pancakes and sausages breakfast in the morning, we invite the whole community, English or French,” Laberge notes. “We have singing. We have violin fiddle bands, and we have maple syrup on snow, and it’s very, very, very popular.” EDUCATIONAL EQUITY ACROSS MANITOBA Providing equal educational opportunities to all Franco-Manitoban students, regardless of geographic location, sits at the heart of DSFM’s operational philosophy. The division’s school network covers vast distances across Manitoba, presenting unique challenges that require innovative solutions. “One of our core values is equity,” Laberge emphasizes.“You’re eight hours away from Winnipeg, well, you are still entitled to have the same kind of education, the same kind of afterschool programs as anyone else.” This principle extends to professional development for staff across the division.“We have all our principals gathering together because once every six weeks we need to talk to them and go over a couple of new things that are going on in the province.” Lesage identifies the division’s three foundational pillars that guide their approach.“What’s important for Francophone school divisions in the minority setting are three pillars: academics, community and cultural and identity.” The challenges of operating schools across such vast distances are particularly acute for students in remote areas. “We have little schools all over the rural community. Some are very far from the major centers. We have a school in Thompson, which is like eight hours from Winnipeg,” Lesage notes. “And having the chance to meet with other students in the school division is so important for them.” INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND SPECIALIZED LEARNING DSFM’s strategic investments indicate a forwardthinking approach to education, particularly in 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04
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