December, 2022
A message from Kevin C. Garinger, Director of EducationKevin C. Garinger, B.Ed, M.A.Ed
Director of Education/CEO
Horizon School Division No. 205
Director of Education/CEO
Horizon School Division No. 205
kevin.garinger[at]horizonsd.ca
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November 28 - December 2, 2022
A message from Kevin C. Garinger, Director of Education
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to December in education! What a busy, exciting time of year. Thank you to our caretakers and facility staff who have dealt with a huge amount of snow already this year - we appreciate all that you do! Author Kahlil Gibran once said, “Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.” I know many of our students agree and appreciate the snow and are excited for many of the activities that come with it.
I think many of us as adults probably felt the same way when we were kids. Now, I find myself looking less forward to the cold temperatures and this form of precipitation and more forward to its disappearance. But, alas, I won’t wish the time away from our children or their learning…so I’ll patiently wait until spring. And just maybe, I’ll take a southern holiday to break it up a bit. I hope for the same for any of you who feel a break from the four or five months of winter is in order. San Antonio, TX is supposed to be nice around this time…at least that’s what one of my staff taking a holiday there mentioned to me. My parents have also been to San Antonio and they loved it.
For now, I’m looking forward to having my granddaughter at home during Christmas…that beats a trip anytime!
Christmas Hamper Project
Thank you to so many of our schools, local businesses, charities, and individuals who have donated to our Christmas Hamper project. To begin to share who has donated would create a list that would be far longer than any TWIH I’ve ever done. Instead, I’ll just generalize this thank you!
Thank you to so many of our schools, local businesses, charities, and individuals who have donated to our Christmas Hamper project. To begin to share who has donated would create a list that would be far longer than any TWIH I’ve ever done. Instead, I’ll just generalize this thank you!
Audit Committee Meeting
I started my Monday morning with an audit committee meeting at the division office with Trustees Mark Fedak (committee chair), Albert Pinacie, James Lissinna, and Jenna Hale as well as ex officio committee members Jim Hack and Linda Mattock. We were joined by a representative from the provincial auditor, CFO Sandy Gessner, Superintendent of Human Resources Cory Popoff, and Executive Assistant Marni Sogge. MNP joined our committee meeting to discuss their audit response to our 2021-22 financial reporting. It was another strong year for Horizon in terms of managing the fiscal challenges that are before our province.
I started my Monday morning with an audit committee meeting at the division office with Trustees Mark Fedak (committee chair), Albert Pinacie, James Lissinna, and Jenna Hale as well as ex officio committee members Jim Hack and Linda Mattock. We were joined by a representative from the provincial auditor, CFO Sandy Gessner, Superintendent of Human Resources Cory Popoff, and Executive Assistant Marni Sogge. MNP joined our committee meeting to discuss their audit response to our 2021-22 financial reporting. It was another strong year for Horizon in terms of managing the fiscal challenges that are before our province.
Learning Improvement Plan meetings
Much of the rest of the week was spent connecting with administrators for our annual fall Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) reviews where we reviewed school data collection and results, plans to foster continuous student learning, supports for literacy development, and discussed SCC plan involvement.
Much of the rest of the week was spent connecting with administrators for our annual fall Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) reviews where we reviewed school data collection and results, plans to foster continuous student learning, supports for literacy development, and discussed SCC plan involvement.
I was joined throughout the week by Superintendents Trish Maxwell, Terry Leibel, and Jacquie Bergerman as I met with Humboldt Public, Humboldt Collegiate Institute, Ituna, Foam Lake Composite, Foam Lake Elementary, New Horizon Hutterian, William Derby, Bulyea, Nokomis, Lanigan Elementary, Lanigan Composite High, Schell, Imperial, Watrous Elementary, Winston High, Sask Central Hutterian, Wynyard Elementary, Wynyard Composite, and Watson schools.
Hip hopper, Lil Wayne made the important statement that really speaks to the importance principals and staff do in their planning, “The more time you spend contemplating what you should have done…you lose valuable time planning what you can and will do”. Thank you to our school teams for focusing on plans that can impact learning for our students.
Have a great week, everyone!
-Kevin
Kevin C. Garinger, B.Ed, M.A.Ed
Director of Education/CEO
Horizon School Division No. 205
[email protected]
Director of Education/CEO
Horizon School Division No. 205
[email protected]
December 5-9, 2022
A message from Kevin C. Garinger, Director of Education
Happy Monday, everyone! Congratulations to our schools who are producing and performing an amazing roster of drama and music productions and Christmas concerts. Thank you to the staff and volunteers involved - thank you for sharing your time, dedication, and creativity to build up our students and allow them to add value from back-stage hands to prop creation to actors to musicians.
Learning Improvement Plan meetings
The fall Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) reviews continued with Muenster, Wadena Elementary, Wadena Composite, Lakeside Hutterian, and Quill Lake schools. As has been typical, principals and staff have done a commendable job of putting together their plans related to the goals of our system. I look forward to continuing these reviews as we head into this next week.
The fall Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) reviews continued with Muenster, Wadena Elementary, Wadena Composite, Lakeside Hutterian, and Quill Lake schools. As has been typical, principals and staff have done a commendable job of putting together their plans related to the goals of our system. I look forward to continuing these reviews as we head into this next week.
