1. Board Celebrates 8,969 New and Returning Students
Enrolment in SRPSD is the highest it has been in years and has exceeded pre-pandemic enrolment. The Board is honoured that students and families have demonstrated their faith in the division’s values, academic excellence, extracurricular programming and COVID safety protocols. The 8,969 students enrolled in SRPSD schools far exceeded projections, and the Board has added extra staff to support student learning and success. The Board acknowledged the amazing work that schools and staff did last year to stay connected with families and students through difficult times and the work that schools have done this fall to welcome and encourage families to resume their learning journey.
2. Local Government Week Honoured in True Fashion
November 8-14, 2021 is Local Government Week in Saskatchewan and the school board is one level of local government that provides local voice and local choice. Elected every 4 years, the SRPSD Trustees seek local voices and take action to best serve the division as a whole. The recent meeting was a great way to start the week as the Board received delegation of an employee and parents. The delegation expressed concern about the division’s choice to enhance student and staff safety with an Admin Procedure that requires vaccination or proof of negative test. Similarly, the Board heard a delegation in September from parents concerned about the requirements to wear masks in schools.
Despite the diverse views, and sometimes challenging conversations, the Board values the local voice and considers those views as it makes decisions to ensure the best educational experience possible for students. Local government week will end with the Board attending (virtually) the Saskatchewan School Board’s Association Fall Assembly on November 14-16. This provides an opportunity for trustee learning and networking which further strengthens school board governance.
3. Safety Achievements Highlighted
Recently SRPSD received notice that it has advanced through the final stage of the WorkSafe Priority Employer Program. This completion is a result of 35% reduction in claims, a 29% reduction in injury rates and a 52% reduction in lost time injuries over the last several years. This success was achieved by safety improvements that have been developed and implemented by division staff and staff in schools and facilities across the division. This level of change does not occur without the hard work and change in habits supported by people throughout our schools and other facilities. This is not the end of SRPSD’s work on safety, but it certainly is important to recognize and celebrate the achievements.
The Board hopes this brief update can provide information and promote communication. You can find further 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 | Jaimie Smith-Windsor | jsmith-windsor@srsd119.ca |
| Cher Bloom | cbloom@srsd119.ca | Alan Nunn | anunn@srsd119.ca |
| Bill Gerow, | bgerow@srsd119.ca | Michelle Vickers | mvickers@srsd119.ca |
| Grant Gustafson | ggustafson@srsd119.ca | Bill Yeaman | byeaman@srsd119.ca |