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education week 2017
Building Our Future by Learning Together Message froM Bronwyn eyre Saskatchewan Education Minister
October 15-21 is Education Week in Saskatchewan, which underscores the importance of learning and recognizes the dedication and commitment of teachers and other educational professionals across the province. This year’s Education Week theme - Building Our Future by Learning Together/Apprendre ensemble pour bâtir notre avenir – highlights the important work being done in the classroom, and throughout the education sector, to provide more than 179,000 students across the province with an academically strong, sociallyenriching experience. Many students have returned to class this fall in one of our 21 new schools, including 18 elementary schools at nine joint-use sites. The building of new schools in Regina, Saskatoon, Warman, and Martensville, and extensive renovations to the school in St. Brieux address the growth of these communities and the needs of Saskatchewan families for years to come. The opening of our beautiful, innovatively designed joint-use schools in time for the 2017-18 school year stands as the biggest education capital undertaking in our province’s recent history, and,
The Honourable Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Education. S u p p l i ed phot o
as a new minister, it was exciting to be on hand for several of the grand openings. The joint-use schools include such features as outdoor learning spaces, libraries without walls, and presentation stairs. The school names were chosen based on public feedback and showcase the history, culture, and geography of our great province. They include well-known Saskatchewanians such as Chief Whitecap, Colette Bourgonje, Ernest Lindner, and Sylvia Fedoruk; Catholic saints such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, and St. Nicholas; and names that reflect the communities they are
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located in, such as École Harbour Landing, École Wascana Plains, and Plainsview. C hie f Whitecap School in Stonebridge, in Saskatoon, is the result of a unique partnership between Saskatoon Public Schools, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, and Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The school includes the Dakota Cultural room and historic murals, which will help students learn about Dakota culture and history. Students from Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Grades 5 to 8 will be attending the school with students from the surrounding community. I have been Education Minister for only a short time, but can readily attest to the range and quality
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of programs offered in our province’s schools. For example, Following Their Voices is a made-inSaskatchewan initiative designed to improve educational achievement and graduation rates of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. It has now expanded to 27 schools, thanks to a federal investment of $3 million over three years from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada earlier this year. As a Ministry, we continue to look for opportunities, along with our school division and sector partners, to improve education in Saskatchewan, while making effective use of financial resources. We should take pride in what we have already accomplished and the direction of education in Sas-
This sTory was provided by The saskaTchewan MinisTry of educaTion.
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education week 2017
New Scott Collegiate is at home in mâmawêyatitân centre A multi-decade long journey was realized on September 12 when mâmawêyatitân centre* and the new Scott Collegiate were officially opened in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood. Initially conceived in 2003 as the North Central Shared Facility, mâmawêyatitân centre brings together many public and community services aimed at building, strengthening and celebrating North Central, its residents and all Regina citizens who may live, work or play in the neighbourhood. Most importantly, it is the new home for Scott Collegiate that now has the facilities to further use and incorporate its project and service-based learning practices. Students now have access to modern educational facilities that include a commercial kitchen, sound recording studio, construction shop, dance studio, as well as gymnasia and other indoor and outdoor athletic spaces. This year, Scott Collegiate also introduced a new team name, the Scott Collegiate Wolves, to replace the Scott Blues, but the “Blues” are not long gone. Visitors to the school will see Scott students in mâmawêyatitân centre wearing blue shirts, some of which proudly boast the words, “Established in 1923 and renewed in 2017.”
