Interlake School Division students are poised for a bright future thanks to a focus on career development.
Steve Proskurnik, the division’s career development support teacher, shared an update at the Nov. 10 school board meeting about his work so far this school year.
One of his priorities this school year is to raise awareness among students, staff, parents and local employers of the various career paths and programs available to them. He also aims to increase support for all schools and students to explore career options, including through the high school apprenticeship program.
He is collaborating with industry representatives to showcase career paths to Interlake School Division (ISD) students. Monthly presentations in all ISD high schools are already underway and will continue throughout the school year. Presenters include representatives from Manitoba Aerospace, the Aviation Council of Manitoba, the Manitoba Trucking Association and Supply Chain of Manitoba, as well as many skilled trades.
At the same time, Proskurnik provides guidance to students and families as they explore pathways to different employment and learning opportunities, while also helping to grow interest and participation in the program among students and local employers.
Board chair Alan Campbell thanked Proskurnik for his presentation and acknowledged that his work with students, staff and families addresses important needs within all ISD school communities.
“With regard to the career development and high school apprenticeship programs, we recognize fully that in 2025, our rural public schools need to be well-equipped to support our students in exploring all options for future career paths that don’t necessarily include a university degree,” Campbell said.
“The renewal of this programming and the expansion of the position itself is a direct response by the board and senior administration to concerns we heard from community members and parents in the last year.”
At the same meeting, Kathy Simcoe, ISD’s Indigenous education support teacher, shared an update with the board. Now in her second year in the role, Simcoe coordinates professional learning opportunities for staff, including training on blanket exercises and treaty education.
A place-based learning opportunity for ISD teaching staff took place at Lower Fort Garry featuring Chief Gordon Bluesky of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, while another took place at St. Peter Dynevor Old Stone Church featuring Cynthia Bird and Wender Serger.
Simcoe also shared details about a ISD land-based education program that allows students “to learn on, about and from the land.” Some of the activities include teepee raising and teachings, large and small game harvesting, traditional Métis fishing and a shore lunch or fish fry. Looking ahead, plans are in the works for a spring fishing trip and medicine harvesting opportunity.
On behalf of the school board, Campbell shared appreciation for Simcoe’s efforts to enhance Indigenous education programming.
“The board is pleased with the progress made in the division on Indigenous education in support of all learners — students, staff and community members,” he said.
“We look forward to continued collaboration with our Indigenous, First Nations and Métis partners on this important work.”
In other Interlake School Division news:
• A nine-minute documentary called A Day in the Life of Interlake School Division is posted on the ISD website at interlakesd.ca.
“ISD collaborated with filmmaker Randy Frykas to create a short documentary to celebrate the work of our staff and to assist our recruitment efforts for various employment opportunities,” said Supt. Margaret Ward. “To date, the documentary has 1,500-plus views.”
• The school division recently purchased propane-powered buses after a comparison between diesel and propane vehicles. A new bus route system is being tested, and two full-time spare drivers for the 2025-26 school year help to ensure that routes are covered.
• Recent improvements at ISD schools include:
o New washroom partitions installed at Balmoral School.
o At Brant-Argyle School, the gym floor was replaced with a new poured floor.
o Grosse Isle School had new basketball net motors installed.
o At Rosser School, new flooring was installed in the main office and administrator’s office, and the security system was also upgraded.
o École Stonewall Centennial School had air conditioners and a new drop-down curtain installed in the gym. The new staff bathrooms project has started.
o Collège Stonewall Collegiate received an upgrade to the intercom system. An extensive classroom construction project is now complete.
o Stony Mountain School received new cabinetry in a classroom as well as an upgrade to the intercom system. The recent insurance claim work, resulting from a motor vehicle accident last year, is complete.
o At Teulon Elementary School, upgraded front doors were installed and the security system also received an upgrade.
o Teulon Collegiate Institute had the gym and library painted. New flooring was installed in the library and plans are in the works for new staff bathrooms.
o Warren Elementary School had new basketball net motors installed.
o At Warren Collegiate Institute, construction is complete for a new culinary arts room. The school also received an upgrade to the intercom system.
o Woodlands School had the long jump pit relocated. New safety stanchions were also installed on the west side of the parking lot.
o École R.W. Bobby School received new cabinetry in four classrooms.
• Total student enrolment in September 2025 was 2,993 students (or 2,895 full-time equivalents), compared to 3,000 students (or 2,896 full-time equivalents) in September 2024.
• A divisional parent advisory council event took place on Nov. 24.
• A municipal partners night will take place on Jan. 12, 2026, at 6 p.m.
• Trustees defeated a motion to amend a bylaw to include new clauses that no trustee elected to the position of chair or vice-chair can hold the position for longer than two consecutive one-year terms without the interruption of at least one term. Another proposed clause was that the provision would take effect following the 2026 school board election.
