Garden Valley Connects

Garden Valley Connects is your go-to destination for informative articles and updates brought to you by our Trustees. It's more than just a website—it's a vibrant platform designed to connect with the entire community. From parents and students to educators and local stakeholders, Garden Valley Connects is your window into the exciting world of public education in GVSD. Join us as we work together to support and strengthen our schools for everyone.

Trustee Bio Focus - Philipp Unruh

06/24/2024

Hello, I’m Philipp Unruh. I am in my first term serving as a GVSD trustee. My family immigrated from Germany to Winkler in 1999. I have been a proud Winklerite ever since. I graduated from GVC in 2008 and studied 7 years at the University of Manitoba where I graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry in 2015.

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A group photo of the GVSD Board meeting with Minister Nello Altomare.

Minister Nello Altomare Visits GVSD

06/20/2024

The GVSD Board of Trustees would like to thank Minister Nello Altomare (Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning) for visiting Winkler Elementary School and meeting with the board on June 18.

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What is the Value of a High School Diploma?

06/14/2024

I recall fairly vividly a faculty of education university lecture I attended many years ago. In that particular class on a warm spring day in 1996, my professor suggested that the profession of high school teacher would be obsolete in the next 10 to 15 years due to technology and the rapidly changing world of education and work.

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Trustee Bio Focus - Deana Wilson

06/11/2024

Hi there, I’m Deana Wilson. The past 5 ½ years on the GVSD board have been an incredible journey, and it’s been a true privilege to be a part of it. My husband and I made the move to Winkler from Brandon in 2003, creating a home and raising our two sons here.

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Thanking An Exceptional Teacher and Mentor

06/03/2024

Joanne remembers coming home from school as a 7-year-old and assuming the role of teacher when she played at home; her younger siblings, dolls, and stuffed animals were her students. Already as a young child, she was passionate about teaching and confident this would be her life path.

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Trustee Bio Focus - Tena Lane

05/29/2024

Hello! My name is Tena Lane. Like many newcomers, it was an employment opportunity that brought my family to Winkler.

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Trustee Bio Focus - John Klassen

05/22/2024

Ten years ago, I accepted an invitation to consider serving as a Trustee on the GVSD board; while it requires a high level of commitment, it’s a decision I have never regretted.

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A photo of Board Chair Leah Klassen speaking to a grade 2 class at Plum Coulee School

Board Chair Speaks to Grade 2 Class

04/29/2024

Board Chair Leah Klassen spoke to the Grade 2 class at Plum Coulee School on leadership.

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Trustee Bio Focus - Pamela Hiebert

04/29/2024

This week's trustee bio spotlight: Meet Pamela Hiebert. In the summer of 2022, I allowed my name to stand for Trustee after serving on the NPC PAC for 3 years.

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An image of a secretary working on a computer

SAA's: The Superheroes of GVSD

04/24/2024

The last week of April is a time when our School Administrative Assistants will be celebrated. On behalf of the GVSD board I wish to add thoughts of appreciation for these most deserving persons who are so vital within our schools. Let me set the scene for you.

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Trustee Bio Focus - Heather DiFrancesco

04/17/2024

We invite you to get to know our board members better as we spotlight their bios on our website each month. Hello! I’m Heather DiFrancesco.

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An image of the J.R. Walkof choir singing at the MSBA AGM

J.R. Walkof Students Open MSBA AGM

03/21/2024

Students from J.R. Walkof School opened the 60th annual Manitoba School Boards Association Convention and AGM with the singing of our national anthem.

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A photo of the gifts that GVSD will be donating to the NEEDS fundraiser

GVSD Supports NEEDS Fundraiser

03/19/2024

GVSD will once again support the Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS) program by providing raffle gifts for the NEEDS fundraiser at the annual MSBA Convention and AGM on March 21 and 22.

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An image of two people shaking hands in an office

Hiring Great Teachers is Vital

03/13/2024

With about 350 teachers in GVSD, it’s normal that some retire, some move to other positions within our schools or move to other communities, and some new positions emerge as our community and schools grow. This means that annually, our principals and senior administration need to work diligently and wisely to fill all the teaching positions within GVSD.

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Trustees toured our schools on February 15

Trustees Tour Our Schools on February 15

02/16/2024

Trustees had the opportunity to tour schools on February 15 to learn more about programming, facilities and student needs.

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An image of a calculator and some budget documents

How A School Division Budget is Set

02/08/2024

When most people hear about school board budgeting, they yawn and think, “Isn’t there something else to discuss?” But budgeting for the GVSD Board of Trustees is one of the important things that we do as trustees, and we want the public’s input.

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An image of the participants involved in the strategic planning session

Strategic Planning Session held on Jan. 29

01/31/2024

GVSD trustees, school leaders, divisional admin and curriculum coordinators got together in Hochfeld on January 29 to review the Division’s strategic plan and review recent academic and student wellness data.

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Municipal officials meeting with GVSD Trustees and Sr. Admin.

GVSD Meets With Municipal Officials on Jan. 10

01/10/2024

Thanks to our elected municipal officials and staff for meeting with GVSD Trustees and Senior Admin to discuss the GVSD budget process on January 10! Working with our municipal partners is critical to our success.

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An image of the GVSD board meeting with MLA Josh Guenter and MLA Carrie Hiebert.

MLAs Meet with the GVSD Board

12/12/2023

Thanks to MLA Josh Guenter (Borderland) and MLA Carrie Hiebert (Morden-Winkler) for meeting with the Board on December 12, 2023 to discuss opportunities and challenges in GVSD!

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GVSD Board Reorganizes for 2023-24

09/12/2023

At the September 12, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees re-elected, by acclamation...

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