Annual Report to the Community

Annual Report highlights WSD priorities, initiatives, revenues and expenditures

Winnipeg School Division publishes its annual report in the fall of each year. This report to the community highlights the division’s priorities, district priorities and initiatives, as well as showing revenues and expenditures.

Thank you for your interest in public education.

Annual Report to the Community 2022-2023

Message from the Chair

In October of 2022, Winnipeg School Division’s Board of Trustees welcomed seven newly elected Trustees. Joining myself (ward 8) and Vice Chair Jamie Dumont (ward 1) are: Lois Brothers (ward 2); Kathy Heppner (ward 3); Rebecca Chambers (ward 4); Dante Aviso (ward 5); Perla Javate (ward 6); Tamara Kuly (ward 7); and Ann Evangelista (ward 9). 

The Board of Trustees would also like to extend its very best wishes to Pauline Clarke on her retirement from the division. Ms. Clarke led the division as Chief Superintendent and CEO since 2008 and lent her voice in response to the provincial education review, the provincial Poverty and Education Task Force and identifying actions to remove barriers to participation and engagement in learning. 

Starting in the new school year 2023/2024, the Board is pleased to welcome Matt Henderson to the role of Chief Superintendent and CEO. Mr. Henderson served as an assistant superintendent for Seven Oaks School Division and has taught Grades 5 to 12. He is a PhD candidate at the University of Manitoba and is passionate about creating schools fully committed to powerful relationships, deep relevance and intellectual rigour.

Mr. Henderson will join the Board in renewing the WSD Strategic Plan this fall. A key aspect of the strategic planning work includes engaging WSD youth, caregivers and community partners to help provide insight and opportunity for the plan. 

Several new and revised policies were brought to the Board of Trustees for approval during the 2022/2023 year. These included a new Accessibility Policy which formalizes WSD’s commitment to providing equal access and participation for all people. Two revised policies include the WSD Suspension of Students Policy, updated to add restorative justice practices that engage students in school as an alternative to suspension. The second, the WSD Employment Equity Policy, was revised to bring it into accordance with the Canadian Employment Equity Act, as well as updating terminology and definitions. 

Our board also completed an Employment Equity Audit for the division, which has resulted in 82 recommendations, 58 of which have been identified and action taken. We recognize there is work to be done around employment equity, its part in our journey of reconciliation, and the audit results will help guide us to make further improvements.

The Board of Trustees announced plans at the beginning of the year to pilot a Filipino bilingual language program at Meadows West School, open to students across the division interested in learning an additional language. The first Kindergarten and Grade 1 students in the program will start the program in September 2023, with expectation that the program will grow each year with more registrants.

Looking forward, WSD has received design approval from the province to proceed with plans for a new high school. The addition of a new French immersion high school in the northwest section of the division has been highly anticipated because of large population growth in that area. We look forward to engaging the community on the plans for the school site in coming months. Other building projects planned within the division are described further in this report.

In closing, the WSD Board of Trustees thanks the many organizations who partner with the school division year after year to support student growth and achievement. We also acknowledge the outstanding commitment and dedication of employees across the division who are contributing to our students’ continuous improvement results

Thank you.

Betty Edel
Chair, Winnipeg School Division Board of Trustees 2022/2023

Message from the Chief Superintendent and CEO

The 2022/2023 school year was, in many ways, one of addressing the after-effect of the pandemic. While returning to normal operations opened many opportunities for our students, we also saw learning gaps and needs in student well-being across all grades and demographics. 

Despite these challenges, the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) Continuous Improvement Report shows that WSD students are making strides in many subjects, overtaking the Provincial average in performance. When taking into consideration all the different kinds of diplomas awarded in Winnipeg School Division (4, 5 or 6 years to complete), compared against the original size of the Grade 9 cohort four years prior, the upward trend of successful diploma attainment is significant and accurately represents the progress made in WSD over the last decade. In 2021/22, 108 students graduated with vocational credentials for a total of 559 graduates over the last four years. This represents 6.8 percent of 2022 WSD graduates who are leaving Winnipeg School Division either workforce-ready, or well-positioned to continue their post-secondary education in the trades. In addition, in 2021/22, 20.1 percent of graduates earned a Mature Student Diploma and 9 percent of graduates earned a French Immersion Diploma. 