Meeting with Saskatchewan Ministers - Lanigan Consolidated School Project
On Monday, the Board of Education met virtually with the Honourable Lori Carr, Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement; the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier; and the Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Education. Also at the meeting were CFO Sandy Gessner, COO Justin Arendt and Manager of Facility Services Kam Kiland. We requested the meeting to discuss the ongoing challenges with the proposed Lanigan school build, and will continue our work with the SaskBuilds and Procurement team to move this project to the next stage.
On Monday, the Board of Education met virtually with the Honourable Lori Carr, Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement; the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier; and the Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Education. Also at the meeting were CFO Sandy Gessner, COO Justin Arendt and Manager of Facility Services Kam Kiland. We requested the meeting to discuss the ongoing challenges with the proposed Lanigan school build, and will continue our work with the SaskBuilds and Procurement team to move this project to the next stage.
Good Neighbour Donation
Horizon School Division was the recipient of a Good Neighbour Store donation, along with close to 100 other organizations from Humboldt and area communities. I joined staff members Marni Sogge and Kim Loose for the presentation and had the chance to thank their board, staff, and volunteers for their tremendous support of our Christmas Hamper Project. It is amazing to hear how many donations were accepted by organizations from the Good Neighbour Store and it was humbling to be part of their event.
Horizon School Division was the recipient of a Good Neighbour Store donation, along with close to 100 other organizations from Humboldt and area communities. I joined staff members Marni Sogge and Kim Loose for the presentation and had the chance to thank their board, staff, and volunteers for their tremendous support of our Christmas Hamper Project. It is amazing to hear how many donations were accepted by organizations from the Good Neighbour Store and it was humbling to be part of their event.
BHP Community Tour
On Thursday, I was fortunate to join area community leaders for a tour of BHP’s Jansen site. We were toured throughout the Stage 1 site, learned about the construction and technology and visited Discovery Lodge. It was an excellent day and a great opportunity to learn more about the impending growth of the mine from Team BHP.
On Thursday, I was fortunate to join area community leaders for a tour of BHP’s Jansen site. We were toured throughout the Stage 1 site, learned about the construction and technology and visited Discovery Lodge. It was an excellent day and a great opportunity to learn more about the impending growth of the mine from Team BHP.
Joint Operations Committee (JOC)
We held our quarterly JOC committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon with representatives from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, with whom we oversee operations at Humboldt Collegiate Institute. Representing Horizon at the meeting were JOC committee members and trustees Linda Mattock and Christine Gradin, CFO Sandy Gessner, COO Justin Arendt, Superintendent of Human Resources Cory Popoff, Executive Assistant Marni Sogge, and myself. Linda Mattock was named chair of the JOC for the next year, taking over from Debbie Berscheid, trustee from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.
We held our quarterly JOC committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon with representatives from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, with whom we oversee operations at Humboldt Collegiate Institute. Representing Horizon at the meeting were JOC committee members and trustees Linda Mattock and Christine Gradin, CFO Sandy Gessner, COO Justin Arendt, Superintendent of Human Resources Cory Popoff, Executive Assistant Marni Sogge, and myself. Linda Mattock was named chair of the JOC for the next year, taking over from Debbie Berscheid, trustee from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.
Imperial Drama and Band Production
On Wednesday, I joined trustee Dr Cheryl Vertefeuille and staff, students, and community members for the annual Imperial School musical and band performance. This year’s production was “Oklahoma”, a comedy set in 1906 that focused on the rift between farmers and ranchers. As always, the kids were amazing and high quality entertainment was had by everyone in attendance. Thank you to Principal Skyler Hart for the invitation to this amazing event.
On Wednesday, I joined trustee Dr Cheryl Vertefeuille and staff, students, and community members for the annual Imperial School musical and band performance. This year’s production was “Oklahoma”, a comedy set in 1906 that focused on the rift between farmers and ranchers. As always, the kids were amazing and high quality entertainment was had by everyone in attendance. Thank you to Principal Skyler Hart for the invitation to this amazing event.
Meeting with George Gordon Chief and Council
While a number of our trustees were at Indigenous Council in Prince Albert on Friday, I joined Superintendents Bryan McNabb and Cory Popoff for a meeting with Chief Byron Bitternose, council member Danny Cyr, and other members of staff and community for a discussion regarding our partnership. I always appreciate the opportunity to meet with leaders from our First Nation partners and the discussions that always focus on what is best for our staff and our shared students.
While a number of our trustees were at Indigenous Council in Prince Albert on Friday, I joined Superintendents Bryan McNabb and Cory Popoff for a meeting with Chief Byron Bitternose, council member Danny Cyr, and other members of staff and community for a discussion regarding our partnership. I always appreciate the opportunity to meet with leaders from our First Nation partners and the discussions that always focus on what is best for our staff and our shared students.
As we prepare for the Christmas Hamper assembly on Tuesday, December 13th, I want to take this opportunity to thank so many individuals and organizations who have donated to this important project. 431 children and 156 families will experience a far better holiday season because of you. On behalf of the families, our Board, and my office, thank you for making a difference again this year. This is the 9th year of the project and in that time, we have supported nearly 3000 children and hundreds of families. Your selflessness and compassion is beyond humbling.
Have a great week, everyone!
-Kevin
Kevin C. Garinger, B.Ed, M.A.Ed
Director of Education/CEO
Horizon School Division No. 205