St. James-Assiniboia School Division

🎯 Two high school students from Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate put their skills to the test at the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto, Ontario from May 28 to 29, 2026.

🦺 ⚡Huskies Kira Simpson (Workplace Safety) and Andrei Kargin (Electronics) were part of Team Manitoba—a group of 64 high school, college, and young apprentices who earned the right to represent Manitoba after placing first in their respective trade or technology field at the Skills Manitoba Competition earlier this year.

🥈 Andrei took home the silver medal in Electronics for all of Canada at the high school level.

🙌 Congratulations to Kira and Andrei for representing Manitoba, SJASD, and CSHC! And thanks as well to Vocational Electrical Instructor Gary Yakimoski for his long-time support, advocacy, and mentorship of students and Skills.

🔗 See link to full story: https://www.sjasd.ca/pages/newsitem.aspx?ItemID=588

🧣 At today’s Public Board Meeting, find out how the SJASD Indigenous Education Team is delivering Michif language learning to the Division’s youngest students and a cohort of SJASD educators.

📅 Piikishkweetaak aan Michif! / Let’s Speak Michif! kicked off in September 2025. Since then:

➤ All SJASD Kindergarten classrooms have been engaged in learning Michif. 📖
➤ A cohort of 25 SJASD staff members have been taking Michif lessons and are integrating the language into their classrooms and schools. 💻

🌱 Next year, the Indigenous Education Team hope to grow the program to support Kindergarten students as they transition to Grade 1.

🔗 To learn more about this new program, see the link to watch the live stream at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, or attend in person at the SJASD Board Office.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg8gHpW6LmU

Trustee Lethbridge says “Happy June” to Students, Staff, and Graduates. 🎉

In June’s Blurb from the Board, she provides a roundup of recent and upcoming exciting events within the Division, including:

➤ 72 out of 120 Indigenous graduates received their certificate of congratulations at the Divisional Powwow last week. 🪶
➤ June 7 is the PRIDE Parade, and SJASD is once again taking part. All are welcome. 🏳️‍🌈
➤ 771 graduates will be crossing stages this month from SJASD’s five high schools as well as the Stevenson-Britannia Adult Learning Centre. 🎓
➤ The St. James Scholarship Foundation is getting ready to provide approximately 63 awards to students across the Division. 💵🧾

As the countdown to summer begins, Lethbridge thanks staff, and congratulates graduates as they get ready to take their next chosen steps. ☀️ 🚀

🔗 To learn more about recent and upcoming activities, see link: https://www.sjasd.ca/pages/newsitem.aspx?ItemID=586

🎓 The SJASD Graduation Powwow will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate.

🎉 This annual event celebrates Indigenous grads from across the Division and features traditional Indigenous drumming, dancing, and singing.

✨ Come on out and celebrate student success, learn about Indigenous culture, and show your support as grads transition into their next chapter.

🧡 All community members are welcome to attend and honour our Indigenous grads.

🔗 See link for more information: https://www.sjasd.ca/pages/newsitem.aspx?ItemID=581

💅 At tomorrow’s Public Board Meeting, find out how John Taylor Collegiate is creating polished potential with their newly launched Nail Technology Vocational Program.

🧴 Since September 2025, 66 students from Grades 9 to 12 have been acquiring skills in nail technology through classroom learning and hands-on practice via the school’s new Nail Tech Lab.

💼 Students enjoy deep learning experiences, as well as opportunities to establish pathways to career opportunities beyond high school, which includes pursuing Senior Years Technical-Vocational Programming and Accreditation through Apprenticeship Manitoba.

🔗 To learn more about this program, see the link to watch the live stream at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, or attend in person at the SJASD Board Office: https://www.youtube.com/live/_R1KPK5jANY

🌿 Looking for a new excuse to get outside?

☀️ The SJASD 2026 ‘Wheel’ Challenge is coming up fast (just in time for the warmer weather).

📅 From May 18 to June 8, 2026, students are encouraged to get active and have fun by biking, rollerblading, scootering, skateboarding, roller-skating, using a wheelchair, or using any other form of wheels to get moving. 🚲🛹🛼♿🛴+

💸 Students can enter to win a $500 shopping spree courtesy of local retailer

Let’s get rolling! 🛞

🔗 For more information and to download or obtain a bingo card, see link: https://www.sjasd.ca/Pages/newsitem.aspx?ItemID=580

📢 Attention SJASD Newcomer Families: Be Water Safe this summer.

🌊 SJASD Physical Education is delivering the following free water safety sessions geared to families that are new to Canada with children attending an SJASD school:

🛟 Newcomer Dryland Water Safety Presentation
A free classroom presentation that provides essential safety knowledge for families before heading to the water.
📅 May 13, 2026, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
📍 Professional Staff Development Centre (PSDC), 150 Moray Street

🏊 Newcomer Orientation to St. James Centennial Pool
A free hands-on orientation to the St. James Centennial Pool followed by a swim to get comfortable with the pool environment.
📅 June 6, 2026, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
📍 St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool, 644 Parkdale Street

🌅 Learn how to be safe around lakes, beaches, and pools.

💧 Sessions funded through a grant from the Manitoba Coalition for Safer Waters.

🔗 For more information or to register, see link: https://www.sjasd.ca/pages/newsitem.aspx?ItemID=579

🎭 Schools in SJASD are getting ready to spring into a flurry of musicals.

📅 Mark your calendars:

➤ Westwood Collegiate Junior Musical Theatre Troupe presents Grease: School Version from May 12 to 14. 🕺 🎶
➤ John Taylor Collegiate Musical Theatre presents Something Rotten Jr., May 12 to 15. 📜 🪶
➤ Bruce Middle School presents Alice in Wonderland Jr. from May 20 to 22. 🐇 🎩

🎟️ Take in some musical theatre as the temperatures warm! Tickets on sale now.

Special Note: Lincoln Middle School kicked off the spring musical season early, presenting Beauty and the Beast Jr. from March 25 to 26. 🌹 ✨