January 18, 2024

Dear NESD Parents and Guardians,

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has announced more job action.  A provincewide one day strike to occur on Monday, January 22^nd, 2024. This strike will involve all STF members, who will be withdrawing from both professional and voluntary services for the entire day.

Consequently, the North East School Division (NESD) will be taking the following actions on January 22, 2024:

• All schools will be closed.
• All extracurricular activities, including practices, games, tournaments, drama, music activities, and school clubs, will be canceled.

We continue our commitment to keep you updated on any potential alterations to our regular school schedule through sharing communication via emails, text messages, Edsby, and updates on the NESD website and social media platforms.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Division Office. We appreciate all the ways we have observed communities maintaining a positive and supportive environment for our students, families, and staff.

Warm regards,

Stacy Lair

Director of Education

North East School Division

Treaty 5&6 Territory

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has announced additional job action. 

A rotating one-day strike will occur on Thursday, February 1, 2024.

This strike will NOT involve STF members in the North East.  Therefore, NESD school schedules will remain unchanged.

STF News Release

North East School Division and CUPE 4875 are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached.

After months of negotiations, both parties have come to an agreement that addresses their needs and concerns while also supporting the continued success of our schools.

Key highlights of the agreement include wage increases of 3%, 3.5%, and 3.5% over three years.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with CUPE 4875 that acknowledges the invaluable contributions of education support workers of the North East School Division,” said Heather Shwetz, Superintendent of Human Resources and Privacy Officer, North East School Division. “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to fostering a supportive and equitable workplace environment.”

“This agreement recognizes the essential contributions of education support workers and moves us closer to pay equity with other school divisions,” said Debbie Dufault, president of CUPE 4875. “We look forward to working together with North East School Division to build a bright future for our students.”

CUPE members voted in favour of the tentative agreement on February 1. It is expected that the school division will ratify the agreement at their meeting on February 13.

Moving forward, both North East School Division and CUPE 4875 are committed to open communication, mutual respect, and ongoing collaboration to support the well-being of employees and the advancement of shared goals.

NESD Families

Please be advised that all NESD schools will return to regularly scheduled times.  The STF is suspending the provincewide withdrawal of noon-hour supervision that was scheduled for Thursday, February 8, 2024.  All school schedules and end of day bus routes will return to regularly scheduled times.

Thank you for your flexibility with this last minute change.

Stacy Lair

Director of Education

North East School Division

Treaty 5&6 Territory

Happy Staff Appreciation Week

This week offers a great opportunity to send a message of thanks to all of the NESD staff.  

We have challenges in the education system and the staff of NESD rise above these challenges daily to deliver a high quality education to the children of the north east.  This could not happen without your dedication to the education profession, as well as, the children and families you serve.  

With the highest regard I would like to send a message from the NESD Board to all of our staff, we see you!  We see the hard work and we see the results.  We appreciate all you do and will continue to do in the future.  

Kindest regards,

Lori Kidney, NESD Board Chair

Dear NESD Families,

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has announced additional job actions.  The North East School Division (NESD) will be affected by a province-wide withdrawal of noon hour supervision on Friday, February 16. This will affect the schedules of NESD schools.

To maintain student safety due to a lack of noon supervisors, most schools will dismiss students early, allowing teachers to take their duty-free period at the end of the workday.

• Students scheduled lunch break will be supervised by teachers during their teaching hours.
• Please check the revised bell times below and await daily schedule details from your child’s school.
• Specific bussing drop-off times will be shared with families in the next short while.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we shift to keep our schools open, maintaining our focus on student learning, safety, and wellbeing.

*indicates regular dismissal time

Please be aware that NESD is not a direct participant in the negotiations between the Government and STF Provincial Bargaining Committees. Nevertheless, the NESD Board and senior administration support the collective bargaining rights of our educators.

We will continue to keep you informed through emails, text messages, Edsby, the NESD website, and our social media platforms. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Division Office.

February 25, 2024

Dear NESD Families,

I write to inform you about additional job actions announced by the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), which will impact our schools in the coming days.  On Monday, February 26th, there will be a one-day province-wide withdrawal of extracurricular activities resulting in all extracurricular activities led by teachers to be postponed. Furthermore, on Tuesday, February 27th, our schools will experience a withdrawal of noon hour supervision by STF members resulting in early dismissal for most schools. This letter outlines the adjustments to school schedules necessary to maintain our focus on student learning and student safety and well-being during these times.

On Tuesday February 27^th, 2024, to maintain student safety due to a lack of noon supervisors, most schools will dismiss students early, allowing teachers to take their duty-free period at the end of the workday.

• Students scheduled lunch break will be supervised by teachers during their teaching hours.
• Please check the revised bell times below and await daily schedule details from your child’s school.
• Specific bussing drop-off times will be shared with families in the next short while.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we shift to keep our schools open.

