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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, socially-enriching 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, as a new minister, it was exciting to be on hand for sev-
The Honourable Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Education.
Saskatchewan’s schools prepare students for opportunities to build a bright future for themselves. S up p lie d p hot o
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eral 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 wellknown 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 located in, such as École Harbour Landing, École Wascana Plains, and Plainsview. Chief Whitecap School in Stone-
bridge, 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 of programs offered in our province’s schools. For example, Following Their Voices is a made-in-
Saskatchewan 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 Saskatchewan. 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 Saskatchewan’s prestigious 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. This sTory was provided by The saskaTchewan MinisTry of educaTion.
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 educa-
tion 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 ser-
vice 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 subsequent 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
At Saskatoon Public Schools, our goal is to see all children and youth discover, develop and act upon their potential. Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN)
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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 education 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. This sTory was provided by The saskaTchewan Teachers federaTion. This secTion was creaTed by conTenT works, posTMedia’s coMMercial conTenT sTudio.
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education week 2017
Saskatoon Public Schools: Providing students with a solid foundation for future learning Math education is one of the building blocks of a student’s education, starting with sorting and counting such blocks from a young age. For more than a decade, the Board of Education for Saskatoon Public Schools has made Literacy for Life a strategic priority, building students’ ability to read and write from the time they begin school. In recent years, that focus on literacy has grown to include mathematics. Jennifer Brokofsky, math coordinator for Saskatoon Public Schools, states mathematical thinking begins at an early age. From the outside, lessons may look like plain old fun for children but such activities influence a student’s understanding of basic math concepts. “As children begin to understand the world around them, concepts like quantity, patterns, sorting, shape and space are learned. Providing our students with opportunities to engage in mathematical thinking through play and inquiry early on in their school journey can provide them with a solid foundation for future learning and help them make sense of the world around them,” said Brokofsky. “Our youngest mathematicians are capable of reasoning, reflecting and problem solving and our job as teachers is to deepen these skills through
Students from seven schools attended the third annual Math Fair held at Tommy Douglas Collegiate in June 2017. The event brings together elementary and high school students to explore math and share in a positive learning experience. Sa Skat o o n Pu bl i c Sc h o o l S
meaningful learning experiences.” The school division’s approach to mathematics derives from its vision that students see the value and relevance of math in their world. This vision for students guides not only instructional decisions by teachers, but also the professional learning offered to math teachers. A key area of focus is computational fluency – a student’s ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide at a grade-appropriate level with understanding, efficiency and accuracy. Teachers are encouraging students to become computationally fluent through number activities that challenge them and provoke them to flex their knowledge. “We focus on our learners hav-
ing proficient computational skills, mathematical vocabulary, and the strategies to apply, represent and communicate their mathematical understandings,” said Brokofsky. “As students build their fluency with ‘basic facts’, they free up working memory and create space for more complex problem solving and mathematical reasoning.” Mathematics Quick Screeners are an important tool in helping teachers gauge students’ understanding of math. The assessment tool was created by Saskatoon Public Schools and aligns with the provincial math curriculum. Screeners are designed to provide teachers with a snapshot of student learning strengths and needs. This allows teachers to provide appro-
priate instruction to meet students’ needs. “Our screeners have precipitated changes to the way teachers teach mathematics through flexible small groups, responsive learning stations, differentiated instruction and reteaching,” said Brokofsky. Saskatoon Public Schools believes that providing supportive and innovative professional learning for teachers will result in more responsive instruction and greater outcomes for students, Brokofsky explained. Professional learning allows math educators to consult research, collaborate with colleagues and strengthen their instructional practices. What is learned alongside colleagues is brought back to their classrooms to the benefit of students. “Investments like this in our teachers create confidence and competence in mathematics teaching and that translates into confidence and competence in students,” Brokofsky said. “Teachers repeatedly report that this professional learning has a significant positive impact on their professional understanding, instructional practice and student learning and confidence.” With all of this focus on math instruction for students and teachers, how is success measured? Brokofsky said success in math has many fac-
ets. Beyond regular assessments that are both standardized and teacheroriented, the competency of a math student may be measured through their confidence in the work. Teachers want students to demonstrate a mathematical mindset, perseverance, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to connect ideas and defend their thinking. “Teacher observations of students at work, conversations with students about their mathematical reasoning, and teacher-created assessments are all valuable tools to measure student growth and success,” said Brokofsky. “These tools inform instructional decision making and, when accompanied by clear feedback, offer students opportunities to grow their mathematical understanding and skills.” By providing the building blocks of responsive instruction, student assessment and professional learning for teachers, Saskatoon Public Schools has constructed a solid foundation for math learning that allows students to demonstrate their skills and grow as mathematicians. “We want to foster a mathematical mindset in all of our students,” Brokofsky said. “We want them to have confidence, curiosity, persistence, creativity, and a willingness to take risks.”
