September/October 2017 Good Spirit School Division 2017-2018 Foundational Statements and Strategic Plan At the beginning of the 2017-18 school year, Good Spirit School Division launched its’ 2017-18 Foundational Statements and Strategic Plan. The GSSD Foundational Statement features an update to the Division Values with the inclusion of perseverance. The Board of Education chose to add this to our values as they believe that both

STUDENT& FAMILY INTERNAL PROCESSES PEOPLE CAPACITY FINANCIALSTEWARDSHIP staff and students across the Division are steadfast in achieving success despite the many challenges they face each day. GSSDs four focus areas and goals are reflective of the provincial Education Sector Strategic Plan. Our 2017-18 Comprehensive Strategic Plan and Strategic Plan Overview are accessible in the Strategic Plan section of the gssd website. The “In Focus” contains information within each of the four strategic focus areas: Student & Family, Internal Processes, People Capacity, and Financial Stewardship. GSSD is proud of the accomplishments made by staff and students and look forward to showcasing a variety of the successes throughout the year.

STUDENT AND FAMILY FOCUS Strategic Focus GSSD exists to provide the highest level of student learning & well-being. All students will experience learning environments rich in the opportunities and experiences necessary to promote intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth. Long-term Goals  By June 2020, GSSD will reduce the number of students reporting anxiety by 10%.  By June 2020, GSSD will reduce the number of students reporting depression by 10%.  By June 2020, at least 85% of GSSD students will be at grade level in reading.  By June 2020, at least 80% of GSSD students will be at grade level in writing.  By June 2020, at least 80% of GSSD students will be at grade level in math.  By June 2020, at least 90% of students exiting Kindergarten in GSSD will be ready for learning.  By June 2020, GSSD will achieve an 85% three-year graduation rate.  By June 2020, GSSD will achieve a 90% five-year graduation rate.

SUMMER READING PROMOTION WAS A SUCCESS Good Spirit School Division and Parkland Regional Library jointly held a summer reading promotion this year designed to encourage students to keep reading through the summer months. Research shows that students who read four or more books over the summer are better prepared for the coming school year and do not go down the ‘summer slide’—the loss of reading and learning skills during the summer break. The initiative began in June as classroom teachers booked tours of local branch libraries and assisted students to

register for a Parkland Regional Library card. Helen McCutcheon, Executive Director of Parkland Regional library,

which has 22 branch libraries within the GSSD boundary, commented on the “really successful partnership” characterizing the increase in registrants for library cards as “absolutely astronomical”. Students were invited to participate in the TD Summer Reading Club hosted by public library. GSSD and Parkland launched a “Read and Win” promotion. Students entered their names for a prize each time they visited their public library and shared the title of a book, eBook or audiobook they read. Helen McCutcheon and Charlotte Raine, GSSD Literacy

Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca Coordinator, awarded prize packages valued at $50 each to winners from each branch and each school who participated. The prize winners were:

Bredenbury Public Library Joey Maisey Saltcoats School Buchanan Public Library Linden Roebuck Canora Junior Elementary School Calder Public Library Odessa Fesik Calder School Canora Public Library Jaxon Bisschop Canora Composite School

Churchbridge Public Library Greyson Schann Churchbridge Public School Esterhazy Public Library Alanis Dutka Esterhazy High School Elizabeth Moroz PJ Gillen School Invermay Public Library George Hilario Invermay School Kamsack Public Library Keeleigh Ferrill Kamsack Comprehensive Institute Boston Guillet Victoria School Langenburg Public Library Chelsea Farmer Langenburg Central School MacNutt Public Library Natalia Midgett Langenburg Central School Melville Public Library Samantha Sagan Davison School Hailee Waldbauer Melville Comprehensive School Norquay Public Library Gracelynn Peters Norquay Preeceville Public Library Trinity Petras Preeceville School Photo above: Saltcoats Public Library Ailsa Wild Saltcoats School Helen McCutcheon, Parkland Regional Library Executive Springside Public Library Taylor Werner Springside School Director, assembling the summer reading promotion Connor Breitkreuz Home School prize. Stockholm Public Library Cooper Toth Macdonald School Sturgis Public Library Gemma Rudachyk Sturgis Composite School Theodore Public Library Bobby Stoyand Springside School Togo Public Library Justus Waugh Kamsack Comprehensive Institute

