Volume 9 Issue 1 Published by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association October 2016 Orange Shirt Day Proclaimed in Saskatchewan The Saskatchewan School Boards Association encouraged everyone to wear orange to school on Sept. 30 and to reflect on residential schools, for the first officially recognized “Orange Shirt Day” in the province. “Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to gather together in our schools and our communities to recognize residential school survivors and their experiences,” said Regina Rochdale MLA Laura Ross on behalf of Deputy Premier and Education Minister Don Morgan. “Saskatchewan students learn about the history of residential schools in a variety of classes starting in elementary and continuing through high school. Ensuring that our citizens understand this part of our history is Regina Public Schools Board Chair Katherine Gagne, Regina Rochdale MLA essential as we move forward with Laura Ross and SSBA President Connie Bailey attended an Orange Shirt Day First Nations and Métis people on a recognition event, held at École Connaught Community School in Regina. path of reconciliation.” Orange Shirt Day is part of a “Orange Shirt Day is an The Orange Shirt Day movement larger movement in the country to opportunity to ensure discussion is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission provide opportunity for First happens about residential schools,” residential school commemoration Nations, governments, schools and said Connie Bailey, SSBA president. event held in Williams Lake, B.C., in communities to unite in a spirit of “We know it is important to build 2013. It grew out of the account of a reconciliation and hope for understanding about this history of young girl having her new orange generations of children to come. our province and country.” Continued on Page 2 INSIDE Orange Shirt Day 2 Provincial Students’ Day 7 Fall Members’ Council 3 Calendar Update 8 THIS Walk to Breakfast 6 Executive Meetings 8 ISSUE Orange Shirt Day Proclaimed in Saskatchewan (continued) shirt taken away on her first day Government of Saskatchewan Linklater, chair of the SSBA’s of school at the mission. officially recognize Orange Shirt Day. Aboriginal Council, which proposed At the SSBA Spring General “We are pleased that the the resolution. “We encourage Assembly in April, members passed provincial government has officially people across the province to join us a resolution to request that the proclaimed this day,” said Vernon in recognizing this day.” Orange Shirt Day Photos Students, staff and community members participated SSBA President Connie Bailey brought greetings to in an assembly recognizing Orange Shirt Day on Sept. those gathered for the recognition assembly on Sept. 30 at École Connaught Community School in Regina. 30 at École Connaught Community School in Regina. A team of SSBA staff members named “Iskwewuk” Staff members of the Saskatchewan School Boards participated Sept. 30 in the Glen Anaquod Memorial Association and Saskatchewan Association of School Tipi Raising Competition at the University of Regina. Business Officials wore orange for Orange Shirt Day. President’s Welcome to Fall Members’ Council CONNIE BAILEY We continue to focus on service Last, but not least, board SSBA PRESIDENT improvement to ensure we are development continues to be an (as excerpted from serving and supporting our integral role for our association. remarks delivered members in the most efficient and Your association works hard to Sept. 22, 2016, at effective ways. ensure that professional Members’ Council, We are proud of the success we development, including the held in Saskatoon.) enjoy by working together through Professional Director Certification our association in these areas, and Program, is beneficial to members. Good evening and welcome to the efficiencies we have achieved. Continued on Page 4 Members’ Council. I want to begin my remarks this evening by thanking the Board Development Committee of the SSBA for all of its work in organizing the events that bring us together each year. The Committee has chosen a theme for the 2016-17 year that I believe is apt. The theme is “Today’s Students – Tomorrow’s Saskatchewan.” Our students truly are our province’s future and their success is the goal of all of our th efforts in the education sector. 10 Anniversary Mosaic Challenge Winners The work of the SSBA, your provincial association, also continues with a goal for continuous improvement. We are focused on our three areas – Advocacy, Services and Board Development. Our advocacy efforts have evolved to respond to the changes and challenges of this year and we have endeavoured to speak clearly, strongly and passionately about the work of school board trustees and divisions and the importance of investing in education. We have repeated that message and witnessed its sharing in the media and beyond. People understand the importance of having a strong education system that is funded as an investment in our future. Today’s students are tomorrow’s Saskatchewan, indeed. President Bailey shared remarks with attendees at Members’ Council. President’s Welcome to Fall Members’ Council (continued) We thank our trustees for their With school board elections this commitment and dedication they commitment to growth and fall, we have the opportunity to have offered to our education improvement as leaders. engage with our communities. The system in this province. The times we face are exciting feedback we hear at the local level As a local level of government, it and challenging as we look toward about the future of education in our is critical for us to bring the local the future. As we respond, we must province is invaluable. At the same voice to the forefront. be Student First and continue to time, our constituents will know we We are responsible to the focus on our overarching goal – that are listening and working hard to families and communities we serve by 2025, Saskatchewan has a bring forward their views in our and have the privilege and the globally recognized education decision-making. obligation to advocate for change system that others wish to emulate. The meaningful conversations we that is consistent with the input and As we have our sights set toward have with our own communities are feedback we get at the local level. the future, we are right now, once what will enable us to continue We know school divisions work again – or maybe it is just speaking with the voice of the tirelessly to help students succeed. continuous – in a time of change. public, as trustees have strived to do Let us participate actively in the As I was thinking about what for more than a century. important conversations happening needs to be said here tonight, I was I want to take a moment to thank in our sector and beyond and do so reminded of how boards of all those who are running as with the knowledge and confidence education came to exist in trustees again in this election. that we are close to our Saskatchewan and what their true Your willingness to lead and to communities and we do speak with purpose has always been for over serve is very important. I also want a voice entrusted to us by the 100 years – ensuring all children get to thank those among us who might residents of our great province. an education. not be running again for the years of Thank you. Attendees listened to President Bailey’s remarks at Members’ Council. Presenters at Fall Members’ Council Hon. Don Morgan Judy Ferguson Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan Naomi Mellor Jamie Lerat Prairie Valley School Division First Nations and Métis Education, SSBA Maureen Jickling Darren McKee Legal Services, SSBA Executive Director, SSBA th Walk to Breakfast Celebrates 10 Anniversary Mosaic Challenge Winners Efforts of Saskatchewan schools received $10,000 earlier this year as integrating Indigenous content and to improve student nutrition and winners of the 10th Anniversary principles, teaching students how to create healthier environments were Mosaic Challenge. Among the grow their own food and expanding celebrated on Sept. 16 with the winners was Regina Catholic School community kitchen opportunities. Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Division’s Mother Teresa Middle “Our students are our future Challenge’s Walk to Breakfast. School, where the Walk to Breakfast leaders and investing in their “Mosaic is proud to have event was held. learning through nutrition programs supported schools and students “Good nutrition has an essential is vital to their success,” said Kelly across Saskatchewan for 10 years role in helping kids reach their Berlinic, Director of Programs and through the Mosaic Extreme School potential in school and beyond,” Community Development for BFL. Makeover Challenge,” said Sarah Regina Coronation Park MLA Mark “Breakfast for Learning is proud to Fedorchuk, Senior Director of Public Docherty said on behalf of Minster work with the SSBA and The Mosaic Affairs at The Mosaic Company. of Education Don Morgan. “Our Company to ensure all students “Improving nutrition and supporting government is investing $2.3 million have the nourishment they need to healthy lifestyles for children in school and community nutrition succeed at school.” directly supports our food security programs this year to help provide “School board members firmly mission to help the world grow the students with healthy food during believe that all students should have food it needs, beginning right here their school day. I commend The what they need to achieve and at home.” Mosaic Company and the SSBA for succeed, regardless of their personal Since 2006, The Mosaic Company also supporting the nutrition of circumstances,” said Connie Bailey, and the SSBA in partnership with Saskatchewan students. Their president of the SSBA. “Our Breakfast for Learning (BFL), have contributions are making a Association is proud to recognize the hosted the Mosaic Challenge to difference in the lives of thousands winners and we thank Mosaic and encourage grassroots initiatives to of students each year.” BFL for their commitment to improve student nutrition.