This past year was also one of new partnerships and opportunities! WSD partnered with the Royal Aviation Museum and Manitoba Aerospace to provide a unique series of educational programs throughout the year. This was well-received by students and an excellent opportunity for many to see new possibilities for their futures. Skills Canada also arrived in Winnipeg for its national event which was well attended by students from WSD High Schools. WSD partnered in this showcase of trades and skilled professions, which allowed us to showcase our vocational programs to the thousands of young people who toured the tradeshow.

The division continues to support Indigenous education in many ways including our highly successful Powwow on June 1 with over 10,000 participants. This year, WSD also rolled out the Grandmothers and Grandfathers in Schools Initiative, another step in advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Newcomers are also supported in our division through our partnerships with community organizations such as NEEDS, the adult EAL program and programs to support EAL learners in our schools. 

Thank you to the teachers, support staff, families and students for your continued support and involvement in the Winnipeg School Division community. Together we are inspiring our children to achieve the knowledge and insights that will direct them in the future.

Pauline Clarke
Chief Superintendent and CEO
Winnipeg School Division

Collège Churchill High School Softball Academy comes out swinging

Wrapping up its first year of operation, the Collège Churchill High School Softball Academy is a unique offering in Winnipeg School Division for student-athletes committed their sport and learning. 

Students are enrolled in all core academic courses, as prescribed by Manitoba Education and Training. Time allotments for Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies meet or exceed the prescribed minutes of instruction per course. 

It’s the opportunity to hone their softball skills that is the attraction though, and students commute to the Manitoba Sport for Life Centre four days a week starting an hour before classes complement and enhance skill development opportunities within the current Softball Canada branches. 

WSD and Huddle create direct connection between youth hubs and local schools

During the 2022/2023 school year, WSD launched a successful partnership with Huddle, an initiative of the Province of Manitoba and Shared Health together with United Way Winnipeg and other philanthropic partners, for a pilot project to help improve educational outcomes by removing barriers to health care, mental health and substance use treatment and support, and a range of other programming intended to get youth the help they need.

Huddle, previously known as the Manitoba Youth Hubs Initiative, brings multiple health and community service partners together to provide easy to find, inclusive and youth-friendly supports to Manitobans aged 12 to 29 and to their families through a network of Integrated Youth Service youth hubs. Huddle sites are designed for and with youth and seek to bridge Indigenous and Western models of health care to better serve diverse youth and their communities.

The WSD and Huddle partnership pilot project resulted in full-time Service Navigation Specialist located at each of the four Huddle youth hubs serving WSD communities: Huddle Broadway, Huddle NorWest, Huddle Ka Ni Kanichihk and Huddle South Central. The Specialists acted as a direct link between schools in the division and the supports available at the Huddle youth hubs, helping school staff and students access services in six core areas: mental health, substance use/addictions, primary medical care (including sexual and reproductive health), peer support, Indigenous programming, and social services such as employment, housing, and other supports.

The pilot program has been approved to continue through the 2023/2024 school year.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme unique to WSD

For those students who seek a challenge and aspire to post-secondary education, the International Baccalaureate Programme offers an enhanced learning experience. As of September 2023, WSD’s École Secondaire Kelvin High School is the only public high school in Winnipeg continuing to offer the program, while École River Heights School offers the only middle years IB program in the city.

IB graduates leave Kelvin well-prepared for post-secondary education with their IB coursework recognized by universities around the world.

IB offers all its examinations at two levels – higher and standard. Students are encouraged to pursue the highest level of achievement within the programme, the IB Diploma. The diploma requires that students study six subjects, representing at least five subject areas, and write six examinations, three at the Higher Level and three at the Standard Level or four at the Higher Level and two at the Standard Level. In addition, diploma candidates must complete a major research project called the Extended Essay, participate in extra-curricular and social service activities known as CAS and complete a course called Theory of Knowledge (ToK).

WSD students learn drone technology, save trees

Students from Elmwood, Tec Voc, Gordon Bell and Grant Park High Schools took part in a ground-breaking Science Experiential Aerial Research (SEAR) Program during the 2022/2023 school year. The students worked alongside University of Winnipeg researchers in partnership with Volatus Aerospace. 