Scott Collegiate, Regina Public Schools ■ City of Regina ■ Regina Public Library’s Albert Branch ■ Regina Police Service ■ Scott Infant and Toddler Centre Inc. ■ Chili for Children ■ North Central Community Association ■ The neighbourhood food store provided by REACH (Regina Education Against Child Hunger) The centre includes the high school, library, community policing centre, daycare, recreational complex and gymnasia, community centre, multipurpose room, and Elders’ room. Outdoor plans for mâmawêyatitân centre include a garden, basketball court, soccer pitch and a cultural space with elements drawn from Indigenous traditions. Many of the indoor rooms and facilities will be available for rental/use by all citizens of Regina. An outdoor greenspace called the “Heart of the Site” will offer a natural sanctuary and gathering place for the community. Made possible through a generous donation from the Mosaic Company, the Heart of the Site will provide a natural learning environment for cultural teachings and storytelling. It will feature fruit trees and ■
The new Scott Collegiate has officially opened within mâmawêyatitân centre, in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood. The centre is the first of its kind in Canada. r e gi na Pu bl i c Sc h o o l S
Scott Collegiate is one of the main residents in mâmawêyatitân centre. A Cree word meaning “let’s be all together,” mâmawêyatitân (pronounced ma-ma-wayata-tan) speaks to the shared use of the building and the cooperation of the partners. The centre is the first of its kind in Canada and will be offering integrated services in one central place to build and enhance the community. It brings people together to connect, to learn, to play and to develop skills
and to celebrate culture. Although many individuals and organizations contributed towards the project, there are three partners (Regina Public Schools, with the support of the Government of Saskatchewan; City of Regina; and Regina Public Library) who contributed financially to the total approximate cost of $41 million. Currently, tenants of mâmawêyatitân centre include the following:
edible plants, and create opportunity for Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders to share their knowledge about care, upkeep and use of native grasses, plants, trees and shrubs. Community programming at mâmawêyatitân centre will be a mix of individual programming from the partners and tenants as well as integrated programming with contributions from a variety of partners, tenants and community organizations. The Saskatchewan Roughriders football club is one such community partner, and they will be providing programs at the centre for area residents. All partners and tenants in the building will leverage the shared space to offer programs and integrated services under one roof that may have not been available before. P3 Architecture Partnership designed the building and Quorex Construction is the main contractor responsible for building the centre. *A note on word use and spelling. There is no capitalization in the Cree language. To honour the tradition and use of the Cree language, mâmawêyatitân centre will not be capitalized. Additionally, the pronoun “the” will not be used in identification of mâmawêyatitân centre.
This sTory was provided by regina public schools.
Working together critical for benefit of province’s students It’s an inescapable truth about many things in life: challenges and opportunities come together. Rarely is one far removed from the other. Saskatchewan has had its own share of challenges when it comes to education. However, the collaboration between the various education stakeholders has frequently been touted as a model other provinces can only envy. That is why this year’s Education Week theme – “Building Our Future by Learning Together” – is particularly poignant in this time of fiscal restraint in all public service sectors, including PreK-12 education. When funding issues arise, the importance of working together for a common goal becomes ever more critical. Sometimes it means compromise for the sake of the overall good of the students. Ever since the Student First initiative was launched and the sub-
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Saskatchewan’s schools prepare students for opportunities to build a bright future for themselves. S u ppl i ed p hot o
katchewan. We should also be proud of the achievements, ingenuity, and generosity of our students. Just three examples among many: Weyburn Comprehensive students enrolled in Entrepreneurship 30 and members of their own company, Lux Bath Products, won Junior Achievement of S a s k a t c h e w a n’s p r e s t i g i o u s award in June, as Company of the Year. Weyburn Comprehensive School students have also been recognized for their successful business ventures with both provincial and national accolades in the past. This spring, high school students in Eastend raised over $65,000 for the Ronald McDonald House. This donation was brought about by the experience of one of their fellow students, and their family, who had used the Ronald McDonald House while the student was an infant. Four Saskatchewan high-school students also competed in the 56th Canada-Wide Science Fair held at the University of Regina in May. Projects ranged from how to more efficiently dispose of garbage, to finding an environmentally friendly way of decreasing blue-green algae growth. Education Week reminds us of the importance of putting the student first and to making sure that all our students are provided with the resources, programs, and facilities they need to succeed.
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sequent Education Sector Strategic Plan was unveiled a host of strategies have been launched, many aimed specifically at the goal of increasing the province’s graduation rates by 2020. As we speak, the various education stakeholders are grappling with achieving this ambitious plan. By its very nature and complexity, education issues can become quite polarizing. However, the consensus of all is that the education system must ultimately benefit the students first and foremost. When you have different priorities espoused by the Ministry of Education, the Saskatchewan School Boards Association and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, solutions are found only when all parties bear in mind who they are here to serve which is the youth of the province. There is no greater truism than the future that is built is in the hands of the students in our educa-
tion system while bearing in mind the shared goal of an education system that benefits the students and prepares them for their future. In recent years the student population has become increasingly diverse and often quite complex which therefore requires adaptability and often new teaching strategies which must be adequately resourced. The idea of lifelong learning has never been more important than in the current context, and that applies to not only students but everyone involved in the multifaceted process known as education. Few would argue that education must be one of the cornerstones of the future of our province and by extension society. So by all means let’s celebrate education this week while also committing to making it a priority year round.
