Latest news with #SevenOaksSchoolDivision
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Teaching the Holocaust: proceed with caution
Opinion Thanks to Byron Rempel-Burkholder (A more varied curriculum, Letters, Free Press, May 7) for suggesting that Holocaust Studies are wasted if the study of human atrocities stops there. And a special thanks to John Longhurst (Yair Rosenberg in North American Jews face rising antisemitism, speaker warns, Free Press, May 9) for addressing the intricacies and inadequacies associated with 'just talking about the Holocaust' as 'not enough.' Rosenberg admits that the Israel-Gaza war has not only stoked the fires of antisemitism but also increased the urgency to address current scapegoating and conspiracy theories about Jews. One thing I'm sure of is teaching about the Holocaust won't be easy — it is not just a simple curriculum fix or another moment in history. The Holocaust cannot be treated objectively and dispassionately. And today, Holocaust studies will lead us directly into discussing the Gaza conflict, one which most teachers have been told to avoid. We're treading on treacherous grounds which could make things worse for everyone. In the mid-1980s, I was an assistant superintendent in charge of programming in Seven Oaks School Division when I first introduced Holocaust studies to our board of trustees. Since our communities and our trustees were predominantly Jewish and Ukrainian, I followed this up later with Holodomor studies. While neither was overly contentious at that table, emotions were raw and strong. Memories and stories were painfully visceral. And I will never forget them, as I have also never forgotten the public responses with ranged from praise to denial to neo-Nazism. As we proceeded, I knew that those studies needed to include controversies over economic security, national sovereignty, citizenship and immigration, many of which are directly tied to the Western world's politically privileging economic priorities over human rights. Additionally, our political landscape needs a wake-up call to go along with any curriculum change of the proposed nature. Today's politics of difference informs me that if I am not a Jew, I cannot understand or appreciate the injustices of antisemitism. And God forbid that I question the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and the West Bank and criticize their claims about just defending a homeland. Today's politics of division tell me I have to choose between being Zionist or pro-Palestinian, either for Gaza and against Israel or for Israel against Gaza. I have no problem lining up against Hamas, but I do have problems with lining up with an Israeli government who tries to justify slaughtering tens of thousands of innocent people and their children and simultaneously wiping out education, health care and food aid. Or against those caught in the crossfire. As it stands, I know schools and teachers are ill-equipped to deal with the inevitable questions they will be asked, the positions they will be asked to take and the backlash they are in for — no matter how even-handed they try to be. Our schools are intended to be unique safe environments for children where they can learn to think and engage critically with issues bigger than their current understandings and still maintain hope and affirmation. Before we saddle our children and teachers with the responsibility of fixing the world, we adults need to clean up our own acts. We adults must openly and vigorously support our Jewish friends and neighbours in their efforts to confront and wipe out antisemitism — it's everybody's responsibility. We must continue to support the same basic rights for Jews and Palestinians along with the freedoms, rights and protections statehood offers — what we would want for all peoples. At the same time, we must call the Gaza war what it is — the unjustifiable slaughter of thousands of innocent people. We must in no way be apologists for Hamas and their wanton hate and cruelty. But we must commit to finding better ways than the killing of masses of civilians and destroying schools, hospitals and homes in the false hope that somehow evil forces and terrorism will be brought to heel. It has never worked before and is unlikely to now. There is no better guide for human solidarity than the values, norm and mores expressed in the myriad UN declarations and conventions on the desirable rights and freedoms of peoples. They could form the basis for Holocaust education which celebrates humanity and human possibility over division, difference and destruction. I am worried that any Holocaust curriculum will fail in combating antisemitism without expanded studies and the adult commitments that must accompany it … and a huge dose of truth, reality and generosity toward others with whom we disagree. John R. Wiens is dean emeritus at the faculty of education, University of Manitoba.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- CTV News
RRC Polytech unveils school bus converted from diesel to electric power
