Report to Community 2018 - Jens Draft January

St. James-Assiniboia School Division
Cheryl Smukowich
Chair, Board of Trustees
Brett Lough
Chief Superintendent
Greetings from our Board
Mike Friesen
Secretary Treasurer/
Chief Financial Officer
In SJASD, our commitment to children is at the forefront of everything we do. Our decisions are rooted in
student data, learning evidence and feedback from all stakeholders in our Division. We work together in all 26
schools to ensure our students have the tools, resources and supports they need to flourish in our ever-changing
world. As we reflect on the 2017-18 school year in our annual Report to the Community, we see the
major milestones we’ve achieved, as well as the areas we are still working to improve. As student populations
change and the necessary skillsets for 21st century learners evolve, our staff are collaborating across all departments
to best meet the needs of all our learners. We have teamed up with new educational partnerships
to ensure our staff feel supported in the important work they do in helping students reach their full potential.
In the 2017-18 school year, SJASD implemented guidelines on transgender and gender diverse youth in
schools to further support equity and inclusion. Our Division partnered with Dr. Reece Malone, Lead Trainer for
Diversity Essentials, to conduct professional development sessions with all staff and deepen understanding in
the area of gender diverse youth. We also installed two multi-stall, gender neutral washrooms inside Brooklands
School and Ecole Ness to offer security to all students and minimize bullying towards the LGBTTQ community.
On the topic of inclusion, we are also monitoring our Accessibility Plan to ensure our facilities are welcoming for
all staff, students, and visitors who enter our buildings.
From Pacific Avenue to Alboro Street, we are delivering rich educational experiences centred on our four strategic
outcomes, including a strong focus on improving numeracy and literacy skills. Last year, a total of six numeracy
and literacy coaches travelled between schools providing hands-on instruction and guidance, as eight coordinators
assisted with programming oversight and delivery. Our seasoned Educational Support Services team
continued to provide clinical services in an array of areas to achieve student success both inside and outside
of the classroom. We are also home to two full-time School Resource Officers, through a partnership with the
Winnipeg Police Service, who rotate between our schools to help address any safety concerns that may arise
during a school day.
Upon the conclusion of our middle years reorganization, we are excited to offer our first french milleu setting
at the middle years level. As we continue to support french immersion programming and monitor projections for
the future, we are working closely with our educational partnerships across Manitoba to stay on top of emerging
trends and issues. These partnerships, as well as many others, paired with involvement from students and their
families, help us maintain our promise to continue to provide “Great Schools for Growing and Learning.”
2018/19 Report to the Community: Page 1