Students shine brightly at Regina Catholic Schools At the Regina Catholic School Division, our main foundation is a relationship between schools, families, and the church. Given that, the theme for Education Week in Saskatchewan, Building Our Future by Learning Together, is fitting. We work together with so many people to provide a quality, Catholic education that is faith-based, studentcentered, and results-oriented. Our teachers do not work alone. Instead, they get support both inside and outside of the division. Our central office staff works diligently to foster a supportive environment which allows classroom teachers to excel. When further support is needed, we strive to identify the best ways to meet the ever-changing needs of our students and families. For example, our Catholic School Community Councils are the forum where the voices of parents and other community leaders are shared in our schools. Through the support of CSCC volunteers, we stay in touch with our families and their needs,
Archbishop Donald Bolen talks to Matteo Bermundo, a student from St. Kateri Tekakwitha School, one of three new joint use schools in the Regina Catholic School Division. ro b b r ed i n
which is especially important in our increasingly multi-cultural community. The support of a guardian as a partner in teaching a child is invaluable. The sharing and learning we are blessed to receive from Elders in our schools is of equal note. The chance to journey through truth and reconciliation with our Indigenous Elders is sacred. The friendship offered and
celebrated in these gatherings broadens our understanding and appreciation of our indigenous brothers and sisters. We also have committed support from the Archdiocese of Regina. Archbishop Donald Bolen is a true friend to Catholic educators. Our parish priests, deacons and pastoral
teams play a role that is integral to what we do in terms of building relationships between schools and parishes. We know that our role in the parishes is also important as we nurture one another on our educational faith journey. St. Cecelia parish priest Father John Weckend, has shared how he responded to a person who asked how large the priest’s staff was. He replied, “Over 100 people”. He then added, “I minister to two Catholic elementary schools in Regina but I am not the only minister. Every staff member at these schools is also a minister so I consider them to be part of my staff.” Learning Together is of particular importance this year, as we have opened our three new schools, each a joint use facility. These buildings speak to the importance of community, bringing together a day care, a public school, and a separate
school. We see the beauty of togetherness and partnership in these new schools. The theme for our division this year is Let Your Light Shine. This theme was chosen by our staff of 1,100 as a positive way to convey the message of Christ’s love. Clearly the call to be a light of peace, hope and love in our world through our words and our actions strikes a chord in our school communities. The idea of being a light even in the darkest times is particularly important in a world that sometimes struggles to see the light through the complexities of life. We strive always to be a disciple of Christ, spreading the Good News by serving others. May the lights of our 11,775 students shine brightly in our communities for all to see as we, as St. Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.”
This arTicle was provided by regina caTholic schools.
This sTory was provided by The saskaTchewan Teachers federaTion.
This secTion was creaTed by conTenT works, posTMedia’s coMMerciaL conTenT sTudio. REG00258928_1_1
Education Week October 15 to 21, 2017
Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN)
My life. My nursing degree. Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN) After Degree Nursing Program
A well-resourced and safe learning environment includes bus drivers, education assistants, trades people, administration, cafeteria and environmental service staff. Stop government cuts to education funding.
Building our Future by Learning Together
The After Degree Nursing Program (ADNP) provides an alternate path for individuals who have completed a degree in another field to complete the SCBScN program. The ADNP maximizes their previous postsecondary education and gives them the opportunity to complete the SCBScN program in six terms or two calendar years. Admissions open October 1st.
Apprendre ensemble pour bâtir notre avenir
Education Week
Essential Pieces of Your Public Education Team Click ‘Say Yes to Public Services’ on SEIUWEST.ca
GDI-GDC TRAINING OPPORTUNITY The Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) and the Gabriel Dumont College (GDC) are recruiting Métis students for the Jan/Sept 2018 semesters. Tuition is sponsored for Métis students for the first two years of courses that contribute toward a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Science at the University of Regina. Please apply on-line or call:
www.gdins.org SUNTEP Regina (306) 347-4110
Semaine de l’éducation Du 15 au 21 octobre 2017
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GDI - SUNTEP
Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program is recruiting students. Sponsored tuition for Métis students. First Nation students with band funding are welcome.
GDI-SUNTEP Regina 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK S4S 0A2 Phone 306 347-4110 Fax 306 347-4119 www.gdins.org Link to SUNTEP
To learn more, visit sasknursingdegree.ca
October 15-21, 2017
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GABRIEL DUMONT INSTITUTE OF NATIVE STUDIES AND APPLIED RESEARCH
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