The following was sent by:

Christian Michalik, Superintendent of Schools & CEO Louis Riel School Division

regarding upcoming changes to Island Lakes Community School.

Families and staff,  Island Lakes Community School (ILCS) has experienced significant student enrolment increases in recent years. Here are the enrolments we have observed since June 2022.  June 2022 – 531  September 2022 – 575  June 2023 – 640  September 2023 – 674  May 2024 – 713  September 2024 (projected enrolment) – 765  Recognizing the concerns about enrolment pressures at the school, we want to reassure you that we have a comprehensive plan to accommodate growing student enrolment, including the introduction of Full-Day Kindergarten. Ongoing communication with students, families, and staff remains a priority. This newsletter will provide regular updates on the progress of the construction work and other developments over the next several weeks leading up to September, and beyond. Our goal is to maintain transparency and ensure that you are aware of all steps being taken to create additional spaces and amenities.  Explaining the Enrolment Increase at ILCS  In September 2021, having not yet received approval from the Manitoba government to build a second school in Sage Creek, we were forced to change the catchment for ILCS to include all the Island Lakes and Bonavista neighbourhoods in order to create space at Shamrock School to accommodate students from Sage Creek. We had anticipated a steadier increase to the enrolment at ILCS to eventually require the addition of modular classrooms. Initially, in discussions with the developer, the plan was to complete Bonavista by 2028. However, enrolment significantly accelerated due to a much faster building schedule than originally planned by the developer, coupled with the removal of a 55+ requirement for several multi-family units. We expected a population increase from Bonavista, but not at its current pace.  Our recent conversations with the developer have reassured us that almost all of Bonavista has now been built, and we should not see such sharp increases in the future as we have recently experienced. Nonetheless, we still anticipate population growth at ILCS over the next few years. Our recent projections show a maximum student enrolment range of 795 to 881 students by 2028.  LRSD’s Response to the Enrolment Increase at ILCS LRSD had anticipated significant enrolment increases at ILCS and planned for six modular classrooms starting with an initial request for four modular classrooms from the Manitoba government as part of our Five-Year Capital Plan, submitted in January 2023. Currently, the province has approved the installation of two modular classrooms. These were expected to be installed in September 2023. Due to multiple delays, the modular classrooms have yet to be installed. As a temporary measure, the community room was converted into two classrooms in the summer of 2023.   Furthermore, in response to the rapid increase in enrolment, LRSD has had to adjust staffing and space allocations quickly over the last two years. This has included adding more staff and creating more classrooms, with slightly larger class sizes than the divisional average. You can find more detailed information about the school’s current and historic enrolment numbers here.   As we look to next year, we continue to work closely with consultants, contractors, and the City of Winnipeg to expedite the review and approval of a conditional use application and all necessary permits required for the modular classrooms to be ready for occupancy in September 2024, along with other associated renovations.   The current guitar room will be converted to a regular classroom next year to balance the number of students per class. Ms. Power has worked with Mr. Hrabluk (guitar teacher) to develop a plan to schedule guitar lessons in existing classrooms. Both are confident that the program will continue to thrive.  Washrooms  In November 2023, we began planning to increase the number of available student washrooms in response to a growing enrolment. To achieve this, we engaged a consultant to audit the existing washroom spaces and develop a detailed plan to meet the needs of up to 950 students and 100 staff members. The first phase of this work will occur over the summer. Full-Day Kindergarten and the Library  We are committed to providing Full-Day Kindergarten for our youngest learners. This program will be implemented while ensuring that all necessary facilities and spaces are in place to support a safe and inclusive learning environment. On April 4, LRSD’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and school administration met with incoming Kindergarten families to discuss the implementation of Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK). During the meeting, discussions centred on the benefits of FDK. We also addressed the necessity of converting some library space into two classrooms to ensure ILCS has 31 classroom spaces for 2024-2025, aiming to accommodate FDK and balance class sizes across all grade levels.  Although the families’ response to this announcement was overwhelmingly positive, some community members expressed concerns about converting part of the existing library space. This led to a community meeting on April 15. Following this meeting, LRSD received email communications from some community members outlining specific concerns. Members of LRSD’s SLT and school administration have responded to these messages. Additionally, the SLT invited two members of the PAC executive to a separate meeting and extended invitations to four parents with specific questions for individual meetings with them, school administration, and representatives from Prairie Architects.  Contingency Plans  In our discussions, questions about contingency plans arose. When developing contingency plans, our priority is to keep communities together and minimize disruptions to family routines. However, we may need to reassign students to different schools as a last resort. Here are the contingency plans for three possible scenarios:  Ideal Scenario  On September 3, 2024:  Two modular classrooms are installed and ready for occupancy.  Two classrooms will be housed in the library, leaving more than 1,100 square feet for its continued use as a library.   Less Desirable Scenario  Completion of the two modular classrooms and/or the two temporary classrooms in the library is delayed short-term but we anticipate completion within the first few weeks of the school year. As a result, some students will be temporarily reassigned to larger groupings within the same grade supported by more than one teacher until the modular classrooms are ready.   Worst Case Scenario   Completion of the two modular classrooms and/or the two temporary classrooms in the library is delayed long-term. As a result, up to four classrooms of students would be temporarily relocated to Minnetonka School in St. Vital.   Future Planning  We are working to have the new school in Sage Creek open in September 2025. At that point, students residing in Sage Creek currently attending Shamrock School will attend the English program school at 315 Sage Creek Blvd. This shift will temporarily decrease Shamrock School’s enrolment, freeing up space to potentially consider Shamrock School as a possible option to address continued enrolment pressures at ILCS.  We are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. Your feedback and support are invaluable as we navigate these changes. Please look for our upcoming updates, and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.  Thank you for your trust and partnership. Take care,    Christian Michalik   Superintendent of Schools & CEO   Louis Riel School Division     CC: Louis Riel School Division Board of Trustees Copyright © 2024 Louis Riel School Division, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a guardian of a student in the Louis Riel School Division. Our mailing address is:Louis Riel School Division900 St. Mary’s RoadWinnipeg, Mb R2M 3R3Canada