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INTRODUCTION

Hello Horizon. I apologize for my hiatus from TWIH as I was addressing issues with illness over the last couple of weeks. It is interesting, I had a comment from a staff member who indicated that, in our world today, it is almost sad that we are...

​ This past week began on March 8th with one of the most important days in our calendars… International Women’s Day. For me, this day is a humbling reminder of such ideas as leadership, equity, kindness, strength, caring, and love that is modelled for us by the women in our lives at...

​ The Tim Hortons Brier got underway last week, and Horizon has a special connection to Team Sask this year, through our community in Wadena. You may have read that the Wadena Curling Club offered their ice time and support to Team Dunstone while they were training, since they were looking for a...

  “ Rest and play are as vital to our health as nutrition and exercise .” – Bren é  Brown

I hope each of you enjoyed a safe and restful Family Day and winter break, Horizon. It was certainly well-deserved. I hope each of you had an opportunity to recharge...

​ Well, the first week of February is behind us and this next week leading into a well-deserved break appears to be willing to challenge us with temperatures we haven’t seen for a fairly long time. The forecast is throwing numbers like -53 and -55 around, making me want to turn...

​ This week, February 1-5, is Canadian School Counselling Week. I want to take this opportunity to thank Horizon’s Student Counsellors for all their work, and in particular their exceptional work over the past year. Every day, our counselling staff take on the critical role of getting into the hearts and minds...

​ Author John Steinbeck said: “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness? You only truly, deeply appreciate and are grateful for something when you compare and contrast it with something worse.” For obvious reasons, much of what we look forward to following this winter...

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“Time moves slowly, but passes quickly.”  I think about this quote from author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Alice Walker, as we pass the halfway point of January. As the school year seems to speed by, we must take time to appreciate the relationships we have with the people...

​ Happy New Year, Horizon School Division! The first week of 2021 is now behind us, and as much as we hoped 2021 would bring us a new sense of calm in our world, it hasn’t quite met that promise…yet. We witnessed great unrest in the political arena in the US...

​ DIAL “HORIZON FOR HERO”! Well, everyone…WE MADE IT!!! 2020 is almost behind us and I think each of us is ready to put a big checkmark beside what can only be described as one of the most challenging years on record. And as much as we have had to adjust...

​ This was the first full week of masking for all Horizon students PreK-12, and I have heard nothing but great things about how our students have adapted to this provincial requirement. Our staff, as always, have been so incredible explaining, preparing, and helping our students do what needs to be...

​ I hope each of you had a relaxing weekend. Of course, it was Black Friday so I’m sure if you were like me, you were busy trying to find some local deals for Christmas gifts for family and friends. It’s rare I get a head start on Christmas shopping but...

​ This week (November 22-28) is Education Week in Saskatchewan. This year’s theme is “Connecting and Learning in New Ways”. I think the theme in this school year certainly makes sense as we have all done our lion’s share of connecting and learning in new ways.

As we celebrate...

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I hope our families and school staff had a safe and relaxing extra-long weekend following the Remembrance Day holiday. As a grandson of two veterans who fought in WWII, I appreciate that our schools took the time before the holiday to recognize and honour all those who have...

​ Introduction

If you are travelling today, please do so safely. As of 5:30 am this morning, travel was not recommended on lots of our highways. It appears things will improve the more the day wears on but use your judgement and know you will not be judged. Safety has...

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I hope and trust everyone had a safe and healthy Halloween this past weekend. I know the kids were out in full force and were eager to gather the generous gifts from all those who were eager to contribute to their efforts. It’s an exciting time for children...

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This has certainly been one of those This Week in Horizon’s I was hoping not to have the need to write. Of course, with the case numbers increasing in our province, Horizon School Division has now joined multiple others who have a positive case of COVID-19 within one...

​ The first impacts of COVID-19 have been felt in Horizon School Division, impacting instruction at Foam Lake Elementary School and George Gordon Education Center, as well as postponing a sporting event and an outdoor graduation celebration for Foam Lake Composite School. There is a great deal we continue to learn...

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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. During this uncertain time, I feel I have so much to be thankful for in Horizon School Division. Our families, our coworkers, our communities, and, perhaps most of all, our students. People have come together towards our common goals of health and safety in a way...

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As we wrap up our first month back to learning, we continue to be fortunate that our schools have not been impacted by the novel coronavirus as they have in other parts of the province. As we are aware, the Yorkton area has most recently been hit by the...

​ Last Monday, we began our week with Horizon’s second Collaborative Learning Day of the school year. I want to thank our staff for taking part in this important day to work and learn together in support of our students and our colleagues. I also want to thank the day’s facilitators...

​ The first two weeks with our children are in the “books” and there are many thoughts I have in my head that represent such responses as amazement, trust, respect, appreciation, and admiration. If I could add one word to the list that is truly reflective of what staff has done, it...

​ “I just want people to realize that anything’s possible if you try; dreams are possible if you try.” – Terry Fox

Well Horizon, what a “try” you have put forward. And what a great first week we have had! I know it saddens all of us that 440...

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W elcome back Horizon School Division! Like you, I am thrilled to have most of our students join us once again after nearly 6 months away from our classrooms. As Horizon staff,  you have been working extremely hard to get our buildings and classrooms ready for the safe return...

