Thank You
Thank you for your tremendous support during the October 22, 2022 election; it meant a lot to me. Serving as your Winnipeg School Division Trustee for Ward 9 has been an incredible privilege. Since then, I focused on strengthening connections within our community through Board activities and chairing various committees, always guided by the priorities expressed by students, staff, and families. I invite you to re-elect Ann Evangelista to continue the important work we have begun together in Winnipeg School Division, ensuring that every decision puts our community first.
Board Accomplishments
Globally-recognized Strategic Plan
Ann Evangelista, alongside Senior Admin, Trustee Kuly, and former Trustee Chambers, has been essential in leading the Strategic Plan Steering Committee. Their collaborative efforts have shaped strong and progressive strategic vision. This was achieved through community consultation, ensuring that students, staff, and community members all had a voice in the Strategic Plan.
Childcare for Community
The Board has undertaken several important initiatives: - They have approved the establishment of new stand-alone childcare centers- They have also authorized the expansion of two in-school programs. - Furthermore, they have enhanced before-and-after school programs across multiple schools. - The Board is collaborating with community partners such as BGC Winnipeg, Art City, Peaceful Village, CEDA, IRCOM, and MAFTI to provide additional after-school activities. - Ann been a strong advocate for childcare and after-school programs, ensuring that the needs of families are prioritized.
Climate Justice and Sustainability
Thanks to Ann's initiative, WSD is actively developing the Climate Action Plan. The Board has appointed a Director for Climate Justice and Sustainability to spearhead this effort, establishing a staff position to ensure the successful creation of our divisional climate action plan.
Policy Revision
As the Chair of the Policy and Programs Committee, Ann spearheads the initiative to update and modernize over 30 policies based on provincial legislation. The Board ensures these policies align with current best practices and address the evolving needs of our organization. Her leadership and commitment to excellence drive meaningful change, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability within the Board.
Equity for Families
The Board has approved several initiatives to support students and their families. These include eliminating lunch fees and additional field trip costs, as well as establishing a Universal Nutrition Program to provide access to healthy meals and snacks for all The program also commits to funding three play structures annually to alleviate fundraising pressures and emphasizes support for students attending catchment schools to promote equity in educational programming. Additionally, two comprehensive reviews of WSD programming and services have been initiated in partnership with the University of Winnipeg and the Diversity Institute.
Teaching and Learning
The Board has implemented full-day Kindergarten across six schools. - They are committed to maintaining smaller class sizes to enhance educational outcomes. - The Board has expanded the number of Educational Assistants, clinicians, and library technicians. - They have initiated music and band programs selected inner-city and northern district schools. - The Board has standardized Early Years reading screenings to improve literacy assessment. - They have strengthened collaborative partnerships with organizations such as JUMP Math, Critical Thinking Consortium, Big Picture Learning, and New Media Manitoba.
Moving Forward Together
As we reflect on our achievements, it's clear that our journey is far from over. I remain dedicated to fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. My priorities moving forward include: - Keeping students at the heart of every decision. - Enhancing student achievement and well-being. - Strengthening family and community engagement. - Expanding mental health support and student success initiatives- Advancing equity, accessibility, and inclusive education. - Supporting action and sustainable schools. - Investing in safe, modern, and welcoming learning environments. - Ensuring that residents have a strong voice at the Board table. - Building collaborative partnerships that create opportunities for every student. - Leading with transparency accountability, compassion, and integrity. Together, we can continue to create schools—and a—where every student feels they belong, learns effectively, and achieves success.
Expanding Supports for Mental Health and Student Success
I will advocate for increased access to school-based mental health supports and early intervention programs that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I will also champion initiatives that strengthen student attendance, engagement, and overall well-being while supporting educators with the resources they need.