Superintendent’s Update
Oct. 1, 2026
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
It’s been a busy and exciting start to the new school year across the Hanover School Division. As we settle into our regular routines, I would like to share some important reminders and updates.
Strong Connections
Thank you to parents/caregivers for helping make this year’s Strong Connections a success and for your flexibility in accommodating the attendance schedule. These smaller-group days provided valuable opportunities for teachers to get to know their students and build relationships that support learning throughout the school year.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence continues to develop rapidly, bringing both exciting opportunities for teaching and learning and important questions about its appropriate use in schools. In HSD, we’ve been working to provide clear guidance for staff as they consider when and how AI can support student learning. We have also set out guidelines and expectations for students, including what responsible and appropriate use looks like. We recognize this is an ongoing conversation, especially as we await further provincial direction. Families who would like to learn more are encouraged to visit the AI Section of the HSD website for our current guidelines and resources.
New Provincial PE Curriculum
As announced by the Province, the Manitoba government is introducing a pilot program for a new health and physical education curriculum that includes an ‘Every Body, Every Day’ policy making in-person physical education mandatory for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Full provincial implementation of this requirement is expected for the 2027-28 school year.
No HSD schools are participating in the pilot. With the new curriculum now available, HSD will be reviewing its content for expected implementation in the next school year. While the pilot is underway, questions regarding its content are best directed to Manitoba Education. We will communicate with families as more information becomes available.
Hanover Parent-Child Community Program
Hanover School Division invites parents and their preschool children to participate in free parent-child programming offered throughout the school year. This initiative is designed to support early learning and promote school readiness. Children will have the opportunity to play, learn, create, sing, and develop skills to prepare them for kindergarten. Please visit the Student Services website for more information.
Notification of Weather-Related Closures
With the winter season approaching, we would like to remind families of our school closure notification procedures. Parents/caregivers will receive notification via email, text message, and automated voice call between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on mornings of a weather-related closure. Notice will also be posted on HSD.ca and our school websites. For more information, including closure criteria and frequently asked questions, please visit our Weather-Related School Closures page.
Emergency Preparedness
In the event of a crisis, HSD may need to share urgent information with parents and caregivers. To ensure you receive these communications, please make sure your child’s school has your current phone number and email address on file. To learn more, visit the Emergency Preparedness page on the HSD website.
Assessment of Risk to Others – Fair Notice
Hanover School Division adheres to an Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) protocol in our schools. The ARTO protocol is proactive and provides fair notice to students and their parents/caregivers that the Division will actively investigate threats to self-harm or to harm others. All students and staff have a right to safety, and any behaviour by individuals that threatens this safety will be dealt with seriously. Safety in schools is fundamental to the learning and well-being of students. We ask all parents/caregivers to review the HSD Assessment of Risk to Others document.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to a school year filled with opportunities for learning, growth, and meaningful connections. Together, we can make this a wonderful year for our students, families, and school communities.
Respectfully,
Joe Thiessen, Superintendent-CEO
Hanover School Division