This sTory was provided by saskaToon public schools.
Building six new school communities is a unique opportunity for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools In a year that Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools has opened six new schools—something unprecedented for any single school division in our province—it is easy to find meaning in this year’s theme for Education Week: Building our future by learning together. Our schools are among the 18 built on nine joint-use sites across the province under the Government of Saskatchewan’s P3 building project. The massive undertaking was a four-year process from start to finish, with construction taking two years. In Saskatoon, we opened St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Hampton Village), St. Kateri Tekakwitha (Stonebridge), St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Rosewood) and St. Nicholas (Evergreen). Holy Trinity and École Holy Mary are the first Catholic schools in the cities of Warman and Martensville, respectively. The construction of these schools is an obvious dimension of “build,” and they are indeed impressive buildings. The inviting schools are spacious and well-lit, incorporating flexible learning spaces that encourage creativity and collaboration among students and teachers. As exciting as it is to have these places of learning, they are but shells unless we consider the implied, more purposeful aspects of “build”: create, develop, foster, and encourage. We will create communities of learning in which all are welcome. Just as Jesus, our model teacher, wel-
a vibrancy to our school communities that we simply couldn’t achieve on our own. With this realization, we encourage students to be active members of their community and make a dif-
Students cut the ribbon at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic School grand opening, joined by (l-r) Catholic School Community Council chair Chantel Lacoursiere, Deputy Premier Don Morgan, Director of Education Greg Chatlain, Principal Don Remizowski, Board of Education Chair Diane Boyko, Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre, City of Saskatoon Councillor Bev Dubois, GSCS Foundation Chair Laurie Karwacki, Holy Spirit Parish pastor Fr. Darryl Millette, First Nations and Métis Education coordinator Delvin Kanewiyakiho.
This sTory was provided by GreaTer saskaToon caTholic schools.
Toddler, Preschool & Elementary Programs
Celebrating 30 Years Educating Saskatoon’s Children
Gr eat er Sa Skat o o n cat h o l i c Sc h o o l S
comed children with open arms (cf. Matthew 19:14), we work to make all students and families feel like they belong in our schools. Being new communities, students, families and staff at these six schools have the unique opportunity to help create a culture based on Gospel values. Professional, dedicated educators will help students realize and develop their unique God-given gifts. Academic excellence is pursued while taking a holistic approach to education, helping students reach their full potential academically, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Our faith is at the heart of understanding who we are and our place in the world. Throughout the day, in all we do, we
foster a greater understanding of this by building relationships, both with Christ the Saviour and with each other. This way, students learn they are part of broader, interconnected communities. As a division and as individual school communities, we are fortunate to have many working relationships with community partners. Saskatoon Tribal Council and Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. further our work with Indigenous learners; the Saskatoon Health Region helps keep minds and bodies healthy; the University of Saskatchewan, its various colleges, and our sister school divisions work with us to advance education as a sector; and we have countless local relationships and partnerships that add
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ference. Whether it’s their school community, neighbourhood, or the broader global community, small acts of service done with love can transform the world. And we will do this all together – students, families and caregivers, teachers and staff, and our broader community – to build a bright future for students and for Catholic education in and around Saskatoon.
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Apprendre ensemble pour bâtir notre avenir
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Education Week October 15-21, 2017
Semaine de l’éducation Du 15 au 21 octobre 2017
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