Bridging the gap with nature One of the gourds harvested in the Burrows community. Page 18 Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 ISSN 0384-6636 Volume 40 Number 5 www.wsd1.org Filling buckets Inside Special Section Transforming Education: Aboriginal Education today Pages 12-15

______New den for Grizzlies Page 3

______International prize for Tec Voc Aerospace Page 4

______Churchill athletic complex opens Page 9

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Adobe honours Sisler Above: Students at Robertson Page 17 School are learning that some - thing as simple as kind words can fill a bucket over time. See story on page 2 A feast of food and culture

A Project of Heart Division schools are joining a national commemoration project to honour the victims and survivors of the residential school system. The Project of Heart will consist of 13 major public exhibits across Canada, as well as school based exhibits. Students will create tiles that will comprise the commemorative displays. See story on page 15

See story on page 17 Parent Information Evening A delegation of parents, school administrators, trustees and educators met at Tec Voc he Division’s Board of boards, government and other educa - High School for the Nov. 29 Parent Information Evening. Trustees met with parent tional partners in addressing those Tcouncils, educators and challenges. administrators from across the Following the presentations, par - Division for a special Parent ents, trustees and administrators Information Night held at Tec Voc broke into smaller round-table discus - High School on Nov. 29. sions. Several parents expressed con - Filling buckets “The Board of Trustees believes cern if property taxation was jeopard - that the education of children is a ized—such as losing local decision partnership between the home and making on local needs. Others noted the school community,” said Board the challenge of understanding the Chair Rita Hildahl. “This is why it is complicated budget process. so important to create a better under - Tia A. Everitt, a parent council standing and awareness about the member with École Robert H. Smith educational process for our children.” School, stressed the importance of Those in attendance heard from promoting grassroots discussions two guest speakers: longtime educa - about education and taxation. tor and educational leader Strini “We have to make sure that Reddy and Carolyn Duhamel, the everyone in the community, espe - Executive Director of the Manitoba cially the parent population base, School Boards Association. really understand how important the Mr. Reddy discussed the value of funds that we get from taxation programming that supplements the really are—and how exceptionally curriculum, as well as the crucial role special it is in Manitoba that we parents play in their children’s educa - continue to have it,” she said. “I tion. Ms. Duhamel examined the moved here from B.C. two years challenges of maintaining the ago, and the situation there is required resources for schools in absolutely dire. I’m from a town tough economic times, and the where eight schools closed down in importance of partnerships between the past five years, two are remain - Robertson students and teacher Kim Bakker with the poster tracking students’ kind parents, school communities, school ing. You can’t let that happen here.” words. indness can be taught—and your shoes,’” said student Ashleen Kstudents at Robertson School Delas Alas. “It feels good when Around the Division are learning that something as sim - somebody says something nice to ple as kind words can fill a bucket you. My favourite thing somebody over time. wrote about me was that I was a Teacher Kim Bakker’s Grade 4 great friend.” WSD’ S 100- year -olD students have been writing down Prior to Christmas break, students positive comments about each other in the classroom received binders Heritage ClaSSroom and putting them into the “buck - full of their classmates’ kind et”—in this case, a poster with comments. HaS moveD ! pockets to hold each student’s “I’ve definitely seen a change in messages. the classroom…students are realiz - The Division’s one-of-a-kind classroom museum is now being housed at “They say that everyone has an ing that they should go out of their Isaac Brock School, which is celebrating 100 years of learning this coming invisible bucket…when you say way to do nice things. This is focus - spring. Programming is available in both French and English and can be nice things to somebody, you’re fill - ing on positive behavior rather than adapted to accommodate all learners. ing that bucket,” Ms. Bakker said. negative,” Ms. Bakker said. Those classes interested in making classroom bookings in the new year “When you say things that are mean, The Fill a Bucket movement, may contact Darcie Kiene at [email protected] for further information and you are taking away from their which is expanding school-wide, is availability. This experience is open to all WSD students free of charge. bucket and being a ‘bucket dipper.’ one of several positive behavior ini - We try to be bucket fillers in our tiatives taking place at the school. room and in this school. We practise Robertson was among the schools saying nice things to each other all that recently received support for the time.” anti-bullying initiatives through the 43rd annual Winnipeg Students are not only able to get a Winnipeg Police Association’s Cool boost in confidence and self-esteem 2B Kind program. Schools’ Science Fair when they read the comments from Other Division schools receiv - their peers; they are also able to ing support for their anti-bullying When : April 17, 2013 experience the joy of sharing kind - efforts included Cecil Rhodes, Where : Brodie Centre, U of M Bannatyne Campus ness with others. The project was David Livingstone Community, 727 McDermot Ave. inspired by Carol McCloud’s book Elmwood High, Gladstone, Isaac Have you Filled a Bucket Today ? Brock, Kent Road, King Edward Deadline for project submissions is March 19, 2013. “We made up a list of kind Community, Ralph Brown and words we can give to each other, R.B. Russell Vocational High like ‘you smell pretty’ or ‘I like schools.

Page 2 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools George V celebrates new gymnasium

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the new gym: current George V Principal Manuel “It took the hard work and dedica - dodgeball or other activities.” Silva, students and former Principal Gisele Mospanchuk. tion of many school staff, parents and Ms. Allan said the new addition fit guardians, students and community in well with the historical architec - members to bring more than two ture of the storied school. he Grizzlies have a new den at Olson Dominion, Director of decades of hopes and dreams to a “George V School was built in École George V School, but Buildings George Heath and PAC reality,” Mr. Silva said. “Tonight, this 1915 and has had many additions and Tstudents will be doing any - representative Robb Massey. reality is shared with both the past renovations…but I think this renova - thing but hibernating over the winter “I’d like to thank the Province of and current George V communities.” tion is the most exciting. The design months. Manitoba for their commitment to Mr. Massey said the new gymnasi - of the gym compliments the histori - The new gymnasium, which is investing in infrastructure that sup - um was “the beginning of a lot of cal architecture of the school, so it already heavily used by students at ports student learning,” Ms. Hildahl great new things for our community will fit in nicely with the neighbour - the school as well as the community, said. “I know the students and com - and our school.” hood,” she said. was officially opened in a special cer - munity will benefit greatly by the The gymnasium is part of a 7,000 Student Hillery Pham said the emony on Nov. 13. new facility and the opportunities sq.ft. expansion that also includes school’s old gymnasium continues to Guests included Minister of that will be provided to develop more accessible elevators and washrooms. play an important role at George V. Education Nancy Allan, Board Chair healthy lifestyles.” The facility has already been earn - “Since the old gym wasn’t going Rita Hildahl, Trustees Mike Principal Manuel Silva and other ing rave reviews from students like to be used anymore, we decided to Babinsky, Cathy Collins and Darlyne speakers were quick to recognize the Katrina Medeiros. make it into a lunch room,” she said, Bautista, Chief Superintendent tireless efforts of parent councils past “My favourite part of the new gym noting that students ate lunch in Pauline Clarke, Superintendent of and present, as well as the work of is having more space to play volley - smaller groups all over the school Schools-Central Celia Caetano- former George V Principal Gisele ball,” she said. “You can actually previously. “It’s a lot noiser, but it’s Gomes, Rob Obirek of MCM Mospanchuk, for guiding the project bump the ball without hitting the better to have 300 students in one Architects, Ellowyn Nadeau of Stuart to fruition. roof…there’s way more space for spot.” Educators share knowledge, inspiration at SAGE ver 700 educators assembled a healthy and active family lifestyle, and support.” at Elmwood High School and and how that influenced each mem - The SAGE workshops were hosted Oits feeder schools for the ber as an athlete. The address tied in at Elmwood and 13 different nearby Manitoba Physical Education well with the conference’s “Fit schools, including École George V Teachers’ Association’s annual Together” theme. School and its brand new gymnasi - SAGE (Special Area Group of “Our committee developed the Fit um. Workshops included topics such Educators) Conference. Together theme as a way to incorpo - as body image, youth smoking cessa - The Winnipeg School Division host - rate families and the community with tion, movement education, bike ed this year’s event, with Health what we’re doing at the schools,” Mr. repair programs in schools, healthy Education Consultant Nori Korsunsky Bard said. “We’re looking at the sup - eating for busy lifestyles, emergency and Phys. Ed. Consultant Dave Bard port that families and the community first aid, the Aboriginal Coaching serving as co-chairs. The conference can provide when people want to Manual, Speedminton, injury preven - offered over 70 professional develop - achieve high levels of performance, tion and many others. ment workshops in phys. ed. and fitness and health. Jennifer did a real - John M. King School phys. ed. health—two subjects that are part of the ly good job of tying that together with teacher Ryan Warkentin took a course same curriculum in Manitoba. her speech.” on CPR and automatic emergency Olympic hockey gold medalist Jennifer “We’re looking at how all the Ms. Korsunsky said when it comes defibrillators, due to the fact that a Botterill (pictured) and parents Cal and aspects of health and wellness fit to establishing healthy, active device had been installed at his school. Doreen addressed a packed Elmwood together, and aim for a holistic lifestyles, students can benefit from He said SAGE was a good opportuni - gymnasium about healthy family lifestyles approach,” Ms. Korsunsky said. “The having many role models and positive ty for both professional development and the fitness and health connection. focus of the provincial curriculum is messages, whether that comes from and networking with colleagues. on healthy, active lifestyles for all. the home, the school or community. “I personally love it. As phys. ed. “The experience and strength of You can’t do one thing in isolation. “If students are hearing the same teachers, we don’t always get an those committee members really People can be physically active but messages from many different peo - opportunity to meet with our col - helped with our jobs as co-chairs,” still have a poor diet—and their ple, it can only advance their knowl - leagues…you usually only have one they said, while also thanking the health won’t be optimal.” edge and understanding…it all fits or two phys. ed. teachers in a build - administrators at all of the school ven - The conference opened at together,” she said. “If you don’t ing. It’s nice to meet with other spe - ues. “Everybody was very accommo - Elmwood with a keynote speech know what healthy looks like, you cialist teachers to talk about what’s dating…we got all of the gyms and from the Botterill family—Olympic won’t know how to practise healthy current and what other people are space we needed to make this happen.” hockey gold medalist Jennifer and behaviours. If you come from a home doing at their schools. That to me is Winnipeg’s various school divi - her parents Cal and Doreen. Cal is a where there are unhealthy relation - the value of SAGE.” sions host SAGE every six years on a noted sports psychologist, while ships, unhealthy diets, unhealthy cop - Mr. Bard and Ms. Korsunsky credit - rotating basis; next year, organizers Doreen is an inductee of the ing, etc…school may be that one ed the 19 Division teachers that served from several Divisions will work Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. The place where students learn what on the SAGE committees for helping together as Winnipeg hosts the Botterills discussed their approach to health looks like and find that model to ensure the event ran smoothly. National PHE Canada Conference. Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 3 High praise for Tec Voc Aerospace program