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THANK YOU

I want to begin by thanking you for planning and preparing Supplemental Learning opportunities for your students. Working from your kitchen tables, your basements, your spare bedrooms, your patios, and anywhere else with a phone and the internet, you have been keeping our system alive. You have been a...

​ Good evening, everyone.

Well, the delivery of PreK-12 education is about to look very different in Horizon School Division and across Saskatchewan and beyond, for that matter. The “pause week” is behind us, our Division plans have been developed with a view to continuing to modify these and add...

I didn’t know what to call this opportunity to share with you but I knew this post wasn’t necessarily going to be about what is happening in Horizon. So I decided to call it “Our World”. As I see it, everything we do, everything we don’t do, and everything we can...

​ Unprecedented. It's the right word. And it's a word that we are becoming all too familiar with using. It has most definitely been an "unprecedented" week in Horizon, in Saskatchewan, in Canada, and in our World. The Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation (STF) announcing job sanctions was significant enough news for much...

​ Sunday, March 8th was International Women’s Day, a  day dedicated to honouring the achievements of women throughout history and all across the world. It is also a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. I am grateful that in today’s world, women...

​ February 26, 2020, was Pink Day in Saskatchewan. As we know, Pink day is an opportunity for schools, organizations, communities, and individuals to show that they support our students and do not tolerate bullying behavior. Considering Pink Shirt Day originated in Nova Scotia through the efforts of two boys would...

​ Welcome back from the winter break, Horizon! The great Maya Angelou wrote, “Since time is the one immaterial object which we cannot influence – neither speed up nor slow down, add to nor diminish – it is an imponderably valuable gift.” Whether you went away for the break or enjoyed...

​ In all areas of our system, Horizon School Division staff are “Bringing Learning to Life”. This is the theme for Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week 2020. February 9-15 is a week to recognize and celebrate the contributions, hard work, and dedication of staff in the education sector, who go above and beyond...

​ Research has shown that reading to our children just 20 minutes a day can improve listening skills, literacy skills, prepare students to excel in school, build strong family relationships, and set your child up for a lifelong love of reading and learning. It’s a great way to spend quality time...

​ We were finally able to escape the frigid temperatures without having to head south of our border. I know the weather has certainly been appreciated for our schools as it has allowed our children to enjoy the wonders of play outside the walls of the school. It also has made...

​ It has been some time since we’ve experienced an entire week like this one. The wind, combined with frigid temperatures, ensured that on at least one occasion, every bus in Horizon was kept off our highways and backroads. As much as we can hope for the forecast to change, I...

​ Welcome to 2020, everyone! I hope you had a restful break and an excellent first week of class. In preparing for this new year, I came across the following quote from Ellen Goodman, a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and journalist, who said, “We spend January 1st walking through our lives,...

​ I know I say it often but only because it is so very true. I am extremely thankful to be working in an organization and with people who care so much about their fellow human beings, from the youngest to the oldest. I was reminded today of the care that...

​ Last week, our staff and Board wrapped up this year’s Horizon Christmas Hamper Project for students and families in need. Supporting 403 children and 153 families, this was our biggest year yet and required the generosity, support, and work of many individuals within Horizon School Division and our communities. You...

​ Only two weeks left until students and staff will enjoy a two-week holiday as we ready for the Christmas season. This is easily my favourite time of the year as I look forward to the opportunity to share in festivities with my family and friends. Of course, it is also...

​ It’s that time of year once again, and Horizon School Division is organizing for our Christmas Hamper Project. This project, funded by our Board of Education and staff donations, provides gifts for students and families in need each holiday season. This year, w e will be supporting 393 students and...

​ The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) held their Fall General Assembly this past week with trustees from across Saskatchewan meeting in Regina on November 17-19 for three days of learning, collaboration, and discussions. I had the pleasure of joining our Trustees for these days. Early Monday morning, before the SSBA...

​ We had a lot going on last week in Horizon. On Friday, we held a ceremony and open house to celebrate the grand opening of our central office. For the morning, we were proud to welcome Honourable Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Gordon Wyant, Honourable Minister of Finance, Donna...

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“We have the duty of memory, encore et toujours (still and always).”
-   Governor General Julie Payette

On Remembrance Day, we take time as a nation to reflect on, honour and remember the sacrifice of the men and women who serve our country. In our schools,...

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I know I am not alone when I say that I can’t believe it’s November. How quickly time seems to go by. I sometimes think that I don’t take enough time to stop and really enjoy the moments that exist between before and after, between yesterday and tomorrow. The...

​ This past weekend, many of our Horizon students had the opportunity to attend the Prairie Classic, which saw the Regina Pats face off against the Calgary Hitmen in an open-air game at Mosaic Stadium. I want to thank our Horizon staff for their coordination to make this trip possible for...

​ This upcoming week, we celebrate Education Week in Saskatchewan (October 20-26). The theme this year of “Working and Learning Together” recognizes the importance of collaboration among our students, staff, communities, and partners. The week is also  Saskatchewan Library Week , with the theme of “Libraries: Building the Future”. Please take...

​ I hope each of you has had a restful long weekend and a happy and healthy Thanksgiving spent with loved ones. As I think about the things I’m grateful for, I’m reminded of these words from Helen Keller: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen...