Yorkton Public Library Jackson Fitzsimmons Columbia School Andyn Trost MC Knoll School Tristin Ricker Yorkdale Central School Before students left school for the summer, they had the opportunity to sign out books from their school library. Then, for the first time, twenty schools opened their school libraries for two half days to allow students to exchange books. While some schools reported limited attendance, others saw up to 10% of their student population come through the doors. Newcomer families took the opportunity to tour the school library. Families brought children who were getting ready to start Kindergarten. Some schools promoted summer reading challenges of their own giving prizes for students who tracked their reading. Superintendent of Education, Lisa Wotherspoon, reported that other school Photo above: Charlotte Raine, GSSD Literacy Coordinator, divisions expressed an interest in this original initiative from Good Spirit. and Deb Leson, Branch Librarian, with Jaxon Students who continued to develop and grow as readers during the summer Bisschop who was the winner of the Canora Composite School/Canora Public Library are the beneficiaries. summer reading prize package.

The 2017-2018 School Calendar is posted on the gssd website. For a direct link to the calendar, click here.

Page 2 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca PROVINCIAL GOLF RESULTS PROVINCIAL CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS After finishing in first place at The Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association the East Central District provincial cross country championships were held Athletic Association District in Turtleford, Saskatchewan on October 14, 2017. playoffs in Yorkton, Carlie There were 575 student athletes registered to Moore and Amber compete in the championship. Nicholauson from Esterhazy High School competed at the Zoe Flaman from Yorkton Regional High School Provincial Golf Playoffs in earned a gold in the Junior Girls category while Estevan. Despite heavy rain Caitlyn Mann from Melville Comprehensive School and a long weather delay for earned a silver in the Senior Girls event and many lightning, the girls played GSSD students achieved personal best times. very well, earning the bronze medal in the Girls Team event. Congratulations on Photo above: (left to right) winning Provincial medals Carlie Moore & Amber Nicholauson two year in a row, Carlie and Amber!

RECIPIENTS OF THE ADOPT A SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Adopt a School Story contest invited contestants to share a Photo above: Photo above: story in support of a participating school. The five most “hearted” Caitlyn Mann Zoe Flaman and receiving her silver Coach Haczkewicz, stories in each province were entered for a chance to win a medal Principal of YRHS $2,500 Indigo eGiftcard to purchase books for their adopted (Photo courtesy of Rebecka Bloom school. The remaining four top “hearted” schools in each Photography) province received a $500 Indigo eGiftcard to purchase books. Mrs. Badowich from Dr. Brass School submitted a story in the “Why is Reading Important to You?” category. Her story received YORKDALE CENTRAL BREAKS second place, which awarded the school a $500 Indigo eGiftCard. THEIR RECORD Every year, through the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation (LoR), Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores across Canada “adopt” a local elementary school and fundraise on their behalf for a three-week period in the fall. For every $20 online donation that was made to a participating school, LoR donated $10 (the approximate value of 1 book) to the school. This year, three of our GSSD Schools were selected to be “adopted” - Dr. Brass Elementary School, Yorkdale Central School, and Columbia School.

Yorkdale Central School Student Representative Council participated in the Farm Credit Canada Drive Away Hunger campaign. They collected 1,204 lbs this year which is a record for YCS!

Page 3 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca ORANGE SHIRT DAY RECOGNITION Orange Shirt Day grew out of the account of a young girl having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school in 1973 at the Mission. Orange Shirt Day is recognized annually on September 30. This is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of remembrance, reflection and reconciliation for generations of children to come. This year, GSSD students and staff were encouraged to wear orange and to reflect on residential schools on Friday, September 29 . To learn more about how Orange Shirt Day originated, read the Photo: powerful message of Phyllis’s Story: the original orange shirt. Central Office staff were invited to participate in a smudging ceremony led by Aboriginal Community Worker, James Chartrand.

Photo above: Photo above: Photo above: Cultural Advocate, Mr. Andrew Quewezance, Esterhazy High School Preeceville School sharing his experience as a child in a residential school with students from Churchbridge Public School. WRITER IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM AT PREECEVILLE SCHOOL Preeceville School was so excited to have finally classroom visits will keep the students and staff engaged launched their writer-in-residence program for the 2017 in the program as they move through the different -2018 year! Sigmund Brouwer, award-winning Canadian writing strategy supports Sigmund advocates. author, will be involved in writing workshops with their Sigmund will be primarily focusing on Mrs. Klebeck’s students via live classroom visits as well as video grade 3 class to get the students to see themselves as interaction. They are fortunate to have a number of story ninjas. He says, “If students leave grade 3 with a Sigmund’s books in their library collection already! self-perception as a good reader/writer that carries Sigmund visited the school on September 20 for the over, and sadly, the opposite seems true as well.” Each launch. GSSDs Deputy Director, Donna Kriger, and Grade 3 student gets a story ninja folder with 21 story Superintendents of Education, Mark Forsythe, Lisa ninja tricks. “Students also get story ninja stickers and Wotherspoon and Alisa Leidl joined the program. Mrs. tattoos. Along with the writing lessons I supply, I want to Leslea Hanson, literacy lead for Preeceville School, be the extra motivational help for teachers in the introduced Sigmund reminding students about his Rock classroom, and a story ninja attitude applies to any and and Roll Literacy presentation from all writing curricula.” the spring. The school’s website is now live! The students will have The English Language Arts teachers access to unlimited downloads of 82 ebook titles to met with Sigmund before the support program was announced to the their students and they all plan to utilize literacy his knowledge and resources in initiatives. their classrooms. Using Zoom for video conferences between his Page 4 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca OCTOBER 15-21, 2017 CELEBRATIONS “Building our Future by Learning Together” was the theme during Education Week. The theme highlighted the role which education plays in building our future. To celebrate student success and recognize dedicated education professionals, schools across our division hosted a variety of activities. Saskatchewan Library Week recognized the role libraries play in enhancing creativity and lifelong learning. The theme “Libraries Matter” encourages literacy, brings communities together, and promotes cultural awareness in Saskatchewan.

Students & staff at Canora Students at Miller School rotated with Composite School shared their “family groups” to a variety of fun what they love about their stations including, creating posters and school. a family group name, math races and get to know you “dice”–students in groups took turns rolling the dice and Performer and entertainer, answering the question they rolled. Singing with Sylvia came to visit the YCS K-3 classes, for an action packed hour full of singing, dancing and all around fun!

KCI staff and students celebrated with a #bookselfie contest INTERNAL PROCESS FOCUS Strategic Focus GSSD is committed to providing equitable, balanced opportunities among schools, students, and staff. Long-term Goals  By June 2020, GSSD will demonstrate improvement in services to students and staff through the development and revision of processes and administrative procedures. MULTI-GRADE CLASSROOMS Multi-grade classrooms provide a rich mixture of grade- differentiate their lessons to meet the key curriculum appropriate and mixed-grade teaching. Often peer outcomes. One such strategy being utilized within the learning through group work and pair work, personalized Good Spirit School Division involves teachers from teaching, inquiry, and teacher and student interactions various schools preparing course content, as well as ensure that all children learn at high levels within a multi- performance and product based assessments that can be grade classroom. shared with colleagues across the division. Currently teachers from Macdonald School, Grayson School, Usually within a multi-grade classroom, several activities Invermay School, and Sturgis Composite School are occur simultaneously. As a result, the classroom is working with GSSDs Digital Learning Coach, Michelle organized for activities that engage students with Morley, and Distributed Learning Coach, Thad Swidzinski, minimum disturbance and with adequate direction and to accomplish this. Using the Moodle and Google supervision. Various groupings are established based on classroom platforms, teachers are working collaboratively the nature and purpose of the subject taken up for study to share resources that will promote levels of at a particular time. Some subjects may require mixed- independent learning within their multi-grade classroom. ability groups while others benefit from whole-class The benefit for the teachers is fewer curricula to prepare groups; some may require independent assignments and while the students become more resourceful and develop self-directed learning with systematic support. skills of independent learning and a positive self-concept. Just as in single-grade classes, teachers in a combined grade class use a wide variety of teaching strategies and

