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Unit 4 - 75 Thornhill Street, Morden, MB, R6M 1P2
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Western School Division
Local Voices for Local Choices

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​​​Every four years we have the opportunity to participate in local civic elections, including the election of a local school board. We sometimes forget the incredible significance of this democratic opportunity.
 
It means that we elect and empower LOCAL VOICES (people from our community, people we know and trust) to guide LOCAL CHOICES (to shape the values and directions of our local schools). Having a local board determine the mission and core values of ​WSD schools, and having a local board which can set a budget that reflects our community’s priorities is a privilege we should not take for granted.

People like YOU have created amazing initiatives​!
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PIPING TRADES
The Board of Western School Division took a look at what trade was needed in this area where students would find jobs and employers would be able to hire locally. After consultation with our Piping Trades industry and a lot of research, we took a chance on starting up this program.

 
INNOVATION GRANTS
When Adventurous Achievers is part of your Priority Plan, we took a look at how we could encourage this goal. The Board allocates $7500 towards projects that are from within our community that will meet the criteria we put in place to improve Education in WSD.

 
STUDENT LEADERSHIP FORUM
Student voice is important to the board of WSD. Each February, we take a day to talk with students about our board priorities to make sure we are in touch with what is actually happening in our schools.

 
DIVERSITY MINI OPTIONS DAY FOR ALL STAFF
We believe that everyone has a place of belonging in WSD. We recognize that we all have our own biases. Diversity Mini Options Day is a day where ALL STAFF attend and are encouraged to learn more about “others”.

 
BUDGET EXHIBITION
WSD Board has the responsibility to allocate over $20 Million of taxpayer money each year. We knew our power point and 1 hour presentations weren’t effective in communicating our decisions or decision options. So we decided to try something “adventurous”. With the co-operation from staff, students and parents we created a night showcasing WSD. People attended, learned about what is happening in our schools and asked questions, made suggestions and were able to celebrate our successes.

 
CULTURE AND LEADERSHIP TEAMS
After creating our Board Priority Plan, staff set into motion two teams that would navigate the two main directions these goals were aimed. The work of these two teams have changed and guided staff with intention and creativity to reflect each priority in every area of the division. From playground to classroom and from hallway to school bus.

 
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
We believe that critical thinking is an essential and sustainable skill that each student needs as a life long learner. A focus on the process of learning brings true understanding and allows for us to learn from our “mistakes.” Project based learning has seen teachers go beyond their comfort zones to help students guide their our learning and be a part of the full process of discovery.

 
LITERACY AND NUMERACY COACHES
Supporting teacher learning, suppprts student learning. Coaches are there to provide teacher support to improve teaching practices and better outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

 
ITINERANT SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Consistency in the classroom is the key to success for students. The itinerant sub position was created to provide students with less volatility due to multiple subs with varying practices. We use this position to fill leaves and longer term absences.

 
EXTENSION OF FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM
After a review of the FI program that included a well rounded representation of staff, parents and board members, we decided to add credit options for FI students to allow them to receive a FI Certificate upon Graduation. We increased FI course credit options from 9-14 in Morden Collegiate.