​ “Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the Earth.” – Helen Caldicott

We can never say enough about the contributions our teachers make, and the value of their work in our communities. They offer inspiration,...

​ Monday, September 30 is  Orange Shirt Day , a day to commemorate the victims of residential schools in Canada’s recent past and to honour the work of Truth and Reconciliation. As part of moving forward on our journey of healing, people across our country will wear orange to show the...

​ I want to begin this week with a thought and an apology. First my thought. When things go well, we should blame leadership. And when things don’t go well, we should also blame leadership. I remember eating at a Boston Pizza in Calgary. It was obvious the waitress was new...

​ As a parent, my worst nightmare would be realized upon the sudden loss of one of my own. I know this feeling from the loss experienced these past years. This has happened far too often to Horizon families and the passing of Jack Weber was another reminder of how fragile...

​ I hope each of you had as great a first week of school as is possible. Welcoming our children back is the epitome of my school year. We have our entire Horizon family together for purposes of learning and growing and there can be no better journey than that. I...

​ Welcome back, everyone! It is exciting to have our students return to classrooms and get the new school year started. The bells, the chatter in our hallways, the young ones and staff eager for new opportunities and knowledge…it truly is one of the best times of the year. This year,...

​ Welcome to the holidays, everyone. As I ready to share my last message of the 2018-19 school year (I know…hard to believe), I want to start by sharing a few words from Horizon’s Board Chair, Jim Hack.

“On behalf of Horizon School Division’s Board of Education, thank you....

​ “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”
 – Jim Valvano

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and surrogate dads in our lives. Fathers hold a very special place in our lives and in our hearts. They can...

​ This was another busy week in Horizon, with many reasons to celebrate our students and staff. Track & Field Provincials took place in Moose Jaw on June 7 and 8, and I want to congratulate our HCAA athletes on a fantastic showing. You make our division proud with your talent...

​ With only four weeks remaining in the 2018-2019 year, our schools are buzzing with activity these days. Sports, graduations, field trips, award ceremonies, and enjoying the outdoors – there’s so much going on, and I want to thank our staff for providing these opportunities for our students. As Dr Seuss...

​ I trust everyone had a great long weekend. Students had an extra-long break which was certainly beneficial as we begin the sprint to the finish line that is the 2018-19 school year. It is hard to believe this year is nearly behind us. Each year seems to speed up on...

​ I hope everyone had a great long weekend spent with friends and family. I’m sure we’re all thankful for the weather we’ve enjoyed the last few days. It’s always good to take time to recharge our batteries, especially as we head into the busy final weeks of the school year....

​ I want to begin this week by wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms and surrogate moms among us. As Emily Dickinson wrote, “Mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.” For so many of us, our moms are a source of strength, wisdom,...

​ Welcome back to This Week in Horizon, everyone. I hope you had a great Easter Break and first week back. As you might know, May is Early Childhood Education Month. May 8 is also Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. The first years of a child’s life are so critical for establishing...

​ One year ago, our world was changed forever. In the aftermath of unthinkable tragedy, children, families, and staff in Horizon School Division were in need of tremendous support. Our staff, themselves in the midst of deep grief and sorrow, gave so much support to our children and each other. With...

​ April is  World Autism Awareness Month . A number of events are planned throughout the next few weeks, including “Inside Out for Autism”, where people are encouraged to wear clothes inside out for the day, and autism awareness walks. According to  autismcanada.org , “Since [World Autism Awareness Month’s] inception, autism...

​ March 21st was both  the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination  and  World Down Syndrome Day . While it can feel like there are things in society today working to highlight those aspects that can divide us, I feel it is necessary to focus on these types of...

​ “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.” ― Charles Dickens,  Great Expectations

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Horizon! As with many other days on our calendar throughout...

​ Spring is in the air…finally! I think we all agree that this cold snap, that seemed to last far too long, will be a thing of the past. It is hard to believe we are well into March, however. I know I get to this place and I start to...

​ With Telemiracle taking place this March weekend, I want to thank our schools and our communities for their support of this very worthy cause. Whether it was through fundraising, answering phones, or contributing talents to the telecast performances, Horizon School Division was well-represented at Telemiracle. This participation and generosity should...

​ During this February break, I hope each of you will get some well-deserved relaxation, catch up on a good book, and spend time with loved ones. I know many of you are heading somewhere warmer and I simply ask you to be safe wherever your travels take you. For me,...

​ February 10-16, 2019 is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, and this year’s theme is “Creating a Vibrant Education Together”. When I think about the gratitude I feel for Horizon’s incredible staff, it is certainly more than I can express in a single paragraph, a single TWIH, or even a single week. Every...

​ Welcome to February, everyone. It appears it will be the coldest month of the year as the extended forecast is not promising if you're looking for relatively warm temperatures. I'm sure the travel agencies phones will be ringing as staff across Horizon start considering options around southern travel. This past...

​ January 27 was Family Literacy Day. In the words of Marilyn Jager Adams, renowned scholar and cognitive-developmental psychologist, “Reading aloud to children is known to be the single most important activity for building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read.” As one of Horizon’s foundational...

The past week began with a meeting of the Director’s Leadership Team (DLT) via Skype on Monday morning. This was our first meeting in the new boardroom, and an excellent opportunity to use some of the audio-visual technology available to us in the new space. I want to thank the DLT...

