September, 2025

Welcome back, Horizon! 

As we step into a brand new school year, I am reminded of something the poet Mary Oliver once asked: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” For those of us in education, the answer so often begins right here, in classrooms, hallways, buses, playgrounds, and staff rooms, where we have the privilege of shaping futures and building a “better world one student at a time”. There is nothing quite like the energy of the first days of school, and it is truly inspiring for me to see our schools come alive again with hope and excitement and the buzz of new beginnings. 

I was fortunate to take a few weeks off this summer. I spent some time in Cypress Hills (for the first time in my life) at a family gathering. I also spent some time golfing before, during, and after Cypress. I’m not very good, but I do appreciate the challenges of trying to better my game. When I returned, we continued our staffing push, led by Superintendent Cory Popoff and his team. 

This is a brief recap of the work we’ve been focused on leading up to the start-up.

Staffing

Superintendent Cory Popoff has been busy filling teaching positions prior to and during the summer holidays. He’s also supported me in ensuring administrative rolls were completed. We completed the last of our principal hirings in mid-August, and I am pleased that we are only 1.5 FTE teachers short in achieving our teaching complements for our schools (1.0 CCT in Wynyard Composite and 0.5 upper elementary position in Wynyard Elementary). If you know of someone looking to teach in Wynyard, please send them our way. 

LEADS Summer Short Course

I joined Horizon superintendents, along with directors and superintendents from across Saskatchewan, at the League of Educational Administrators, Directors, and Superintendents (LEADS) Summer Short Course in early August. The week was dedicated to deepening our understanding of instructional leadership, exploring new research, and engaging in rich conversations about how we can continue to strengthen teaching and learning in our schools. We were able to welcome Superintendent of Learning Jeremy Rolheiser to LEADS through the induction process.

Strategic Planning

The following week, our Senior Leadership Team came together for two days of strategic planning. The time allowed us to reflect on the past year, set clear priorities, and align our goals with Horizon’s mission of student success and well-being. These conversations are vital in ensuring that every decision we make, whether in classrooms, offices, or communities, moves us closer to creating safe, supportive, and high-achieving learning environments for all students.

Directors’ Leadership Team

On August 21st, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Directors’ Leadership Team to the Division Office for a full day of collaboration and planning. The agenda reflected the wide range of leadership and expertise within Horizon, as well as a reflection on educational leadership. Throughout the day, each member of the Senior Leadership Team shared essential updates in their respective areas of responsibility, including learning, inclusive education, student wellness, Indigenous education, and human resources. We also heard valuable updates in communications, operations, and finance.

The day provided not only essential information but also opportunities for conversation, collaboration, and connections. It was a strong reminder that leadership is most effective when it is shared, and I am grateful for the dedication each member of our team brings to supporting staff, students, and communities across Horizon.

Launching the Year with Purpose

In the week leading up to students’ return, school staff were back in buildings, actively engaged in preparing for the year ahead. Teams spent time working on Learning Improvement Plans, using their personal professional days for focused growth, and participating in a division-wide Collaboration Day for instructional staff, led by Superintendent of Learning Jeremy Rolheiser and his team.

Collaboration Day was a powerful opportunity for educators to come together in grade-alike groupings across the division. Staff engaged in meaningful conversations about assessment practices and instructional priorities. The day included the launch of Horizon’s updated Assessment Guidelines—a shared vision for best practice that will be implemented gradually, with the understanding that this is a long-term journey. Educators were reassured that these guidelines serve as a roadmap, not a rigid expectation, and that they provide an excellent focus for Professional Growth Plans this year.

Thank you to all who played a role in planning, facilitating, and participating in these early days. These opportunities for collaboration and reflection are essential in setting a strong foundation for the year ahead.

Board of Education

On August 27, our Board of Education gathered for its first meeting of the school year. We began the meeting by celebrating student success by recognizing the 2025 Student Recognition Award winners—an inspiring reminder of the incredible achievements of Horizon students across our division. The award winners are listed in this month’s From the Board newsletter.

We heard a Progress and Outcomes Report focused on communications and community relations, and trustees engaged in essential discussions connected to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, specifically Call to Action 17, and reviewed reports from the Audit and Governance Committees. The meeting also included a review of the budget work plan for the 2025–26 school year, ensuring that resources continue to be aligned with Horizon’s priorities for student learning and well-being.

I want to thank our Board of Education for their vision and leadership as we begin another year together. Their guidance ensures that Horizon remains focused on what matters most—supporting every student to learn, grow, and thrive.