By providing those marketable skills—and a state-of-the-art machine shop that mirrors indus - try—the program has attracted stu - dents like 17-year-old Riley Guinto, who is in his fourth year of the high- school program. “I’ve always been interested in airplanes and I knew this program had a good partnership with compa - nies like Boeing and Bristol Aerospace,” said Riley, whose grandfather works with Boeing. “There’s lots of hands-on with this program, working with tools and building a lot of skills.” Jazer Maco, 26, enrolled in AMMOP to advance his technical skills after already working several years in the industry. “When I was working at StandardAero, we had AMMOP stu - dents come through and end up with jobs there,” he said. “In this program we’re really orienting towards main - Tec Voc Aerospace Instructor Ray Thomson, students and Instructor Terry Holowaty in the school’s state-of-the-art machine shop. tenance of engines and manufactur - ing. We’re visiting a lot of different aerospace facilities as well, which gives you that drive and excitement. ec Voc High School’s rate within the Aerospace industry. say if a part weighs a pound, the It’s motivating…you know that Manitoba Aerospace “This program is designed to paperwork weighs 10 pounds,” he you’re in the right program.” TProgram continues to draw provide good technical workers for said. notice for its ongoing industry part - the aerospace industry,” said nership after receiving an interna - Principal Gord Crook. “Seventy- tional honour. five per cent or more of our stu - Judges with the International dents, in 16 years, are employed in A day made better Partnership Network’s (IPN) the industry. People are looking for Global Best Awards chose the pro - employment and this is a great gram as the Americas winner in the industry to work in, with both the category for “Partnerships that small and the large companies.” inspire young people in Science, Tec Voc program staff meets Technology, Engineering and with industry advisors regularly, as Mathematics.” The IPN is an well as doing an additional yearly organization consisting of review to ensure the program is Economic Development Offices meeting the needs of the aerospace from many different countries, sector. Mr. Link also cited the will - including the Conference Board of ingness to bring in new partners— Canada. such as the province’s Technical Tec Voc Aerospace Coordinator Vocational Initiative, which pro - Greg Link recently travelled to vided professional development Durban, South Africa to present the and new equipment—as a key to partnership model and accept the success. honour on behalf of Tec Voc High AMMOP instructor Ray School of The Winnipeg School Thomson, who has been with the division. program for 16 years, said industry “The conference was a chance to is the driving force behind the pro - share best practices and effective gram. models with each other,” Mr. Link “Industry plays a key role in said. “Our partnership with what we’re doing here—we’re Manitoba Aerospace has been always working to stay current,” he going for 18 years and this is great said. “For example, with all the recognition. We were recognized new composite parts going into the Gordon Bell High School teacher Kelly Friesen got her Tuesday nationally at the turn of the century aircraft industry, we decided sever - morning off to a stellar start when she found out that she was one of three Manitoba teachers honoured in Grand & Toy’s A Day Made Better by the Conference Board of Canada al years ago we’d better jump on campaign. as a model partnership, and now board…now it’s a big part of the The campaign seeks to recognize teachers across the country for their we’ve been recognized internation - program.” daily contributions in the classroom. On Oct. 2, Ms. Friesen and her ally.” Instructor Terry Holowaty, who students were called to a mock assembly—whereupon the teacher was The Tec Voc program includes teaches in the high school side of the surprised with the award and prize package, which included an ergonomic the Aerospace Technology Program program, said students are learning a office chair, electronics and stationary supplies all for the classroom. (ATP) for Grade 9-12 students, highly-transferable skill set. Fellow educator Rebecca Decter nominated Ms. Friesen for the award; in and the 10-month Aerospace “We cover everything from her written recommendation, Ms. Decter cited Ms. Friesen as a champion Manufacturing and Maintenance welding to applicable physics, of reading and literacy, as well as human rights. Orientation Program (AMMOP) for sheet metal, machining, electrical, Pictured here behind Ms. Friesen are Grand & Toy representatives 18-30 year olds. The program engine work…and of course docu - Souparno Majumdar (left), Kim LeBlanc, Rob Ryder, Paul Kernoski, nom - offers students a high placement mentation is huge in aviation. They inating teacher Rebecca Decter and Gordon Bell Principal Arlene Skull.

Page 4 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Greenway volunteers, canine helpers honoured hen Jim and Margaret MacKay visit Greenway WSchool, students know that the couple’s trio of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers is not far behind. The amiable dogs—Digby, Phlirt and Piper—are regular visitors to the school as part of the PALS (Pets and Learning in Schools) Program. The dogs were trained through the St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. The dogs are trained to interact with students as they are reading. In private reading sessions, students read aloud to an adult, while the dogs will lie beside them and rest their heads on students’ laps. “The dogs are basically there to facilitate learning—they keep the kids relaxed and focused,” Mr. MacKay said. “By the first day, the kids and dogs are pretty well bonded already.” Special Education Resource Teacher Cheryl McCallum said stu - dents can blossom as readers through the program. “Some kids are very introverted and shy, and don’t like to read aloud—this gives them a venue where no one is judging them,” she said. “The dogs are so gentle with the students…it really calms The canine PALS with Greenway students. them.” The MacKays and their dogs also visit Weston School on a regular basis. receive the Mayor’s Senior of the laughed. Shayleen Costello, who nominated For their years of working with the Year Award. While the MacKays are quick to them for the award. program, the MacKays were invited “It’s really the dogs that should credit their dogs, they do appreci - “It means a lot to us,” Mr. MacKay to Winnipeg City Hall on Oct. 15 to get the award,” Mr. MacKay ate the fact that it was a student, said. Cool 2 Be Kind innipeg Police Association (WPA) President Mike Sutherland (left), students, MLA Kevin Chief and City Councillor Devi WSharma were proud to wear pink at the WPA’s Cool 2 Be Kind funding announcement on Nov. 13. The students accepted a cheque from the WPA on behalf of their own David Livingstone Community School. The Cool 2 Be Kind campaign gave 20 local schools up to $500 to support their anti-bullying initiatives. Other Division schools receiving support for their anti-bullying efforts included Cecil Rhodes, Elmwood High, Gladstone, Isaac Brock, Kent Road, King Edward Community, Ralph Brown, R.B. Russell Vocational High and Robertson schools. These schools, through a variety of programs, are promoting kindness and empathy as a positive way to deal with bullying. At Cecil Rhodes School, for example, there is a Caught You Caring program that recognizes students who demonstrate these qualities; other programs, such as Students for Change and Roots of Empathy, also help spread the word. In addition to funding support, off-duty Winnipeg Police Service officers have been visiting Winnipeg schools to discuss bullying and the importance of kindness.

Photo by Jeff Miller

Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 5 Award-winning academics he Division’s Board of Trustees recently honoured some of the outstand - Ting young academic minds from the 2012 graduating class. Students and their families joined the board and their former high school administrators on Dec. 17 to be formally recognized for their achievements; each student was a recipient of the prestigious Governor General’s Medal or the Division’s Post Secondary Scholarship. Students were presented with $50 book gift certificates during the ceremony at Administration Building No. 1. Pictured here are: Caryl Ena Chau, St. John’s High School (front, left); Ashley Cole, Collège Churchill; Karina Berezanska, Tec Voc High School; Jessica Bondoc, St. John’s (second row, left); Paul Lee, Kelvin High School; Jaryl Kawal-Henderson, Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute; Kimia Sheikholeslami, Kelvin (third row, left); Kadille Nevado, Tec Voc; Jacky Ng, Sisler High School; Kristen Larson, Argyle Alternative High School (fourth row, left); Mitchell Engen, Churchill High School; Sheyanne Gauthier, R.B. Russell Vocational High School (back row, left); Ryan Sigurdson, Winnipeg Adult Education Centre; and Phuc Dang, Elmwood High School. Not pictured: Hayley Rice-Lampert, Argyle; Charli Ballantyne and Beverly Pettit, Children of the Earth High School; Grace Wood, Elmwood; Morag Morison and Haley Pauls, Gordon Bell High School; Kara Henrie and Ara Dungca, Grant Park High School; Simion Smith, R.B. Russell; and Doaa Habeeb, WAEC. Volunteerism draws mayoral honour heila Milner is a familiar face in dation’s efforts possible; prior to Sthe halls of Mulvey School. As a passing away due to cancer, Laura founder of the Laura Milner White Milner White had spoken with her Foundation, Ms. Milner has helped friends about volunteering, laying the build her late daughter’s legacy of groundwork for the foundation. volunteering into a humanitarian “It started with Laura volunteering force unto itself, providing enrich - with just one family, mentoring two ment opportunities for students daughters,” Ms. Milner said. “She from Mulvey and other Division spoke with her friends about making schools. it something bigger.” Ms. Milner has been a driving Today, the foundation provides force in enabling students to receive students with enrichment opportuni - private music lessons, as well as ties that range from dance to camp creating the Kids in the Kitchen after- experiences and more. school nutrition program. She contin - Grace Moore, a former Mulvey ues to champion literacy through student who now attends École River book drives and other projects. Heights School, said students appre - On Oct. 15, Ms. Milner was ciated the work of the foundation’s presented with one of the Mayor’s many volunteers. Senior of the Year Awards, in the Arts “If it wasn’t for the foundation, I category. She was nominated by would have never had the chance to former Mulvey students Grace play the violin,” she said. “Lots of Moore and Havanah Soldier. kids wouldn’t have had the chance to “It’s incredible to be presented do all of these activities.” with an award for something you love “It’s about giving inner city youth doing,” said Ms. Milner, who was a opportunities they might not other - Winnipeg teacher for many years. “It wise have,” Ms. Milner added. “I was so very nice to be nominated.” keep doing this because I believe in She also praised the many other Laura’s project and I knew she volunteers who help make the foun - believed in it.” Right: Sheila Milner is an integral part of the Mulvey School community. Pictured here are support teacher Jennifer Cox, Ms. Milner, a student and Principal Peter Corriea. talk to students about how important Reading role models these values are.” Mr. Rossi added that by inviting diverse roster of guest readers Seven Teachings,” said Grade 6 parents from many different occupa - Ajoined École Robert H. Smith student Thomas Pye. “They’re about tions, students could see the possibil - School for its recent Read-a-thon. becoming a good person and respect - ities of the school-to-work The event, which had students ing and loving each other. The whole connection. take part in a “stop-drop-and-read” world can learn from them.” Parent Paul Essiembré, who is a en masse, was designed as a school Principal Tom Rossi said the professional actor, said he enjoyed fundraiser for field trips and other school decided to take a different visiting the school: “To me, this is all student-related areas. approach to the annual event this part of building a community—get - Students’ parents—ranging from a year. “With Aboriginal Education ting a sense of who we all are as we wide variety of occupations and cul - being one of the Division priorities, live together and help our kids grow tures—came to the school to discuss we wanted today to be a teachable and learn.” the importance of reading in their moment based around the Seven Building on that community con - lives. The special guests also read Teachings—these are every day nection—and the theme of sustainable Robert H. Smith parent and RCMP books that specifically dealt with the values,” he said. “So we invited a development—students and families Constable Scott Magnus reads to Seven Aboriginal Teachings. cross-section of parents and also donated gently used books for the “Everyone should learn about the Winnipeggers to come in today and students about courage—one of the local Boys and Girls Club. Seven Aboriginal Teachings. Page 6 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Students, teachers passionate about Science Fair