​ Welcome back, everyone! What an exciting week the first week of school has been for Horizon School Division. We were happy to welcome students and staff back to our classrooms this past Monday, and glad to see them refreshed and ready to learn after a well-deserved break. We shared our...

​ I suppose in many ways, I will breathe a sigh of relief when 2018 is behind us. The year has been marked by tragedy, loss, and grief for so many of us in Horizon School Division. And yet, upon reflection, one of the things that stands out the most about...

​ Now that we are into the last days of school for 2018, I cannot anticipate more, the opportunities the New Year will bring for our students, staff, and families. As we wrapped up holiday activities and Christmas concerts in our schools this week and next, I wish to thank everyone...

​ Our first round of Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) review meetings for this school year wrapped up last week. These meetings include school administrators, Superintendent of Learning Services, Crandall Hrynkiw, Superintendent of Student Services, Darrell Paproski, and myself discussing the important work that drives and continually develops our school goals. Last...

​ I don’t know about you, but the incredible hoarfrost that has covered much of our province these past few days has certainly gotten me into the holiday spirit. As we enter this season of fellowship and generosity, I want to share a reminder about Horizon’s annual Christmas Hamper project. For...

​ Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) documents at each of Horizon’s schools help staff and administrators establish strategies to achieve local goals aligned with Horizon’s strategic plan and the provincial Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP). Each year, I visit each school along with Superintendent of Student Services, Darrell Paproski, and Superintendent of...

​ With the colder days we’ve seen this past week, I want to share the following quote from Aristotle where he stated, “To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold”. To me, this quote says that nothing worth doing is without its challenges....

​ How fortunate we are to live in such a country as our Canada, where freedoms are guaranteed and differences are celebrated. Our great country where past wrongs are acknowledged and we work to make them right. Our best efforts bring people together and our greatest virtues guide us into a...

​ I saw so many great photos of our students in their costumes last week, enjoying school and community activities that were focused on celebrating Halloween. I love to see the creativity on display. As Albert Einstein once said, "creativity is intelligence having fun". Horizon's students were certainly having fun last...

​ As we head into the final week of October, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween. I want to thank our students for being respectful while they are trick-or-treating this upcoming Wednesday. I am also ever grateful that our community members are so mindful of our students...

​ Last week, as part of Education Week, Horizon took the opportunity to share a token of appreciation with our bus drivers, librarians, and educational assistants. While we deeply value the work of all our staff every day of the year, Education Week is a great time to demonstrate our appreciation...

​ October 14-20 is Education Week in Saskatchewan. This year’s theme, “A world of learning for every student”, recognizes the multiple pathways to learning being made available to our students, and also highlights the tremendous impact of educators in broadening the horizons and enriching the lives of Saskatchewan students. Education Week...

​ When I think about all we have to be thankful for this time of year, I think about Horizon’s students and staff, and the amazing families and communities we have across our division. The collaboration that exists at all levels of our system helps students achieve great things every day....

​ This past week, my Director’s Leadership Team (DLT) of principals, vice principals, and senior leadership met in Humboldt on Tuesday for a day of professional development. We had a number of important discussions centered around the “why” of our work as educators in Horizon School Division. I am proud of...

​ As we head into the last week of September, I want to take this opportunity to remind you about the upcoming Orange Shirt Day. This is a day to commemorate victims and survivors of the residential school system, in the spirit of reconciliation. The day is an opportunity for critical...

​ Horizon’s Wall of Fame includes so many impressive individuals who have done or continue to do great things for our communities. Inducted in 2016, Henry Kloppenburg is one such Horizon Wall of Fame inductee who continues to give back, and Mr. and Ms. Kloppenburg are great supporters of the arts....

​ With the first week of 2018-19 behind us, I want to thank Horizon’s students and staff for a fantastic return to classrooms. So much work has already begun towards realizing Horizon’s goals of Safe and Caring, Literacy, and Assessment. This past Saturday, September 8, was World Literacy Day. As author...

​ " Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom” – George Washington Carver

Welcome back, everyone! I hope you have had a fantastic, relaxing summer and a restful long weekend. As we welcome students back into our classrooms on September 4, I can hardly contain...

​ I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the recent academic success of a few of Horizon’s students. Bruno School Grade 12 student, Kallin Kehrig, has been awarded the following scholarships at the University of Regina: the Circle of Honors scholarship ($20 000, over four years), the Archbishop O'Neill Memorial...

​ I want to begin this week by wishing a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in Horizon and beyond. An unknown author once wrote: “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us...

​ Horizon School Division completed our switch to Google Mail for all students and staff this past week. Horizon’s Teacher Efficacy and Workload Intensification Committee – comprised of teachers, division staff, and members of Horizon’s Board of Education – recommend this direction for Horizon’s email, contacts, and calendars. This decision was...

​ This past weekend, student athletes from across Saskatchewan gathered in Prince Albert for the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) Provincial Track & Field Championships. The performances of our Horizon Central Athletics Association (HCAA) athletes continues to make Horizon School Division very proud. We are proud of both their athleticism...

​ I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. I took some time to get away as I travelled to the National Volleyball championships in Edmonton. Many of our students are involved in athletics or the arts and I was able to see some of them and their parents involved in these...

