Archives for September 2018

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

“There is an opportunity around Orange Shirt Day for reflection to occur regarding residential schools,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA president. “We need to keep building understanding about this shared history.”

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.

“Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to honour the residential school students and acknowledge their experiences,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said. “We want to ensure that all Saskatchewan people take the time to understand the impact of residential schools.”

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.

Orange Shirt Day was first proclaimed in Saskatchewan in 2016, in response to a resolution passed by the province’s trustees at the SSBA Spring General Assembly.

FORT QU’APPELLE – 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.

Since 2006, The Mosaic Company and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association have hosted the Challenge to encourage grassroots initiatives. Ten schools each received $10,000 earlier this year as winners of the 2018 Challenge. Among the winners was Prairie Valley School Division’s Bert Fox High School in Fort Qu’Appelle, where today’s Walk to Breakfast event was held.

“We’ve worked with the SSBA on the Mosaic Challenge for over 10 years – one of our longest community partnerships to date – and we still get excited each year to participate in the Walk to Breakfast, where we can have a one-on-one visit with a winning school,” said Sarah Fedorchuk, Vice President of Government Relations & Public Affairs at Mosaic.

“We’re glad to be at Bert Fox High School to hear about their efforts to make nutrition a daily part of student lives with the funding Mosaic provides,” Fedorchuk continued. “Congratulations to all of the Mosaic Challenge winners and to all schools across the province who are focusing efforts on the health and nutrition of our children.”

Bert Fox High School’s winning project highlights include implementing a universal snack program, training and skills development and purchasing kitchen equipment.

“Healthy nutrition for all students plays a significant role in their ability to learn, and Bert Fox’s winning project is a great example of how a school can focus on student success through healthy eating,” Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Gordon Wyant said. “Congratulations to Bert Fox and all the other recipients for their dedication to making student nutrition an important part of every student’s life.”

A record 70 schools submitted projects in 2018’s Challenge, to compete for a total of $100,000 in prizes, provided by Mosaic. Schools receiving grants this year are part of the Holy Trinity, Horizon, Ile a la Crosse, Northern Lights, Prairie Valley, Regina Catholic, Regina Public and Saskatoon Public school divisions and Muskoday First Nation.

“The SSBA is proud to recognize Bert Fox and the other recipients this year and we are very grateful to The Mosaic Company for the ongoing commitment to help ensuring the health and nutrition needs of students in our province are met,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA President.

Backgrounder: Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge 2018 Winners

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is reminding everyone to focus on student safety as students across the province return to classrooms for the new school year.

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.

“Recognizing students through this day contributes to helping alert all drivers that children and youth 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 going back to school.

“As a parent who has experienced the back to school rush, I know it is a busy and exciting time for children, parents and teachers,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said. “It is important to recognize the efforts of teachers and staff members who work tirelessly to make the transition back to school as safe and easy as possible for our students.”

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.