he Division’s annual Science University of Manitoba Science Fair may be months away, but Innovator Award locally, and also Torganizers and keen students earned a silver medal and a $2,000 have already circled April 17, 2013 Western University scholarship at on their calendars. Canada-Wide. The project sought to That’s when the 43rd annual create technology that would turn an Winnipeg Schools Science Fair takes ordinary sheet of glass into a touch place at Brodie Centre on the screen—as an alternative to current University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne touch screens, which draw from a Campus. For a select few students— finite supply of rare metals. and teachers—the fair is a stop on the “With this idea, you could have road to the Canada-Wide Science scalable screens. You could turn a Fair. whole store window into a touch Brian Burridge, a science/math screen,” Amanda said. teacher at St. John’s High School, has For both Amanda and Dareen, the long been sold on the academic and national fair was an once-in-a-life - character-building virtues of the fair time experience—and not just for students. because of the opportunity to share “Science fairs are all about learn - their projects at a high level of com - ing by discovery,” he said. “It’s self- petition. The students had a chance to taught and it’s very effective. The meet like-minded peers from every students are learning about some - province, territory and even other thing they have a true interest in—so Teachers Brian Burridge and Victoria Green with students. countries, such as Australia and they tend to do a great job in their Taiwan. investigations.” win-win…it’s terrific exposure for Winnipeg and a bronze medal/$1,000 “You have all of these people that This year, Mr. Burridge received our students and the U of M has Western University scholarship at have similar interests. You’re all into the Canada-Wide Science Fair’s just bent over backwards to accom - Canada-Wide. science and are really motivated to go Distinguished Service Award for his modate us.” She pursued her project after back into science fair every year. You longtime contributions to the fairs; Three Division students—École finding that oregano had a high can talk about almost anything, since 1985, only two other Winnipeg secondaire Kelvin High School’s antibiotic response to E. coli bacteria because you really understand each educators have received the award. Dareen El-Sayed, Grant Park High in a previous science fair project. other,” Amanda said. The teacher has been part of the School’s Amanda Wong and “I wanted to see what was respon - The students also had plenty of country’s science fair movement for Churchill High School student Heba sible for this activity and whether it opportunities to see Charlottetown 34 years, including ten trips to El Gubtan—advanced from the local would have activity against other and PEI. national events. science fair to head to Charlottetown bacteria,” she said. “I chose the four “It was amazing to be able to do Like other organizers on the for the Canada-Wide fair. Mr. most common human infections...I science, but at the same time you’re Division’s Science Fair committee, Burridge and Kelvin teacher Victoria found oregano had antibiotic activity having an adventurous trip and meet - Mr. Burridge is excited about return - Green accompanied the students to against all four bacteria and I was ing so many new people,” Dareen ing to the U of M’s Bannatyne the fair as delegates. able to identify two compounds said. Campus for the 2013 event. Dareen’s project, “Antibiotic responsible for this activity.” The deadline for project submis - “We were all just thrilled with Activity in Oregano” earned the Amanda’s project, “Infrared sions for the Division’s 2013 Science the facility,” he said. “It’s a Intermediate Platinum Award in Camera Touch Screens,” won the Fair is March 19. Novel opens frank discussions about bullying rade 7 students at Collège Churchill explored the different roles in the Gbullying equation during a recent study of the novel The Beech Nut of Big Water Beach. Author Margaret Shaw-MacKinnon visited students for several days in October to help launch the weeks-long study of the book. The novel is about Munro McLean, a boy who seeks refuge from bullies through art. He meets artist Cassandra Beech—labelled “The Beech Nut” by the locals at Big Water Beach—and her grandniece Alison. When bullies begin to target Alison, Munro transforms from a bullying victim to being a bystander. Following the book’s release, Ms. Shaw-MacKinnon worked with educators to develop a study guide and an anti-bullying guide for use in classrooms. “The kids in this book all take these different roles of bully, bullied and bystander at one time or another,” Ms. Shaw-MacKinnon told Our Schools in 2009, when the classroom materials were being piloted at R.B. Russell Vocational High School. Churchill students Cameron Stubbs and Stephen Adamopoulos said the book gave classes a chance to examine the issue of bullying in depth. “We talked about the different types of bullying…there’s physical, verbal and relational, which is like ignoring people or making jokes behind their back,” Stephen said. “You’re never too old to talk about bullying.” Students also looked at ways to switch from being a passive bystander to making a difference when it comes to bullying. “You should try to help the victim in any way possible,” Cameron said. Students with copies of The Beech Nut of Big Water Beach. “You could go get a teacher or speak up and tell the bully to lay off the victim.” “I didn’t know that we would get to meet the author, I was surprised she Both students said they enjoyed listening to the author read from her came,” Cameron said. “She was good at reading and put lots of expression novel. into it.” Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 7 Pink power! rade 1-4 students at Earl Grey voice, let’s use it to stop bullying.’ GSchool issued a unified message This is a way to say that we are all against bullying with a recent pink t- standing up together against bullying.” shirt campaign. Other shirts included the “Caught Teacher Catherine Tattersall You Caring” catchphrase, which organized the event, which had stu - encourages students to say and do dents dying white t-shirts pink in a positive things when they interact symbolic nod to a similar campaign with others. in Nova Scotia’s Central Kings Rural Other Pink Day activities included High School. Students there staged a a Winnipeg Police Service presenta - pink shirt rally several years ago after tion on personal safety. a student was bullied for wearing a “We’re always having discussions pink polo shirt. about personal safety and how stu - “My shirt has a bulldog with box - dents can resolve conflicts in positive ing gloves on it, he’s like a bully, and ways,” said Principal Gail Singer. then I have a line going through it,” “We want students to feel empow - Grade 3 student Ailis Halligan. “On ered, to feel that they can work the back it says ‘Together we have one together.” Want to get involved? Tec Voc joins FIT Work with kids? Volunteer Opportunities in the Winnipeg School Division roster Thinking of volunteering to help kids? School volunteers positively affect children’s lives in many ways: from inspiring them to do better in school to motivating them to be better citizens.

Who can volunteer? Anyone over the age of 16 who can invest two hours per week, with a minimum four-month commit - ment during the school year.

Here are just some of the many things volunteers do: • Tutor one child or a small group of children; The FIT program offers certificate training in four focus areas: business and • Assist in the school library, information analysis, software design, network and systems operations and computer lab, classroom or with after-school programs such as Cadets, interactive media. Running & Reading Club or Homework Clubs; • Participate in parent councils; ec Voc High School has joined a growing national partnership of • Read to students; T schools, educators and IT professionals in a program designed to build • Mentor at-risk students; Canada’s next wave of tech talent. • Supervise field trips or overnight camps; The Information and Communications Technology Council’s Focus on • Test children’s hearing; Information Technology (FIT) community provides curriculum for Grade • Work with refugee/war affected students; 11 and 12 classrooms designed to meet industry needs. Partners include • Play and cuddle with infants; Google Canada, Cisco Canada, Canada’s Association of IT Professionals • Coach sports, assist with drama or music classes. and a growing roster of schools across Canada; to date, over 2,500 students have been certified through the program. Needed now! On Dec. 5, Tec Voc hosted a news conference announcing that Manitoba Volunteer Tutors for Adult Literacy was joining the FIT community—alongside existing members Alberta, • Volunteer tutors are required for 2 to 3 hours a week to assist adult Ontario, Quebec, B.C., Newfoundland and New Brunswick. learners with improving their reading, writing and comprehension Speakers at the event included Division Board of Trustees Chair Rita skills. Hildahl, Manitoba Deputy Minister of Education Gerald Farthing, ICTC • Classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday to Friday and are vice-president Norman McDevitt, Google Canada’s Colin Mckay, Cisco located at the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre, 700 Elgin. Networking Academy’s Wadih Zataar, Manitoba Director of Application • Volunteers will assist students either one on one or in a classroom Management Services Kerry Augustine and Principal Gordon Crook. setting under the direction of the classroom teacher. “This is an exciting day for Tec Voc and all of the students across the • Volunteers are also required to tutor students in Basic Math as well as province,” Ms. Hildahl said. “You will have access to an Information up to Grade 11 Essential Math. Technology program designed to develop the skills essential for working in • If you are interested in applying to volunteer or would like more infor - the 21st Century. This program will present students with an opportunity to mation, please contact one of the Winnipeg School Division Volunteer have a head start on post-secondary education goals by providing you with Services Coordinators. a foundation of technical, business and interpersonal skills.” Tec Voc student Richard Camara, who is pursing a career in program - ming, said the FIT partnership was a chance for students to build their How to become a volunteer career prospects. Contact one of the volunteer coordinators to schedule an interview: “It’s great to be able to get recognized with a national-scale certificate. phone: 204-474-1513 or 204-453-1748; We already offer the A+ certification, but now there’s the FIT certificate, as email: [email protected]. well as the work experience…it’s a great opportunity.” Page 8 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Churchill athletic complex officially opens tudents, staff and alumni of Province of Manitoba, the Winnipeg SChurchill High School and Foundation, the Children’s Heritage Collège Churchill have officially cut Fund, the Manitoba Tire Stewardship the tape and opened the new Bill and other school alumni boosted Madder Outdoor Athletic Complex. fundraising efforts. Vice-Principal The complex is named in honour of Joyce Wong and Collège Churchill Bill Madder, a respected former Principal Josie Audino heartily Churchill administrator. He served as thanked the project’s many supporters. vice-principal from 1956 to 1962 and Parent council member Betty then as principal from 1965 until 1980. Cinq-Mars said all of the efforts to Mr. Madder was in attendance at build the complex have created a the Sept. 13 opening ceremony, along community legacy. with speakers that included Winnipeg “This will benefit the school and School Division Board Chair Rita community for years to come,” she Hildahl, Board Vice-Chair Mark told students. “A lot of you will end Wasyliw, MP Joyce Bateman, MLA up with children of your own that will James Allum and City Councillor use this field.” Jenny Gerbasi. Background planning and “I wish to congratulate and thank fundraising began in earnest in 2005, Cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Bill Madder Outdoor Athletic Complex. everyone involved in making this following Churchill’s 50th anniver - outdoor complex possible: the stu - sary. The school had long needed a dents, staff, alumni, the community field with proper drainage; “mud and various levels of government,” bowl” football games became a tradi - lot different this year—we’ll have this community and this school.” Ms. Hildahl said. “It is truly amazing tion at the school over the years. more fans coming out and it will be Organizers are now fundraising for to see how this dream to create a “The kids are thrilled to have a great great just having a presence here the next phase of the project, which brand new athletic complex has facility like this…it’s safe and it drains again. It feels good knowing that we will include bleacher seating for become a reality.” perfectly,” said phys. ed. teacher Brian have so many people who care about spectators. The $375,000 facility includes a Loeppky. “The track is already being new field and drainage system and a used by the community, and we’re soft-surface running track with hoping to get our track and field Program puts players crumb tire rubber. The field has been program going as well.” realigned to match neighbouring Varsity quarterback Will Reimer Churchill Drive. said it would be nice to have a home on the ice Major contributions from Audrey field advantage again. MacDonald, Churchill alumnus John “We played all of our games on the Loewen, the City of Winnipeg, the road last year,” he said. “It will be a Career connection Anders Boulanger works his magic with Safeway District Manager Larry Tholl (left, foreground), Dufferin Principal Wayne Argyle Wyke, Home Learning Support Worker Rick Boucher, students, Grant Park Store students. Manager Larry Fortes and staff at the Grant Park Safeway with a $1,000 cheque for the Dufferin Hockey Academy. Mr. Fortes, who volunteers extensively with Winnipeg community hockey, selected the Dufferin program to receive the donation after he won the Heart of Safeway Volunteer Hero Award.

pproximately 45 boys and girls help them play the game. This is build - Afrom Dufferin School are taking ing motivation and giving them some - Photo to the ice every week as part of the thing positive. It’s a character builder.” by Jeff Miller Dufferin Hockey Academy. Grade 6 student Tianna Sumner The pilot program, which is oper - said she has enjoyed having the ated in conjunction with the Freight chance to lace up and compete. tudents at Argyle Alternative Mike Plaetinck and career advisor House Community Centre, has stu - “I like playing against teams from dents getting weekly ice time at near - other communities,” said Tianna, High School heard from Robyn Laurie organized the fair. by Pioneer Arena. Organizers hope to who plays centre. “I feel proud to entrepreneurs, artists and “Every staff member takes on S provide additional coaching and skill wear a jersey and play on the speakers from many different fields multiple responsibilities from super - building for students who are current - Flames.” at the school’s Dec. 5 Career Day. vising sessions, directing students to ly playing with the Central Flames as Principal Wayne Wyke said organ - Guests included magician and the appropriate rooms to preparing part of the Seven Oaks Minor Hockey izers became interested in starting the keynote speaker Anders Boulanger, and serving food at lunch. If not for Association. academy after seeing the impact the Complex Games president and the support of the Argyle staff, our Dufferin Home Learning Support sport was having on students. co-founder Noah Decter-Jackson, Career Day wouldn’t be possible,” Worker Rick Boucher, who also “The students play games every TSN journalist Sara Orlesky, Access Mr. Plaetinck said. coaches in the program, said students Sunday, and we noticed Monday River East midwife Janet Macaulay, He also thanked the day’s many are broken up into three different age mornings that there would be a buzz Leah Arnott (an interior designer presenters: “These individuals took groups between five to 10-years-old. in the school,” Mr. Wyke said. “So and owner of Arnott + Associates), time out from running their compa - “A lot of these students are just we’re building on that. This is teach - Archangel Fireworks president nies to give our students insight on being introduced to hockey,” Mr. ing students how to work together as Boucher said. “Freight House and a team and set goals.” Kelly Guile and more. how to become successful in their Dufferin are connecting to help with In the future, organizers are hoping The event marked the second respected fields...and what they are equipment, registration and ice times, to expand the program to include full- year that work education supervisor looking for in an employee.” and other issues like transportation. We day camps, nutritional meals and a Files courtesy of Argyle want to meet the students’ needs to larger cohort of students. Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 9 Purple poetry tudents at Queenston School were treated to a lively poetry reading and Sworkshop courtesy of popular Canadian children’s author Sheree Fitch. Ms. Fitch was brought to Queenston by organizers from Thin Air, the Winnipeg International Writers’ Festival in September. The author’s works include Peek-a-Little Boo, Toes On My Nose and the classic Mabel Murple , whose titular heroine is more than a little preoccupied with purple. Dressed in a brilliant purple shirt for the visit, Ms. Fitch shared her affini - ty for the colour with Queenston students; also high on her list of favourite things is the love of words. She even spent years trying to come up with just the perfect lines for a poem that used the words “beagle” and “bagel.” “After all these years and all of these books, I still don’t find writing easy,” said Ms. Fitch, who splits her time living in Nova Scotia and Washington D.C. “It’s a challenge that’s exciting for me. An empty page is like a big ocean…and I’m going to make something happen with my words.” Ms. Fitch told students that she never expects perfection the first time she puts an idea to paper; she always writes several drafts. “The next time you’re writing something, and the teacher asks you to try it again—she’s not just making you do more work. The teacher knows that if you go over it again, your writing will be that much more beautiful and perfect.” A pleasantly purple-clad Sheree Fitch chats with students at Queenston School. Students Carolyn Currie and Emma Monti both cited Mabel Murple as their favourite book by the author. Sneakers , which is about children’s rights…poetry is a good way to write “I like how she strings together words that normally wouldn’t go together, about that,” Emma added. but she makes it sound like they belong beside each other,” Carolyn said. The author thanked Thin Air organizers, along with Queenston teacher- “Her poetry is always fun, but she also has a book If You Could Wear My librarian Ellen Donogh, for an enjoyable visit. Employees stuff a bus in support of Cheer Board

