Hapnot Collegiate’s new virtual reality system left an impression on the provincial minister of education.
Minister Ian Wishart came to Flin Flon on Oct. 17 to observe the school division’s activities. During the visit, officials emphasized the division’s Indigenous engagement and alternative education programs.
The thing that left the biggest impact on the minister was Hapnot’s new virtual reality (VR) system. The system, which became part of classes this fall, allows students to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible, including examining the human body, drawing in 3-D and flight simulations.
“For us in the north, that really makes us absolutely cutting edge. Our kids can access any sort of information that you can find anywhere because of the technology that’s been incorporated,” said Constance McLeese, superintendent with Flin Flon School Division. Minister Wishart and McLeese both used the VR equipment. It took some getting used to, but the two gained appreciation for the program, likening it to the ‘holodeck’ from the TV
series Star Trek.
“He was very impressed with it. As far as he knew, it was the only high school in the province doing something like that,” said McLeese.
Contracts
The school board renewed the division’s contracts with the Flin Flon and District Guidance Nursery School and Flin Flon Kiddy Korner Day Care for five more years.
Board members also voted to increase daily wages for mini-bus drivers. Under the new measure, rates for Flin Flon mini-bus drivers will match the rates for drivers in Creighton. The drivers’ pay varies based on several factors, including distance travelled and when in the week they drive.
“It varies depending on the day and how far they’re going – there are different criteria,” said board chair Amy Sapergia-Green. “There’s a daily rate and an hourly rate. It all depends on where they’re going.”
SAGE
Superintendent McLeese was impressed with the school division’s recent training programs.
McLeese said the school division played host to several sessions during last month’s Special Area Groups of Educators (SAGE) professional development days.
Teachers from Flin Flon and surrounding communities took part in four sessions, including winter outdoor education and mindfulness training.
Often, teachers in the north choose to go elsewhere in Manitoba for SAGE training. McLeese was pleased with the turnout seen in Flin Flon, adding that more teachers stayed in Flin Flon than left for training.
“I’m guessing in total, we had about 75 teachers here taking part,” said McLeese.