*indicates regular dismissal time

The NESD is not a direct participant in the negotiations between the Government and STF Provincial Bargaining Committees, however we appreciate the understanding of our communities as the Board and senior administration support the collective bargaining rights of our educators.

We will continue to keep you informed through emails, text messages, Edsby, the NESD website, and our social media platforms. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Division Office.

Sincerely,

Stacy Lair

Director of Education

February 26, 2024

Dear NESD Families,

I write to inform you about additional job actions announced by the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), which will impact our schools for the week of February 26^th.  On Monday, February 26th, there will be a one-day province-wide withdrawal of extracurricular activities resulting in all extracurricular activities led by teachers to be postponed. Furthermore, on Tuesday, February 27^th and Thursday February 29^th, our schools will experience a withdrawal of noon hour supervision by STF members resulting in early dismissal for most schools. This letter outlines the adjustments to school schedules necessary to maintain our focus on student learning and student safety and well-being during these times.

On Tuesday February 27^th, and Thursday February 29^th, to maintain student safety due to a lack of noon supervisors, most schools will dismiss students early, allowing teachers to take their duty-free period at the end of the workday.

• Students lunch break will be supervised by teachers during their teaching hours.
• Please check the revised bell times below and await daily schedule details from your child’s school.
• Specific bussing drop-off times will be shared with families in the next short while.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we shift to keep our schools open.

*indicates regular dismissal time

The NESD is not a direct participant in the negotiations between the Government and STF Provincial Bargaining Committees, however we appreciate the understanding of our communities as the Board and senior administration support the collective bargaining rights of our educators.

We will continue to keep you informed through emails, text messages, Edsby, the NESD website, and our social media platforms. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Division Office.

Sincerely,

Stacy Lair

Director of Education

Sharing fond memories.  *The demolition of the old Carrot River Jr. Sr. High School will begin April 1st.

NESD Families Job Action Beginning June 10, 2024

Dear Community Members,

We would like to notify you that all NESD Graduation Exercises will continue, however, please note that some schedules may have changed to ensure that teachers and administrators can participate and lead these events given the STF sanctions.

All graduation exercises will take place during the assigned workday of our teachers. This allows us to maintain our focus on celebrating the culmination of students' growth and achievements alongside their families. These events not only highlight the growth and success of our students but also represent the supports and dedication of our schools and staff.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this time. We look forward to celebrating this significant milestone with you.

Sincerely,               

Lori Kidney                  Stacy Lair

Board Chair                 Director of Education

A big thank you goes out to our CUPE Local 4875 for their donation of $5000.00 to provide nutrition baskets to families in the north east. 

With your donation of money, Outreach Workers were able to purchase nutritional food from local grocery stores and deliver the baskets across the north east. Your organization helped support over 100 families across the school division.

Provincial FRC Annoucment:

Families across Saskatchewan continue to welcome Early Years Family Resource Centres (FRCs) into their communities. Three Early Years FRCs will be celebrating their official grand openings in June 2024.  

Today, the Regina Early Years FRC - Airport Location is holding its grand opening. The centre has been operating out of a temporary location since February 2024.  

The communities of Tisdale and Kindersley will be holding their Early Years FRC grand openings on June 17 and June 22, 2024, respectively.  

Since opening their doors, these three centres have already provided early years programming and parent support to over 600 families.  

Families with children up to age six can access a range of services including positive parenting programs, literacy opportunities and support for children's development. The centres are led by local management committees that represent a broad mix of government, community-based service providers and organizations who make decisions about specific programs and services based on localized needs.  

"We continue to improve access to early years programming and family support through the Early Years Family Resource Centres," Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "Parents who have accessed services at one of the many FRCs in the province have reported improved parenting skills and knowledge, improved child development and increased family engagement."

In 2024-25, annual funding for all Early Years FRCs in Saskatchewan will total $8 million. Funding is provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

"We all want the best for our kids," Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Sudds said. "These new Early Years Family Resource Centres will help provide parents with valuable tools and ensure our children get the best possible start in life. Fairness for every generation is all about making sure we support each other at every stage in life - and that starts with childhood."

To date, Saskatchewan families have access to 21 Early Years FRCs across the province with locations in the Battlefords, Estevan, Humboldt, Île-à-la-Crosse, Kindersley, La Ronge, Martensville-Warman, Meadow Lake, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Lloydminster, Prince Albert, two centres in Regina, Sandy Bay, two centres in Saskatoon, Swift Current, Tisdale, Weyburn and Yorkton.

Find an Early Years FRC near you by visiting: www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/family-and-social-support/community-programs-for-new-families-in-canada#family-resource-centres-in-canadaw.