​ I trust everyone enjoyed the long weekend, taking advantage of the beautiful weather, relaxing, spending time with loved ones and enjoying a good book. As self-help author Alan Cohen once said, "There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither."

On Friday, our entire...

​ I want to begin this week by sharing a heartfelt “Happy Mother’s Day” to all the moms across Horizon School Division, and beyond. Thank you for your constant inspiration, teaching, motivation, leadership, and love. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “All that I have or hope to be, I owe to...

​ We soldiered on this week, trying to come to grips with the new normal that is the reality for so many of our students, staff, families, and communities. And just when some of us, including me, found it most difficult to navigate toward that normal…up stepped our kids to remind...

​ Where to begin. I suppose, first to apologize. Over the past three weeks, I have sat down on numerous occasions to begin the process of communicating a message I could share with each of you. In each case, I have been halted by my own feelings of loss or by...

​ I want to begin this week by congratulating athletes from across Saskatchewan schools who were competing in this year's Hoopla Basketball Provincials in Prince Albert. Specifically, I want to congratulate our very own teams from Lake Lenore School (1A Boys Silver Medalist), Three Lakes School (1A Girls & 1A Boys...

​ I began this past week in a meeting with our Board's Audit Committee. This Committee is chaired by Trustee, Jolene Koopman, and includes Trustees, Mark Fedak, David Holinaty, and Paul Crow-Buffalo. The committee reviewed our financial report for the past six months, ending February 28 and took a close look...

​ Last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, I was in Saskatoon along with my fellow League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents (LEADS) members for the LEADS Annual Policy Conference. This past year, Horizon's own Superintendent of Student Services, Darrell Paproski, served as the President of our professional organization. The Annual Policy...

​ With Telemiracle 42 taking place this weekend, I want to thank our staff and students for their fundraising efforts to support this very worthwhile cause. I also want to acknowledge everyone from our Horizon communities who took part in the telethon. Telemiracle is an event that shows the true spirit...

​ I want to begin This Week in Horizon with the hope that everyone had a relaxing February break. As we were travelling from school to school the last week before the holiday, I heard a number of staff members discussing an impending “trip down south” and a much needed break...

​ This upcoming week (February 11-17) marks Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week 2018. The theme this year is "Inspiration through Learning". I cannot say enough about the incredible people we have working within our Horizon family. Each of you makes an indelible mark on the lives of Horizon children, inspiring them with the...

​ I would like to begin this week by extending a welcome to our new Education Minister, the Honourable Gordon Wyant. In addition to serving as Education Minister, Minister Wyant will also be serving as Deputy Premier. I look forward to continuing our work with the Ministry, supporting learning and success...

​ We began this past week with a staff meeting at central office, discussing our administrative building currently under construction. I would like to thank Superintendent of Operational Services, Justin Arendt, Manager of Facility Services, Kam Kiland and Stacy Anthony, admin assistant, for leading this meeting. The Board’s project is on...

​ To begin "This Week", I led a meeting Monday morning with my Director's Leadership Team (DLT) via Skype. The DLT consists of all Principals, Vice-Principals, Coordinators, Supervisors, Superintendents, and Deputy Director. This was our first meeting of 2018 and we had an opportunity to discuss important opportunities in our system...

​ I want to begin my first This Week in Horizon for 2018 by wishing each of you a Happy New Year. I trust, as I mentioned in a recent email, that this first week back with students has been even more positive than you hoped. I am excited for what...

​ As 2017 draws to a close, I would like to begin this week by reflecting on a few of the highlights from the past 12 months in Horizon. It seems like yesterday that we began addressing an annual provincial budget that would provide Horizon with significantly less money to operate....

​ I want to begin this week with some exciting news from Lanigan Central High School. Keely-Shay Maki, a grade 12 student, was recently recognized with a significant award. Out of approximately 400 students competing for the title last fall and this past November, Keely-Shay was successful in correctly answering 295...

​ I want to begin this week by sending out one final reminder regarding the Christmas Hamper project and the ability for school staff to contribute to the efforts to support 144 families and well over 300 children across Horizon during this holiday season. As I mentioned last week, staff are...

​ As we end this week with the first day of December, I am drawn immediately into the holiday season, recognizing it as the time of the year for giving back to those less fortunate. I know our Board and our staff will be very involved this way, as is the...

​ This past weekend saw the Boys Volleyball season wrapping up with the 2017 Provincial Championships. Our teams from Three Lakes School in Middle Lake and Annaheim School travelled to the 1A Boys competition in Roleau, while the Humboldt Collegiate Institute Boys hosted the 4A Championships in Humboldt. In a storybook...

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For members of Horizon's Board, our CFO, Marilyn Flaman, and myself, this past week began Sunday late afternoon in Regina for the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) Fall General Assembly. The Board began the three-day event by engaging in a professional development session conducted by SSBA Lawyer, Geraldine Knudsen and...

​ Remembrance Day for me, is an opportunity to reflect on how fortunate I am to be a citizen of a free and peaceful country. I have been fortunate to get to know a Syrian family who is living in one of our Horizon communities. In listening to their experiences while...

​ I hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween. It is hard to believe that we’ve reached that time of year already. With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, I was inspired by the numerous costumes and spirit prevalent in our schools. I know how important school spirit is...

