Laying the Foundation for Success ... One Student at a Time

<p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/ae00a4e5-4194-4318-b902-c30c86aec55e" alt="Poster Contest for Social Media" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">November 16-21 is MÉTIS WEEK and to celebrate, NWSD is hosting a Red River Jig &amp; Michif Language Competition.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All Northwest School Division (NWSD) students &amp; classes are invited to participate!</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The competition is open to all grade levels — </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Event Details</strong></b></h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The competition will be </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">held virtually</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">hosted on the NWSD social media pages.</strong></b></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All entries must be submitted as </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">videos (maximum 2 minutes long)</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Videos can be</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> submitted by email</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to </span><a href="mailto:danene.kopperud@nwsd.ca" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">danene.kopperud@nwsd.ca</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or sent via </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSD203" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook Messenger to Northwest School Division</strong></b></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Please include Student Name/Class, School, and Grade.</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Submission deadline: November 21, 2025.</strong></b></li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Categories</span></h3><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Classroom Red River Jig Category (3 changes):</strong></b></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-K to Grade 2</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 3–5</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 6–8</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">High School</span></li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Individual Red River Jig Category (3 changes):</strong></b></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-K to Grade 2</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 3–5</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 6–8</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">High School</span></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Classroom &nbsp;Michif Language:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Classrooms may enter the Northern or Southern Michif Language Contest by sharing a word, phrase, or song.</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-K to Grade 2</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 3–5</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 6–8</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">High School</span></li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Individual Michif Language:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Individuals may enter the Northern or Southern Michif Language Contest by sharing a word, phrase, or song.</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-K to Grade 2</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 3–5</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 6–8</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">High School</span></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Prizes</strong></b></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">1st Place</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> in each category will receive </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">$100</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to support:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Métis Education resources</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Land-based education</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Guest speakers</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Prizes will be awarded to both classroom and individual winners.</span></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Social Media Permissions:</strong></b></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – if you are submitting a video for your class, please ensure the students participating all have permission for their image to be shared on social media.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Individual Entries</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Parents submitting individual entries – by submitting a video to the NWSD Red River Jig &amp; Michif Language Competition you consent to have the video shared on the NWSD social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Resources</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn the Red River Jig</span></p><iframe data-lexical-video-id="YjRklt49Aqk" width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/YjRklt49Aqk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="true" title="Youtube video"></iframe><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><a href="/documents/2d6e0297-2af6-4c99-8c41-2dbd60061e04/Metis-Jigging-Dance-Steps.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Métis Jigging Dance Steps (PDF)</span></a></h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><br></h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn to speak Michif</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.metismuseum.ca/michif_tools.php" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture</span></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.louisrielinstitute.ca/metis-languages-learning-resources" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Métis Languages Learning Resources | Louis Riel Institute</span></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<!--xdl-rich--><p>Northwest School Division is committed to creating and maintaining school environments in which students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers and others feel safe. Schools cannot ignore any threat of violence.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What is a threat?</p> <p>• &nbsp; &nbsp;An expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;May be verbal, written, drawn, posted on the Internet, or made by gesture</p> <p>Duty to Report</p> <p>To keep school communities safe and caring, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers, students and community members must report all threat related behaviours to the school principal.</p> <p>What is the purpose of a Student Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO)?</p> <p>• &nbsp; &nbsp;To ensure and promote the emotional and physical safety of students, staff, parents, the student making the threat, and others<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;To ensure a full understanding of the context of the threat<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;To understand the factors that contribute to the individual of concern’s behaviour<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;To be proactive in developing an intervention plan that addresses the emotional and physical safety of the individual of concern<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;To promote the emotional and physical safety of all</p> <p>What behaviours warrant a Student Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) to be initiated?</p> <p>A student Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) will be initiated for behaviours including, but not limited to:</p> <p>Verbal/written threats to harm/kill others (‘clear, direct and plausible’)<br>Threats made via social media to harm, kill or cause serious property damage<br>Serious violence or violence with intent to harm and/or kill<br>Indicators of suicidal ideation as relates to fluidity (homicidal/suicidal)<br>Weapon possession (including replicas)<br>Bomb threats (or possession/detonation of devices)<br>Hate incidents motivated by factors including but not limited to: Race, Culture, Religion, and/or Sexual Orientation<br>Sexual intimidation, sextortion, extortion, or assault<br>Domestic, interpersonal, relational violence<br>Gang-related intimidation and violence<br>Fire setting (contextual)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What Parents/Caregivers and Students Need to Know</p> <p>• &nbsp; &nbsp;Any threat must be reported to the school principal<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;Investigation may involve the student services counsellor, the police, or other community agencies<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;Investigation may involve locker or personal property searches<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;Interviews will be held with the individual of concern and other students or adults who may have information about the threat<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;Parents/Caregivers of students who are directly involved will be notified<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;Threatening behaviour may result in disciplinary action<br>• &nbsp; &nbsp;An intervention plan may be developed for the student making the threat and a support plan developed for any individuals targeted by threats</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The information in this brochure reflects the thinking and work of J. Kevin Cameron,&nbsp;<br>Director of the Centre for Trauma Informed Practices.</p> <p>The complete Community Protocol may be found on Northwest School Division’s website at <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nwsd.ca/safeschools" target="_blank">Safe and Caring Schools - Northwest School Division</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Northwest School Division is creating an Accessibility Plan under the Accessible Saskatchewan Act (ASA). We want to hear from students, families, staff, community members, and anyone who uses or hopes to use our schools, services, or facilities.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Share your experiences and ideas to help us identify barriers and improve accessibility.</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Take the survey: </span><a href="https://forms.office.com/r/JxXkY4VWDs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">SURVEY LINK</strong></b></a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Open: </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">October 6–22</strong></b></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey is open to </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">everyone</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and takes only a few minutes to complete.</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for contributing to a more inclusive Northwest School Division.</span></p>