A parent and her son read a book together at the Teddy Bear Picnic reading party.

the underlying message is that we want parents to understand how Bears important rhyme is—it’s an impor - tant literacy skill. We also want them to understand how important reading night out and talking is,” Ms. Gerylo said. “Kids that are good talkers become apa bears, mama bears and baby good readers.” Pbears joined together for a night Ms. Gerylo said that even in very of reading and literacy fun at Lord early childhood, children should be Nelson School. exposed to books and stories—even School staff, the Division’s as many as 5,000 before the child is Winnipeg School Division Volunteer Services Department and old enough to attend school. Families employees held their first Stuff a Kathy Gerylo, an Area Service received books to take home follow - School Bus campaign on Dec. 12 Director/Speech Language Pathologist ing the event. on behalf of the Christmas Cheer with the Child Guidance Clinic, part - “We’re talking about three books a Board. nered to host the Nov. 15 event for day, every day, right from birth. Non-perishable food items, toys local families with children one-to- Having events like this one is a way and cash were collected at six years of age. to get these simple-but-important Administration Buildings No. 1 and Children and parents enjoyed read - messages out.” 2, Prince Charles Education Resource Centre, the Child Guidance Clinic ing books together, took part in nurs - Parent Rhealyn Mostoles said she and the Division’s Service Building on Spruce Street for families in need. ery sing-alongs and crafts during the enjoyed sharing a night of reading Pictured above, First Student Canada’s Ron Yaworski and Santa load up the family-focused event, dubbed the and games with her son Kurt Eric, bus with presents and food for families (missing: Building Department Teddy Bear Picnic. Similar events who is in kindergarten. South District Manager Murray McLenehan). have been scheduled or have already “I’m busy a lot of the time, so this (Inset) In the spirit of the season, students from Kelvin High School taken place at Carpathia, Cecil is my chance to have a play date with choral program - including Kristen MacDonell (left) and Alison Helmer - Rhodes and Machray schools. him,” she said. “I’m enjoying it, and joined the trip to provide musical accompaniment. “This evening is all about parents when I look at my son, I know he’s and children having fun together, but enjoying it too.” Page 10 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Village author delights students avid J. Smith, author of the focuses on sustainable development celebrated children’s book If on the local front. Dthe World were a Village, vis - “We’ve defined education for sus - ited Grosvenor School in November tainable development as having to help set the groundwork for a new enough for all, for everyone, forev - inquiry project. er,” Mr. Corbett said. “Teachers are The school has used the book as a looking for connections to make to starting point for several major the curriculum and the inquiry, and inquiry projects in recent years, espe - they’ve shared their thoughts and the cially in the areas of local and global students’ wonderings and inquiries citizenship. The projects drew the with David ahead of time. Now he’s attention of the author and soon going into the classrooms to help Principal Brad Corbett and staff were build on that learning.” discussing a possible visit with Mr. One exercise had students seeking Smith. out a natural water source relative to The former teacher has seen his their school—the norm in many book sell almost a million copies in countries that don’t enjoy water on North America, as well as being pub - tap. lished in 24 different languages and “If we can reach a point where 26 countries. people in the world can agree that the “I am, without a doubt, the luckiest rights of children are important, that’s Grade 7 teacher that ever lived,” Mr. a huge step—right now, the work is Smith said. “Not only did I make the much more basic,” Mr. Smith said, decision to leave the classroom and noting the millions of children who have some success with the book, but lack a simple birth certificate to I’m still able to be in the classroom in acknowledge their existence. so many different places…I visit 150 Grade 6 student Graham Irwin said different schools a year.” students appreciated the author’s Mr. Smith met students at a extended visit. school-wide assembly before work - “It’s nice to just have him around, With a simple exercise using a few chairs, author David J. Smith and Grosvenor ing with classrooms individually on but I also feel this will be a great learn - students demonstrate the crowded living conditions in other parts of the globe. this year’s inquiry project—which ing experience for all of us,” he said. Lord Nelson garden An Ottawa gets green award encounter

Photo unavailable Collège Churchill student recently travelled to the for website. A nation’s capital to take part in Canada’s largest youth forum. Grade 12 students Jordie Moryl and Daniel Alpium went to Ottawa in October as part of the Encounters with Canada program. The program brings together over 100 Anglophone and Francophone students from across the country every week during the school year; themes vary from sports to law to Lord Nelson students in the school’s award-winning garden. science and technology. Students also tour the city and learn more ord Nelson School’s gardening efforts recently drew the attention of about Canadian institutions and Ljudges in Take Pride Winnipeg’s 2012 Winnipeg In Bloom contest. explore potential career options. The garden, which serves as a location to educate about sustainable devel - Jordie attended during the sports themed week. opment, Aboriginal traditions, sciences and other topics, received the “We had the opportunity to not only do a lot of sports, but we also went Northwest Winnipeg Award for Community Effort. to places like Parliament Hill and the Museum of Science and Technology,” For students and staff, the garden has become a source of pride at the Jordie said. “They tried to give us a mix of sports and what the city had to school, and evidence of what hard work can accomplish. offer.” “This is important to me because the plants are a living community—and During the sports and fitness themed weeks, participants can enjoy sports it’s like that because of all of us helping the plants,” said Grade 5 student like Ultimate Frisbee, martial arts, wall-climbing, snowboarding, dragon- Michael Cabral. “All classes use the garden to learn about things like differ - boating and a military style boot camp. ent rocks, animal life cycles and types of soil.” “The place we stayed at, the Terry Fox Youth Centre, even had courts for “This award means a lot to me because our garden helps the environment,” floor hockey and basketball, as well as a beach volleyball court,” Jordie said fellow Grade 5 student Aurora Pilon. “We have been building our garden said. “The best part of the trip was getting to meet everybody from all across for seven years now…in the summer I came to the school every day for a Canada. I made lots of friends and we’ve been able to keep in touch.” drop-in program. I helped weed and water the plants; we also played games in As one of the French-speaking students on the tour, Jordie was able to the garden.” serve as an intermediary between students of different languages. A seven-member teacher committee and active parent involvement have “That was a real bonus, because some of the kids from Quebec didn’t helped the garden to thrive over the years. The Lord Nelson student Green have strong English, but I could communicate with them in French,” Jordie Team also helps to look after the garden year-round; members look at their said. “We all wanted to practise our second languages. involvement as a way to give back to the neighborhood. “To anybody who gets this opportunity to go to the forum, I’d “I want to be a leader in my school and I want to teach others how impor - recommend they take it. You’ll always remember it.” tant it is to take care of our community,” said member Jayda Vince. Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 11 Transforming Education he Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS) recently resources to meet the needs of this rapidly-growing population, and has Tissued a position statement on Aboriginal Education entitled always been ready to share these resources with other schools, divisions and Transforming Manitoba Public Education: A View to the Future. educators. It is fitting that Director of Aboriginal Education Val Georges and the All of this past work has built the foundation for the transformation taking Winnipeg School Division’s Aboriginal Education team had a role in the place today in the Division. writing of the document. There are programs designed to connect students to first languages such In 2008, Statistics Canada identified Manitoba and Winnipeg as having as Ojibwe and Cree; students are learning more about the role of treaties in the largest concentration of Aboriginal people in Canada; much of that pop - the creation of Canada, as well as the legacy of the residential school system. ulation lies within the borders of the Winnipeg School Division. For decades, Schools are celebrating and studying the art, cultures and traditions of the Division has been developing programs, teaching materials and other Canada’s first people in many ways. Students supporting students n Elmwood High School Elmwood’s well-attended school pow student collective is helping wow last spring. AAboriginal students adapt to Students from all cultural back- life and education in Winnipeg. grounds are welcome. Elmwood’s Aboriginal Youth “I’m not Aboriginal, but that’s Leaders run on a student-supporting- okay because the group isn’t about students model; the group aims to your background,” said student provide new students with a sense of Danielle Duchene. “The group is belonging, cultural awareness, about having a sense of belonging.” identity, goal setting, networking and Danielle added that the group was an active student voice. a great way to learn more about The leadership group is based out Aboriginal culture. of Elmwood’s Student Success For example, student Robin Initiative classroom; the school is one Parisian—who has been a member of several provincial pilot sites for the for three years—has been showing initiative, which is designed to boost students how to make beaded graduation rates by supporting stu- earrings and bracelets. dents in a variety of ways. Networking is an important part of “For Aboriginal students who are the leadership group; students are Elmwood students discuss Elmwood’s Aboriginal Youth Leaders group with junior new to the city, they can be so over- provided with contacts to the wide high students at the school. whelmed just by being in a building array of support organizations and this size,” said Student Success services available at both the second- teacher Joanne Sabourin. “If you are ary and post-secondary level. “One of our focuses is to let The leadership students are in going to support them, you need to The leadership students have students know about the resources the midst of visiting junior support them from day one.” recently made connections with the that are out there,” Ms. Sabourin said. high classrooms and creating a Leadership students meet weekly community organization Restoring “Once these students find a helpful pamphlet to spread the word about for noon hour meals, talks with guest the Sacred; the students have been resource, they bring that information the group. speakers, crafts, group outings and to hired to serve as mentors to new home to their families, “Half of our group is graduating simply socialize; the young leaders students outside of Elmwood and the their cousins and even back home on this year, and we want to keep this have also organized events such as Division. the reserves.” sustainable,” Ms. Sabourin said. Shaughnessy students spread the word about treaties ive Shaughnessy Park School such, are of relevance to all students are helping to spread Manitobans. Each commercial Fthe word about treaty education features students in the classroom, after appearing in public awareness asking questions and offering commercials. comments on the treaties. Students Akaljot Grewal, Tyler “It was great for our students to Huff, Frank Peltier, Kira Post and help send that message to the entire Breaa Berens-Hawkins appear in province, that treaty education affects three separate commercials airing on everyone,” Ms. Costello said. “This CTV. The Treaty Education Initiative helps the students to understand what commercials were shot in conjunc - they’ll be learning and how it affects tion with the Treaty Relations their lives.” Commission of Manitoba. Student Akaljot Grewal said Ralph Brown School teacher students spent five hours on-set, and David Costello heard about a casting received professional make-up and call for the commercials and passed hairstyling prior to their performanc - the word to his sister at Shaughnessy es. Park—Special Education Resource “We felt pretty proud of our - Teacher Lisa Costello. selves—we got DVDs of the “David worked on a pilot project commercials so we could take them in treaty education that all of the home and show our families,” schools will soon be taking part in,” Akaljot said. “We’re going to be Ms. Costello said. “He thought it studying the treaties more this “We are all treaty people” would be great for Shaughnessy Park year…it’s important to learn about students to be involved.” them because they have a lot to do The five students who took part in with our regular lives now.” unfair things have become and that also included Manitoba Treaty the commercials are multi-culturally “We tell the students that a treaty is promises were broken. They know Commissioner Jamie Wilson. diverse, which is appropriate given just like an agreement or promise that that their houses and their school are “It really got the kids talking to see the fact that treaty education initia - you would make with a friend,” Ms. where they are because of treaties.” their friends on television,” Ms. tives are spreading awareness about Costello said. “We all should benefit The commercials were screened Costello said. the importance of the treaties in the from that promise. With the kids, it’s for a cheering Shaughnessy Park To view the public service creation of the province—and as amazing how quickly they find how student body during an assembly that announcements, visit www.trcm.ca . Page 12 Aboriginal Education - December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools A Project of Heart