The SEAR Program is designed to partner high school students with industry to research unique alternatives to community sustainability issues. For Winnipeg, that means using drone technology to help identify the presence of Dutch elm disease (DED) in the urban tree canopy. 

Drone technology is a rapidly developing industry sector. Drones can easily collect data that has previously been either too difficult, or too expensive to collect. Students can also work towards obtaining their Transport Canada Basic or Advanced RPAS pilot certificates throughout the program. 

Build From Within - Ozhitoon Onji Peenjiiee students becoming teachers

Malaihka Siemens, 19, is a student in Build From Within - Ozhitoon Onji Peenjiiee, a teacher development program that provides a path for Indigenous high school students to post-secondary education and to eventual employment as educators.

Siemens is in her second year at the University of Winnipeg (U of W) and worked as a student teacher at Isaac Brock School during 2022/2023. In November, she had an essay published in the University of Winnipeg’s “Rooted in Rhetoric” journal.

Her essay, titled “Post-Secondary Imposter Syndrome”, details how she didn’t always feel deserving of being in Build From Within and how she’s worked to overcome that doubt.

Launched in 2018, Build From Within is a collaboration between Winnipeg School Division (WSD), Indspire Canada, the University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Education and community supporters such as the Winnipeg Foundation.

2022-2023 Buildings Highlights

WSD high school planned for northwest Winnipeg

The province of Manitoba has provided design approval for new high school in the northwest corner of Winnipeg School Division. The new high school will be located at the corner of King Edward Street and Commercial Avenue. It will be a dual-track French Immersion Grade 9 to 12 school for up to 1,200 students. The project also includes the construction of a new 74-space child-care centre and is expected to begin during the 2023/2024 school year.

Gordon Bell High School upgrade

Work began in 2023 on a major $22 million retrofit project at Gordon Bell High School. The building envelope and systems upgrade consists of wall replacement along the entire perimeter of the building, new operational windows on all floors, a new masonry veneer at the main floor level and steel cladding at the second-floor level. In addition, a section of the existing roof system is being replaced. 

On the interior, renovation include new T-bar ceiling replacements in classrooms with new LED lighting, new duct work to improve ventilation air distribution in classrooms, as well as a new heating system conversion from steam to hot water heating throughout the facility. The renovation also ensures barrier-free entries to improve accessibility. 

The work will improve energy usage and comfort and is expected to take two years to complete.

Carpathia School upgrade

Work began in 2022 on a $4 million roof and building envelope upgrade project at Carpathia School. The upgrades consist of wall replacement along the entire perimeter of the original 1954, 1956 and 1980 additions. 

In addition to new, operational windows and a new masonry veneer, the renovation will improve entryways to become barrier-free, improving accessibility. There will also be exterior grading and paving of the existing courtyard and around the facility.

On the inside, Carpathia School will get new T-bar ceiling replacement in all classrooms and corridors with new LEG lighting, and new duct work to improve ventilation air distribution in classrooms. 

Work is expected to be completed by fall of 2023.

École Sir William Osler addition

Work to expand École Sir William Osler is expected to begin during the 2023/2024 school year. The project will include a fully accessible 35,000-sq.-ft. expansion for seven new classrooms, a new gym, music room, art room, science classroom and special education life skills suite. The existing gymnatorium will be renovated into a multi-purpose room. This expansion will see the addition of a new 74-space child-care facility on school property.

The expansion ensures École Sir William Osler has the space and attributes to add Grade 7 and 8 to the French Milieu School.

High school expansions near completion

A major expansion and renovation at Tec Voc High School for its Aviation and Aerospace Technologies, Machining and Welding programs interior work will complete in the September of 2023. Some addition exterior work will follow with the new space being available to students and staff in the 2023/2024 school year.

At R.B. Russell Vocation High School, construction that began in 2021/2022 has completed on a major expansion to redevelop the school’s Horticulture and Sustainable Education program. The expansion includes a new 2,500 sq. ft. architectural grade teaching greenhouse, header house and landscape training area.

