Caring and sharing in LRSD

St. Vital

In the Louis Riel School Division, the lead-up to the holiday season always brings out the very best in our students, families, and staff. 2025 was no exception, as our schools and buildings buzzed with energy and a shared focus on goodwill and community support.

Student-led initiatives, in particular, do so much more than raise funds or collect food and other items; they help our learners grow into empathetic, socially responsible citizens who understand the true value of giving back.

These collective efforts reflect a division-wide commitment, which is embedded in our mission statement – to foster caring and capable individuals who contribute to a democratic and sustainable world. By leaning into our strategic priority of generosity, the LRSD community continues to make a real and tangible difference throughout the City of Winnipeg by organizing food drives, assembling holiday hampers, and continuing to support vital local organizations such as Harvest Manitoba, United Way Winnipeg, the Christmas Cheer Board, the Bear Clan Patrol, and Koats for Kids.

The season of giving kicked off back in November, when a dedicated group of students and staff from the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre headed to Canadian Blood Services to donate blood. In December, the annual Hampertime events at Windsor Park Collegiate and Dakota Collegiate were once again huge successes. The Dakota boys’ hockey team did a fantastic job leading their popular community sock drive. École St. Germain’s 10 Days of Giving event brought the entire school community together to support those in need. From bake sales to toy drives and collections for warm winter gear such as scarves and mitts, the creativity and kindness on display were truly inspiring.

This generosity will continue in 2026. Already, as part of their coursework, some students at Collège Jeanne-Sauvé are designing transitional housing, with End Homelessness Winnipeg as a supporting resource. The project nurtures empathy as students learn about poverty and homelessness while using new and familiar tools to design within given parameters.

Generosity is foundational to our multi-year strategic plan, ensuring kindness is a consistent part of the LRSD culture rather than a series of one-off events. As a board, we are grateful for the selfless spirit within our schools and heartened by our students, staff, and families who work together to support and strengthen our community.