Latest news with #LouisRielSchoolDivision
Winnipeg Free Press
23-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tigers' Den champions exhibit problem-solving mettle
St. Boniface The latest edition of the Louis Riel School Division's annual Tigers' Den entrepreneurship competition handed out its awards to four enterprising students in June. The competition requires that students identify and solve a problem in the marketplace and plead their case in a two-minute YouTube pitch to 15 business leaders in the Winnipeg community. The 15 judges included representatives from Nevovation Learning Solutions, Western Canada Lotteries, Horizon Computer Solutions Inc., RBC, Brenntag, North Forge, and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. Supplied photo (From left) 2025 Tigers' Den champions Arjun Redhu (champion), Danna Sofia Blanco Osorio and Rumman Gull (second), Angola Martins-Dury (third) Judges viewed the pitches and assessed them on the relevance of the problem, the unique value proposition, the intended audience, and the presentation style and format. This year's three champions came from students in the Louis Riel Arts and Techology Centre. The first place winner, Vocab, by Arjun Redhu from the Applied Business Management (ABM) program created a language app to empower verbal and non-verbal users to learn languages using social media channels that connect to an inclusive community. Second place went to Rumman Gull and Danna Sofia Blanco Osorio, also from the ABM, who built the AllPetGuide app that included community channels, chat spaces, and veterinary advice to help owners ensure their pets get the care they deserve. In third place was Angola Martins-Dury from the Broadcast Media Program who created Mood Mission, an app for those who need mental health, anxiety, and negative mood support. 2025 Tiger's Den champion Redhu appreciated the chance to extend his high school classroom into the community and test ideas with industry professionals. 'I wanted feedback from the Tigers because I felt that my idea mattered,' he said. 'Problem-solving on my own, especially designing the mock-up app, challenged me and helped me grow creatively.' Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. Canada needs to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs. BDC notes that Canada has 100,000 fewer entrepreneurs than it did 20 years ago even though the population has grown by more than 10 million over the same period. Entrepreneurs, in small and medium-sized companies comprise close to 50 per cent of Canada's gross domestic product, according to Statistics Canada. They are vital to the growth of the economy. Loren Remillard, CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, believes that 'Forward thinking, healthy communities nurture innovative entrepreneurs. Investing in young entrepreneurs isn't an option but a vital driver of our shared future.' At the heart of the Tigers' Den is problem-solving, a key in-demand skill that empowers students to not only consider a future in entrepreneurship, but also to propel innovative practices in workplaces. The winning video pitch is available for a look at Adriano MagnificoSt. Boniface community correspondent Adriano Magnifico is a community correspondent for St. Boniface. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-07-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
School division goes full BLAST with child-care pilot
A handful of schools in southeast Winnipeg will provide supervision before and after the bell rings for a flat rate of $15 per day, starting this fall. The Louis Riel School Division's BLAST (Before-School, Lunch, and After-School Time) initiative is scheduled to launch on Sept. 4. Eligible families will be able to drop participating children at school as early as 7 a.m. on all days that classes are in session. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES The Louis Riel School Division's BLAST (Before-School, Lunch, and After-School Time) initiative is scheduled to launch on Sept. 4. Child care will also be available after dismissal until 5:30 p.m. Stephen Sobczak said his family could definitely 'work with' the proposed model. 'But I don't want to get my hopes up,' said the father of an incoming Grade 2 student at Niakwa Place School. Sobczak and his wife were among the parents who waited throughout 2024-25 for a child-care spot that never opened; they relied on grandparents to make do. More than half of the families who participated in a recent school division survey, representing 2,936 children, indicated they needed assistance with weekday supervision. Niakwa Place, as well as Archwood School, École Van Belleghem and both elementary schools in Sage Creek — the second of which is scheduled to open in September — were chosen to pilot BLAST and start addressing those needs. 'This is just the start of something much bigger,' said Christian Michalik, superintendent of the division encompassing St. Boniface, River Park South and surrounding communities. The administrative team is planning to make on-site child-care coverage available to kindergarten-to-Grade 6 students to sandwich every school day before the end of 2027. The superintendent said his hope is the daily fee, which will recover staffing, snack and other costs, can be reduced in future. The province has not agreed to subsidize the program at present, he noted. Tricia Bailey Sauvé, who had been a divisional vice-principal, was tapped to oversee the transition from a patchwork of individual school-run child-care programs to a division-wide strategy. The BLAST manager is working on a centralized payment structure, family handbook, code of conduct and specific procedures ahead of back-to-school season. 