Events

Nominations for PSTA President close on Thursday February 8, 2018.

Brian Knowles

I have served as PSTA President since April 2017, and look forward to the opportunity to continue in this role for the 2018-2020 term. As President, I have worked to create and promote opportunities for teachers to engage in the work of our local, and pursue our collective interests. Central to these interests is our professional responsibility to support learning, as an association, we do this through the work of our committees. Their work always leads back to supporting student learning, whether it be securing working conditions that promote teacher wellness through LINC, collaborating with PSSD to ensure professional learning opportunities meet the needs of our members, responding to issues of teacher time and workload intensification with PSSD Sr. Administration, or supporting teachers in their political engagement. Improvements to the learning conditions of students are also improvements to the working conditions of teachers.

As President, I will engage our members, PSSD, and the STF to positively affect teaching and learning conditions, so we are supported in our goal of developing lifelong learners.

I hope to continue to represent our association and increase opportunities for our members to influence teaching and learning in Prairie Spirit.

Sincerely,

Brian Knowles

Applications for Education Bursaries are Due January 6th, 2018. Click the link for more information: EDUCATION BURSARIES Application 2017-2018

Cuts to education are being felt in classrooms. We need to act so that all students can become learners for life.

“The Pick a Premier campaign is the first step in a long-term strategy to get education back on the political agenda. It is a rare opportunity to influence the leadership contests in Saskatchewan’s two main political parties, and to ensure they understand the importance of properly funding public education.  This is about the future of our students and the future of our province” (STF, 2017).

Click here for information about how you can participate in raising the status of public education on the political agenda.

The PSTA is happy to welcome our members back for another year of teaching and learning! We began the year with our Annual General Assembly on Aug 28th, where we passed our 2018-2019 Budget, as well as two notices of motion. The day also included PD breakout sessions and time for staff to meet and plan for the year ahead. Thanks to our membership and General Assembly Planning Committee for making the day a success!

The PSTA Representative Assembly will have their first meeting of the year on Tuesday Sept 12th. All School Staff Liaisons are encouraged to attend. Please check the calendar page for upcoming meetings and events.

On behalf of the PSTA Executive I wish you and your students all the best in the year ahead!

Thank you for all that you do for students, colleagues, and communities. Have a fun and restful summer!

If you require any assistance from the PSTA over the summer, please contact Brian Knowles, PSTA President.

I am happy to announce the PSTA Executive and Standing Committees for 2017-2018

The following positions have been appointed by acclamation:

Vice-President: Cary Pepper-Martens (Dalmeny High School)

STF Councillors:

• Jason Brose (Colonsay School)
• Cory Cox (Warman Elementary School)
• Janet Grant (Osler School)
• Daniel Klebeck (Leask Community School)
• Paul McTavish (Colonsay School)
• Sherry Nadeau (Osler School)
• Mark Perry (Warman High School)
• Scott Woods-Fehr (Warman Middle School)
• Vacant (an election to fill this position will be held in September)

The following candidates were elected to the Local Negotiation and Implementation Committee (LINC):

• Zlatan Cilimdzic (Rosthern Elementary School)
• Brenda Epp (Rosthern High School)
• Jill Hartmann Proctor (Valley Manor)
• Janet Jeffries (Valley Manor/Home Based Education)
• Justin Olnhoff (Aberdeen Composite School)
• Terri Troupe-Logue (Borden School)

PD Committee:

• Carmen Kingsbury (Valley Manor)
• Kirsten Dyck (Dalmeny High School)
• Kyle Males (Aberdeen Composite School)
• Heather Wolfe (Warman Elementary School)
• Marcy Racicot (Valley Manor)

Treasurer: Michelle Dament

Secretary: Jen Green

Positions remain available on the Communications Committee. These positions will be filled by acclamation in the order that nomination forms are received by the Returning Officer, Katherine Blake.

Communications Committee:

• Vacant
• Vacant
• Vacant

Please consider volunteering for one of the vacant positions. The PSTA Communication Committee works to enhance the profile of the local association and the image of the teaching profession. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in supporting and celebrating the work of Prairie Spirit Teachers.

The PSTA PD Committee is currently accepting submissions from presenters interested in providing PD sessions at the General Assembly. Based on previous feedback from our members, we are seeking presenters on the following topics (but not limited to):

• Arts Education – visual art, music, drama, dance
• Special Education topics – inclusion, adaptations, differentiation
• Technology in the classroom – for beginners and/or advanced
• General teaching areas – all subjects and all grades
• English as an additional language
• Practical and applied arts
• Assessment and evaluation

The success of the PD portion of our General Assembly results from the engagement of our members. Please consider sharing your knowledge, interests, questions, and expertise with your colleagues. For more information, please find the attached form and contract.

The following members have been nominated for the 2017-18 PSTA Executive and Standing Committees:

Vice-President

Cary Pepper-Martens (Dalmeny High School)

Councillor

Lana Abercrombie (Division Office)

Jason Brose (Colonsay School)

Janet Grant (Osler School)

Daniel Klebeck (Leask Community School)

Sherry Nadeau (Osler School)

Mark Perry (Warman High School)

Scott Woods-Fehr (Warman Middle School)

LINC

Brenda Epp (Rosthern High)

Jill Hartmann Proctor (Valley Manor)

Janet Jeffries (Valley Manor/Home Based Education)

The nominations for PSTA Executive and Standing Committees for the 2017-2018 year are now open for the term of one year, from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.  The following positions are open for nominations:

• Vice President  –  1 position
• STF Councillor – 9 positions
• Local Implementation and Negotiation Committee (LINC) – 6 positions
• Communications Committee – 3 positions
• Professional Development Committee – 5 positions

Nominations close from the floor of the May Representative Assembly on May 9, 2017.

Please return all nomination forms to:

Katherine Blake (Chief Returning Officer)

katherine.blake@spiritsd.ca

Please cc all nomination forms to brian.knowles@spiritsd.ca.