​ SHSAA Provincial Soccer championships took place this past weekend. In 1A Boys Soccer, both Lake Lenore and Three Lakes advanced to the championship game, where Three Lakes School came out as provincial champions and Lake Lenore claimed silver. Thanks to students, staff and volunteers in Middle Lake and Three Lakes...

​ This past week was Education Week in Saskatchewan. Education Week provides an opportunity to celebrate student success and recognize our dedicated professionals across the province. This year's theme, Building our Future by Learning Together, is about recognizing student achievement and teaching excellence that occurs each day in our Saskatchewan schools,...

​ I began this past week at Raymore, joining students and staff in grieving the loss of Phoenix Purdue, grade 10 student at Raymore School. Phoenix was an outstanding young person with amazing talents in many areas, including art and music. She was an extremely gifted violinist, yet somehow learned to...

​ With the heaviest of hearts, I need to share that one of our Horizon students at Raymore School passed away suddenly on Friday afternoon. Our student experienced a significant health incident toward the end of the school day, prompting school staff to immediately contact caregivers and emergency medical services. STARS...

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“I am honored to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories.” This quotation by Phyliss (Jack) Webstad, not only speaks to her experience in a residential school, it also speaks to...

​ This past week, a Graduation Rates Symposium took place in Moose Jaw on Monday and Tuesday. The provincial symposium was held regarding the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP)'s goal for Saskatchewan's three-year graduation rate. The symposium brought together educators and members of the education sector from across Saskatchewan to discuss...

​ This past week was extremely challenging for so many of us. When we lose someone close to us, the hurt elicits feelings related to grief and, for some, feelings related to trauma. Although Ricky Block’s funeral on Thursday may bring a level of closure, it will never change the fact...

​ I am beginning this week, like so many across our system, with an extremely heavy heart.  I am deeply saddened to share with you that Ricky Block, teacher at Annaheim School, passed away suddenly on Saturday afternoon while doing what he loved most...supporting his students. Mr. Block was in Cudworth...

​ “Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality.” – Malala Yousafzai

Welcome back, everyone! It is so hard to believe summer is over and tomorrow our children and students return to our classrooms. As I have shared over and over, this is my best time...

​ As this is my final "This Week in Horizon" for 2016-17, I find myself reflecting on the efforts of everyone in our system over the past 10 months. Unbelievably, we find ourselves at the end of another school year and there are so many celebrations from the work of our...

​ We began this past week with my annual Director evaluation followed by the Board’s evaluation. The process for my evaluation began in the morning of the 19th and stretched well into the evening, moving to the Board’s evaluation, which concluded the afternoon of the 20th.  Seven of our 14 Horizon...

​ Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and surrogate fathers across Horizon School Division. The importance fathers play in the lives of their children is equaled only by that of mothers. As a father of three boys (I guess men now), I was pleased to be able to spend Sunday...

​ It is with an extremely heavy heart that I begin “This Week in Horizon”. Late Saturday night, one of our former graduates from Lanigan Central High School was accidentally killed while riding a side-by-side. I know my heart, like so many others, screams in agony, shock and pain as I...

​ As I was thinking about This Week, it was easy to focus on the important work we are doing in Horizon in support of our students. Our literacy results continue to improve as a system as our teachers and support staff examine the most effective practices necessary to support individual...

​ The Horizon Central Athletics Association (HCAA) Track & Field District Championships were held on Tuesday, May 23, at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon. Students represented their schools well and I know we are all extremely proud of their athleticism and sportsmanship. I am reminded of the following quote about the power...

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I hope everyone had a fantastic Victoria Day long weekend and had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having. For many, this weekend represents an unofficial start of the summer season, with activities like fishing, camping, hiking and barbeques. I hope each of you had a relaxing...

​ I want to begin This Week by recognizing the important contribution to learning mothers play in the lives of children. As Sunday was Mother’s Day, it is fitting to recognize the fact that every mother and surrogate mother in Horizon School Division has and continues to be, in so many...

​ We began This Week, the first week of May, in a budget meeting with Horizon’s Board of Education. Joined by Superintendent of Finance Services/CFO, Marilyn Flaman, Superintendent of Operational Services/COO, Justin Arendt and Deputy Director, Randy MacLEAN, we presented options to the Board to consider in order to meet the...

​ As April 23-29 has been Administrative Professionals Appreciation Week, I would like to begin with a very heartfelt “thank you” to Horizon’s administrative staff. Your work to support our students, families, staff and facilities is critical to the services focus we have in our system. We are deeply grateful for...

​ "Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again." --Gustav Mahler

With the Easter Break now behind us, the final months of the school year are fast approaching. I hope you had a relaxing break and found time to spend...

​ Happy Easter everyone. I trust the holiday has started out well and you are enjoying some very important time with family and friends. I have had a bit of a hiatus from TWIH, deciding to tie up the last two weeks into “This Week” ending April 13. On Friday, April...

​ The 22nd National Congress on Rural Education in Canada was held in Saskatoon from Sunday, March 26 to Tuesday, March 28 with most of our Horizon trustees in attendance. They joined trustee and staff delegates from right across Canada at this worthwhile professional development opportunity. I had the pleasure of...

​ With the release of the provincial budget this past Wednesday, it has been a busy few days for all sectors across our province. In Education, many of us breathed a sigh of relief to learn that the government listened to the concerns and feedback of the public voice across Saskatchewan....