'Our goal is to support families and to create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment,' Bailey Sauvé wrote in a recent memo to parents who have long competed for limited spots at private and school-run daycares. Daily programming is anticipated to take place indoors and outdoors with play-based learning and socialization as the top priorities. It will not be available on holidays or when schools are closed for teacher professional development. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. The blueprint allows private daycares located in schools to continue operating as usual. The division is hiring part-time program assistants and co-ordinators — roles that the superintendent said he anticipates will be filled by support staff, as well as university and high school students — for BLAST. The posted hourly wages are $16.75 and $21.55, respectively. This is the natural next step to tackle a chronic shortage of child-care spaces and lengthy waitlists in the division after its implementation of full-day kindergarten, Michalik said. The division's 30 elementary schools began offering what's often dubbed 'FDK' in 2024-25. The expansion cost approximately $2.6 million. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
23-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Byelection set to fill Winnipeg city council seat after death of Jason Schreyer
Voters will choose a new Winnipeg city councillor to fill the seat left empty after the death of Coun. Jason Schreyer earlier this year. The City of Winnipeg announced a byelection for Oct. 25 in the Elmwood-East Kildonan ward. Voters in the byelection will also choose school trustees for the Louis Riel School Division Ward 3 and Pembina Trails School Division Ward 1. Jason Schreyer, 57, died in April serving over a decade on city council. Schreyer was remembered by colleagues as an independent voice with a musical flair — often singing during council prayers. He was the son of former Manitoba Premier and Governor General Ed Schreyer and was first elected in 2014. More information how to vote or run as a candidate is available on the City of Winnipeg's website.
CTV News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Byelection scheduled to fill late city councillor's seat
Winnipeg City Hall is pictured in a file image from July of 2024. (Jeff Keele/CTV News) A byelection date has been set to fill the seat left empty by a Winnipeg city councillor who died earlier this year. Voters in the Elmwood-East Kildonan ward will head to the polls Oct. 25 to elect a new councillor. The Elmwood-East Kildonan seat was formerly filled by Jason Schreyer, who died suddenly in April. He was first elected in 2014. Jason Schreyer Jason Schreyer is pictured during a May 2024 interview at Winnipeg City Hall. (Danton Unger/CTV News Winnipeg) At last check, there were no registered candidates listed on the city's website. Meanwhile, voters in Louis Riel School Division Ward 3 and Pembina Trails School Division Ward 1 will also cast their ballots that day to elect new school trustees. Information on the nomination process and who is eligible to vote can be found on the city's website.
Winnipeg Free Press
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Artist, collector turns home into gallery
Royalwood For Royalwood resident and retired Louis Riel School Division teacher Rodger Lourenzo, home is where the art is. Every June, he opens his abode to friends, former students, and the general public to experience the art he has created and collected in an evening gallery show and sale. 'This is the best time of year to showcase the art,' Lourenzo said. 'We have the perfect light streaming in.' Owing to strong interest, Lourenzo extended his event for an extra week this year, and sold 107 of the 250-300 pieces available. Photo by Tanya Misseghers Rodger Lourenzo shows off one of his graphite art pieces. 'I've been making and purchasing art for 25 years,' Lourenzo said. 'Before moving to Royalwood 10 years ago, I invited people to visit my home and let the art speak to them, without any pressure to purchase. It's a tradition I've continued that has led to making new friends and sparking joy. Art is for everyone.' Lourenzo's collection extends from Canadian to international artists in all forms – paint, print, photography, ceramics and sculpture, ranging in price from $50 into the thousands. By cutting his own glass and doing his own framing, he aims to make fine art more accessible. Lourenzo obtains pieces locally and globally through his travels. 'I look for art that tells a story, or evokes a memory, or emotion,' Lourenzo acknowledged. 'Beauty, humour, love, longing, sadness, contradiction, majesty, each one moves me.' Lourenzo has several of his own graphite drawings available to purchase. 'I layer the different weights of pencil as though I'm building the image one cell at a time. Tap, tap, tap, creating the depth of life that I see.' Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. Inspired by the nearby Bois-des-esprits, Lourenzo plans on expanding into photography. 'The marshes and the retention ponds in Royalwood are incredible for wildlife,' he said. 'Even in my own backyard, I've observed more than 30 species of birds, including ducks. I allow myself to be open to all mediums – watercolour, sculpture, pencil – it's about what I'm conceiving.' Although this year's show and sale ended June 8, Lourenzo welcomes anyone searching for a special piece to complete their home or cottage. 'If you have a feeling you want to create, I can help you choose. It just takes one little gem to make your space complete. I want people to be surrounded by art that they love.' He can be reached by email at lourenzoart@ or by phone at 204-801-7716 Tanya Misseghers Royalwood community correspondent Tanya Misseghers is a community correspondent for Royalwood. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
