Principal's Message

Oak Lake Community School staff is excited to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for quality educational programming for Grades K through 8 students. All programs are based on best educational practices and the Manitoba curriculum. Educational programming at OLCS includes exemplary, creative instruction in all core subjects as well as: French for All ( an inclusive Grades K-8 French Program with an oral and cultural emphasis), an exceptional music/band program, art programming, additional numeracy programming for middle years students within a reduced classroom size (Classroom Size and Composition Fund) and school-wide implementation Literacy with Information and Communication Technology Grades K-8 across the curriculum.

Oak Lake Community School is beautiful and welcoming both inside and out thanks to the support of the Fort La Bosse School Division, our students, staff, parents, and community members. Murals adorn the entrances with a Land Before Time theme and the OLCS Futuristic Space Theme, the gym walls sport our Raptor Team logos poised for action!! OLCS is a venue for the sharing of local artistic talent of all ages! Beautification and growing projects adorn the entrances to OLCS as the students learn the importance of caring for and about our environment. This school year we look forward to the exciting inception of the Sowing Seeds and Harvesting Hope Project where students, staff and community will be involved in the growth and development of a living classroom, just outside the Kindergarten door, that will provide both learning opportunities and fresh produce for students!

Our school is in the fourth year of the Manitoba Community Schools Partnership Initiative. Students receive character education training and are involved in a number of service projects within the local and global communities. One of the main goals of this initiative is to support OLCS families, strengthen community, and to help students succeed academically and socially - Building Character Today for Communities of Tomorrow! Students as well are provided with amazing opportunities through noon hour and after school programming. This year Food for Thought, a universal breakfast snack program provides students with a healthy start to their day as they learn to sample new breakfast snack choices and important nutritional facts to healthy eating!

Resource programming for students includes: individualized remedial, special needs and guidance programs to meet the diverse needs of our student population. Speech and language intervention programming, occupational and physiotherapy services are available as required. Our students with exceptionalities are an integral part of our school community! Enrichment programming has been developed to accelerate and encourage gifted learners. The award-winning project From Tuned Out to Zuned In is providing students with the latest technology in an engaging, motivating medium to improve opportunities for learning success for all students!

OLCS students have access to a top notch middle years sports program where ALL students are provided the opportunity to participate and belong to volleyball, basketball, curling, badminton and track teams. Effort, behavior, and awesome skill development are evident in our sports teams this school year!! Way to go Raptors!

Our students benefit from swimming lesson programs organized by our supportive Advisory Council for School Leadership and instructed by the Sportsplex in Brandon .

Oak Lake Community School is a hub of the Oak Lake community as various programs are based out of the school after school hours including the Manitoba Justice Lighthouses Program: Service, Opportunity , and Success. SOS provides opportunities for our youth ages 12-19 to be positively engaged in the community and learn exciting new skills such as cosmetology, wilderness survival, and mechanics!

The months of the school year are flying by with academic activity and the myriad of additional educational and recreational noon hour and after school activities. A reminder to parents to encourage your child to share their school day and their school agendas with you. As well, staff enjoy discussing your child's progress and any questions or concerns you have should be directed to your child's teacher(s). At any time throughout the school year please feel free to contact teachers for an update on your child's progress. At OLCS parents are important and valued partners of their child's educational team!

Check with your child to learn what above and below line behavior mean and ask them what new things are happening at school in Character Education. What is empathy? Students are learning about the virtues of conscience and caring. We invite both parents and community to support our young people as they work to develop into positive, caring community members and leaders!

“When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of others!” Helen Keller

Brenda Masson

Principal

Oak Lake Community School