Winnipeg School Division books downtown arena for in-service

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/10/2024 (376 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s largest school division is renting out Canada Life Centre on Wednesday so its workforce can participate in professional development under one roof.

“It’s the only venue that can actually house our staff,” said Matt Henderson, superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division.

Roughly 5,500 staff, including upwards of 2,200 teachers, are expected to attend the division’s inaugural in-service meeting.

The concert and hockey venue is being transformed to accommodate a morning of performances and speeches inside the bottom bowl.

WSD is spending about $50,000 on the day, just under $10 per participant, Henderson said. Food coordinators, tradespeople and information technology specialists will be among those in attendance.

“It’s really, really important to bring the whole group together. We’re really trying to build a strong culture where everybody feels that they’re part of a community that’s moving the needle for kids and families so it’s important we’re all in the same room and feeling part of that community,” he said.

The division booked African-American educator Christopher Emdin to deliver a keynote. Emdin is an award-winning author whose research interests include STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and social justice education. Student drum groups from Tec Voc, Daniel McIntyre and Gordon Bell schools will also perform.

Following morning programming, educational assistants are scheduled to attend support staff-specific sessions at the convention centre.

Teachers will take part in school-level professional development for the remainder of the day.

Regular instruction will resume Thursday.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca