1. Student Trustees Officially Begin New Term
Student voice is valued at the SRPSD Board table. At the latest meeting, the fifth annual and newest team of student trustees took the oath of office. Kelly Lam from Carlton returns as the urban student trustee and Meath Park’s Emily Zbaraschuk is a new trustee representing the rural student voice. Together they brought a report to the Board outlining student experiences in school during COVID and summarizing several schools’ events and activities. Trustees Lam and Zbaraschuk indicated that the block system in many high schools presents a demanding workload that needs some attention but students appreciate the effort exerted by teachers to adjust to the new structure. Masks and other safety protocols were challenging at first, but for the most part are now seen as just part of school and students appreciate the extra precautions so they can be in school safely.
2. Cree Language Kindergarten Success
The Cree Language Kindergarten program has been providing an amazing introduction to school for 15 wonderful Kindergarten students. This program is a tangible action to demonstrate SRPSD’s commitment to reconciliation and excellence in learning. Ms. Chaboyer is creating a fantastic language-rich and culturally affirming space for children to speak Cree, to learn through play and to practice their culture. Plans are underway for the growth and enhancement of this essential initiative.
3. Trustees Support Strong Local Voice
School Community Councils (SCC) are a local voice in education that is entrenched in legislation and actively supported by the School Board. With the election complete, the Board moved quickly to approve the 2020-2021 assignments of trustees to each SCC so that trustees can be connected to SCCs in their area and to other SCCS as well. Parents and community have a strong voice in their local SCC.
The Board also submitted a local voice resolution recently approved by the Saskatchewan School Board Association’s that calls on the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Government Relations to review and renew the Local Government Elections Act and Regulations with the intent of creating more opportunities for the election and participation of Indigenous school board trustees. Local voice in education is important and the SRPSD is active in representing and strengthening that voice.
The Board hopes this brief update can provide information and promote communication. If you want further details about the Board and its meetings, you can find information at this link SRPSD Board Information or under the “About Us” tab at www.srsd119.ca. You are also encouraged to contact your local trustee.
We look forward to the connection!
| SRPSD Board of Education | |||
| Barry Hollick, Chair | bhollick@srsd119.ca | Arne Lindberg | alindberg@srsd119.ca |
| Darlene Rowden,
Vice-Chair |
drowden@srsd119.ca | Alan Nunn | anunn@srsd119.ca |
| Cher Bloom | cbloom@srsd119.ca | Jaimie Smith-Windsor | jsmith-windsor@srsd119.ca |
| Bill Gerow | bgerow@srsd119.ca | Michelle Vickers | mvickers@srsd119.ca |
| Grant Gustafson | ggustafson@srsd119.ca | Bill Yeaman | byeaman@srsd119.ca |