Archives for September 2019

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is encouraging residents of the province to participate in “Orange Shirt Day” by wearing orange and reflecting on residential schools.

“This annually proclaimed day is an opportunity for all of us to take time to think about residential schools and grow in our understanding of this history,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA president.

Orange Shirt Day is officially proclaimed 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.

“Learning about our shared history by recognizing the truths about the past and advocating for understanding is vital,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said. “Everyone has a role to play in reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day provides an opportunity for our province to recognize the history and impact of residential schools as we continue on the path to healing.”

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.

REGINA – 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 2019 Challenge. Among the winners was Regina Public School Division’s Arcola Community School, host of today’s Walk to Breakfast event.

“We look forward to the Walk to Breakfast event each year and are excited to be at Arcola School and hear about their Makeover Challenge winning project,” said Sarah Fedorchuk, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Government Relations at The Mosaic Company. “This event is a great way to kick off a new school year and another set of projects focused on making nutrition a daily part of student lives. We wish the ten winning schools the best of luck this fall!”

Arcola Community School’s winning project highlights include providing nutrition and life skills training, developing cookbooks to share at home and hosting family engagement days.

“Helping students learn about life-long nutrition and life skills is a lesson that helps them, their families and potentially, future generations,” said Katherine Gagne, Chairperson, Regina Board of Education. “We are grateful to Mosaic and the SSBA in making this ambitious good health project possible.”

Other winning schools this year are part of the Good Spirit, Living Sky, Northern Lights, Northwest, Regina Catholic, Saskatoon Catholic, Saskatoon Public and South East Cornerstone school divisions.

“Healthy and nutritious food plays such an important part in the overall success and well-being of students,” Regina Pasqua MLA Muhammad Fiaz said on behalf of the Minister of Education, Gordon Wyant. “I would like to commend Arcola Community School and all the other recipients for their innovative ideas and commitment to making nutrition an important part of students’ everyday lives.”

A record of more than 80 schools submitted projects to compete in 2019’s Challenge for a total of $100,000 in prizes, generously provided by Mosaic.

“We are very grateful to The Mosaic Company for the ongoing support in ensuring the health and nutrition needs of Saskatchewan students are met,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA President. “Congratulations to Arcola Community School and the other recipients.”

Backgrounder: Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge 2019 Winners

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is highlighting student safety as young people across the province prepare to begin a new year of learning.

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.

“The annual proclamation of Provincial Students’ Day helps to remind drivers that children and youth are back in school and that extra care for their safety is important,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA.

The Government of Saskatchewan proclaims the 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.

“This is an exciting time of year for the more than 190,000 students who are going back to school,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said. “There is a lot of activity in school zones and the safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance. We encourage all drivers to be vigilant throughout the year.”

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.