June, 2025

Good evening, Horizon.

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the early days of June. As we wrapped up another week of learning and growth, I’m reminded of Robert Collier’s words:

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

This quote perfectly reflects the daily dedication I see in every corner of our division — from our school leaders and teachers to our support staff and trustees. Thank you for the commitment you bring each day to ensure our students have the best opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

Directors’ Leadership Team (DLT)

We began our week with an online Directors’ Leadership Team (DLT) meeting where we discussed key initiatives and updates across the division. It was an opportunity to align our goals and share strategies to support continuous improvement and student achievement in all our schools.

Learning Improvement Plans

Again last week, I spent much of my time visiting schools for the second round of Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) review meetings. Alongside Superintendents Jacquie Bergerman, Trish Maxwell, Bryan McNabb, and Terry Leibel, I met with principals and vice principals from St. Brieux, Three Lakes, Englefeld, LeRoy, Humboldt Public, Archerwill, Rose Valley, Kelvington High, Robert Melrose Elementary, Quill Lake, Viscount, Winston High, Imperial, and Schell schools. 

Our discussions focused on strengthening student growth in literacy and numeracy, as well as ensuring safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environments. It was inspiring to see the dedication and thoughtfulness that each team brings to this important work, as well as the critical role School Community Councils play in supporting our shared mission. These conversations reaffirmed the importance of strong school-community partnerships in helping every student thrive.

Humboldt Broncos Legacy Bursary

I had the pleasure of meeting with Toby Boulet and Ed Tobin to review applicants for this year's Humboldt Broncos Legacy Bursary. We carefully considered each applicant’s leadership, commitment to inclusiveness, and dedication to moving their school community forward in line with the Broncos’ Core Covenant. It was inspiring to see so many young leaders making a meaningful difference in their schools and communities.

School Community Council (SCC) Workshop
Last week, we held our annual School Community Council Workshop virtually on Monday evening. It was wonderful to see so many SCC members and school leaders join us to strengthen the partnership between schools and communities.

The workshop featured an insightful session on smartphone and social media safety with Margot Denommé, along with updates on the SCC Handbook, Constitution, and Code of Conduct. Dana Stefanson shared information about the National Food Program, and we also discussed accessibility and administrative procedures. The breakout sessions offered a valuable opportunity for sharing ideas and learning from one another.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to our presenters for sharing their time and expertise. Your engagement and commitment to collaboration are key to helping every student thrive. Additionally, a huge thank you to the SCC Engagement Committee, including Chair Dana Stefanson, Irma Anderson, Pamela Wintringham, and Jim Lissinna, as well as our Board Chair, Garth Anderson and Vice Chair, Mark Fedak, who act as ex-officio members.

Public Section General Meeting and Professional Development Event

On June 6, trustees from Horizon had the opportunity to participate in the Public Section General Meeting. The event was initially planned as an in-person gathering, but the Public Schools made the decision to move their meetings online, allowing hotel rooms in Regina to be made available to those fleeing the fires from the north. 

The online event was an excellent opportunity for trustees to deepen their understanding of their governance roles, strengthen their networks, and share ideas that will support their shared mission as a public school division in Saskatchewan. Thank you to the Public Section and Chairperson Linda Mattock, trustee for Horizon, for organizing such a meaningful and collaborative event, and for taking into account the challenges felt across our province and beyond related to the forest fires.

GGEC Production of Dorothy

On Friday evening, I joined Trustee Irma Anderson, Superintendent of Indigenous Education Bryan McNabb, Principal Lindsey Bear, Chief and Council members, George Gordon community members and families, and the students and staff of George Gordon Education Centre for a production of “Dorothy”. Alberta Rose Bear, teacher at GGEC, made changes to the “Wizard of Oz” to reflect an Indigenous worldview, and the students performed the play to near perfection. Nearly 100 people attended the event, during which our students used their artistic voices in ways that made the performance extremely engaging. It was a proud moment for our students, families, school and Division communities. I find great value in seeing our students perform, whether it's on the acting stage, the music stage, in gyms, or on our fields. Our staff, parents, and volunteers do an outstanding job of providing these opportunities to our students and in our communities, and I know it is greatly appreciated by so many.   

Athletics

A remarkable 22 individual District Championship records were broken at this year’s Track & Field event, along with two relay records. A total of 687 athletes from 39 schools participated, and more than 100 athletes competed in the SHSAA Provincial Championship this weekend in Moose Jaw. Such tremendous participation and success would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of our dedicated coaches, volunteers, and staff; thank you for making this an unforgettable experience for our student-athletes. The HCAA link on the Horizon website provides a list of those athletes and schools who medalled at the provincial championships. Many athletes delivered incredible performances, placing well throughout the two-day event. Congratulations once again to all our coaches and athletes from across Horizon competing in track and field on a great season. 

