REGINA – Joining with communities across the country, schools throughout the province will again be officially recognizing “Orange Shirt Day” on Thursday, Sept. 30, as requested annually by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

Sept. 30 has also been proclaimed federally as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In recognition of this National Day of remembrance for the victims of the residential school system, the SSBA is encouraging all schools in the province to observe a moment of silence.

“On behalf of our 27 member boards of education, the SSBA is encouraging school communities, and all residents of the province, to participate in Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange, taking the time to reflect on residential schools this Thursday and observing a moment of silence,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA president. “Especially considering the heartbreaking confirmations of unmarked graves we’ve witnessed this year, this day represents an opportunity for each one of us to think about residential schools, expand our understanding of this history and commit to growing together through education toward reconciliation.”

Orange Shirt Day is part of a larger movement in the country to provide opportunity to unite in a spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations. The movement is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in B.C. in 2013, emerging out of the account of a young girl having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school.

The 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. The Government of Saskatchewan proclaims the day each year at the SSBA’s request.

“Orange Shirt Day provides an important opportunity for school communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “It’s important to acknowledge the lasting impact of residential schools on our communities and commit to learning more about the history of residential schools in order to build stronger communities that are inclusive and safe for all.”

REGINA – As students begin returning to school, Wednesday (Sept. 1) has been officially proclaimed “Provincial Students’ Day” in Saskatchewan, as requested annually by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

“As we welcome students, staff and families back to school, health and safety continue to be paramount for school divisions,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “We will be focusing on making this a great year of safe learning, connections and fun. We also think it’s important as-ever to issue a reminder about school-zone safety and we are encouraging all Saskatchewan communities to pay close attention as our roads, walkways and school zones get busier with returning students and staff.”

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. It is usually proclaimed on the first Tuesday of September. This year, it was moved to coincide with the change in school-year start.

The day has always been focused on helping 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 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 to and from school.

“I would like to commend the Saskatchewan School Boards Association for taking the initiative each year to proclaim Provincial Students’ Day in Saskatchewan and we are pleased to welcome all students back to a more normal school year. It is especially meaningful this year as we all work to ensure schools are safe and welcoming,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “The Government of Saskatchewan proclaims Provincial Students’ Day to help remind motorists the importance on this day, and every day, of using caution and slowing down in and around school zones to keep all students safe.”

REGINA – Ten schools in Saskatchewan will each receive a $10,000 grant to support student nutrition after being selected to win this year’s Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge.

“We can’t wait to see what this year’s winning schools create with their funding for the next school year,” said Sarah Fedorchuk, The Mosaic Company’s Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, North America. “From gardens to cooking classes to breakfast programs, these 10 schools are providing healthier school environments that are sure to have a lasting impact on students and their schools, building on the program’s legacy that’s helped deliver better access to nutritious food in 70 Saskatchewan schools.”

The grants will support winning projects that have goals including supporting reconciliation projects, enhancing kitchen and garden facilities, increasing educational opportunities for students and families and expanding nutrition programs. Schools from across the province submitted their projects to compete for the total of $100,000 in prizes, provided by Mosaic. Schools receiving grants this year are part of Christ the Teacher, Good Spirit, Northern Lights, Prairie South, Regina Public, Saskatchewan Rivers, Saskatoon Public and South East Cornerstone school divisions.

To encourage grassroots initiatives to help improve student nutrition, this program, formerly known as the Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge, began in 2006.

“The 27 school boards in Saskatchewan are so grateful for Mosaic’s ongoing generosity and continued commitment to this program,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “We are so excited to see innovative ideas continue to come forward in this, the 15th year.”

Backgrounder: Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge 2021 Recipients

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is recognizing the critical funding provided to the education system during the COVID-19 response, while also emphasizing the need for predictability and sustainability as the pandemic continues to cause uncertainty and challenges for school divisions going forward.

“The operating increase announced today in the province’s 2021-22 budget will ensure the collective bargaining agreement with teachers is fully funded next year,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “It’s important to note though that other inflationary costs are not covered in the increase and therefore school divisions may have difficult decisions to make.”

School boards are appreciative of the federal and provincial dollars that have been allocated over the past year to address urgent and emergent matters related to the pandemic, Davidson said. The focus on health and safety of students, staff and communities continues to be at the forefront during these challenging times and will be ongoing as the effects of the pandemic on school systems continue to be realized, he said.

“As we start to plan for what future years are going to look like, the overall message that we hear from school boards is around the importance of predictable and sustainable funding,” Davidson added. “As we move forward, post-pandemic, we really need to have a deeper conversation about how education is funded.”

As school divisions learn about today’s budget announcement in their local contexts, more will be understood about the anticipated effects, which might vary among regions, he noted.

The SSBA also recognizes the increase to mental-health spending announced in today’s budget that includes youth-focused initiatives. Mental health has been identified as a significant factor affecting student success and well-being. School boards applaud inter-ministerial collaboration on this important issue.

REGINA – Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Central Urban Métis Federation Inc., in collaboration with Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program and Gabriel Dumont Institute, have received the 2020 Premier’s Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education for the submission of “Marrsî ôma kici kâmiyin – The St. Michael Métis School of Excellence”.

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) co-ordinates the Premier’s Award each year. The award was presented on behalf of Premier Scott Moe during the SSBA’s virtual Annual General Assembly on Thursday.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to recognize our province’s great leaders in education,” Minister of Education Dustin Duncan said on behalf of Premier Scott Moe. “This award is presented to the boards of education which exemplify education innovation and student achievement, and our boards have exceeded all expectations. Due to Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ ingenuity and collaborative work, they have earned this year’s distinction.”

In its application for the award, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools said the Métis School of Excellence “represents the commitment of the Board to collaborate with Métis families and organizations to adapt the division to the needs and aspirations of the Métis community so that all students enjoy the richness of Métis history and culture, and so that Métis students achieve their full God-given potential.”

“The partnerships that make Métis programming at St. Michael Community School possible really breathe a vibrancy into the school,” said Diane Boyko, Board of Education Chair at Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. “The school has become a hub of activity, not only for learning, but for a wide variety of cultural and community activities. There’s a sense of excitement around things like learning Michif, fiddling and jigging, that has translated into interest and enthusiasm in other areas of learning. We really think this model of community education has been, and will continue to be successful for students, staff and families. When we’re able, we look forward to celebrating with our partners and the entire community in true Métis style.”

The $3,000 award has been sponsored by Xerox Canada since its development in 1999. The award recipient is recommended by a panel of education sector partners. Xerox is pleased to continue the long-standing partnership with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association through the sponsorship of the Premier’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education.

“In a year unlike any other, innovation has been at the forefront in all we do. For our part, we strive to support the many virtual students and educators across Canada through the introduction of new tools designed to help individuals and groups effectively share and communicate information. We look forward to learning more about the innovation worthy of this prestigious award,” said Karl Boissonneault, VP Xerox Channel Unit.

To view a video about the award recipients, please visit: https://youtu.be/UkkGYw3E-tU.