October
26, 2016 — After two and a half years of planning and preparation, Gonzaga
Middle School (GMS) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, opened its doors to its first Grade
6 class in September, becoming the second Jesuit-endorsed Nativity-model school
in Canada.
The
school will provide a holistic, co-educational, culturally sensitive middle
school education for children from low-income families in Winnipeg’s North End
and North East Downtown inner-city neighborhoods. GMS seeks to develop “men and
women for others” while preparing students for success in high school and
post-secondary study. It will strive to graduate students who are
intellectually competent, open to growth, spiritually alive and committed to
doing justice.
Like
its sister school, Mother Teresa Middle School in Regina, GMS will help students develop to their full
potential to break the cycle of poverty and become leaders through a Jesuit
Nativity-model middle school education.
The
school incorporates best practices from Jesuit Nativity model schools and the
NativityMiguel Coalition of Schools, which includes a longer school day, before
and after school programming, extended school year (including summer camp
weeks), enrichment activities, and mentoring and graduate support programs. GMS
will also provide meals and snacks, transportation to and from school, technology
and other supports. After graduation, GMS will continue to provide support to
students during high school.
Students
attending Gonzaga Middle School will come from a variety of faith and cultural
backgrounds, including Indigenous, New-Canadian and other communities. In the
tradition of Jesuit education and the spirit of reconciliation called for by
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, GMS is “committed to being inclusive and
respecting the faith and spiritual traditions of its students.”
The
first Grade 6 class has 17 students, and over half (53%) of this first class
are from First Nation backgrounds.
GMS
has also continued to work on building relationships with members of the
community and community groups to address reconciliation and build community
relationships. An agreement to Encourage
Reconciliation and Positive Relationships has been developed to guide the process. [Source: Jesuits [Conference of Canada and the United States], Gonzaga Middle School]
