Every Child Matters began in Williams Lake, British Columbia, on September 30, 2013. Established to honour Residential School Survivors, their families, and those who never returned home, it serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impacts of the Residential School system. The orange shirt symbolizes the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem that many Indigenous children experienced.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are both observed annually on September 30th, and they are dedicated to honouring Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities, and to recognize the lasting impacts of Canada’s Residential School system. What began as a grassroots initiative has since evolved into a nationally recognized movement, with individuals, organizations, and communities across Canada participating in acts of remembrance, reflection, and reconciliation each year. Public commemoration of this tragic chapter in Canada’s history, and its lasting effects, plays an essential role in advancing truth and reconciliation.

In December 2023, Manitoba established as a provincial statutory holiday, so that all Manitobans have the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of residentials schools and the profound impacts of that trauma that still exists today.

Remember to wear orange on September 30 in honour of residential school Survivors, their families and communities and those who never returned home.

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. .

SRSS student Nelsey Dizon was one of four recipients of the Outstanding Take Action Project Award. The award recognizes students enrolled in Global Issues (40S) who go above and beyond in planning and carrying out a Take Action project as part of the course.

Nelsey harnessed her passion for education to develop a multifaceted awareness campaign and fundraiser in support of fellow students with learning disabilities. Through collaboration with the Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba and the transitional learning program at SRSS, she created a network that engaged more than 2,100 students, staff, and community members.

Using social media and a dedicated website, Nelsey helped deepen understanding of common misconceptions surrounding learning disabilities while amplifying the voices of underrepresented students.

Niverville High School has been selected as one of ten K–12 schools in Manitoba to receive the . Each selected school will receive $25,000 to enhance programs, activities, and spaces that support student well-being.

Niverville High School Principal Paul Grosskopf applied for the grant in partnership with the school’s Parent Advisory Council. The funding will support the development of the Niverville High School Outdoor Learning and Community Space, planned for the lawn area east of the school.

The space is intended to support outdoor learning, Indigenous education, and community use. Plans include an Indigenous-inspired learning circle, a pergola with benches, river rock seating, circular pathways, native plants, and ecological and historical signage. The school’s tipi will also be set up in the space.

The location is expected to provide access for students, daycare staff and children, and visitors to the Community Resource and Recreation Centre.

Valleywest Landscaping has been hired for the project, which is expected to begin this summer.

Future landscaping and outdoor sports opportunities at the rear of the school may be considered as additional grant opportunities become available.

51�Թ��� extends its appreciation to Access Credit Union for supporting student well-being and helping make this outdoor learning and community space possible.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and staff of the 51�Թ���, we extend our congratulations to the Class of 2026 graduates and their families from Green Valley School, Landmark Collegiate, Niverville High School, and Steinbach Regional Secondary School.

Graduation is a significant milestone that reflects years of dedication, perseverance, and support. As graduates begin the next chapter of their journey, we wish them every success and fulfillment in the opportunities ahead.

• – 8 Grads
• – 57 Grads
• – 28 Grads
• – 105 Grads
• – 515 Grads

Graduation ceremonies will take place on June 24 (SRSS) and June 25 (GVS, LC, NHS).

51�Թ��� is thrilled to announce that Parkhill School has received a $40,000 grant from the . One of five schools in Manitoba to be awarded funding this year, Parkhill School received the largest grant in the province, supporting efforts to expand its library collection and strengthen literacy opportunities for students.

(L to R) Superintendent Joe Thiessen, Students, Library Support Specialist Katrina Hiebert, Principal Kim Koop.

The announcement was made as part of the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s Literacy Fund Grant Day on June 4. 51�Թ��� extends its sincere thanks to the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation for its generous investment in student literacy and learning.

The official news release from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation follows below:

Indigo Love of Reading Foundation Makes Record-Breaking Donations to 51�Թ��� in Need this Grant Day

Toronto, ON, June 3 – On June 4, the is committing a record-breaking $1.8 million dollars to 50 elementary schools in high-need Canadian communities. This is a 20-school, $800,000 increase from the foundation’s 2025 $1 million grant disbursement, dramatically transforming school library collections and impacting nearly 17,000 students.

Funds will be distributed to schools in 11 provinces and territories to increase, update and diversify book collections, ensuring every student has access to titles that reflect their identities, experiences, languages and histories.

“The Literacy Fund Grant’s goal is to equip as many schools as possible with the ability to offer high-quality, engaging reading materials,” said Ian McCann, Senior Manager of the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation. “This year’s schools face severe budget challenges, while their students manage obstacles ranging from geographic isolation to socioeconomic vulnerability, all making accessing relevant literature difficult. We’re proud to play a role in helping them fight for their literacy goals and engage more children in reading.”