he Winnipeg School Division said. “It’s important for us to recog - is hosting a major project nize this piece of history and incorpo - Tdesigned to honour the sur - rate it into what we do as teachers and vivors and victims of the residential learners. It has so many implications school system. for our students. The Truth and Reconciliation “By understanding the impact of Commission of Canada selected The residential schools and helping our Project of Heart as a national com - students understand, we are support - memoration project in conjunction ing much more positive relations with the National Day of Healing between Aboriginal people and and Reconciliation. Schools, youth schools. The residential schools were groups, church and community groups an attempt to use education to are creating colourful tiles for public completely change a group of exhibits in every province and territo - people…some people called it cultur - ry. Students will also create tiles for al genocide. The language and school-based commemorations. culture were removed, and education “The Division will be working was the vehicle for that. So it’s with community partners to put important for educators to be together an artistic commemoration,” involved in this healing process said Director of Aboriginal Education we’re undertaking now.” Val Georges. “We’ll be working with Tyndall Park Community School Aboriginal artists and put all of the teacher Joanna Braun was one of students’ work together in a display many Division educators who were where the general public can see it.” inspired to take part in the project The project also has students after attending a Dec. 4 workshop at researching and learning about the Prince Charles Educational Resource residential school system and its Centre; the keynote speaker was impact on Aboriginal families, Project of Heart National communities and culture; this can Coordinator Charlene Bearhead. After learning more about the residential school system and its impact on Aboriginal include a visit from a residential “Charlene was so passionate about people in Canada, students will create colourful tiles in honour of the victims and school survivor. helping people understand what hap - survivors. “Many of our students, in some pened to a lot of Aboriginal fami - way, shape or form have been lies…she really wants to get that schools, Ms. Braun will be part of a understandable to students from four- exposed to some of the intergenera - knowledge out there,” Ms. Braun teaching team that will examine the years-old to 12-years-old,” she said. tional effects of the residential school said. “That way, we can learn about residential school system in depth— Organizers are currently reviewing system, while others have family and what happened in the past and move and then present the information in a potential locations for the public relatives who have been affected by forward to become more peaceful.” manner that is accessible to students. exhibit, which will likely be unveiled residential schools,” Ms. George Like many counterparts at other “We’re trying to make the words in the spring or early summer. Support teacher named Aboriginal Educator of the Month “Aboriginal Education isn’t just for Aboriginal students. It’s very univer - sal,” Mrs. Millar said. “It’s all about identity. ‘Who am I? What is my pur - pose? Where is my voice, and how do I sound it out in a positive way?’” Much of Mrs. Millar’s upbringing was about answering those questions— and many more. The educator’s father was a proud Métis from Fannystelle, MB, while her mother was a member of Fisher River First Nation. Growing up, Mrs. Millar would ask relatives, Elders and others about her history and culture. The answers weren’t always easy to find; the residential school system had created huge divisions between people and their culture. “Every time someone finally did share a story, I could feel something grow in my heart and in my spirit. It felt good…and growing up in the city, when you went to school, there wasn’t always a lot of feel good moments,” she said. In many ways, Mrs. Millar’s career has been about helping students make similar connections to their culture and identity. She first joined the Division in 1987 as a volunteer cultural advisor to the young women at Aberdeen School. She would later become an educational assistant and obtain her Bachelor of Education degree and a Post Baccalaureate in Counselling, while working at R.B. Russell Vocational High School. “This generation now has the most freedom of any indigenous people since the time of contact…people like me have a responsibility to make sure stu - dents are being connected to our ancestral ways of teaching and learning.” Eight years ago, she joined the Division’s new Aboriginal Education Department. Today, as a support teacher in the Inner City District, Mrs. Millar works closely with teachers seeking to integrate Aboriginal education into the Janice Millar—at her base of operations in Machray School—was the Aboriginal curriculum. Education Directorate’s Educator of the Month for December. The educator is quick “It’s all about the students, they’re at the centre of all the work I do,” Mrs. to credit the many Aboriginal consultants and curriculum writers who have worked Millar said. “Children can quite easily find ways to pick each other apart and with the Divsion over the years for starting the path for the current Aboriginal separate themselves from each other. But when they realize they all have education team. common ground, they all have a story and they all have a right to share that anice Millar—the Division’s Inner City Aboriginal Education Support story…that creates a different environment and brings children together.” JTeacher—recently received the Educator of the Month honour from the Mrs. Millar’s life story is profiled in depth at the Manitoba Education web - province’s Aboriginal Education Directorate. site:www.edu.gov.mb.ca/aed/publications/educators/educator_dec2012.html . Our Schools Aboriginal Education - December 2012/January 2013 Page 13 Talking about treaties eachers from across the materials, supports and the knowl - Division gathered at Prince edge that will allow them to make TCharles Education Resource treaty education a part of their social Centre for the first-ever Treaty studies programs at their schools,” Education Project training session. Ms. Georges said. “We’re here today to ensure that The Treaty Education Project future generations know and under - coincides with a Treaty Relations stand the Canadian treaties,” Director Commission of Manitoba public of Aboriginal Education Val Georges awareness campaign—comprised of said to educators at the Dec. 20 television spots, advertisements and session. other media—to convey the message Inner City District Aboriginal Education Support Teacher Janice Millar (centre) talks While first nations’ treaties are that “We are All Treaty People.” with teachers during a round-table discussion at the first Treaty Education Project covered in the provincial Grade 5-6 Traditionally, first nations’ treaties training session. social studies curriculum, the Treaty have rarely been discussed in depth at Education Project has been estab - the school level. prior to colonial contact. Part of the process. lished to provide a deeper under - “I grew up in a Métis community focus during the first training session First nations’ treaties were not standing for educators and ultimately that was surrounded by first nation was on these early governance only a major chapter in Canada’s for - students. At least one Grade 5 or 6 reserves, yet I had no idea what a models, such as the Anishinabe clan mation; the treaties continue to shape teacher from each school will take treaty was,” Ms. Georges said. “The system. the country today. part in three training days this school first time I can recall ever hearing “Prior to Europeans arriving on the “There is a time of change coming, year; in turn, they will serve as train - about treaties when I went to school shores of North America, there were and our students really need to under - ers in their schools. was in the context of the First World governance models that existed,” Ms. stand that without treaties, we don’t The Division’s Aboriginal War and the signing of the Treaty of Georges said. “People just didn’t run have Canada,” said Inner City Education committee has created a Versailles, between Germany and the around doing whatever they wanted. Aboriginal Education Support teaching kit and support document to Allied Forces. Very few of us, They existed in harmony with their Teacher Janice Millar. “Historically, provide teachers with resources that whether we’re Aboriginal or not, environment and one another.” that was not taught in schools, but are student-friendly and inquiry know much about treaties.” Further sessions will examine now the time has changed. Now, we focused. Plans are in the works to As a result, there are many mis - topics such as the different percep - need to acknowledge that. It’s a create an additional teaching kit for conceptions about the treaty process; tions of concepts like gift-giving, the journey…there’s still lots to do, but I Grades 1-4 next year. one is that there were no preexisting pipe, the pen and sharing the land— think this is a time of celebration and “We’re providing teachers with forms of first nations’ governance and how these influenced the treaty healing.” Young readers explore residential schools story Margaret’s experiences as an eight- distance that was created between the year-old Inuvaluit girl; she leaves her parents and children,” Christy told home and attends a Catholic residen - students. “When Margaret went tial school in Aklavik. She is forced home, she was ten and no longer to speak English instead of her tradi - spoke her traditional language, tional language and is not allowed to and her mother barely spoke wear any clothing that had cultural English…imagine going home today elements; she receives the nickname and not being able to speak to your “Fatty Legs” after having to wear a Mom at all.” pair of red stockings. She added that because of this dis - When Margaret’s daughter-in-law connection from their families, the Christy heard about the red stockings students grew up with no role models and other stories about the residential for parenthood: “When they grew up schools, she knew she wanted to get and had children, they had to figure it down on paper. out how to be a parent without know - “I thought ‘this is a story I have to ing about bedtime stories or other write,’” Christy said. “So I begged things like that.” and begged Margaret to let me do it.” Niji Mahkwa student Darnell The book balances childhood sto - Mason and Sister MacNamara ries most children can relate to—such student Dawn Jack both said it was as bullying—with the hardships of important to learn about the residen - living in an environment where cul - tial school system. tural identity is stripped away. “My Grandma went to a residen - “The thing that is hard for us to tial school, but she didn’t talk about understand is that we usually think of what happened,” Dawn said. schools as a place of learning,” “We’ve also learned about the res - Christy said. “But residential school idential schools in social studies,” was much more about making sure Darnell added. “My great-grandma children didn’t learn. What they did - went to one too…I’m glad schools n’t want the children to learn was are better now.” Margaret Pokiak-Fenton reads a passage from Fatty Legs to Sister MacNamara and Niji Mahkwa students. how to live off the land.” Christy and Margaret have written The schools not only removed stu - a sequel to Fatty Legs, describing dents’ connection to the land and Margaret’s return to her family: A tudents from Sister ences during a recent visit by authors their cultural identity, but strained Stranger At Home. A third book, MacNamara and Niji Mahkwa Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret bonds with their parents as well. When I Was Eight, is aimed at SSchools heard the story of one Pokiak-Fenton. “I think one of the worst things younger readers and will be woman’s residential school experi - Fatty Legs: A True Story recounts that happened at the schools was the published in 2013. Page 14 Aboriginal Education - December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Learning first languages tudents and staff at Lord Roberts “This program brings everyone SSchool started off the new year by together as a community, there’s that offering students a chance to learn mutual respect. Kids are proud of two of Canada’s oldest languages. who they are, and who their friends The school’s Aboriginal are. This benefits everybody.” Languages Program, which is open to While Aboriginal languages have students in Grades 4-6, provides stu - dwindled due to detrimental govern - dents with specialized instruction ment policies—such as the imple - once a week. The school’s current mentation of residential schools in South District Aboriginal Education years past—there has been resur - Support teacher Linda Marynuk will gence in recent years. teach Ojibwe, while language support “The books and resources are teacher Rudy Okemaw will teach always growing,” Ms. Marynuk said. Cree. Students and their families can “We’ve been collecting materials to decide which language to focus on. put this program together. We’ll start So far interest has been high; 39 with the basics and move on from families, some with Aboriginal back - there.” grounds and some without, have Student Maya Anderson, who has expressed a desire to have their chil - Ojibwe roots, said she was looking dren take part. forward to studying the language. “To me, language is a cornerstone “I want to learn more about my of identity,” said Ms. Marynuk, who background,” she said. “It’s some - grew up using Ojibwe as her first lan - thing to be proud of.” Teacher Marla Tran (left), students and South District Aboriginal Education Support guage. “When kids learn the lan - Other teachers, including Grade teacher Linda Marynuk are looking forward to the launch of the Aboriginal guage, they learn more about their 4/5 teacher Marla Tran, will also be Languages Program at Lord Roberts. culture. And for the other students, learning alongside their students. an important way to infuse the school setting and gives there is that enrichment that comes “We’re really excited about the Aboriginal perspectives into the students an opportunity they may with learning a language. program,” Ms. Tran said. “This is curriculum; it brings culture into not have had elsewhere.” Blood Memory For Blood Memory, the student The film was screened at the most cast and crew mentored with a num - recent Winnipeg Aboriginal Film ber of professional Aboriginal artists Festival, where it earned Best Student Photo unavailable for website. to help the film take shape. Graphic Film and Best Short. novelist Dave Robertson held cre - “We were proud at how well the ative writing workshops with stu - film did at the festival—everyone dents to help generate the script, really seemed to like it,” Vanessa while Oscar winning singer/song - said. “I’ve always wanted to be an writer Buffy Sainte-Marie consulted actor, and now that I’ve done this, I’d with students during the scoring love to get the chance to do it again.” process. The filmmakers plan to continue “Throughout the process, the stu - submitting Blood Memory to other dents were learning from profession - festivals and television stations to als,” Mr. Barrett said. bring the film to new audiences.

