Portage la Prairie schools are starting the new academic year with significant facility upgrades and staffing enhancements. Major construction at Portage Collegiate includes renovating washrooms into eight inclusive stalls and expanding vocational learning with a second hairstyling lab funded by a provincial grant. Technology and security improvements, such as new internet cabling and security cameras, are underway at Fort la Reine and La Verendrye schools, while fencing upgrades have been completed at La Verendrye and North Memorial. Additionally, Crescentview is adding a new basketball/pickleball court through community fundraising and grants, and Oakville’s gym floor has been replaced.
On the staffing front, the division has hired about 14 new professional staff members along with educational assistants and bus drivers. Staff returned on September 2 for professional development, with a teacher meet-and-greet scheduled for September 3 to help students and parents ease into the school year, which officially begins on September 4. Transportation details, including in-town shuttle bus routes and sign-ups, are available through the Operations Department, with updates posted on school social media channels.