Finally, congratulations to St Brieux’s flag football team, who captured the women’s flag football for the district, narrowly defeating a strong team from Watrous Winston High. Once again, these opportunities for our students don’t happen without the support of staff, parents, volunteers, and, of course, our kids. Thank you, everyone, for another great season of flag football!

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

“The land is generous. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.” — Ramon Santos

Good morning, Horizon!
Last week offered many meaningful moments—from celebrating our graduates to engaging students in hands-on learning about agriculture and mining, to educational trips, preparing for final exams, and wrapping up our Learning Improvement Plan meetings—it was a busy week in June for all of you and our students. It was also a week that truly reflected Horizon’s commitment to student growth, community connection, and lifelong learning.

Board of Education Special Meeting

 Horizon’s Board of Education met on Monday to review the 2025–26 budget for our Division. We had a productive day of thoughtful consideration as Chief Financial Officer Sarah Reding presented the final budget. Trustees engaged in meaningful dialogue around our priorities, challenges, and the resources needed to support student learning, staff wellbeing, and safe, inclusive school environments across Horizon. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the budget preparation and our Board for their approval of the 2025-26 budget. There is an undeniable and continued commitment to responsible stewardship and student success in our system.

Board Agenda Meeting

I joined Board Chair Garth Anderson, Vice Chair Mark Fedak, Executive Assistant Marni Sogge, and Communications Officer Jesse Green for our last agenda meeting of the school year on Monday afternoon. We set the agenda for this week’s regular meeting.

Student Agriculture Day and Student Mining Day
Last week was one to remember as we welcomed students from across the division to not one, but two remarkable learning events. We held our inaugural Student Agriculture Day—a day that brought together young minds, industry leaders, and educators to explore the deep roots and broad future of agriculture in Saskatchewan.

On Tuesday, almost 600 Grade 10 students from Horizon schools gathered to learn about the vital role agriculture plays in our communities, economy, and daily lives. We were honoured to be joined by the Honourable Daryl Harrison, Minister of Agriculture, and Cadmus Delorme, who both spoke powerfully about the values of resilience, community, and opportunity that underpin Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector. We were also joined by MLAs from our area, Chris Beaudry, Raquel Hilbert, and Honourable Todd Goudy. Their presence helped underscore the importance of this work, not only as an economic driver but as a way of life that sustains families and shapes futures.

Our region, often referred to as the Iron Triangle of Saskatchewan, is a powerhouse for agriculture, home to thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in exports, and numerous examples of hard work and innovation. 

With more than 525 Grade 11 students in attendance, along with teachers, trustees, staff, industry partners, and special guests, Student Mining Day was a powerful testament to what can happen when education meets experience.

We were honoured to welcome Dr Ryan Morelli, Chief Geologist and Executive Director, who brought greetings on behalf of the Honourable Colleen Young, Minister of Energy and Resources. We also heard from valued partners at BHP, as well as many exhibitors who generously shared their knowledge and passion with our students throughout the day.

Mining is a cornerstone of Saskatchewan’s economy, and our region is no exception. While widely recognised for our agriculture and manufacturing, mining plays an equally critical role in shaping our local and global future. From potash and uranium to copper and rare earth elements, the minerals of our province help feed and power the world.

For me, this event was also personal. Growing up in a mining family in northern Saskatchewan, I’ve seen firsthand how this work sustains families, builds communities, and opens doors to careers in trades, technology, transportation, and beyond. I was proud to share my own story with our students and to remind them that their future is as expansive as the resources beneath our feet.

Events like Student Agriculture Day and Student Mining Day don’t happen by chance. My deepest thanks to the Division Office team who organized this ambitious event, to the school staff who guided and supported our students, to the bus drivers who ensured everyone arrived safely, and to our Board of Education for championing experiential learning. Thank you also to our sponsors and industry partners—your commitment to education and youth development made this day truly impactful.

To our students: thank you for showing up with curiosity, kindness, and open minds. We hope this experience broadened your view of what agriculture and mining mean and the many roles you might play in shaping the future in these critical areas of our economy.

Learning Improvement Plans

This week marked the conclusion of our second round of Learning Improvement Plan (LIP) visits, with stops at Vier Lake Colony, Wakaw, Cudworth, Bruno, Humboldt Collegiate, and Lake Lenore schools. It has been both encouraging and inspiring to witness the thoughtful planning and collaboration happening in schools across our division. I would like to extend my appreciation to the school teams for their ongoing commitment to student learning and continuous improvement. It was also heartening to see the involvement of School Community Councils in these conversations—your engagement strengthens our collective efforts and ensures our plans reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.