Page 5 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca PEOPLE CAPACITY FOCUS Strategic Focus GSSD is a community of learners and believes collaborative partnerships with students, staff, families and community members will enhance educational opportunities. Long-term Goal  By June 2020, GSSD will demonstrate improvement in student learning and well-being through the training and development of our staff.  By June 2020, GSSD will demonstrate improvement in student learning and well-being through the establishment of new and reaffirmed partnerships.  By June 2020, GSSD will demonstrate improvement in staff safety and well-being through on-going training and development. GOOD SPIRIT SCHOOL DIVISION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES PD Event Date Topic / Outcome Leveled Literacy The purpose of this session was to train interventionists in using both the August 31 Intervention Primary and Intermediate systems for Levelled Literacy Intervention. Pre-K & PreKindergarten and Kindergarten Educational Assistants and Teachers were Kindergarten August 31 invited for a full day of exploring and understanding the early years Inservice curriculum. Counsellors and teachers from GSSD took part in FRIENDS training from FRIENDS Training August 31 Sunrise Health Mental Health employees. The FRIENDS program assists students in building social skills, resilience, and self-esteem. F&P Benchmark The purpose of this session was to provide training for grade 2-6 teachers who Assessment September 21 have not previously had F&P training, allowing them to effectively administer Training the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment. Number Talks & Classroom discussion is a powerful tool for supporting student Beyond: Building communication, sense making and mathematical understanding. Curating Communities productive math talk communities requires teachers to plan for and recognize September 22 Through opportunities in the live action of teaching. Teachers experienced a variety of Classroom classroom numeracy routines including number talks, counting circles, quick Conversation images and more. This session was for High Schools and any K-8 schools wishing to implement

myBlueprint with students in grade 7 and 8. MyBlueprint follows a comprehensive education and career planning process that meets the learning myBlueprint September 26 needs, interests, and aspirations of all students. Students actively learn about their interests, skills, passions, and feelings, and document what they discover about themselves in pictures, videos, and journals. The late afternoon meeting was for senior and junior Practical and Applied PAA PLC Meeting September 26 Arts teachers. During the meeting, PAA teachers shared information, discussed current topics in their field and networked with other PAA teachers. This annual inservice day was for GSSD Library Technicians. The full day Library Tech October 3 involved free books for school libraries, a collection statistics summary report, Inservice a book swap and much more. October 10th was the full day fall refresher for Non Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) for those requiring recertification. NVCI Fall October 11th was a half day refresher, in the afternoon, for those who October 10 & 11 Refresher required two day training. NVCI is a training program that equips staff with strategies for safely defusing anxious, hostile or violent behavior at the earliest possible stage. Page 6

Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca NEW TEACHER ORIENTATION On August 28, 2017, teachers new to GSSD were invited to the Fairview Education Centre (FEC) to receive a division orientation. The morning began with an overview of strategic planning and GSSD priorities. Teachers then rotated through a series of informative sessions: Introductions to UbD planning (unit planning); Outcome-based Reporting; Administrative Procedures; and Academic and Behavioural Supports. In the afternoon, teams completed a scavenger hunt activity to learn about the various departments at the FEC.

Photos to the left: Ms. Donna Court, receptionist, and Mr. Shawn Kostiuk, technology department, answering scavenger hunt Photo from left to right: questions. Karen Langan, Rachel Piatt, Logan Wilk, Amanda Filipchuk, Becky Willems, Nolan Matthews, Jordan ven der Buhs, Cheng Teh, Dalane Lamb, Paul Geerdts, Graham Gilmore

Welcome to GSSD’s new teachers!

NUMBER TALKS MATH WORKSHOP IN YORKTON Classroom discussion is a powerful tool for supporting student communication, sense making and mathematical understanding. Curating productive math talk communities requires teachers to plan for and recognize opportunities in the live action of teaching. On September 22, 2017, a variety of classroom numeracy routines including number talks, counting circles, quick images and more were explored by 50 GSSD Kindergarten - Grade 9 math teachers. This excellent SPDU workshop, with GSSDs very own Lana Steiner from Springside School as one of the facilitators, has given participants the confidence to take math conversations to the next level by strengthening their skills as a facilitator of classroom discourse and student thinking. A big thank you goes out to Yorkdale Central School for hosting this event. In addition to this great professional development opportunity, a copy of Number Talks Whole Number Computations (Kindergarten-Grade 5) and Number Talks Fractions, Decimals and Percent (Grades 6-9) have been placed in every GSSD school. Number Talks is a strategy sure to improve Number Sense in our Kindergarten – Grade 9 classrooms!

Page 7 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY October 16, 2017 was designated as Bus Driver Appreciation Day in Saskatchewan. The day is observed on the first day of Education Week to celebrate the dedication and commitment of school bus drivers. Our Division recognizes the important role that GSSD school bus drivers play in safely transporting our 2,293 students to and from school each day.

Photo to the left: Roary from Yorkdale Central School gives the YCS bus drivers a thumbs up for their great work every day.

Photo to the right: Central Office staff wore yellow on October 16 to celebrate the bus drivers in our Division.

MACDONALD SCHOOL AND KAKISIWEW SCHOOL BUILD A PARTNERSHIP As part of the 2017-18 Learning Improvement Plan, Macdonald School has included a goal around "Truth and Reconciliation" and FNMI studies. To assist in achieving their goal, the school has partnered with Kakisiwew School from Ochapowace Nation in a school exchange program. In September of 2017, a group of Grades 3, 4, & 5 students from Kakisiwew visited Macdonald School and were completely integrated with students from Macdonald. Students from the two schools were divided into four different groups (Earth, Wind, Water, Fire). These groups rotated between four stations involving the Outdoor Classroom (animals and shelter building), Physical Education, Gardening & Seed Exchange, and a Mindfulness session. The Grades 7, 8, & 9 students from Macdonald School served as leaders of the groups. The overarching goal was to have the students meet each other and to encourage the development of future friendships. The day began at the Amphitheatre of the Outdoor Classroom with Principal Reg Leidl honouring and welcoming the guests from Kakisiwew. A gift of seeds (marigolds, sunflower seeds, petunia), which were grown and packaged by Macdonald students, was presented to their friends to symbolize the "growing a friendship". Dedicated School Community Council members and other parent volunteers prepared lunch for everyone. Upon the conclusion of lunch, students were encouraged to "play together" in any of the outdoor spaces and playground. The day saw many new friendships made. Students could be seen building shelters in trees, feeding and petting the goats and chickens, and using their imaginations while playing on and around the playground or construction zone. Educators from both schools worked together to build a fire and then stories and legends were shared about First Nations culture. Both students and educators shared laughter and friendship around the fire where the warmth of a newly found friendship could be felt. A second visit, also included five practicum students from the First Nations University who were anxious to share their experience with faculty members of the University. The collaboration between the two schools is expected to continue, with“ mindfulness” being a key focus for future visits.

