Starting the school year together

Kildonan-River East

As summer winds down and students return to classrooms across Manitoba, I want to wish everyone a safe and smooth start to the school year. This time is always one of transition, filled with excitement, nerves, and for many families, a fair share of stress.

This year, it feels especially important to remind our children, and ourselves, about the power of empathy. Not every student returns to school from the same summer experience. Some families in our province are still recovering from the devastating impacts of the recent state of emergency. Many remain displaced, and our school divisions, both here in Kildonan-River East and across Manitoba, are working hard to ensure every child has access to a safe and supportive learning environment.

Schools are among the safest and most stabilizing spaces for our children. But we also know back to school brings challenges, especially when it comes to finding quality, affordable childcare. At our recent community barbecue, I reconnected with a family I had first met last year who were struggling to secure daycare for their children. They told me they had finally found a solution that worked, and it was a reminder that progress is possible. Another young person came up to me at the barbecue, and I recognized her from a tour at the legislature. Her class had written me a letter, and when I saw her again, it reminded me why I do this work.

Over the past two years, I’ve been asked many times why I chose public service. The answer is simple. It is the small, meaningful connections with neighbours that make it worthwhile. Whether it’s a child recognizing me from reading at their school or a young person I met during a class visit to the legislature, these moments ground me in the importance of showing up and listening.

Earlier this year our government announced a historical wage increase for early childhood educators. While this was an important step, there’s still more work to do. The financial and logistical toll on families is real, and it is only by hearing your stories, both the struggles and the successes, that we can continue to advocate effectively.

I would also like to extend a ‘save the date’ for our third annual Schott Christmas party office open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. Together, we can keep building a stronger, more compassionate community.

Our team can be reached at 431-478-1667. For immediate Manitoba government services call 211. Text or call 9-8-8 for a safe place to talk 24/7.