Graduations

It was all hands on deck across Horizon Friday night as we celebrated the graduation of our Grade 12 students. Huge congratulations to the Class of 2025 from Bruno Central, Englefeld, Foam Lake Composite, Lake Lenore, Lanigan Central High, Muenster, Punnichy Community High, Raymore, Rose Valley, St. Brieux, Three Lakes, Wakaw, William Derby, and Wynyard Composite High. These ceremonies, like the others before them, were a beautiful reflection of the hard work, perseverance, and growth our students have shown throughout their educational journeys. It is always a pleasure for our Board of Education trustees and representatives from my office to attend these celebrations, offering congratulations in person and sharing in the pride of each school community. Thank you to all the staff, families, and community members who made these moments so special—you have helped send our graduates off with purpose and conviction.

With Thanks…

As someone with a deep connection to the north, having been born and raised in Flin Flon and Creighton, I want to thank all those who donated to the Saskatchewan Day of Caring for Wildfire Relief cause for those who have been displaced. People from across the north have had to leave their homes, and some of them will go back to their communities homeless. I know of students and staff in Horizon who joined the frontline firefighting and emergency crews to battle the blazes or care for the sick and elderly. It is the epitome of selflessness and compassion, and knowing so many who have been evacuated and lost their homes, I can hardly put into words how proud I am to be a Saskatchewan resident. Thank you for all you have done to try to protect the people and their property.  

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

Good morning, Horizon!

As we near the close of the school year, I’m reminded of the words of Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This past week was filled with meaningful gatherings that reflected the heart of Horizon—relationships, recognition, and renewal. From leadership transitions and farewells to celebrating our shared successes and forging stronger partnerships, it was a week that underscored the value of connection and collaboration.

Directors’ Leadership Team

Our incoming and outgoing Directors’ Leadership Team (DLT) members gathered in Humboldt on Monday for a meaningful day of connection, collaboration, and reflection. We began with a warm welcome and a Land Acknowledgement, shared via video by Grade 6 students from Foam Lake Elementary School.

The day featured an inspiring presentation by Dr. Jeff Keshen, President of the University of Regina, and collaborative sessions on classroom complexity, start-up planning for the 2025–26 school year, and key operational updates. CFO Sarah Reding also presented the 2025–26 budget, helping to frame our priorities for the upcoming year based on the Board’s approved budget.

We took time to celebrate excellence with the presentation of the Superior Leadership Skills Award, won this inaugural year by long-serving principal, Mr Rick Hamel. We also offered heartfelt farewells to those moving on to new adventures. The day wrapped up with a celebration at the Humboldt Golf Club, a fitting close to a productive and engaging gathering.

Board of Education - Regular Meeting

The Board held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, with key highlights shared in the From the Board newsletter. Trustees engaged in thoughtful discussions that helped advance Horizon’s core governance priorities. Following the meeting, Trustees and Division Office staff gathered at the Humboldt Golf Club for the Division office windup to celebrate the close of the 2024–25 school year and express appreciation for a year of collaboration and service.

Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association

I attended the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) Annual General Meeting in Moose Jaw from Wednesday to Friday last week. The event included small-group sessions centred around individual sports, recognition of the district coaches and official awards, and presentations including a powerful message from Jacob Wassermann, Canadian Paralympic rower and former Humboldt Bronco. Congratulations to David Rowe of Humboldt Collegiate, who was honoured with the SHSAA Service Award—an outstanding recognition of his dedication and contributions to school athletics. Congratulations to coaches Haley Wagar and Braeden Ager, who won the district coaching awards, and to Devin Leonard, who won the outstanding official award. 

Honourable Todd Goudy

On Thursday evening, any trustees and school community council (SCC) members from the constituency of Melfort had the pleasure of joining the Honourable Todd Goudy, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan and MLA, for a meet and greet. I know there was appreciation for having this opportunity to engage with Mr Speaker in a discussion centred on the Government’s priorities. These meaningful conversations help to strengthen collaborative relationships with the provincial government and ensure that voices continue to be heard at these levels of government. 

Human Rights Commission

On Thursday morning, members of our Senior Leadership Team had the great opportunity to meet with Chief Commissioner Treena Sikora and representatives from the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. We are grateful to Karen Materi, Robin Mowat, Adam Hawboldt, and Chief Commissioner Sikora for making time during their visit to the Humboldt area to engage in meaningful dialogue with us. We appreciated the chance to share how human rights considerations are shaping our work across Horizon. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Commission as they strengthen their proactive approach to promoting equity, inclusion, and dignity for all.

Graduations

Congratulations to LeRoy School’s Grade 12 students, who celebrated their high school graduation on Friday evening! The Board and I appreciate attending these graduations, and this was another great event honouring seven outstanding young people from the community. 

With one more weekend of graduations, all 27 schools will have completed their celebrations for the 2024-25 school year. 

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