These grants come at a critical moment in Canadian education. In Ontario, only 11 per cent of schools staff full-time teacher librarians, a 70 per cent decrease since 1998. As a result, Ontario and other provinces are reporting decreases in reader engagement.

“At Dorset Park, literacy is a top priority,” said Vanessa Grieve, Principal at recipient school, Dorset Park Public School. “We believe in developing critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifelong learners. Unfortunately, that can become very challenging when many of the resources you have do not meet the needs of our students and the 21st century learner.”

Since the organization’s founding in 2004, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has donated $30,458,000 to over 500 Canadian schools, understanding that literacy achievement in early childhood is an important predictor of long-term academic outcomes.

To learn more about the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation, its annual grant program and how you can join the movement, please see .

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About Indigo Love of Reading Foundation

The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation is committed to addressing educational inequality, and more specifically the literacy crisis in Canada. Since 2004, the Foundation has been dedicated to putting books in the hands of children in high-needs communities across Canada. With the support of Indigo and its customers, they have committed over $36 million to over 3,600 schools, impacting more than 1 million children. The Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of children’s literacy while providing essential literary support to high-needs children across Canada.

51�Թ��� is accepting applications for the following senior administrative positions:

SUPERINTENDENT/CEO

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
FTE: 1.0 FTE
Start Date: December 1, 2026
Terms of Employment: Permanent

Full Description – Superintendent/CEO (PDF)

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
FTE: 1.0 FTE
Start Date: October 1, 2026
Terms of Employment: Permanent

Full Description – Assistant Superintendent (PDF)

How to Apply

To apply for either position, please submit your résumé by email, along with a minimum of three references related to your educational experience, to Joy Janz, Human Resources Manager, at joyjanz@hsd.ca.

About 51�Թ���

51�Թ��� serves the communities of Blumenort, Bothwell, Crystal Springs, Grunthal, Kleefeld, Landmark, Mitchell, Niverville, and Steinbach. Representing nine communities, 51�Թ��� consists of approximately 9,000 students and 1,400 total staff in 20 schools. In addition to academics, athletics, and the arts, HSD offers full vocational and technology education programming.

• 8th Largest 51�Թ��� in Manitoba
• Largest Rural 51�Թ��� in Manitoba
• 120+ Bus Routes Daily
• 5300+ Students Bused Daily

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

With the warmer weather arriving, we are seeing more students walking, biking, and spending time outdoors near our schools.

As outdoor activity and pedestrian traffic increase, we kindly remind everyone to practice safe driving habits around schools, in drop-off zones, and on neighbourhood streets. Drivers are asked to slow down, pay close attention at crosswalks and intersections, and be mindful of children who may enter roadways unexpectedly.

We also encourage families to take this opportunity to reinforce important road safety habits with their children, such as wearing a helmet when biking, crossing at designated crosswalks, and staying aware of traffic.

Thank you for helping keep our school communities safe.

Respectfully,

Joe Thiessen, Superintendent-CEO
51�Թ���

On April 16 2026, 51�Թ��� hosted the Reality Check event at Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS), giving Grade 9 students a chance to step into adult life for a day. This hands-on experience helped students learn how to manage money and make smart financial choices.

Approximately 550 grade 9 students took part in the event, moving through 15 different booths that represented common monthly expenses like housing, transportation, food, and entertainment. With the help of over 95 volunteers, including community members, teachers, and parents, students explored what it really costs to live independently.

At the start of the simulation, each student was assigned a career, salary, and sometimes even a family. These details were based on real data, helping students see what life might look like in their future. From there, students created a monthly budget and visited booths to “pay” for their needs and wants, making choices along the way.

The goal of Reality Check is simple: to give students a realistic look at budgeting in a safe, supportive environment. As students worked through their budgets, many were surprised by how quickly money can be spent. They had to think carefully about their decisions, balancing what they wanted with what they truly needed.

The event also highlighted the importance of financial literacy. By simulating real-life responsibilities, students learned how income, expenses, and unexpected costs can affect their financial well-being.

Reality Check would not be possible without strong community support. Local businesses and volunteers played a key role in guiding students and sharing real-world knowledge.

Overall, SRSS Reality Check 2026 was a meaningful and engaging experience. It gave students valuable skills they can carry with them into adulthood, helping them feel more confident about managing money in the future.

Student Quotes

“I learned that even if I have a lot of money, I still need to plan what is most important and fit the rest into my budget.”

“It was a great experience to see how expensive life was… it gives me a better idea of how to properly spend money.”

“This really opened my eyes about the future and how much money adults have to pay for everything.”