Page 8 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP Strategic Focus GSSD believes that we are all accountable. Board members, students, staff, families and community members have a responsibility, both individually and as part of the learning team, to participate and to contribute positively to public education. Long-term Goals  By June 2020, GSSD will implement systemic approaches to find efficiencies and increase value for money allowing the division to respond to the challenges of student and staff needs.

STURGIS SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION PROJECT

In the spring of 2016 the Good Spirit School Division received their funding announcement from the Ministry for Preventative Maintenance and Renewal (PMR) funding. With this sizeable funding announcement, and the support from the Ministry of consistent funding for PMR facilities projects, the possibility of a consolidation project in Sturgis became a reality. After an analysis of the work to be completed, an $850,000 budget was established for the renovation of the upstairs and south wings of the high school. The decision to use GSSD facilities staff to plan, coordinate, supervise, and perform the majority of the work allowed the team to control cost, schedule, and risk. The work was started in October 2016 and by August 15, 2017 the school was ready for staff and students. The total cost for this phase of the renovation was $400,000. Through the substantial cost control on these first two phases of the project the Division is able to allocate additional resources through the PMR budget to other projects.

Grand Opening Celebration October 20, 2017

Page 9 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca

THE ROLE OF THE EARLY YEARS COMMUNITY DEVELOPER At the beginning of the 2017-18 school year Stephanie Lockhart and Chlorisa Erickson began job sharing the role as Early Years Community Developer with Regional KidsFirst and GSSD. Stephanie has been in the role for the past five years and was joined by Chlorisa in

August 2017.

GSSD, through ministry support, contracts these individuals to

provide services throughout the former Health Region. They offer

a variety of programs that aim to bring parents and their children together. STUDENT& FAMILY INTERNAL PROCESSES PEOPLE CAPACITY FINANCIALSTEWARDSHIP The focus for 2017-18 is on Healthy Beginnings and Strong Families incorporating Early Learning and Literacy into all aspects of programming. The Early Years Community Developers goals include:  Photo above: Positive Parent Child Interactions (from left to right)  parents know best and can make the biggest difference in their child’s life Chlorisa Erickson & Stephanie  Child Development and Well Being Lockhardt  we want all children to be healthy and well  Healthy Pregnancy and Births  let’s give the children the best start in life  Awareness of Early Childhood Development  children’s early experiences shape their entire world for the rest of their lives Chlorisa and Stephanie began the year by focusing on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Awareness by partnering with Mr. Mikes in Yorkton to provide information, awareness and mocktails for all ladies. There is no safe time, amount, or kind of alcohol during pregnancy. Keep a look out in your community for upcoming events and programs. Ongoing programs include:  IMPACT – Intriguing Minds, Parents and Children Together  This is an Early Childhood fair where children (turning 4, currently 4 years of age – not yet in kindergarten) tour a number of different interactive stations, each geared towards specific areas of child development. These are held in Calder IMPACT Event partnership with ALL schools within the Sunrise Health Region.  Main Street Mobile  A mobile unit of family resources and fun activities for children ages 2–5. MAIN Street Mobile These are community family events. Parents/caregivers attend with their in Churchbridge children. This is in partnership with Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Sun country Health Region and ourselves. The Mobile rotates on a schedule through the three regions.  Kids in Safe Seats  Funding pending – A program to ensure that all children are riding in SAFE correctly installed car seats. For families who find it difficult to purchase car seats, we will provide a car seat for $25 a seat (if they can

afford) or free of charge dependent on family situations. This is a new initiative for our region.

 Share it Forward  This had been an online blog that Regional Kids First had during the past six years. It is currently under review; there will be some changes to keep the blog active through the GSSD website.

GSSD FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS Our Motto Students Come First Our Mission Building Strong Foundations to Create Bright Futures Our Values Belonging, Respect, Responsibility, Learning, Nurturing, and Perseverance Our Vision Learning Without Limits…Achievement For All Page 10 Strategic Plan Report www.gssd.ca