One key focus is ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Equally important is creating a school culture where diversity is celebrated and all perspectives are respected. As role models and guides, school staff play a crucial role in shaping this environment. Understanding the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of 脡RWBBS students, families, and colleagues is essential to this work.

To deepen this understanding, all 脡RWBBS teachers and support staff have received Treaty Education training through 宅男福利社. Additionally, their teaching staff has completed the first level of The Four Seasons of Indigenous Learning program and participated in The Blanket Exercise. These learning experiences have helped them build a stronger awareness of their roles in the Truth and Reconciliation process and enhance their ability to approach all situations with greater perspective-taking. This foundation is essential as they continue planning equitable learning experiences for their students.

In addition to staff development, students are also engaged in meaningful learning about diversity and equity through Well-being Assemblies, now in their second year. These assemblies are structured around the Circle of Courage, with last year鈥檚 focus on Belonging and this year鈥檚 emphasis on Mastery. Within this framework, students are encouraged to explore their identities by recognizing and reflecting on their strengths, gifts, cultures, families, experiences, and histories.

A central feature of each assembly is a read-aloud book that sparks discussion and reflection. In February, 脡RWBBS explored We Need Everyone听产测 Michael Redhead Champagne, which emphasizes the unique gifts and talents each person brings to a community. This theme carried into their multi-grade sharing circles, where students discussed their own talents and contributions. 脡RWBBS was also fortunate to welcome Vanessa and Eva Kerbrat, jiggers from St. Laurent, who shared their talents and inspired students to pursue their passions through dedication and hard work.

Moving forward, 脡RWBBS assemblies will continue to center on Mastery, reinforcing the importance of valuing and celebrating diversity. By fostering an inclusive environment where all students can recognize their strengths and those of others, they are building a more equitable and supportive school community for everyone.

脡RWBBS teachers present a lesson about treaties.

The movement room supports accessibility for all students by providing them a space in which to meet their specific regulation needs, to develop their self-regulation skills, and to be successful in returning to their classroom in a state where they are ready to learn and to be included with peers.聽 This room has been an incredible addition to WES’s building and the staff and students at WES are looking forward to the next steps in working towards accessibility for all!

Scarlett, a grade 3 student at WES, checking out their newly implemented movement room.

Ms. Stewart ordered clean-up kits and incorporated the event into a lesson for her class. Below are quotes from the Grade 5/6 students that participated in the challenge:

鈥�We did two cleanups. The first cleanup we got 8 bags of trash!鈥�

鈥�The more you pollute, the more it is hurting our planet. Including the plants and animals that live here.鈥�

鈥�Sometimes we can鈥檛 change our past, but we can always work towards changing our future. Recycling and garbage cleanup is a good way to start doing that.鈥�

鈥�I want to encourage other people to go out for walks and pick up trash around their communities.鈥�

鈥�Every piece of trash picked up is saving our planet. We are the future so we need to step up!鈥�

The students won the top prize of $5000.00 to put towards school supplies for Stony Mountain School.

Some of the events include school wide breakfasts which were offered every Tuesday in April. The Social Justice group recognized that starting school with a full belly has a positive impact on student wellness. Eating together, with your peers and staff, also brings a sense of community. Our Social Justice league members along with other students in the school also participated in Red Dress Day and select students and staff stayed silent for the entire day in honour of missing and murdered indigenous women who no longer have a voice. Student Council has also organized many school- wide activities with a focus on school community and togetherness, such as 鈥淩ock Paper Scissors Day鈥�, 鈥淏ingo Day鈥�, multiple gym riots, spirit weeks, etc. Our Greenhouse project has also brought the school together in many ways, and students and staff are enjoying time outside, in nature.

As our students move closer to graduation, we know this time of transition can be daunting and overwhelming which sometimes impacts their mental health in negative ways. There have been a few career fairs and university campus tours (Manitoba Construction Expo, IERHA Career Fair, U of M campus tour, RRC campus tour, etc.) which help ease students鈥� nerves and anxieties about their future and allow students the chance to explore opportunities and build capacity for life after high school.

The 宅男福利社 Senior Administration Team appreciates the support of the Board for this needs-based budget. We look forward to the positive impact this budget will have on our students, staff, families and communities.

Click here to view the 2024-2025 Final Budget at-a-glance.