Archives for September 2017

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is encouraging everyone to wear orange and to reflect on residential schools for the second officially proclaimed “Orange Shirt Day” in the province.

“Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for discussion to happen about residential schools,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA president. “It is important to build understanding about this history of our province and country.”

Orange Shirt Day is recognized on Sept. 30 each year and is part of a larger movement in the country to provide opportunity for First Nations, governments, schools and communities to unite in a spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

“The history of residential schools is an essential part of our history,” Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre said. “While it is embedded throughout our elementary and high school curricula, Orange Shirt Day provides an important opportunity for students and school communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation.”

The Orange Shirt Day movement is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, B.C., in 2013. It grew out of the account of a young girl having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the mission.

At the SSBA Spring General Assembly in 2016, members passed a resolution to request that the Government of Saskatchewan officially recognize Orange Shirt Day.

MUSKOWEKWAN FIRST NATION – Efforts of Saskatchewan schools to improve student nutrition and create healthier environments are being celebrated today with the Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge’s Walk to Breakfast.

“Each year we have the opportunity to visit a winning school and take part in the Walk to Breakfast,” said Sarah Fedorchuk, Mosaic’s Senior Director, Public Affairs. “It’s great to see the project come to life with the grant funding Mosaic provides, but what’s even better is seeing the students’ excitement about what the changes will do for their school and its nutritional environment.”

Since 2006, The Mosaic Company and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) have hosted the Challenge to encourage grassroots initiatives. Ten schools each received $10,000 earlier this year as winners of the 2017 Challenge. Among the winners was Muskowekwan School, where today’s Walk to Breakfast event was held.

“Muskowekwan School can be proud for being chosen as one of the top 10 schools in Saskatchewan for your work to promote a healthier learning environment for students,” said Larry Doke, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs.

Muskowekwan School’s winning project highlights include purchasing kitchen equipment, ensuring nutrition programming for all and enhancing food safety and efficiency. Other winning projects have goals including developing or expanding gardens; improving education about nutrition, cooking, agriculture, food safety and First Nations learnings; and, implementing or furthering breakfast and snack programs.

Many schools submitted projects to compete for a total of $100,000 in prizes, provided by Mosaic. Other schools receiving grants this year are part of the Good Spirit, Greater Saskatoon Catholic, Northwest, Prairie South, Saskatchewan Rivers, Saskatoon Public and Horizon school divisions; the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises; and, Key First Nation.

“Our Association is proud to recognize Muskowekwan School and the other winners and we thank The Mosaic Company for this continued commitment to help ensuring students’ health and nutrition needs are met,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA President.

Backgrounder: Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge 2017 Winners

REGINA – Students across the province are back in their classrooms and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is reminding everyone to focus on student safety.

Today has been officially proclaimed as “Provincial Students’ Day” in Saskatchewan to help ensure safety is the primary consideration for students, families and communities, and especially for motorists who will be driving in and around school zones.

“Having a special day set aside to recognize students contributes to helping alert all drivers that students are back in school and extra care for their safety should be considered,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA President.

The Government of Saskatchewan officially proclaims Provincial Students’ Day each year at the SSBA’s request, with the intent of reinforcing the message of care and concern for students as they head back to school.

“The safety of our students is of paramount importance,” Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre said. “I’m pleased to support the SSBA’s message to drivers on Provincial Students’ Day to exercise increased caution in their travels, now that students are back in class.”

Provincial Students’ Day was first proclaimed in 2010, in response to a resolution passed by the province’s trustees at the SSBA 2009 Annual General Meeting.