Betty Gibson School joins provincial program

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This article was published 27/02/2024 (932 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The provincial government has expanded its Community Schools Program, welcoming Betty Gibson School in Brandon along with six other Manitoba schools into the initiative, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare announced Monday.

Created through the Community Schools Act in 2013, the program supports the capacity of schools as hubs within communities to strategically gather and deploy school-community services and resources in ways that attain better outcomes for students, families and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Brandon School Division trustee Calistus Ekenna (Ward 1) said the expansion is a welcome development.

“This program aligns with our mandate to ensure that every child gets the support they need and deserve, making every family feel supported,” Ekenna told the Sun. “I advocate for more schools in Brandon to benefit from this program, as almost all the schools here experience needs to be connected to it.”

Betty Gibson School, located at 701 12th St., serves kindergarten to Grade 8. Honouring the legacy of the distinguished educator Betty Margaret Gibson, the school bearing her name was established on the grounds once occupied by the former Alexandra School, which was demolished in 1974.

Other schools in the province that have been added to the program 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); École Powerview School, Sunrise School Division (kindergarten to Grade 12); and Fort la Reine School, Portage la Prairie School Division (kindergarten to Grade 7).

“We’re committed to making sure that every child in Manitoba has the support they need to be healthy and successful,” Altomare said. “Through community schools, we can make sure students from high-needs areas can learn and reach their full potential — whether they need tutoring, after-school support or a healthy meal.”

With a new $560,000 investment, he said, the program will increase from serving 41 to 48 schools with community programming, and “more than 10,000 students will benefit from the Community Schools Program.”

He added the highest-needs schools get additional grant funding based on demographics and socio-economic factors, noting each school has a designated community liaison who builds relationships with students and their families to facilitate participation and student success.

Altomare said participating schools in the program offer a spectrum of resources and services, including breakfast and lunch programs, early childhood literacy programming, parenting information and programs, before-school and after-school programs, and evening, weekend and summer programs.

“The initiative also encompasses mentoring and youth development programs, along with various services such as first aid/CPR training, cultural awareness activities and crime prevention,” the minister said.

Among the 41 schools already participating in the program are Brandon’s George Fitton School at 1129 Third St. (kindergarten to Grade 8) and École New Era School at 527 Louise Ave. (kindergarten to Grade 8).

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