Ruby Wiens has sat on the Hanover School Division’s board of trustees for 12 years, having served three full terms representing Ward 1, which includes her hometown of Niverville as well as Kleefeld, New Bothwell, and the Crystal Springs Hutterite colony.
“My own perspectives have been challenged and I’ve become so much more aware of the ongoing daily realities that our administrators and teachers face,” Wiens says of her experience on the board. “It’s been an exciting time of growth for the division, with the building of two new schools—and a third underway in Niverville. It’s also been frustrating at times when cultural issues polarized our communities and isolated our marginalized LGBTQI kids.”
Wiens says that she feels humbled to have had a voice in many of the division’s weightiest matters over the past decade. She emphasizes the board’s role as a governance body, meaning that their primary role is to draft policies.
“I’m particularly proud of our Respect for Human Diversity Policy that we drafted four and a half years ago in response to Bill 18,” says Wiens.
At the time of its drafting, the policy included protection from discrimination in matter of religion, cultural background, physical disability, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics specified in Manitoba’s Human Rights Code. Recently, she says the division has added protection for transgender students.
“I was very taken aback four and a half years ago when Bill 18 first brought the needs of our gay kids to the forefront,” Wiens says. “They needed a safe and affirming space within the schools in which to meet. The government at that time passed a bill that mandated the formation of student-led gay-straight alliances as a necessary accommodation for every publicly funded school in Manitoba. The resistance and public pushback to this has been disheartening. I do believe that as more conversation and education is being initiated in our division at the board level, and with parents, staff, and community groups, there is increasing acknowledgment that our LGBTQI group is a marginalized one that truly deserves understanding and respect. I was honoured to walk in the first Steinbach Gay Pride Parade in 2016 in support of our LGBTQI students and friends. It was an awesome celebration and a deeply meaningful experience for me.”
Another big highlight was the beginning of construction of the new Niverville high school, a development long in the making.
“Since my second term in 2010, a new school for Niverville has been an agenda item, so to actually now see the physical building taking shape is very gratifying,” she says.
Finally, Wiens is happy to say that meaningful communication has significantly improved between the board and parents. In addition to receiving invaluable feedback through surveys, the division how holds divisional parent council liaison meetings twice per year.
“We’ve held community forums during difficult community transitions,” Wiens explains. “In Niverville, we initiated a forum when we started to move the Grade Fives and Sixes to the NCI campus. We also initiated community forums in New Bothwell and other communities affected by the rural Grade Nines moving to the newly expanded SRSS.”
Wiens concludes by encouraging the various candidates who have stepped forward to join this year’s trustee election.
“I wish you well,” she says. “Please remember that if elected, you are here for all kids, all students. You will serve students and families from very diverse backgrounds. No one should be marginalized or maligned. Only in that context of safety and acceptance can authentic learning truly take place.”
Province Extends to Citizens the Right to Homegrown Cannabis
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For the first time since cannabis was legalized in 2018, adult recreational users in Manitoba will have the green light to grow their own plants for personal use. “Manitoba will now align with...
Read moreFor the first time since cannabis was legalized in 2018, adult recreational users in Manitoba will have the green light to grow their own plants for personal use. “Manitoba will now align with...
Read moreNiverville Chamber Hands Out Annual Awards
Apr 26, 2024 | 1:38 pm
On April 12, the Niverville Chamber of Commerce held their annual general meeting, awards, and dinner at the Heritage Centre. Chamber members celebrated the year’s achievements alongside several...
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Read moreNiverville PCH Workers Call Off Strike
Apr 24, 2024 | 4:53 pm
The union directive for an early morning April 24 strike at the Heritage Life Personal Care Home (HLPCH) in Niverville has been called off. According to the Niverville Heritage Centre’s...
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Read moreRitchot Presents a Review of Budget 2024
Apr 24, 2024 | 9:01 am
On April 17, a public hearing was held to present the RM of Ritchot’s newly endorsed financial plan for 2024. Residents were invited to participate and present questions and concerns. No one...
Read moreOn April 17, a public hearing was held to present the RM of Ritchot’s newly endorsed financial plan for 2024. Residents were invited to participate and present questions and concerns. No one...
Read moreNiverville PCH Braces for Impending Worker Strike
Apr 22, 2024 | 6:18 pm
As early as Wednesday, April 24, unionized staff of the Niverville Heritage Life Personal Care Home (HLPCH) may be on strike. This news was recently relayed to family members and support people...
Read moreAs early as Wednesday, April 24, unionized staff of the Niverville Heritage Life Personal Care Home (HLPCH) may be on strike. This news was recently relayed to family members and support people...
Read moreRecognizing International Mother Earth Day through Education and Action
Apr 22, 2024 | 5:27 pm
April 22 is now recognized around the world as International Mother Earth Day (IMED) and this year marks the third anniversary of the United Nations (UN) designated observance. According to the...
Read moreApril 22 is now recognized around the world as International Mother Earth Day (IMED) and this year marks the third anniversary of the United Nations (UN) designated observance. According to the...
Read moreNiverville 2024 Budget Includes Tax Hike to Support Greater Spending
Apr 19, 2024 | 9:24 am
Niverville’s town council introduced their 2024 budget at a public meeting held on April 16. Residents can expect to see their property taxes go up this year. Council has determined that a 2.5...
Read moreNiverville’s town council introduced their 2024 budget at a public meeting held on April 16. Residents can expect to see their property taxes go up this year. Council has determined that a 2.5...
Read moreCrowd Fills Ritchot Council Chambers Over Livestock Expansion Proposal
Apr 18, 2024 | 7:26 pm
Ritchot’s council chambers were filled to capacity, with overflow into the foyer, at their public meeting held on April 17. The majority of the approximately 60 attendees were there to speak...
Read moreRitchot’s council chambers were filled to capacity, with overflow into the foyer, at their public meeting held on April 17. The majority of the approximately 60 attendees were there to speak...
Read moreShould our schools work harder to ensure that different learning styles are supported through the provision of multiple learning tracks as opposed to single track learning?
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