The Manitoba government is expanding supports for the kids who need it most by adding seven more schools to its Community Schools Program, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare announced on February 26.
"We're committed to making sure that every child in Manitoba has the supports they need to be healthy and successful," said Altomare. "Through community schools, we can make sure students from high-needs areas are able to learn and reach their full potential - whether they need tutoring, after school supports or a healthy meal."
The Community Schools Program provides extra education, public health and social service resources to promote student, family and community well-being. The highest-needs schools get additional grant funding based on demographics and socio-economic factors. Each school has a designated community liaison who builds relationships with students and their families to facilitate participation and student success.
With this new investment of $560,000, the program will increase from serving 41 to 48 schools with community programming. In total, more than 10,000 students will benefit from the Community Schools Program, noted the minister. The seven new schools added are:
- Niji Mahkwa School, Winnipeg School Division (kindergarten to Grade 6);
- Strathcona School, Winnipeg School Division (kindergarten to Grade 6);
- Frontenac School, Louis Riel School Division (kindergarten to Grade 8);
- Jack River School, Frontier School Division (kindergarten to Grade 8);
- Ecole Powerview School, Sunrise School Division (kindergarten to Grade 12);
- Betty Gibson School, Brandon School Division (kindergarten to Grade 8); and
- Fort la Reine School, Portage la Prairie School Division (kindergarten to Grade 7).
Schools taking part in the program offer a number of resources and services including:
- breakfast and lunch programs;
- early childhood literacy programming;
- parenting information and programs;
- before-school, evening, weekend and summer programs;
- mentoring and youth development programs; and
- other services such as First Aid/CPR training, cultural awareness activities and crime prevention.
For more information on the Community Schools Program and to review the most recent report, visit https://edu.gov.mb.ca/csp/index.html.