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Happy belated St. Patrick's Day everyone! I know St. Patty's day brings out the green clothing, green food and drink and green trinkets for our students and staff. For me, it is an opportunity to say "Happy Birthday" to my oldest son who happened to be the first St. Patty's...

​ I would like to begin "This Week" with a few items that recognize and celebrate the success of our students, staff, schools and communities. Following last year's WE Day, Jadyn Borstmayer, student at Bruno School, was selected for a trip to Kenya after  discovering that PotashCorp was accepting applications from...

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This past weekend at TCU Place in Saskatoon, the 41st Telemiracle event took place. In addition to fundraisers and activities happening in schools and communities across Horizon, a number of our schools and students were represented during the broadcast over the weekend. Students from the Humboldt Collegiate Institute SRC...

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I want to begin This Week in Horizon by reflecting on the "break" week first. I know we all need time to "recharge" during holidays such as these. I took some time during my break to travel to my hometown of Creighton, SK, spending time visiting, reminiscing and even ice...

​ To begin This Week, I want to acknowledge the passing of a teacher, a friend, a coach, a colleague, a mentor and a leader in sport across Saskatchewan, Mr. Dennis Pomeroy. Dennis passed away suddenly this past week and all who knew him will sorely miss him. Athletes, coaches and...

​ I want to begin TWIH by reminding everyone that February is Aboriginal Storytelling Month in Saskatchewan. This is the 14th year of this initiative, which celebrates and promotes the cultural traditions and oral history of First Nations and Métis people. I recognize that many of our schools will be honoring...

​ To begin “This Week”, I would like to share a reminder that the nominations deadline for Horizon’s 2017 Wall of Fame is on Tuesday, January 31. For more information or to submit a nomination, please click here . As with previous years, we anticipate a great deal of impressive individuals...

​ Sunday, January 22nd marked a very somber anniversary for our province and country as we recognized the one-year anniversary since the La Loche School shooting. During this difficult time, my thoughts are with the students, staff and community of La Loche and the families of everyone directly affected by that...

​ We began “This Week in Horizon” with a staff meeting at central office to discuss the recent report on educational governance and so that I could answer any questions staff had regarding the process. You may have seen a press release from our Board of Education last week, discussing this...

​ Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful break with friends and family. Although I spent a big part of the break trying to recuperate from the bug that seems to be hitting so many across our system, I was fortunate to be able to enjoy a visit from...

​ With a short week to end 2016, I decided I would combine the last 7 days into this final edition of TWIH. It’s hard to believe that my favorite time of the year, and likely yours, has arrived so quickly. We are also so very close to yet another New...

​ "We can, whenever and wherever we choose, successfully teach all children whose schooling is of interest to us. We already know more than we need to do that. Whether or not we do it must finally depend on how we feel about the fact we haven't so far." This quote...

​ It may be hard to believe, but the first few months of the school year have flown by and we now find ourselves with just a few weeks left in 2016. As we make our final preparations for the holiday season, I would like to thank everyone in advance for...

​ November 21 – 27, 2016, was a week dedicated to the memory of millions of victims of the Holodomor, a man-made famine that devastated Ukraine in the 1930s. “Holodomor ” means “extermination by hunger” in Ukrainian and u p to 10 million Ukrainians were killed during the genocide. Crops were confiscated...

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This past week was shortened for our staff and students as Monday was a day in lieu of parent/teacher/student conferences. November 13-19 was also "Bullying Awareness Week" in Canada and this year, the theme was "Stand Up! (to bullying)". It is critical that students feel safe in our schools, and...

​ "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them." These words are from a poem called For the Fallen, by Robert Laurence Binyon....

​ I trust that everyone had a fun and safe Halloween. It was certainly a busy few days for many of us in Horizon. I had the privilege of spending the majority of this past week with Horizon’s new Board of Education. In this time of transition, it is great to...

​ With an extremely heavy heart, I want to begin “This Week” by offering my thoughts and prayers to all those who are part of Muskowekwan First Nation, Punnichy Community High School and Horizon School Division on the loss of our family member, our student and our friend, Hyson Dubois. Hyson...

​ This past week was certainly a busy one for our students and staff. October 16-22 was Saskatchewan Education Week, providing an opportunity to celebrate student success and recognize our dedicated professionals and paraprofessionals across the province, with the theme of “Celebrating Today, Preparing for Tomorrow”. It was also Saskatchewan Library...

​ My hope, as we headed into this past week, was that everyone returned well-rested on Tuesday after an extended long weekend for students and a long weekend for staff, courtesy of Thanksgiving. I spent my Tuesday at home with a flu bug I picked up while visiting two of my...

​ Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope you had a restful weekend full of good food and great company. As we reflect on the things we are thankful for, I just want to say how extremely grateful I am to be Director of our school division. Of course, effective and authentic relationships...

​ On September 30, people across Canada honoured the Indigenous victims of residential schools by wearing orange as part of Orange Shirt Day. In Horizon, we are diligent in our work to provide Safe & Caring environments for students and staff, and we are very fortunate to have many partners in...

​ As I begin This Week, I can’t help but reflect on the celebration that springs from the work schools and central office staff are doing in supporting the vision of the Board of Education in Horizon School Division. The Board has always made it a strong mandate to have the...

