Congratulations to all Steinbach Regional Secondary School students competing in the at Red River Community College on April 11, 2024. SRSS had 13 competitors in eight events and amassed five gold and two silver medals. The gold medals qualify for an invitation to the Nationals in Quebec City May 28 – June 2.

April 9, 2024, Steinbach, MB.

Joe brings significant leadership experience to his new role, having held administrative and teaching positions in the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ for the past 28 years. He has also served as President of the Hanover Council of School Leaders and Chair of the Professional Development Committee for the Hanover Teachers Association. Joe is currently the principal of Mitchell Elementary School, a position he has held since 2004. His classroom teaching experience includes teaching in early, middle, and senior grades. Between 1995 and 2003, Joe held teaching positions at Woodlawn School, Blumenort School, and Niverville Collegiate Institute.

Joe completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Manitoba in 2005 and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education from the University of Manitoba in 2003. He also served as a faculty advisor for the Faculty of Education from 2001 to 2002. Joe completed his Bachelor of Education Degree at Brandon University in 1995.

“As a board, we are very pleased that Joe has accepted this new challenge. He has a lot of administrative and teaching experience within the Division and his deep commitment to community engagement made him an excellent candidate for this position,” stated Board Chair Brad Unger. “Joe has a deep love for education and seeing students thrive. He works really well with staff in all capacities, encouraging growth and leading from the front as a servant leader. He is a man of solid character, and we are excited about his deep desire to lead the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳.”

On behalf of the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, the Board of Trustees congratulates Joe on his new position and wishes him all the best for the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

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Steinbach, MB. March 22, 2024 – The ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the following administrative appointments for the 2024-25 school year:

Kimberley Funk will transfer to Steinbach Regional Secondary School and serve as vice-principal, effective September 2024. She has been the principal at Niverville High School since 2019.

Jason Wiebe will transfer to Stonybrook Middle School and serve as vice-principal, effective September 2024. He has been a vice-principal at Steinbach Regional Secondary School since 2021.

The Board of Trustees wishes Kimberley and Jason all the best in their new positions.

Solar Eclipse Safety Measures

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024, between approximately noon and 3 p.m. Central Standard Time. It will span from southern Ontario to Newfoundland and Labrador, with the rest of Canada experiencing a partial eclipse. Manitoba will experience an approximate 50 percent occlusion eclipse.

This awe-inspiring event will draw people’s attention; however, if proper precautions are not taken, there is a risk of permanent vision damage. Even a brief look at the partially eclipsed sun can result in permanent damage. Children and students may need extra supervision during the eclipse, as they may not fully comprehend the risks involved.

In an abundance of caution, all early years (Gr. K-4) and middle years (Gr. 5-8) students will be required to remain indoors during the eclipse. Please be aware that the eclipse will begin near the start of the lunch hour. As a result, students who normally go home for lunch are welcome to bring their lunch and stay or will need to be under the supervision of an adult to ensure that they follow the safety guidelines linked below. Please contact your child’s school if you need to make alternate arrangements. Parents can also elect to keep their child(ren) home for the duration of the eclipse for safety reasons if they prefer.

High school students will be informed about the risks of viewing the eclipse. However, due to variations in individual schedules, school staff will not limit students’ movement during the eclipse.

Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning has consulted and collaborated with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care to develop the attached guidance on solar eclipses. This resource includes a general overview, risks, and information on how to view eclipses safely.

• Solar Eclipse Safety Measures and Viewing Guidance (PDF)

The Manitoba government is inviting students aged 14 to 18 to apply for the 2024-25 Student Advisory Council and offer their insights on how to best shape Manitoba schools for the future.

The Student Advisory Council consists of 30 students with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives from across Manitoba. Council members will provide insights and advice to the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning regarding current and emerging issues and topics related to Manitoba’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. Students will form a network to advance innovation and improvement in Manitoba’s education system.

Application packages must be submitted online or received by Friday, April 5, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. Successful applicants will serve a 12-month term starting in August 2024 and ending in August 2025.

View details on the .

