tours and a comprehen-


sive consultative process, the Task Force, which is already working with a designer and architect, will make its recommen- dation to the President, who will present development plans to the Board of Di- rectors. “We are exploring features to be incorporated into the new residence that will move us forward in offering a holistic, Christ-centred education that is second-to- none,” he says. In the meantime, Providence has reno-


vated several existing residence build- ings and installed 28 units of temporary housing that include oversize beds and individual fridges and bathrooms for each student. “We have done a lot of work to ensure


that our students have a great experience in residence this year,” says Marlin Reimer, Associate Vice-President for Student Life, who adds that the educational mission of the Residence Life program at Providence will be the “driver” behind the design and architecture of all new buildings. In the next three weeks a number of


campus groups, including students, Cabinet and the Student Development department, will meet with the designer and architect to discern the values and features that will be incorporated into the new residence facility. “We pray for wisdom as we plan to build a residence that will be flexible and resilient and will foster faith for the next 50 years or more,” says Dr. Johnson. Interested supporters can visit the IM-


PACT 2020 website and designate their gift to the Bergen Fire Fund.


Education and training minister wel- comes students back to school


New resources to ensure the success, well- being of students


As thousands of students head back to


school this month, the Manitoba govern- ment continues to encourage safe and respectful learning environments with the introduction of several new resources, Ed- ucation and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today, in addition to plans to expand digital learning opportunities. “Parents, students and educators know


how important it is to live and learn in a world that is healthy and safe,” said Wishart. “Te resources we’re announc- ing today will help to ensure schools in Manitoba are respectful and caring places to learn.” The minister announced three new


resources to encourage supportive and racism-free schools, which are available online: Creating Racism-Free Schools through


Critical/Courageous Conversations on Race encourages school divisions, teach- ers, parents and students to have conversa- tions about racism to raise awareness and ensure inclusive and equitable schools and classrooms for students of all backgrounds. The document acknowledges history,


describes the effects of racism, promotes dialogue and supports the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Supporting Transgender and Gender


Diverse Students in Manitoba Schools is a new booklet that supports schools and school divisions in fulfilling a shared re- sponsibility to promote the dignity, respect and equity of transgender and gender di- verse students in safe and inclusive learn- ing environments. It supports transgender and gender diverse students by providing:


Guiding principles: an overview of legal and policy developments in Manitoba


Information about trans and gender


diverse identities, guidelines for working with trans and gender diverse students and their families including supporting the transition process, and information about trans and gender diverse support services in Manitoba and Canada. Safe and Caring Schools: A Whole-


School Approach to Planning for Safety and Belonging supports school communities in providing safe learning environments for all children and youth. Using an approach to planning for student safety and belong- ing that includes all aspects of school life, this updated resource encourages educa- tors, students and parents to work together to address serious issues and prevent bul- lying, harassment and school violence. In addition to these resources, the


minster noted the province is looking to enhance digital learning opportunities in Manitoba public schools. Tis fall, the province will explore ways to build and expand on successful trials of the Learn- ing Partnership’s Coding Quest program at the Pembina Trails and Western school divisions, in which students in grades 4, 5 and 6 learned fundamental coding skills and created a video game. “Skills learned through coding have


become an important part of the new economy and we believe students in Mani- toba should have greater opportunities to build these skills,” said Wishart. “We will continue to study the approaches taken in other provinces with the goal of engaging more students in this kind of learning.” Troughout the fall, Manitoba Education


and Training will continue to work with communities, school divisions and other partners in the development of a compre- hensive long-term plan to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes. The plan will include new curricula in both English and French language arts and a new network of numeracy expertise across the province to support quality instruction and improved learning opportunities for all students. “A quality education is a fundamental


building block for growth and success in life,” said the minister. “We are working together with our partners in Manitoba’s education system to innovate and improve student achievement.” Wishart also noted that Mamatowisiwin,


which means creative centre-learning together in Cree, a professional develop- ment series for teachers on supporting


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the achievement of Indigenous students in literacy and numeracy, will continue this school year.


Province announces school infrastruc- ture renewal projects prioritizing health and safety, accommodating growth in enrollment Te Manitoba government is investing


$53.7 million in 110 infrastructure renewal projects across the province to ensure the continued well-being of students and educators in public schools, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced last month. “These projects will provide students


and educators throughout Manitoba with safe and healthy places in which to study and work,” said Wishart. “We are making significant investments in school infra- structure renewal because our government recognizes how important it is to ensure all students have a positive learning en- vironment.” Te projects announced last month in-


clude necessary health and safety-related infrastructure upgrades to roofing and mechanical systems including: $14.3 million for roof replacements in


the Brandon, division scholaire franco manitobaine, Flin Flon, Frontier, Hano- ver, Mountain View, Pembina Trails, Pine Creek, Prairie Rose, Prairie Spirit, River East Transcona, Seine River, Southwest Horizon, Sunrise, Swan Valley, Turtle River and Winnipeg school divisions; $15.6 million for mechanical systems


replacement in the Frontier, Hanover, In- terlake, Lord Selkirk, Louis Riel, Mountain View, Pembina Trails, Portage la Prairie, Red River Valley, River East Transcona, Rolling River, Seine River, Seven Oaks, St. James-Assiniboia, Sunrise and Winnipeg school divisions; $13.7 million for structural upgrades


in the Brandon, Lord Selkirk, Mountain View, Pembina Trails, Pine Creek, Por- tage la Prairie, Prairie Rose, Prairie Spirit, Red River Valley, River East Transcona, Seven Oaks, Southwest Horizon, St. James- Assiniboia, Sunrise, Swan Valley, Turtle River and Winnipeg school divisions; and $10.1 million for access projects in the


Beautiful Plains, Border Land, Brandon, Flin Flon, Hanover, Mountain View, Pem- bina Trails, Portage la Prairie, Prairie Rose, Red River Valley, River East Transcona, Southwest Horizon, St. James-Assiniboia, Sunrise, Turtle Mountain and Winnipeg school divisions. “I feel confident these projects will make


a real difference for students and teaching staff in Manitoba and help to extend the lives of many of our public schools,” said Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton. “Our government is committed to making Manitoba the most improved province in Canada and thanks to strategic invest- ments such as these, we’re on our way to achieving our goal.” Wharton made the announcement at


Vincent Massey Collegiate, where stu- dents and staff will soon benefit from a new 17,000-sq.-ft. re-roofing project at the school. Julie Fisher, board chair for the Pembina


Trails School Division, welcomed today’s announcement. “For decades, students under this roof


have been receiving a quality education. Te foundation they build here at Vincent Massey opens the doors of possibility,” said Fisher. “We want to thank the province for its commitment to Pembina Trails schools. The funds announced today will mean more than a roof renewal. Tis investment in infrastructure is a critical way to provide for our both current and future student population.” Wharton noted the projects will be


completed within a timeframe of six to 24 months following the award of tenders and start of construction. Te Manitoba government is providing more than $92.4 million in planned capital spending in 2017-18 for public school infrastructure projects across the province, he added.


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