DiviSion co -hoStS Activities included a gallery walk for sharing BSSAP programs and BSSAP G AtherinG projects, as well as rotating profes - Still courtesy of Argyle Sox Productions. sional development sessions that he Winnipeg School Division focused on Cree and Ojibwe lan - recently partnered with the guages, Métis dancing, Michif lan - rgyle Alternative High that as a reference for her character,” T Aboriginal Education Directorate to guage resources, medicine pouches, School’s video production said Vanessa, who now takes part in host the 2012 Building Student spirit stones and many other topics. program continues to create sweats and other Aboriginal culture A Success with Aboriginal Parents Diana Elliott, a provincial advisor professional-caliber, culturally-con - events regularly. (BSSAP) Gathering. for the Aboriginal Infant scious work with the release of its lat - “It was like Vanessa was also on a The Manitoba government Development Programs of B.C., was est film, Blood Memory. journey herself,” said teacher John launched the BSSAP program in the keynote speaker for the event, Set and filmed in Winnipeg, the Barrett, who guided students during 2004 to help increase the involve - while Division students were also movie follows a teen in the child wel - the project alongside educational ment of Aboriginal parents in educa - on hand to share their success sto - fare system as she reconnects with assistant Dave Berg. tion. The program funds school-ini - ries and provide entertainment. her Aboriginal roots; the term “blood Student director Kane Kirton tiated partnerships and programs Director of Aboriginal Education memory” refers to a memory that co-wrote the screenplay with fellow that strengthen ties to parents and Val Georges said the Division’s exists at birth, even in the absence of student screenwriters Sam Bear and the community, with the ultimate Aboriginal Education team was sensory experience. Maria Cook. Preproduction on the goal of contributing to the educa - honoured to co-host the event, and “It’s about a girl, Anna, who is film began last spring, with shooting tional successes of Aboriginal stu - appreciated the opportunity to share adopted at a young age and later on taking place in May and June. Post- dents. resources and experiences with edu - she goes on a spiritual journey to find production continued into early This year’s gathering, which was cators from across the province and herself and her family,” said student November. held on Oct. 29, offered educators Canada. and lead actress Vanessa Morrisseau. The school’s video production pro - and administrators an opportunity to “We’re a large Division and we “She goes to a sweat during a school gram has made many award-winning share the experiences of their have developed many resources for field trip and starts to explore differ - and notable films in the past, includ - school-based parent and community Aboriginal education. We are ent cultures.” ing an Aboriginal-casted and re- engagement programs. Over 138 always more than willing to share Vanessa said she was easily able to imagined version of John Steinbeck’s educators, speakers, Elders and what we’re doing with Aboriginal relate to her character. Of Mice and Men. The school even other delegates took part in the education, whether that’s with other “Before, I wasn’t really into obtained official permission from the event. schools or other Divisions.” Aboriginal culture, but I guess I used Steinbeck estate to make the film. Our Schools Aboriginal Education - December 2012/January 2013 Page 15 Standing together to address bullying ormer NHL player and abuse Fsurvivor Sheldon Kennedy (front right, kneeling) and Education Minister Nancy Allan visited Andrew Mynarski V.C. Junior High School in November for a friendly floor hockey game and a discussion about bullying. The appearance was part of the Respect in School program, which offers an online resource to train teachers in recognizing and address - ing issues such as bullying and harassment. Students were encouraged to speak up against bullying, including speak - ing to teachers and staff at school that are trained to deal with such situa - tions when they arise. Ginger- Colourful corridor bread math Grade 3/4 class at AInkster School undertook a home-build - ing project of a different sort during a recent gin - gerbread house math unit. Teacher Annie Kosanouvong’s students analyzed different ginger - bread stories, drew blue - prints for their own house models and enjoyed plenty Photo and files courtesy of Inkster of fun in math along the way. The house project covered math concepts such as perimeter, area, 2D/3D shapes, and real life usage of money using pattern blocks. Photo and files courtesy of Elmwood As a culminating activity, the class held a Goody Gumdrops Candy Store Approximately 75 Elmwood High School students planned and painted a event where the students came to purchase, with patterned block money, the giant mural in the school’s front linkway. candies to design their gingerbread houses. Students were responsible for Artist Annie Bergen spent two weeks working with the Grade 7-12 students adding up their totals, informing the adult clerks how much they owed and to create the piece, which intertwines themes of school, community spirit and decide which pattern block would be best used to get less change. students’ personal lives. The event would not have been such a success without all of Inkster’s The project was made possible thanks to generous funding from the parent volunteers, educational assistants and teachers. Manitoba Arts Council, the Division’s Children’s Heritage Fund and a Gifted and Talented grant. The mural, which is very visible from the street and sidewalk in front of the school, has added another unique touch of character to Elmwood. Photo unavailable for website. Gingerbread palaces

Thumbs up! Photo by Jeff Miller Photo by Jeff Miller orquay School student Keith Dorion had a favourable review for his Students from Machray School stopped by R.B. Russell Vocational High School Nschool’s recent Breakfast with Santa event; students enjoyed a mouth - over the holiday season to create some positively palatial gingerbread houses. watering pancake breakfast and a visit from the big man himself on Dec. 21. Staff and volunteers hold the annual meal to share the Christmas Spirit with the Norquay community. Page 16 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Adobe accolade for Sisler tech program

Teacher Cathy Cullen runs laps with Harrow students during a typical recess at the school. Fitness role-model hen its recess time at Harrow six days a week in peak training peri - WSchool, it’s not uncommon to ods. “There’s no better feeling than see dozens of students speeding setting personal goals, working really around the field like miniature hard and then making them happen.” tornadoes. As well, there’s the added bonus of Students are busy logging laps as cardio-vascular fitness, increased ener - part of a school-wide Kilometre gy and all the other healthy benefits Sisler Digital Voices students. The program is exploring the positive ways in which Club—and are inspired in no small that physical activity can bring. Ms. mobile technology can be used to educate and share ideas with students elsewhere in part by their phys. ed. teacher Cathy Cullen strives to pass on the rewards of Canada and the United States. Cullen. fitness to her many students. isler High School’s Digital “This program is no longer about As a marathon runner, Ms. Cullen “One of the reasons I keep running Voices program—a web design one educator or school. Students are has amassed an impressive list of and active is to be a role model for Sand rich media program that is teaching students, students are teach - times in recent years. In 2012, she the students,” Ms. Cullen said. building far-spanning technology ing the teachers, and teachers are earned a first place finish in the “When it comes to goal-setting, I partnerships with other North working together collaboratively,” Mr. Winnipeg Police Service’s Half want to show them that hard-work Marathon (1:22:13), third place in the equals success.” American schools—was recently Leduc said. “If any of these other Manitoba Full Marathon (1:54:37) Through the Kilometre Club, honoured as one of the three interna - schools want to take this class, they and 25th place (second Canadian) in students earn shoe tokens for every tional finalists for the Adobe can. They can pick and choose what the Chicago Full Marathon (1:52:07). 10 kilometres, while for every 20 Educators’ Choice Award. units they need for their classes. We’re She was also the women’s winner of kilometres, students earn a free gym The program has been recognized doing a lot of video collaboration and the full Manitoba Marathon in 2007. period at lunch time. in the past year with either awards or conferencing and we’re looking to “It’s always been a passion of “Kids are kids. It’s just natural for finalist nominations from industry push that to the next level.” mine,” said Ms. Cullen, who trains them to be moving.” and government bodies such as One project had students from Cisco, Microsoft and the Manitoba Philadelphia and Winnipeg working Premier’s Innovation and Technology with a spoken word/hip hop artist Award. Nereo Jr. Eugenio—and then filming “This is a huge honour. It’s great to their own spoken word performances have them recognize what we’re with mobile devices and sharing doing here,” said teacher Jamie them via video linkup. Leduc, who has been part of the Student Brittany Bryson said that Adobe Education Exchange for over technology is providing students with three years. “A lot of the students a tremendous opportunity to learn coming through the program are in from each other. the industry right now. We want them “I’m learning a lot. You get to to have that experience with industry experience different cultures and dif - standards, whether that be with ferent stories from these students software or anything else.” from all over the place. When you As a result of being a finalist, the share your own work, you’re able to program won a technology package get so many different points of view that includes Adobe software and a and see how people interpret it.” one-year subscription to Adobe School of the Future teacher Frank Creative Cloud, which will allow Machos was in Winnipeg for a students access to master software at Digital Voices year-end conference in home and school. June. The school has established its The program uses technology such own Digital Voices program to help The dessert course behind-the-scenes. as real-time video conferencing to continue a dialogue that has so many connect with other schools in educational, cultural and artistic Winnipeg (including St. John’s, possibilities. A feast of food and culture Churchill and Children of the Earth “I really think that this is a model tudents, families and other members of the Sisler High School high schools), Manitoba, Ontario and that can change the dialogue across Scommunity enjoyed a tasty, sustainable meal and a diverse slate of Philadelphia’s School of the Future the global community in terms of cultural entertainment at the school’s annual Fall Feast. for both technology education and how multimedia and technology Teacher Lauren Sawchuk assembled a crack team of student chefs and creative projects. Students and teach - should be used to enhance educa - servers to deliver a menu comprised of locally-grown and produced foods ers collaborate on video tutorials to tion...not to complement it, not as a for the Oct. 18 meal. A portion of the proceeds were donated to Winnipeg create a sizeable online resource for fun class, but really to showcase what Harvest. their partners. the students have learned,” he said. Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 17 Bridging the Gap Program Manager, Deanna Kazina explains harvesting techniques One of the gourds harvested in the Burrows community garden. to students. Bridging the gap with nature ituated in the 400 block of “People are very disconnected also provides field trips to the Living 4 and harvest in Grade 5—they bring SBurrows Avenue, the William with nature these days…spaces like Prairie Museum and Assiniboine the new Grade 4s with them to show Whyte Residents Association’s urban this give students a chance to make Forest, as well as bringing Elders to them what to expect. They learn to garden offers a natural oasis amidst that connection,” said Bridging the the classroom to discuss nature and respect the plants, the insects and the the concrete sights and sounds of the Gap Program Manager Deanna cultural connections. whole community garden. They see city. Kazina. “Our role is to help nurture In 2010, the William Whyte how much work is involved, and Grades 4 students at Strathcona that connection. In the bigger picture, Residents Association joined with there are so many insights and School have been planting and har - there’s something here for the Strathcona Grade 4 teacher Elaine science tied into it.” vesting their own vegetables at the students to be proud of—they’re Mayham and Bridging the Gap to Strathcona pupils were excited to site, while learning about science, learning skills that will last a lifetime. refurbish the Burrows garden. see the fruits of their labour during sustainable development and It’s empowering.” Students helped the garden take the fall harvest. Aboriginal culture through Bridging The program, which supplies all shape by moving soil and creating “The sunflowers grew the best this the Gap—an environmental educa - materials for the educational garden - raised beds for plants. year,” said student Marlon Sison. tion and stewardship program ing experiences, also works with “This is our third year of planting “We learned a lot of things here—like managed by Nature Manitoba and the students at William Whyte and harvesting here with Bridging the you should plant Marigolds with City of Winnipeg’s Naturalist Community, Pinkham and other Gap,” Ms. Mayham said. “The potatoes. The bugs that eat potatoes Services Branch. Division schools. Bridging the Gap students plant when they’re in Grade hate Marigolds.”