The following day, trustees engaged in a Board appraisal process. This vital exercise allows the Board to reflect on its work, celebrate strengths, and identify opportunities for continued growth in governance and leadership. By taking the time to pause and reflect in this way, trustees ensure that their decisions and practices remain rooted in Horizon’s mission, vision, and values. Their commitment to continuous improvement is a powerful model for all of us across the Division.

Back to School

Last week, of course, we welcomed students and staff back into classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds across Horizon. The energy of the first week of school is always something special, and it was wonderful to feel that excitement firsthand as I got a chance to be in several schools toward the end of the week. From eager Kindergarteners beginning their very first day, to graduates stepping into their final year, the sense of possibility was everywhere.

I want to thank our staff for the thoughtful preparation that went into making these first days so welcoming and positive. It is clear that students are returning to environments where they are not only ready to learn but also where they feel seen, supported, and cared for.

Thank you for the heart, hope, and hard work you bring into our schools and communities every day. As we begin this year together, I’m filled with optimism about what we will accomplish. When we lead with care and work as one, there is no limit to what our students can achieve.

I want to wish each of you a wonderful and successful year!

-Kevin

Kevin C. Garinger B.Ed., M.A.Ed., Ed.D. (Candidate)

Director of Education/CEO

Horizon School Division No. 205

@kevingaringer

Good morning, Horizon,

The second week of the 2025–26 school year is already complete, and leadership is shining through in so many ways — in classrooms, meeting rooms, hallways, and schoolyards across the Division. As John Quincy Adams so aptly put it: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

This quote speaks to the quiet, powerful influence I see each of you bringing into our schools and classrooms. Whether you’re welcoming students at the front door, guiding a lesson, supporting behind the scenes, or shaping policy at the system level, your leadership matters.

Directors’ Leadership Team

We began our week with a virtual Director’s Leadership Team meeting, where our superintendents and I shared key updates related to assessment, safety, instruction, staffing, and other priority areas. These conversations help ensure we remain aligned and focused as a system, and I appreciate the engagement and thoughtful contributions from leaders across our schools. Our shared commitment to student achievement, wellbeing, and safe & welcoming environments continues to guide our work.

Senior Leadership Team 

Immediately following the DLT meeting, the Senior Leadership Team continued our strategic planning work, with a focus on deepening support for instructional leadership. This work is central to Horizon’s ongoing commitment to high-quality teaching and learning in every classroom, every day.

Connecting Across Horizon 

Last week, I had the privilege of travelling to several of our communities and spending time in our schools with students, staff, and many of our new and veteran school leaders. These opportunities are always a great chance to see and hear directly from those who make our schools such special places. In each of the schools I travelled to, I heard and saw examples of staff going above and beyond to create safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.

Humboldt and District Museum and Art Gallery Meeting

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend a board meeting for the Humboldt & District Museum and Art Gallery. It was a pleasure to connect with partners in our community who share a deep commitment to learning, culture, and the arts. These partnerships enrich the educational experience for our students and remind us of the value of learning that extends beyond the classroom walls.

Directors of Education Co-Chair

This year, I took on the role of co-chair for the Directors of Education role-alike group that meets throughout the school year. Ward Strueby, Director of Education from Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, has joined me as the other co-chair. Together, we met on Friday with the Deputy Minister of Education to discuss our plans for the upcoming school year and shared their invitation to our meetings. It was an excellent meeting that will lead to meaningful discussions that support the operations of all school divisions in our province.

 

Schell School Event

Also on Friday, I joined Trustee Melanie Craswell, Principal Jason Low, and the staff and students of Schell School in Holdfast for two important events that their SCC brought into the school. The first was an anti-bullying event for younger students put on by the RCMP. The second event was entitled, “Cyberbullying and Image Distribution: In the Eyes of the Justice System”. The SCC had invited the Honourable Provincial Court Judge Chow and Crown Prosecutor Andrew Campbell to speak to students from Holdfast and Imperial on the impacts of both social media and the sharing of images. It was an excellent opportunity to engage with two individuals who are dealing first-hand with the after-effects of the choices of young people. It is an area that our Board has been very involved in, and education is truly one of the only ways we can help to ensure our students don’t make mistakes that can last their lifetime, and the lifetime of others. 

I want to thank the Schell SCC and Jason for inviting Mrs. Craswell and me to this critical dialogue. 

Have a great week, everyone.  

-Kevin

Kevin C. Garinger B.Ed., M.A.Ed., Ed.D. (Candidate)

Director of Education/CEO

Horizon School Division No. 205

[email protected]

@kevingaringer