German Programming in RETSD Virtual Information Meeting—Q&A (Feb. 26, 2025)
On February 26 the RETSD Board of Trustees and senior administration held a virtual community meeting to discuss German Programming in RETSD. Below you will find a Q&A from that evening and a PDF of the presentation.
PROGRAM AND SCHOOL-BASED COURSES
What German Programming is offered in RETSD?
In RETSD, the English-German Bilingual Program is offered in Grades K–8, with students receiving instruction in German for up to 50 per cent of the day in Grades K–5, and two subject areas in Grades 6–8. In Grades 9–12, students take part in school-based German courses.
What is the division doing to support increased enrolment in school-based German courses at the senior years level?
An enhanced registration process has been designed to support German programming in senior years and allow courses to flourish. Students wanting to attend River East Collegiate (REC) who aren’t in-catchment, but in-division, will continue to register as in-division Schools of Choice. Families of students will complete a letter of intent that states their reason for registering as being the opportunity to take school-based courses taught in German across all four years.
SCHOOLS OF CHOICE
Are the schools that offer German programming open to out of division schools of choice?
No. Due to increasing enrolment and capacity of schools, RETSD is not accepting out of division schools of choice.
Will out-of-division Schools of Choice open again at some point for the Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program and Grades 9–12 school-based German courses?
There is no set date for when out-of-division Schools of Choice will be available again. We continue to monitor enrolment trends and space availability in our schools. Should enrolment stabilize, and space become available, we will open our process up for schools to consider out-of-division Schools of Choice requests.
PROGRAMMING MISCONCEPTIONS
Why did the English-German Bilingual Program lose program designation?
There are four diploma program pathways in Manitoba: English, Français, French Immersion, and Technology Education. The Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program and Grades 9–12 school-based German courses continue to be offered as part of heritage language programming outlined by Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning. German programming is not, and has never been, one of the diploma program pathways to graduation in Manitoba.
CAPACITY
What would happen if there were increasing numbers of in-division students interested in school-based German courses at REC?
As with all school-based courses at the senior years level, course interest and enrolment impact scheduling and staffing, and we work to ensure students have access to the courses that they are interested in.
When additional students come to Chief Peguis Middle School from Maple Leaf School in September 2026 as part of the Devonshire Reconfiguration, is there a chance in-division students who want to continue in the English-German Bilingual Program could be turned away from Chief Peguis?
Resident students in RETSD have designated catchment-area schools for the Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program. Our planning has ensured space remains available for existing programs at Chief Peguis.
FUTURE PLANNING
How often are program reviews conducted, like the one recently completed for the Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program and Grades 9–12 school-based German courses in RETSD?
Program reviews occur across the division on a regular, cyclical basis. When no major changes are recommended, which was the case for German the Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program and Grades 9–12 school-based German courses, a regular program review will take place in another three to five years. We will continue to regularly monitor and assess as we do for all programming.
Is there a minimum number of students who must be enrolled in the Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program and Grades 9–12 school-based German courses for it to continue being offered in RETSD?
Enrolment continues to be robust for the Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program and Grades 9–12 school-based German courses in RETSD. As with any divisional program, we continue to monitor enrolment trends to ensure program viability. Many factors are taken into account, not just numbers, when we consider viability.
If we live in RETSD, but outside of the regular catchment area for REC, will my child be able to attend REC for school-based German courses?
Students wanting to attend River East Collegiate who aren’t in-catchment, but in-division, will continue to register as in-division Schools of Choice. Families of students will complete a letter of intent that states their reason for registering as being the opportunity to take school-based courses taught in German across all four years. We support RETSD students in continuing their German studies through senior years if they wish.
If a family resides in RETSD, will a student always have an option to go to a school that offers the Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program?
All students who live in RETSD have a catchment-area school for German programming in K-8.
Are there any plans to combine the English-German Bilingual Programs at Princess Margaret and Donwood into one school?
Our program review has shown that the English-German Bilingual Programs at Princess Margaret and Donwood are both viable and healthy. There’s no plan to combine the programs currently.
Can RETSD work with other school divisions to allow entry in Grades K–8 English-German Bilingual Program or Grades 9–12 school-based German courses as out-of-division Schools of Choice?
RETSD is experiencing unprecedented growth across the division. Our planning must ensure that we have space in our schools to support our resident students. We need every seat, in every classroom, in every school, to address enrolment growth in RETSD. Families residing in other school divisions can contact their local division representatives to advocate for German programming to be implemented. If another school division is interested in exploring heritage language programming, we can offer information based on our experience.