Photo unavailable for Puppets teach website. kindness, compassion

she didn’t have a ticket to see her beloved pop idol, they called the Bieber radio station every day with hopes of getting her to the show. Chelsea is known among her tudents at Fort Rouge School met four new friends in October: Sophie, bound! classmates as a hardworking, positive SJack, Natalie and Matthew, aka the Camp Quality puppets. student who always has a smile and a The puppets depict normal kids, but some are settling back into life after cole Stanley Knowles School kind word for others. a few health setbacks. Sophie is a cancer-survivor who lost her hair during Éstudent Chelsea Tolentino was The efforts of the Stanley chemotheraphy, while Matthew is an amputee due to cancer. thrilled to be handed the hottest Knowles students obviously Camp Quality is a non-profit/volunteer organization that supports ticket in town in October. impressed the crew at Virgin Radio. children with cancer and their families; the puppet program incorporates Virgin Radio deejays Chrissy Troy When the deejays arrived in the concepts such as the Seven Teachings to help children adapt when they or and LTI dropped in to her Grade 8 classroom on Oct. 18, students someone else may be seriously ill. classroom to hand the shocked Grade cheered as they finally realized their “Sometimes we may go out to schools if there may be a child attending 8 student a pair of tickets to see Justin campaign was a success—Chelsea with cancer, or to educate children who don’t know what to do because they Bieber live in concert. was Bieber bound! may have relatives that are sick,” said local program director Deb Scott. The show, which was held at the “You guys are so amazing, the fact “What we’re doing fits in the social studies curriculum and the citizenship MTS Centre, was long sold-out. that you would be so supportive of component—we’re talking about values like friendship, caring, loving, When Chelsea’s classmates and one of your friends,” Chrissy Troy respect and compassion.” teacher Alyssa Greenberg found out told the students. Page 18 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Youth and wellness the underlying message of the day goals for improvement. Just a year “If you know someone younger was about the value of making the prior to their medal performance at than yourself, the question isn’t right choices. the Olympics, the Canadian Women’s whether you are a role model or not. “We want to give the kids some Soccer Team came in dead last—16th It’s what kind of role do you want to inspiring presenters to help them make out of 16 teams—in the World Cup be?” good choices every day,” said WPS Tournament. “The choices, the decisions you School Resource Officer Lisa Bryce, “For me to be able to say that I was make every day, someone is looking who also served as a co-organizer for a part of that journey was a dream up to you and seeing how you are the event. “These speakers are going come true for me,” Ms. Scott said. doing.” to talk about their own life experi - “Success is no accident—it’s a lot of A large contingent of Winnipeg ences, the choices they’ve made and hard work, perseverance, learning Police Service constables and cadets how it’s helped them get to where and most of all, the love of what you attended the conference, to chat they’re at right now.” do.” informally with students as well as to Keynote speakers included Earlier, Mr. Chief told students take part in the presentations. These London 2012 Olympian and soccer that as a youth, he used sports and officers—in particular the police in bronze medalist Desiree Scott and extracurricular activities as a way to the School Resource Officer MLA Kevin Chief. steer clear of bad influences. That program—also serve as role models Ms. Scott told students that while pathway would lead to going to the for students. Manitoba Olympian and London 2012 she was a young athlete growing up University of Winnipeg on a basket - Const. Bryce said of the SRO bronze medalist soccer player Desiree in Winnipeg, many naysayers told her ball scholarship and years later, it program: “The students are seeing a Scott told students that setting reachable she was too small to go far in soccer; would point him to becoming the police officer on a daily basis that goals and having a positive mental she refused to listen to those negative MLA for Point Douglas. they can go talk to about anything. attitude were keys to making healthy voices. “The number one reason why We are here in the schools to be choices in life. “Luckily for me, I had a drive someone joins a gang is to simply approachable, whether that’s answer - inside of me that fuelled my desire, I feel like they belong to something,” ing their questions or giving advice.” rade 7 and 8 students from wanted to prove absolutely everyone said Mr. Chief, who attended school Division Board Chair Rita Hildahl, across the Division gathered wrong,” she said. “I had a passion in the Division. “I always tell young who was in attendance, thanked the Gat R.B. Russell Vocational inside of me to want to be the best people that you have to get involved WPS for co-sponsoring the event. High School for the Youth Wellness that I could be, every single day and in things outside of your classroom, “I would like to give a special Conference, a special event co-spon - put Manitoba on the map in the involved in your school communities, thank you to the Winnipeg Police sored with the Winnipeg Police soccer world.” so that you belong to something Service, for taking a special interest Service. Ms. Scott trained hard and slowly positive.” in the education and development of Student delegates attended worked her way through the local He added that everyone in the our students…and for working so seminars on cyber bullying, drug soccer ranks, setting small, achiev - room was already a role model to hard to keep our families and awareness, nutrition and health, but able goals. She hasn’t stopped setting others. communities safe.” Every day is WE Day “We even made commercials, that we show on special TVs in the hallway, so we can show students about Free the Children, how they can donate and where they can join to become involved,” Justin said. The Sisler WE Day group was not only front and centre in the audience at this year’s WE Day event, but the school’s choir was also part of the day’s on-stage entertainment. Students said they were honored to be attending. “I wanted to go and hear what Mikhail Gorbachev had to say, he’s the last head of the Soviet Union and he’s important because of what he did with Perestroika (the economic and social reform in the country) and Glasnost (a policy that enhanced freedoms such as speech and political thought),” said student Olga Syvoraksha, who came to Canada from the Ukraine eight years ago.

Photo unavailable for website.

Sisler WE Day members with teacher Orysya Petryshyn.

n what has become an annual event, WE Day offers humanitarian-minded students a chance to hear from like-minded speakers and artists from Iaround the world. This year’s event, which took place Oct. 30 at MTS Centre, featured Mikhail Gorbachev as a keynote speaker, as well as Honorable Justice and Truth and Reconciliation Chair Murray Sinclair and many more. The message of the event is to practise humanitarianism every day, both locally and globally. Sisler High School is one such school where that mes - sage has been taken to heart. The school’s WE Day group and other humani - tarian groups are active throughout the year, holding fundraising efforts to help aid victims from the Haiti earthquake, flooding in Pakistan and many Photo by Jeff Miller more projects. Recently, the school’s WE Day group has been selling everything from rafi - Fast friends ki necklaces to pizza and lumpia, holding penny drives and other fundraisers to support Free the Children’s global clean water campaign—which provides cole secondaire Kelvin High School student Bronwyn Butterfield and this basic necessity of life to international communities in need. ÉMachray School student Teagan Shorting share a laugh during a Dec. “Everyone who is supporting our fundraisers knows that the money is 14 Christmas party. The older Kelvin students hosted the elementary school going to help people who don’t have a lot,” said student Janessa Graves. children for games, face-painting, crafts and a visit from Santa himself. Students like Justin Midwinter and Keziah Laurea are part of the group’s Kelvin has traditionally hosted different Division elementary schools each own communications team, providing public address announcements, posters year for the party, with students and staff putting in hours of volunteer time and other media promotion for fundraising efforts. to make the event a reality. Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 19 Big hearts, smiles what Copshop is all about

Ready to go on gift patrol: A Fort Rouge School student and Cst. Trevor Zwarich.

Photo unavailable for website.

Division SROs (School Resource Officers) Cst. Doug Jones (left) and Cst. Shannon Fedoruk enjoy a healthy snack with students.

ixty students from several differ - police members also enjoyed a pizza Sent school divisions partnered lunch together. All costs for the event with members of the Winnipeg Police were covered by St. Vital Centre; Service (WPS) for the sixth annual students were selected by their Copshop event at St. Vital Centre. schools on the basis of academics, The Nov. 28 event saw students volunteerism, athletics and need. receive $200 gift cards for a special Judging by the faces of both the Christmas shopping trip with their students and the officers, a good time Patrol Sgt. Edith Turner (back, left) and Cst. Rose Ledoux shop with Niji Mahkwa WPS counterparts. The students and was had by all! School students.

Photo unavailable for website.

Voices of remembrance isler High School students Keisha Mendoza (left), Peter Krawchuk and SJayde Erasmo remember the victims of the École Polytechnique Massacre during a Dec. 6 ceremony. The school—which holds a memorial ceremony for the 14 murdered Off and running women annually—also hosted the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ annual general meeting on the same day. Fittingly, the memorial service was till energized from attending WE Day at MTS Centre earlier in the day, conducted as part of the meeting. this group of École Stanley Knowles School students and staff were Keisha also performed at the event as a member of the Sisler’s Most Salready at the finish line for their successful Shoes for Africa Campaign. Wanted dance troupe, while Peter and Jayde are captains of the Sisler Spartans The school’s WE Day team collected over 600 pairs of new and gently-used football team. Members of the team are traditionally involved with the runners and shoes in September and October; the shoes were destined for service every year. students in Zambia to help them get their education (schools require students “A lot of times football players are put in roles of being ‘macho’ or mean have shoes to attend). Teacher Karen Wilson has led previous drives at the guys, but we want to show that we’re respectful young men and we care about school for shoes, but this year, the leadership mantle was passed on to the these issues,” Jayde said. “When you wear that white ribbon, it’s about students. addressing violence towards women.” “We were looking for students that showed initiative and interest in Peter added that previous Spartan players who took part in the ceremony helping and making a difference,” said guidance counsellor Jessica Blaikie. served as role models for younger students: “I remember when I was in Grade Grade 8 student Taylor Kowal said the WE Day group made posters, 9 and first came to this school, I’d see the guys who were in Grade 11 and 12 morning announcements and speeches in classrooms to promote the drive. on the football team and look up to them…so by having the opportunity to do “There are kids in Africa who don’t have the privilege to go to school like something like this ceremony, I’d like to think that we can influence some of we do,” he said. “It just makes you feel good to help someone.” the younger guys in the same way.” Page 20 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Breaking the surface of water issues

hurchill High School students Libya originally, which was just were inspired during a recent recovering from a civil war, and Cvisit by representatives from water there is very, very sacred.” the humanitarian organization Free Heba is a member of Peace the Children. Learners, Churchill’s humanitarian Founded by a 12-year-old Craig student group. In the past, the group Kielburger in 1995, the organization has worked with Free the Children to encourages youth to become active raise funds to build a well in Sri humanitarians to address issues Lanka, and has since adopted a vil - affecting other children in the lage in Sierra Leone. The group also world—such as hunger, access works locally to support food banks. to clean water and the right to Educational assistant Barb Ediger, education. teachers Tanis Westdal and Dave Law Free the Children reps Robert help coordinate the student group, Palmer and Kim McLeod visited the which arose out of a human rights school on Oct. 17 as part of the H20 unit in Ms. Westdal’s class several 4U Tour, which focused on clean years ago. water and sanitation issues. Over 2.6 “A group of students in Tanis’s billion people in the world lack class learned about human rights, access to either of these basic neces - were passionate about it and wanted sities; however, students can help the to do something,” Ms. Ediger said. situation by raising money through “The students’ researched and found programs such as Adopt a Village. out about Free the Children and real - “There are people all over the ized that there’s no point in reinvent - world that lack access to safe, clean ing the wheel—they already had an drinking water,” Mr. Palmer said. “Of organization that was doing the same the safe water that’s left, the people things they wanted to do. And they who do have access to it are over- just ran with it.” using and polluting it.” “The neat thing about this is that it Grade 9 student Heba El Gubtan has always been student led,” Ms. said that with Canada having the third Westdal said. “I think that’s why it’s largest supply of water in the world, grown from eight to about 55 Free the Children speakers Kim McLeod and Robert Palmer visited Churchill as part Canadians need to take a leadership students. Year to year, there is always of the organization’s H2O 4U Tour. role. that momentum, with the older “We have to stop taking water for students mentoring the younger ones. ership workshop with the Free the that were led by Churchill students. granted and think twice when we use It’s sustainable.” Children reps. Students at École “We’re really trying to form rela - it, instead of filling up a sink to brush Following the assembly, 25 Laura Secord School also visited to tionships with other schools that have your teeth,” she said. “I’m from Churchill students took part in a lead - take part in human rights workshops the same goals,” Ms. Westdal said. NBA brings hoop mania to Sargent Park

Sisler’s Community Action Committee presents $500 for AIDS support projects to Grands ‘N’ More.

