Frequently Asked Questions
How can I volunteer?
What is the cost of education at St. Ignatius School?
What extended services do you offer?
Do you prepare the children to receive the sacraments?
What opportunities are there for student leadership?
What is expected of me for fundraising?
What is your policy on bullying?
Do you cover the Manitoba Curriculum?
Do you have to be Catholic to attend St. Ignatius School?
What faith-based high schools do your students go to upon completion of grade 8?
What extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities are available to students?
How large are the classes? What is the student/teacher ratio?
Is there busing?
What is the role of the Board of Directors?
What is the role of SISPAC?
How can I volunteer?
Volunteering is a gift to the community and a gift to our children. We hope you'll also find it a gift for yourself. Everyone benefits.
All parents are invited, and also expected, to contribute some of their time, talents and energy to our community. From one-time volunteer opportunities that require little time commitment, to more involved opportunities that would allow you to get to know your school on a regular basis, there is something for everyone. There are also many ways to volunteer within the greater parish community.
Parents who are interested in volunteering should begin by completing the Child Abuse Registry form at the school office (there is no charge for this). In September, SISPAC also send out a call for volunteers. Or, you can contact SISPAC at sispac@stignatius.mb.ca.
What is the cost of education at St.Ignatius School?
The School Principal and the Board of Directors manage a modest budget based on the following sources of funding:
- The grant from the Government of Manitoba in the amount of $4,176.00 for each full-time-child enrolled, half of this for kindergarten children;
- School fee assessment ($90.00/student facility use fee, $90.00/student instructional supply fee, and $150.00/family lunch supervision fee);
- Tuition charged to non-parishioners in the amount of $1,400.00 per year ($700.00 for kindergarten);
- Parishioners' donations. Through these, St. Ignatius Parish covers the deficit related to the costs of operating the school.
What extended services do you offer?
St. Ignatius School offers 30 spaces for students in the Before and After School Programs.
The After-Kindergarten Program operates between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. Qualified staff, with a maximum 1:10/teacher: student ratio, encourage the development of the whole child, with activities and experiences aimed at providing a strong foundation for the early developmental years. The After-Kindergarten Program is available for a fee of $17.00 per student, per day.
Lunch supervision is provided, in addition to our regular academic services, for a yearly fee of $150.00 per family. Parents are asked to pack nutritious lunches in accordance with our School Nutrition Guidelines.
Do you prepare the children to receive the sacraments?
Sacramental preparation for First Communion (grade 2), First Reconciliation (grade 3) and Confirmation (grade 8) are included in the school's educational mandate. The preparation for receiving these sacraments is a joint undertaking involving parents, the school, and the parish. Your child will receive instruction in the classroom and you will assist in preparing them at home. Information about this process will be distributed by the classroom teacher.
What opportunities are there for student leadership?
At St. Ignatius School, we recognize that student engagement, ownership, and accountability are enhanced by providing leadership and mentoring opportunities for students. There are several ways that students in the middle years become involved in their learning community:
- Students in grades 5 - 8 are role models in their capacity as "big buddies" to students in the early years classes. Buddy activities include reading together, working on projects, and celebrating special occasions.
- Students are encouraged to apply for a variety of other leadership positions. Interested applicants are invited to submit a typed letter to the Leadership Selection Committee outlining why they would be well suited for the position. A review of expectations will be provided to all successful candidates. Where necessary, training will be provided before duties commence.
What is expected of me for fundraising?
The Board of Directors and SISPAC annually undertake a wide variety of fundraising projects in support of the parish funding of the school. Other than the Board of Directors fundraiser, held annually in September, all fundraising initiatives are optional for parents to participate in.
What is your policy on bullying?
St. Ignatius School has a no-tolerance policy for all forms of bullying. For the past year, the Board of Directors and the staff at St. Ignatius School have been working hard to identify effective ways to play an active role in supporting our students and demonstrating our disapproval of bullying in all forms: physical, verbal, relational, and electronic.