As noted in school correspondence to parents, one of our students reported a stranger approached them in a car and offered them a ride as they walked home from Clearspring Middle School on Monday, March 11th. We take such reported incidents very seriously. In an abundance of caution, the RCMP were notified and are investigating.

I would recommend that all parents/caregivers take this opportunity to remind their children of these important messages surrounding personal safety, as we will continue to do so while students are in our care:

• Children should never get into the car of a stranger.
• If a child feels threatened for any reason, they should contact a trusted adult immediately.
• Children should always be aware of their surroundings and be cautious if an unknown person approaches them.
• Children should try to walk in groups and well-lit areas, making it easy to find help if needed.

We appreciate the RCMP’s work in keeping our school communities safe.

Respectfully,

Shelley Amos, Superintendent-CEO
ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳

Mathew was recognized at the recently held banquet:

Mathew demonstrates his determination and dedication to learning, serving as an inspiration to others. He works hard to achieve new skills and perseveres when the work is challenging. Mathew has a positive attitude, he is inclusive of his peers, and he has a keen sense of humour. Mathew is not only an achiever in the classroom and school settings, he also has many interests outside of school. He is involved in extra-curricular activities, has a part-time job and is a youth volunteer with the Manitoba Metis Federation.

The Yes I Can Awards were established to acknowledge the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; to overcome barriers caused by disabilities or public misconceptions; to encourage children and youth with disabilities to seek their highest potential; and to increase awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of people with disabilities.

Steinbach, MB. March 5, 2024 – The ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Board of Trustees has approved the 2024-25 school year budget. The new budget allocates $119.8 million to enhance student education and aims to reinstate some of the staffing and services that were reduced in previous years. With enrollment projected to increase by 5% (approx. 398 students), the budget corresponds with continued divisional growth and provides funding to address critical support needs.

ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ will receive an additional $4,026,249 in provincial funding for the 2024-25 school year, which represents an increase of 6.2% over the previous year. As with all school divisions in Manitoba, provincial funding comprises only a portion of total operating revenue. The remaining required revenue (approximately 40% of the budget) must be obtained through education taxes in the form of a division-wide Mill Rate. To ensure educational expenses are covered, the 2024 Mill Rate will increase from 11.99 to 12.74, which reflects an education tax levy increase of 6.25%. Compared to the previous year, the education tax levy on a sample house assessed at $285,000 will result in an approximate increase of $50 annually when considering the education property tax rebate.

The provincial government’s announcement to restore school boards’ authority to raise local taxes has enabled the Board to address 2024-25 budget concerns such as enrollment increases, negotiated salary adjustments, and increases in fixed costs such as utilities. Consequently, this marks the first school tax increase in the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ since 2017.

The ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ strives to provide the best education possible for all children in our care. The 2024-25 school year budget reflects a mindful approach to the impact of local taxation while balancing the educational needs of school communities.

• 2024-25 Budget Planning Presentation (PDF)
• News Release (PDF)
• School Taxes FAQ

The ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Board of Trustees invite applications for the position of Superintendent/CEO of Schools. Duties are scheduled to commence effective August 1, 2024 or as mutually agreed. View job description and application details on the .

Please send a cover letter & resume by March 18, 2024, to:

CEO/Superintendent Search
c/o ROAR Leadership Consultants Inc.
Email: royseidler@roarleadership.com

Steinbach, MB. February 2, 2024 – The Board of Trustees announces with regret the resignation of Shelley Amos as Superintendent-CEO of the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, effective July 31, 2024. Shelley has accepted an offer to become the Superintendent of Education/CEO at Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg.

Shelley’s contributions to the mission of the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ have been significant, and we deeply appreciate her 22 years of exemplary leadership and service to our students, staff, and school communities. She has been Superintendent-CEO since 2020, Assistant Superintendent from 2018 to 2020, Principal at Woodlawn Early Years School from 2011 to 2018, and Vice-Principal from 2009 to 2011. Shelley also served as a teacher in the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ from 2002 to 2009.

On behalf of the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, the Board of Trustees congratulates Shelley on her new position and extends our heartfelt best wishes to her as she embarks on this new chapter in her career.