Photo and files courtesy of Sargent Park School Coach Brown works on a drill with some Sargent Park basketball players. argent Park School was recently dent athletes a mini-basketball clinic. Sentertained by the Minnesota The school would like to thank Timberwolves’ NBA Cares program. Basketball Manitoba staff, especially Supporting families The high energy program came to Adam Wedlake, for selecting Sargent the school on Oct. 23; both the Park to be honoured by this show. Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons As part of the program, Sargent affected by AIDS were in Winnipeg to play a preseason Park also received two shot clocks game at the MTS Centre the follow - and a portable score board. isler High School’s always-busy Community Action Committee recently ing night. Coach Brown commented that he Smade a $500 donation in support of AIDS-related projects in Africa. For one hour, the junior high stu - was very impressed by the skill level Students made the donation to the local organization Grands ‘N’ More, an dents were entertained by the of the student athletes and that it was affiliate of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Timberwolves Tumbling Team and easy to coach them. He added that it Campaign, in October. The organization raises funds to support AIDS projects the Timberwolves Dance Team, who was hard to see the walls because of and raises awareness about the plight of Africans facing the disease. wowed the crowd by their high flying all the championship banners from Student Stephanie Zabar said the money was raised at Sisler’s Spring Fling antics. previous years. Dance; at the event, representatives from the NorWest Clinic also gave stu - Steve Brown, a coach in the Sargent Park athletes thanked dents information about STIs—in particular, HIV and AIDS. Minnesota Timberwolves system and a NBA Cares for the gifts and said they “We all felt pretty awesome to be supporting such a good cause,” Stephanie regional director for the National looked forward to continuing to said, adding that the student committee assists many different organizations. Basketball Academy, also gave 30 stu - pursue athletic excellence. “Our group’s main focus is to help people who are struggling in this world.” Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 21 Farm fresh fundraising Grade 3 student at Clifton ASchool spent a summer on the soil to raise vegetables for a healthy school fundraiser. Photo unavailable for website. After coming up with the idea of having a farmers’ market fundraiser last spring, Caleb Bremner planted a special crop on his grandparent’s land in rural Manitoba and got to work. “I thought we could just sell every - thing at a farmers’ market at the school—it’d be a nice change,” Caleb said. “We usually grow radishes, lots of carrots and every couple of years we even grow watermelon. We were also going to grow lettuce, but we had a canola field next door and those flea beetles, they crawl over every - thing and eat it.” Caleb’s family also grew corn, potatoes, pumpkins, onions and more; between seeding, replanting, watering, maintaining and harvest - ing, the student had a busy summer and fall. “The best part about it is all the nature and being outdoors,” Caleb said. Along with this commendable where else—and it always tastes always good to give to others.” and a great leader—this turned out to effort, Caleb and his family also better farm fresh,” Caleb said. The farmers’ market proved to be a be a wonderful fundraiser for us,” donated all of their vegetables to the Caleb’s mother Jennie Bremner- fundraising success. To help create an said Caleb’s teacher Dana Curtis- school. McLeod said her family was eager to authentic farmer’s market atmos - Smith. “We just wanted to help the school help her son reach his goal: “It kept phere, the school also sold honey and All of the money raised at the mar - with the fundraiser, so they didn’t him out in the fresh air and exercis - student handicrafts. ket will go back into special projects have to buy all the vegetables some - ing, and it taught a lesson that it’s “Caleb’s a very thoughtful student and events for students at Clifton.

River Heights remembers with Schreyer

he Right Honourable Edward Schreyer (right), both a for - Tmer Governor General of Canada and a former Premier of Manitoba, joined the students and staff of École River Heights School for their advance Remembrance Day services on Nov. 7.

Realizing the Green Dream

ordon Bell High School students hold up a section of artificial turf at their Gschool’s new green space. Gordon Bell’s “Green Dream” truly took shape in the fall as work crews installed the turf, fencing and other landscaping details on the land adjacent to the school. “This is a huge step,” a student said. “This will give us more outdoor activ - ities both in the summer and the wintertime.” An extended grassroots effort on the part of students, staff and community members helped make the project a reality. “Lots of people have been waiting a long time for this—I think this will help the athletic programs grow here at Gordon Bell,” another student added. Photos by Konnor Leonard and Hannah Smerchanski. Previously, the land was owned by Canada Post, which graciously sold the property to Manitoba Education; that government department in turn allocated it to the Winnipeg School Division for use by Gordon Bell High School and its surrounding community. Manitoba Education also granted $1.5 million for development. The school also undertook additional fundraising to install the artificial turf, along with a stage, cross country loop, prairie plant gallery and outdoor classroom. Page 22 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools Grant supports after-school program

Celebrating Manitoba libraries Photo by Jeff Miller ordon Bell High School’s diverse after-school program recently ducation Minister Nancy Allan reads to students from Wellington School Greceived major funding support courtesy of the RBC Foundation. The Eas part of festivities for Manitoba School Library Day. foundation gave the school a $40,000 grant on Nov. 26, bringing along Also on hand for the Oct. 22 event was Division Board Chair Rita Hildahl, former world curling champion Jill Officer and Paralympian Jared Funk for as well as representatives from the Manitoba School Library Association and the announcement. Gordon Bell’s after-school programming includes a the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. homework club, literacy and language instruction, sports, a nutrition com - Students in schools across the province were encouraged to drop every - ponent and other activities for students. Pictured here is teacher-librarian thing and read for 20 minutes at 11 a.m. as part of the day’s activities. Kyla McDonald (left), Principal Arlene Skull, phys. ed teacher Lloyd Rana, During her Wellington visit, Ms. Allan chose to share selections from A RBC Regional Vice-President Holly Toupin and students. Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein.

Storyteller Kate Ferris chats up the crowd at Central Park. Storytelling in the park Photo by Jeff Miller henever the time, wherever the place, there’s nothing like hearing a Leading an activity station on the Lord Nelson schoolyard. Wwell-told story. Three of Manitoba’s most talented storytellers—Kate Ferris, Duncan Mercredi and Jamie Oliviero—entertained students at downtown’s Central Fernando Dalayoan, Pat Atkinson Park as part of national Culture Days celebrations. Les amis and Lorielyn Castillo collaborated to The storytelling festival was just one of thousands of cultural events taking make the project a reality. place across Canada Sept. 28-30. tudents at Sisler High School and The program ties into the Grade 9 Grades 1 and 4 students from Sister MacNamara School were among the SLord Nelson School have begun a Social Studies curriculum in areas children in attendance for an afternoon of stories under the sun. unique interschool mentorship based such as citizenship and building com - Teacher Jodi Somers said Sister MacNamara students were already fans of around the French language. munity, while also providing many Mr. Oliviero’s, having worked with the storyteller on an extensive project in Les amis—the French Buddies other intangible benefits. The Grade the 2011-12 school year. program—started in January with 9s have a chance to teach their accu - “He did storytelling with all of the students in the school—they worked Sisler’s Grade 9 French Immersion mulated knowledge, while the ele - together to create stories based around the theme of water,” she said. “It was students planning lessons and activi - mentary students get a chance to be Jamie who invited us to come here today…the kids loved him last year so ties for Lord Nelson’s Grade 5/6 taught by the “cool high school kids.” much when he came out to our school. When I told them that they were going Basic French students. The older In June, participating students to see him again today, they got very excited.” students visited once a month to from both schools had a year-end Grade 4 student Karl Sacdal said “I like Jamie because he’s funny…and he deliver fun, instructive lessons on wind-up at Lord Nelson, in which the tells other stories too, like mystery stories and scary stories.” numbers and counting, vocabulary, Sisler students translated familiar Ms. Somers added that Mr. Oliviero would again be working with Sister conversational French and more. schoolyard games such as Red Light, MacNamara students this year. Activities have included song and Green Light and ran activity stations. “Storytelling is very universal with our students—they can all make their dance games, BINGO, memory At the end of the wind-up, the men - own pictures in their minds,” she said. “For them to hear stories like this out - games and more. tors presented their younger counter - side helps them to realize that reading and stories don’t just happen in school. Sisler teacher Myriam Bara and parts with posters, certificates, name They can be enjoyed anywhere.” Lord Nelson teachers Lisa Titley, tags and snacks for a job well done. Our Schools December 2012/January 2013 Page 23 Take Our Kids To Work Day 2012

Chef Darlene Ring hands a sandwich to a student at the new Panther Café. Photo by Hannah Smerchanski his Sargent Park School student was one of thousands of Manitoba TGrade 9 students who joined their parents for the annual Take Our Kids Gordon Bell opens To Work Day, held Nov. 7. Sponsored by The Learning Partnership, the event is designed to help students understand the school-to-work connection, appreciate their par - revamped cafeteria ents’ careers and roles in supporting their families, and to start exploring the many career options available. ordon Bell High School students and staff were happy to return to a Gfamiliar haunt in November, with the reopening of the school’s cafeteria. The cafeteria—renamed the Panther Café in a recent student contest—had been closed since the summer for a major renovation that included a complete kitchen overhaul. Among the improvements are convection ovens, a new ven - tilation system, sandwich counters and more refrigeration space, drink BoArD BriefS machines, a spacious new kitchen layout and a fresh redesign in the dining The Winnipeg School Division Board of Trustees is in area. “It’s very much an improvement,” said Grade 11 student Tiffany Thunder. the process of developing the 2013/2014 school budget. “We had to go a few months without a cafeteria but this looks great.” Principal Arlene Skull said the new equipment allowed staff to prepare To learn more about the Draft Budget for the 2013/14 school year: meals more efficiently: “We’re able to cook much faster so we can focus even more on preparing nutritious food.” • Visit our Budget webpage at www.wsd1.org Dwayne Franz, a Building Department estimator who worked closely with the project, said many of the changes reflect updated nutrition guidelines. • Residents are invited to share their ideas by attending a meeting on “For example, there are no more deep fryers in here, the focus is now on baked goods,” he said. February 25 at 1577 Wall Street East at 7:00 p.m. While the school waited for the cafeteria to open, staff and students made use of an old staff room and other areas of the school to serve up a bare-bones • You can request a printed copy of our budget information brochure by interim menu. calling the Board Office at (204) 789-0469. “We were only able to do basic things, but I think the wait was worth it,” Ms. Skull said. • Parents/Guardians are invited to discuss the Budget at their parent Mr. Franz said similar cafeteria remodels were taking place at Daniel advisory meetings. Discussions will be held at the District Advisory McIntyre Collegiate Institute and École secondaire Kelvin High School. meeting scheduled in February.

Board of trustees 1 2 3

1 rita hildahl, chair Ward 1, Phone: 414-7706 1577 Wall Street East, 2 Mark Wasyliw, vice-chair Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 2S5 Ward 1, Phone: 475-3114 Telephone: 204-775-0231

3 Jackie Sneesby Chief Superintendent Ward 1, Phone: 489-3277 4 5 P.E. Clarke 6 Superintendents of Schools 4 Kristine Barr K. Seiler–Inner City Ward 2, Phone: 775-0990 R.N. Chartrand–South 5 cathy collins C. Caetano-Gomes–Central Ward 2, Phone: 789-0469 D. Persaud–North

6 Anthony ramos Public Relations Committee Ward 2, Phone: 293-8040 Trustees: Anthony Ramos (Chair), Darlyne Bautista, Jackie Sneesby 7 Mike Babinsky 7 8 9 Ward 3, Phone: 582-9296 Our Schools is published five times per year. 8 Darlyne Bautista Copyright © 2013 Ward 3, Phone: 295-0922 Winnipeg School Division All rights reserved. 9 Suzanne hrynyk Ward 3, Phone: 452-3847 Editor: Dale Burgos Writer/Photographer: Dan LeMoal Layout/Design: Diane Skogstad

Page 24 December 2012/January 2013 Our Schools