School buses could soon be running on greener energy thanks to new technology from RRC Polytech. School buses in Manitoba could soon be running on greener energy, thanks to a technology developed at RRC Polytech. The college showed off a school bus that had been converted from a diesel engine to an electric one with the help of a conversion kit developed at the college. Jojo Delos Reyes, a program manager at RRC Polytech, said the technology could help school divisions save money in the long run on maintenance. 'Right now, the cost of buying a new electric school bus is between $370,000 to about $430,000 Canadian, compared to buying a diesel counterpart, which is about $150,000,' he said. 'The conversion kit that we developed for this one is about the same price as a new diesel bus, but the benefit is maintenance cost is lower, and then emissions is lower.' RRC electric bus A school bus converted from diesel to electric power is seen at RRC Polytech campus in Winnipeg on May 27, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) RRC electric bus A school bus converted from diesel to electric power is seen at RRC Polytech campus in Winnipeg on May 27, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg) The project is a partnership between RRC, Seven Oaks School Division and Noble Northern. The division provided a bus in 2023 to RRC's heavy equipment mechanic program to help convert the bus. Reyes said the conversion kit can also help school buses last longer, noting the average school bus has a lifespan of 12 years on the road. 'What we're trying to do here is we're trying to extend the life of a school bus chassis in order for it to be more beneficial,' he said. Reyes said the conversion kit will also reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 21.6 tonnes per year, and reduce fuel costs by up to $11,000. The college is hoping governments will amend laws to make converting school buses easier for divisions.
CBC
14-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Some Manitoba school divisions cancelling field trips to U.S. due to tension over gender issues
Some Manitoba school divisions, citing safety concerns for students and staff, are cancelling field trips to the United States and will keep their travel plans local. The Seven Oaks School Division in northwest Winnipeg is among the divisions changing their travel plans this year to prioritize values involving inclusion, equity and diversity. Their decision follows an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump that terminated a range of policies aimed at protecting 2SLGBTQ+ rights, fulfilling a campaign promise he described as " restoring biological truth." Trump says the U.S. will recognize only two sexes — male and female. "That is definitely a consideration — that we pay attention to when there are executive orders to the point of only recognizing certain people and essentially cancelling others," Seven Oaks superintendent Tony Kreml told reporters at a news conference on Friday. "That can certainly provide for an unsafe situation both for a student and staff member." Since making the decision to pause education-related trips south of the border, he says he's heard "comments of appreciation" from people regarding concerns for their safety, Kreml told reporters at West St. Paul School on Friday. Kreml says he doesn't have specific details about the school field trip, but he said its cancellation won't have a significant impact. The unpredictable cost of travel was also a factor in the decision, ensuring opportunities for families are equitable, he says. Kreml touts Winnipeg's local attractions including The Forks, saying students can learn so much by travelling within the province, which further contributes to supporting the economy. The decision to cancel the trip was not meant to be adversarial, he says. Troy Scott, assistant superintendent at Pembina Trails School Division, sent out an email on Friday to parents, legal guardians and staff, saying the division is pausing all student field trips to the U.S. for the remainder of the school year, effective immediately. "This decision prioritizes student safety and reaffirms our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion," Scott said. Pembina Trails, which serves communities in southwest Winnipeg, says it will re-evaluate this decision at the start of the 2025-26 year. Pausing any trips to the U.S. aligns with the division's commitment on anti-racism, diversity and creating an inclusive learning environment where all students feel supported and valued, Scott said. Tracy Schmidt, minister for education and early childhood learning, told reporters she is encouraging school divisions across the province to follow suit and focus on learning opportunities involving travel excursions in their own backyard. The Louis Riel School Division has not issued any specific guidance to schools in their division regarding travel to the U.S., superintendent Christian Michalik said in an email statement on Thursday. Glenlawn Collegiate had a trip to Florida in January that was cancelled due to Hurricane Milton, Michalik said, but none of the schools within the division have scheduled trips to the U.S. during this school year.