​ It is true that it doesn’t matter how much work we put into effective assessment practice or ensuring our students reach grade level and beyond in literacy if our students don’t feel safe in the environments they spend over 15,000 hours during the course of their lives as students. I...

​ Carl Sagan, the famed astronomer and author, once said: "What an astonishing thing a book is. It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe...

​ Well, our journey has begun! I know it was with great excitement that staff across Horizon School Division welcomed students back to our classrooms and our care on September 1 st . For our Board, our students, our families, our staff and everyone involved in the education of our children,...

​ Happy Canada Day, everyone. I find it hard to believe that we have reached the end of the 2015-16 school year. Once again, this has been a year marked with a number of innovations, improvements and successes and I want to take a few moments to reflect on just some...

​ The past few days have been extremely emotional and challenging for many of us in Horizon School Division. When one of our own Horizon children suffers a life-threatening injury, the whole system feels the incredible struggle that comes from feelings of helplessness. Cashtyn Ilchyshen, as a result of running into...

​ I recently came across a powerful quote from an unknown author, which reads: “A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.” As educators, we certainly know this to be true and in our personal lives, we learn this through our fathers. I would like...

​ In the words of Mr. Hockey, the late, great Gordie Howe: "You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave – win or lose." Surely, our staff and...

​ As I begin to write “this week”, I am reminded of the words of the late Muhammad Ali, who once said, “Don’t count the days; make the days’ count.” Regardless of the time of year, it has been demonstrated time and again that everyone across our system works incredibly hard...

​ What an enjoyable weekend of weather we have experienced. Summer is right around the corner but the weather has certainly left us believing it’s already here. With graduations taking place on Friday and Saturday, I’m thankful our students, staffs, parents and communities have been blessed with temperatures that serve to...

​ I trust everyone enjoyed a great May long weekend with family and friends and a well-deserved rest during this busy time of year. As we near the final month of the school year, I know that our students, parents/caregivers and staff are busy studying, planning and participating in a number...

As I reflect on the last two years, I am excited and humbled by how much we’ve grown as a system. You see, I arrived in Horizon almost exactly 2 years ago and at the time, I felt very much like I was coming home…for the most part, I was....

​ I am beginning "This Week" writing from a state of concern and disillusionment as our whole world is witnessing one of the greatest disasters in Canadian history unravel before our eyes. Fort McMurray, AB has recently been devastated by wildfires and it is hard to comprehend the level of destruction...

​ As I’m reflecting on how quickly this year has gone, I recognize that I sometimes forget to stop and enjoy the precious gifts in life. Work is important to me and knowing how hard staff work in Horizon, I know I’m not alone. It sometimes feels that the things that...

​ As I contemplate the direction we are going in Horizon, I often use the analogy of driving in a car. We look to the future of where we're going through the large windshield that stretches before us and we peer in anticipation for the destination of where we hope to...

​ As I begin This Week, I reflect on the importance of partnership in our work as a system. As each of you are aware, Horizon School Division has embarked upon a literacy journey to achieve our goal of each and every student reading at or above grade-level. To help us...

​ I know each of us came back to a busy first week following the Easter break. As the weekend drew near and the air still held a chill, the snowflakes attempted to remind us that winter was not long past. For many of us, spring has seemed a little slow...

It is simply hard to believe that Spring Break has come and gone and we are preparing for the home stretch of the 2015-16 school year. My hope is that each of you had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday, taking the opportunity to spend time with family and loved ones....

​ The month of March for our students and staff is only a week away from ending with the Easter break nearly upon us. I know you would agree that this has been as busy a month for our students and staff across Horizon as any month in our calendar....

​ ​ Tomorrow marks the final collaborative day for teachers for the 2015-16 school year along with the collaborative day for caretaking staff. I continue to find these days inspiring and motivating as educators and support staff share in a collegial fashion, how best to improve the learning environments for students....

​ ​ Often, we contemplate whether March has “come in like a lion or like a lamb”. I know weather-wise, we certainly can’t complain. After all, as I began writing components of this, the water was running and snow was melting. Lions or lambs, we move forward with the knowledge that...

I begin "This Week" with a heavy heart as I join with so many in mourning the loss of a true friend of Horizon School Division. Kevin Grieman, Horizon Trustee, passed away on Wednesday, February 24. The Horizon family is even still experiencing the shock of the tremendous loss of...

​ ​ February Break is now upon us and as we take this opportunity to enjoy time with loved ones and recharge our batteries for the remainder of the school year, I would like to look back and note what a great Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week we’ve had. I enjoyed hearing and...

​ Like many of you, I enjoyed watching the Super Bowl this weekend. While I love watching when I can during the season, there is something about this game, this day, this weekend that is universally understood as it is truly the culminating event. Even if you aren’t a football fan,...

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I want to begin This Week by sharing the incredible service focus I was witness to across Horizon as we all entered a weekend that had to rival, temperature wise, any of us has been used to in January. It was also a weekend that was needed for students,...

​ Good afternoon, everyone. I first want to extend my apologies for the timing of This Week in Horizon. The tragedy that occurred in La Loche, SK involving the deaths of two young people and two staff members has required my full attention this weekend. Our entire province and indeed our...