With the help of Dr. Mary Hall from Safe Schools Manitoba, our school-based Bullying Prevention Committee has been trained in the Olweus Program, a comprehensive, school-wide program designed to be implemented over a three-year period. Its goals are to reduce and prevent bullying problems among school children and to improve peer relations at school. The program has been found to reduce bullying among children and improve the social climate of classrooms.
At St. Ignatius School, we have a renewed commitment to ensuring that all students are free from the negative effects of bullying by encouraging and promoting positive behavior, valuing differences and promoting sensitivity towards others. We continue to focus on cultivating a warm, welcoming faith-based school climate that enables students to focus on academic excellence and character development.
Do you cover the Manitoba Curriculum?
Faculty at St. Ignatius School teach the curriculum approved by Manitoba Education and Training. We create a dynamic, challenging environment that respects students differing levels of abilities and motivates them to fully develop their unique talents and skills. Programming is based on the premise that the pursuit of academic excellence fosters a life-long love of learning and active citizenship. In addition to the provincial curriculum, all students are required to participate in the faith development program as taught in daily religion class.
Do you have to be Catholic to attend St. Ignatius School?
Non-Catholic children may be admitted to St. Ignatius School after admission of Catholic students is completed. Children from these families will be expected to participate in the entire educational program of the school, including religious instruction. Families of non-Catholic children will also be expected to assume the full cost of their children's education above the provincial grant level, and will be required to pay in advance or to provide post-dated cheques to the school.
What faith-based high schools do your students go to upon completion of grade 8?
We are proud that many of our students successfully gain entrance into faith-based high schools of their choice such as: St. Mary's Academy, St. Paul's High School, St. Maurice School, St. Boniface Diocesan, and Linden Christian.
What extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities are available to students?
St. Ignatius School is involved in inter-school competitions in order to give those students interested in competitive events the opportunity to further develop their athletic skills in a competitive atmosphere. The basis of all activities will be grounded in the fundamentals of fair play and are conducted in accordance with the Manitoba Catholic Schools Athletic Association.
The school also endeavours to provide the opportunity for students less interested in this level of competition to play on teams during intramural activities or through the developmental league. These teams are based on the same fair play principles established for competitive teams but are open to all students who choose to participate. The main focus of these activities is the joy of participating in a group activity, just for the fun of it.
How large are the classes? What is the student/teacher ratio?
Maximum class size for grades one to eight at St. Ignatius School is 30 students; for kindergarten, the maximum is 25 students. The Board retains the right to limit class size to a number below the maximum level. We take a proactive approach to early years education and intervention by providing educational assistants for kindergarten to grade 3 classes. All other grades also have a daily percentage of educational assistance time in order to provide support, particularly in English language arts and math instruction.
Is there busing?
St. Ignatius School does not provide bus services. Many of our families arrange for carpooling. There is also a city transit bus stop on the corner of Corydon and Harrow.
What is the role of the Board of Directors?
The Board of Directors is an advisory board comprised of school parents and/or parish members that deliberate on matters concerning budget, policy, and direction, while always focusing on the school mission. The members of the volunteer Board of Directors are representative of the diversity of talents within our school and parish community. Parents of school children and parishioners are welcome to become Board members. The St. Ignatius School Board of Directors works collaboratively with the Principal and the Pastor.
What is the role of SISPAC?
Every parent is automatically a member of the St. Ignatius School Parent Advisory Council (SISPAC). SISPAC strives to build community in the organization of activities in the school and parish. SISPAC also acts as a Parent Advisory Council to the Board of Directors. SISPAC meetings are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month.
The main objectives of SISPAC are to:
- build spirit and community;
- interact with parents of other students, the Board of Directors and the parish council;
- support school activities through fun and fundraising;
- organize special lunches and bake sales;
- host receptions for school and liturgical celebrations;
- host the annual family barbeque;
- host an annual parent community building event;
- co-ordinate class representatives who liaise with classroom teachers to ensure communication of needs and endeavors being undertaken in each classroom;
- be aware of joyful and stressful situations occurring for families and recognize them with cards, support and prayers.