Manitoba's school boards have one purpose: to provide our students with the best schools possible.
Innovative programs that meet community needs—nutrition, early childhood education, before and after school care, to name only a few—are a priority for school boards.
All schools are integral parts of the communities they serve, but perhaps none more so than in Wapanohk Community School of The School District of Mystery Lake.
The unique characteristics of the school arose out of intensive and inclusive community consultations that had a single goal: to find workable ways of enhancing Aboriginal student success by building stronger connections to parents and empowering families. As a result of these consultations, Wapanohk became the pilot site for community schools in Manitoba, a concept that has since been embraced at 15 sites province-wide.
Wapanohk was also the first provincially mandated school to provide Cree bilingual programming. The Cree bilingual program, which has improved student success by increasing students’ sense of self and self esteem, has received positive regional, provincial and international attention.
So, exactly how big an impact can a successfully implemented community school model have? In this case, measurable results include increased attendance rates, improved academic achievement and literacy rates, fewer behavioural problems, and increased parental involvement at all levels.
To learn more about the Wapanohk Community School in The School District of Mystery Lake, contact Principal Bonnie Rempel at brempel@mysterynet.mb.ca, or phone 204.677.6138.