Class of 2023 Academic Award Winners

The Governor General’s Medal is presented to the graduate who achieves the highest academic standing at their high school. The WSD School Board Post Secondary Scholarship Awards, which were established in 1972, present $1,000 scholarships to a student at each high school. Both are among the highest honours a student can receive upon their graduation from a WSD high school. Congratulations to the following graduates:

Governor General's Medal Winners

Argyle Alternative High School
Rusel Apa-Ap

Argyle Alternative High School
Fiona De Roca

Children of the Earth High School 
Koon Berens

Collège Churchill High School
Jack Friesen

Collège Churchill High School
Kai Thiessen-Schmidt

Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute
Kaila Namit

Elmwood High School
John Rafael Platon

Gordon Bell High School
John Carlo Ingalla Schenkeveld

Grant Park High School
Erica Wong

École Secondaire Kelvin High School
Sydney Povey

R.B Russell Vocational High School
Sierra Sandy 

École Secondaire Sisler High School
Paulyn De Leon

St. John’s High School
Catelyne Lois Melliza

Tec Voc High School
Danielle Tabo-Oy

Winnipeg Adult Education Centre 
Mohamad Shekh Hamada 

WSD Post-Secondary Scholarship Winners

Argyle Alternative High School
Semiah Chartrand

Children of the Earth High School
Ayla Orvis

Collège Churchill High School
Jack Friesen

Collège Churchill High School
Stella Kraft

Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute
Kaila Namit

Elmwood High School
Juan Yaipen

Gordon Bell High School
John Carlo Ingalla Schenkeveld

Grant Park High School
Sophia Garcia

École Secondaire Kelvin High School
Olivia Engbrecht

R.B. Russell Vocational High School
Dezarae Campbell

École Secondaire Sisler High School
Paulyn De Leon

St. John’s High School
Alicia Spence

Tec Voc High School
Danielle Tabo-Oy

Winnipeg Adult Education Centre
Ryan Angelo Munar

Facts at a Glance

Total number of students (as of Sept. 30, 2022) – 29,939
Elementary (N to Grade 8) – 19,989
Secondary (Grade 7 to 12) – 9,950
Total number of schools – 79
Elementary schools (N to Grade 8) – 65
Secondary schools (Grade 7 to 12) – 14
Number of graduates (as of Sept. 30, 2022) – 1,992
Number of nursery students – 1,253

Students in language programs:
French Immersion – 4,508
Hebrew Bilingual – 193
Ukrainian Bilingual – 56
Spanish Bilingual – 99
Cree Bilingual – 66
Ojibwe Bilingual – 121
Students identified as English-as-an-additional language – 4,799
Students transported to school – 1,711

Total number of full time staff – 4,537

Financial Overview

During the 2022/2023 school year, the Winnipeg School Division Board of Trustees approved a budget for the 2023/2024 school year. The final budget equalled $454,832,200. Baseline provincial funding from the province increased by 4.1 percent, or $8,314,777 and property tax levies for education remain frozen at 2020 levels. 

The approved budget ensures existing programs and services remain in place while also allowing for a limited number of additional supports for students in the areas of bilingual language programs and transportation, student support services and educational assistants.

Expenses outside the control of the Board of Trustee include salary scale increments, changes in benefit rates, employer rates for employment insurance, Canada pension plan and payroll taxes. 

Shown on the opposite page are the revenues and expenditures for the current school year of 2022/2023.

Instructional

Regular Instruction
All subject areas; language programs; English-as-an-additional language
$235,572,730

Student Support Services
Special Education; clinical services; resources and counseling 
$105,255,364

Community education and services (including adult learning centres)
Nursery; adult programs and community use of schools
$8,605,263

Instructional and other support services
Professional development; library services and nutritional program
$10,665,997

Support

Administration
Computer and information services; business and human resources functions; Board and central administration 
$12,497,603

Student transportation 
Operation of school buses
$8,695,530

Operations and maintenance
Operating and maintaining 78 schools and other facilities 
$57,286,710

Fiscal and capital appropriations
Payroll tax; banking charges and capital transfers
$13,771,336

Total 2022/2023 expenditures 
$452,350,533

Previous Annual Reports