Happy Holidays Home based education families:
December has flown by and it is almost Christmas and the Winter Solstice , we are looking forward to the holidays with family and friends and to daylight hours lengthening!
I hope everyone has had a successful 4 months of learning and has been staying healthy.
Just a few reminders for the grade 10-12 students about some educational opportunities and a reminder to grade 10-12’s about the Sask DLC courses. If you would like to take Sask Distance Learning courses complete the attached request form and send email it back to: lorraine.fitzgerald@spiritsd.ca Semester 2 starts at the end of January. Here is the Sask DLC website to check out the course selections:
SIEC bootcamp offerings
3D Printing Bootcamp
- Tuesdays beginning February 3
- Open to grades 10-12
- Learn skills related to engineering, architecture and drafting
- All info can be found at www.saskatooniec.ca/3dprinting
- Application deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
GameOn! Bootcamp
- Wednesdays beginning February 4 on Zoom
- Open to grades 10-12
- Includes coding, programming, design and game mechanics
- All info can be found at www.saskatooniec.ca/game-on
- Application deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- there is no charge for these bootcamps:
PSSD has a career education website that may be helpful to the grade 9-12, here is the link:
PSSD Learning Supports – Transitions
Sask Valley Music Festival:
I write to you on behalf of Sask Valley Music Festival who will host our annual competitions in Rosthern in March 2026 with choral and spoken word between March 23-25 at St. Odilon’s Church. We realize that there are many demands on your time, but we view this as a chance to excite your students about music and speech as well as fulfill some curricular requirements. The excitement we see on the children’s faces when they come to perform before peers and family members is quite amazing, knowing that they have worked hard with your guidance to do their best.
The SMFA syllabus underwent massive changes in 2025, even listing school groups in its own section. There may also be appropriate classes under choral or band/ensemble sections depending on your programs. The entire document can be found on the provincial website smfa.ca under the heading of programs and services. Also on that website are resources for spoken word under Conference (Spoken Word 101) and also under Workshops.
Our entries will close on January 31, 2026. Please visit our website saskvalleymusicfestival.com for instructions on how to enter.
If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me Linda Swab, SVMFA president or contacts listed on our website.
Gym and Skating times:
Gym times at Warman and Martensville will resume in January 5th, same times as before.
Skating times at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex will continue on Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11am, there is no charge for registered PSSD students.
Public Skating Rules and Regulations
To provide a safe, fun place where families can spend some quality time with each other while participating in physical activity.
• Participants must respect, listen to and follow instructions from all Recreation & Community Service staff. Please be considerate of the rules for the safety of all participants.
• All participants must report to the Customer Service/Admissions desk prior to public skating.
• Report all accidents and injuries to the skating staff immediately.
• All children 5 years old and under must be supervised by a parent or guardian (16 years or older) at all times.
• CSA approved hockey helmets are strongly recommended for all skaters and a CSA hockey helmet is mandatory for children 5 years and under.
• Only patrons wearing skates are allowed on the ice surface.
• Carrying children, including baby carriers is not permitted at any time.
• No food or drinks are permitted.
• No strollers or chairs are allowed. Skating aids can be provided at no extra charge. Please ask a staff member for them, if not readily available.
• No games, rough play, tag, backwards skating, speed skating or figure skating maneuvers are permitted.
• There are no sticks allowed during public skating at any time.
• Skaters should not loiter along arena boards or areas that may block the flow of other skaters.
• Wheelchairs are permitted on the ice surface, only after the wheels have been cleaned.
• Helmets are recommended for wheelchair occupants.
• Caregivers must be wearing skates.
• Foul language and inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will result in immediate removal from the facility.
We hope you have a wonderful rest of the year and we look forward to working with you again in the New Year!
Kim, Bruce and Lorraine: the PSSD -HBE staff