Fiona Shiells, School Trustee, St. James School Division - West Ward

02/10/2023

I appreciate all of our teachers and support staff. Thank you for everything you do for our kids!

February 6 to 10 marks Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week in SJASD.
Schools are marking the occasion with small acts of gratitude.
Whether enjoying a sweet treat or an appreciation breakfast, thank you to all of our staff for their tireless efforts to support teaching and learning in SJASD.
Learn more: https://www.sjasd.ca/pages/newsitem.aspx?ItemID=352.

12/09/2022

Hello,

I am happy to be able to provide my December update on what I have been up to since my election.

December Newsletter It has been a busy first month as School Trustee, and I have hit the ground running to meet with community members, and advocate for families. I was proud to be elected to serve on the Community Engagement Committee of the Board. I was also elected as the School Board's Liaison t...

12/08/2022

I was proud to join with fellow trustees on unanimously supporting this motion to bring the relationship with police under much closer control of the board.

We will be gathering information and reviewing it to determine how best to move forward.

St. James trustees are putting their relationship with law enforcement under the microscope, against the backdrop of a nationwide debate over the value of police-in-school programs.

12/06/2022

Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, held every year on the tragic anniversary of the 1989 Montreal Massacre.

On this day 33 years ago, 14 women were murdered in an act of misogyny at Montreal's École Polytechnique.

Today is a day to remember and honour women who have been hurt and who have lost their lives to violence.

It is also a day to deepen our activism, as unions and progressives, in opposing violence against women and girls, and all forms of gender-based violence, including that directed at the LGBT community, two spirit, gender diverse and other people.

Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Maryse Laganière
Maryse Leclair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St-Arneault
Annie Turcotte

11/23/2022

Attention SJASD staff and families: We are seeing an increase in respiratory viruses circulating in the community, including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. At this time, we’d like to remind everyone to follow the current Public Health recommendations to help slow the spread of infection:
-Stay home when sick.
-Wash hands frequently.
-Sneeze or cough into a tissue or your arm.
-Consider mask use.
-Monitor daily for COVID-19 symptoms.

We are continuing to ask staff and students who have a positive COVID-19 test or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to isolate for five days and to wear a mask for the remaining 5 days.

Schools have renewed their efforts to remind students to wash their hands and stay home when sick and we are monitoring the situation closely.

Thank you for your continued efforts and support.

10/30/2022

Happy to be with friends at the CCPA MB Errol Black Chair Fundraising Brunch.

Congrats to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - Manitoba Office on a sellout brunch with great speakers and reports on Manitoba Education available.

Thanks to my table mates Gina McKay, Evan Krosney for the lively conversation

10/27/2022

Thanks to St. James for your support and confidence.

I will never stop listening and never stop working for you.

Congrats to everyone who put their name forward. Running for office is hard work and everyone who ran did a service to democracy.

Thanks to everyone who helped me knock on doors put up signs and drop pamphlets Winnipeg Labour Council Gord Delbridge Melissa Dvorak.

10/25/2022

Today is election day, do you know where to vote?

Find out here:

Are you registered to vote?; Use this online service to confirm, update or add your information to the Voters List.

10/23/2022

I was pleased and honored to accept the endorsement of former education minister Peter Bjornson this week. Peter was a teacher himself before getting elected in 2003 and appointed as Education Minister by Gary Doer. Peter Bjornson supported our neighborhood's small schools with specific funding to prevent school closures and I would be honoured to be able to carry on his work of improving education in St. James.