Prince Albert students take part in Applied Research Student Showcase for Sask Polytech

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Prince Albert students take part in Applied Research Student Showcase for Sask Polytech

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Applied Research Student Showcase featured 56 project videos focused on solving real-world problems. Some participants in the showcase were from the Prince Albert campus who are taking Geographic Information Science (GIS) certificates and Integrated Resource Management diplomas.

“It’s really to celebrate and show our students outside research projects. Oftentimes these are extra in addition to their programming and they collaborate with industry partners, community partners on projects and they provide a value to our partners in that. And as far as the students they experience that get, they get that hands on experience, they get to work with that industry partner but a lot of times this differentiates our students when they go for interviews when they get into the job market they see that they have done this extra research project,” Dr. Susan Blum, associate vice-president, Applied Research and Innovation for Sask Polytech explained.

“They deliver real world solutions to help all of us in our community,” she added.

The virtual showcase is a celebration of the applied research projects of Sask Polytech’s innovative and passionate students. Videos of the student projects were shared online for adjudication by judges, industry and community partner.

Some of the students participating have previously received a $1,000 scholarship to assist with their research. Other students presented capstone projects, a final assignment part of their academic program.

Students participating from the Prince Albert campus included Dan Richert and Jonah Sutter from GIS and the duo of Lauren Lukan and Tory Frankl from Integrated Resource Management.

“It’s right from nursing, health sciences, engineering, GIS, it’s quite broad and we have had a record number of students participating this year 56. I am really hoping it continues to grow so that we will have over 100 students involved in projects like this for people in our community,” Blum said.

The showcase continues to expand according to Blum.

“It’s been growing ever since it started so this was only I think our fourth year, so we had two in person and now we have had two virtual. So next year we will be in person hopefully.”

Richert’s project was mapping opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths in Saskatchewan. Using models from the United States, Richert created a spatial analysis based on relevant data regarding opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths in Saskatchewan. His analysis shares information that can help to better communicate the problems surrounding the opioid crisis in our province.

Sutter’s project was using GIS to help reduce response times to rural emergencies. For this project Sutter applied spatial analysis to the local fire and rescue services of Springside, Saskatchewan. His analysis shows changes that could be made to improve how jurisdictions are drawn and displays the power GIS could potentially provide to rural planners.

Frankl and Lukan’s project was growing Black Spruce seeds (picea mariana) in three biochar inoculations. Frankl and Lukan compared black spruce seedling growth in biochar/sand mixtures inoculated with compost-derived worm castings, manure, forest soils, peat and non-inoculated controls. Black spruce grown in manure-inoculated biochar displayed significant growth advantages over other soil amendments. These results are likely to contribute to the future success of oil sands reclamation on disturbed forested sites.

In a release from Sask Polytech Blum explained that participating in applied research gives students hands-on experience to transition into their chosen careers.

Some of the students participating have previously received a $1,000 scholarship to assist with their research. Other students presented capstone projects, a final assignment part of their academic program.

“Some students they get a $1,000 scholarship to work on the project. And some of the students have they are called Capstone projects as part of their program they have to do one. So those students can participate in the showcase also,” Blum explained.

The 2021 Applied Research Student Showcase was held virtually for the second year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sask Polytech received almost 200 votes in the Industry/People’s Choice category.

The judging took place across all categories with experts in the field.

“We had panels of judges, so we had two panels one for the technology projects and one for our social and health projects. And then we also had an industry people’s choice award so that’s anybody in the public can vote for that one,” Blum said.

“Applied research is where ideas meet reality, delivering practical solutions to everyday challenges,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO in a release.

“Applied research assesses a need, proves a concept, and tests new products to refine them for market. Congratulations to all of the students in this year’s virtual showcase on a job well done. You truly are the innovators of tomorrow.”

Vaccine delivery in schools to begin in June

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Vaccine delivery in schools to begin in June

On Tuesday the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced it would begin delivering COVID-19 vaccines in elementary and high schools in early June. Health Minister Paul Merriman made the announcement during the province’s press conference on COVID-19 on Tuesday.

“The SHA will be setting up clinics in every school in Saskatchewan to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine, students and parents will be notified in advance when the vaccine clinic is coming to your school,” Merriman said.

“I should note that you don’t have to wait for the vaccine clinics to come to your school.”

SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said that bringing protection to children and teenagers was a huge step forward for the province.

“Offering vaccines to students at age 12 and older is consistent with the national guidance and is safe and approved by Health Canada,” Livingstone said.

“Just like our campaign has been all along we are prioritizing safety and efficiency, looking to immunize all eligible kids over a three week period of time and all to be over by the time school lets out for the summer,” he added.

Delivery dates are currently being finalized with local education officials. Once dates are confirmed, they will be communicated directly to parents through individual schools. Derek Miller the SHA executive director of infrastructure management explained that the province is working with representatives from schools and the province’s 27 school divisions to arrange logistics.

“We are working again with the local schools to make sure those align as much as possible with school schedules and other commitments like graduations, exams and any alternate learning schedules that might be in place around the province,”

Communication will be through school communications channels according to Miller.

“All of the clinics will be ran in the same safe manner consistent with public health orders and screening protocols and personal protective equipment that parents would have seen as they went through the vaccination clinics,” Miller said.

There will be more than 90,000 vaccines in total for individuals 12 years of age and older. Students aged 12 to 17 are only approved to receive Pfizer vaccine at this time and plans will vary by city or town and go all the way down to school level. It will be conducted over three weeks starting at the start of June. The clinics will be operating in schools Monday to Friday during the regular school week.
“During this time we will be shifting the SHA part of the campaign to focus more on operating our other services like drive thrus and walk ins to Fridays through Sundays, so really focusing on the weekends for those other delivery methods. We won’t be providing booked appointments during this time,” Miller explained during his presentation.

Booked appointments will continue to be available through participating pharmacies.

Written consent will be required for all ages 12 to 17 primarily for tracking purposes. This is in case children receive one dose at school and another dose through another delivery method. The single consent is for both doses.

In every scenario, parents are encouraged to play an active role in reviewing information packages provided and to discuss the importance of vaccination with them.

“The key component of this school strategy is the role parents or primary caregivers will play such an important role in this stage of immunization. Many of you have had yourself receive vaccines and we encourage you to talk to your children to address any questions or fears they may have in advance of their immunizations. Celebrate with your kids when they say yes to COVID immunization and choose to protect themselves, their family and our province in joining the hundreds of thousands of other Saskatchewan residents who have already rolled up their sleeves,” Livingstone said.

As of May 20 children 12 and over are eligible to receive vaccines and are not required to wait for school clinics to begin operating. Other options administering Pfizer vaccine include participating pharmacies, drive thru and walk in and booking online for an SHA appointment or calling 1-833-SASKVAX (727-5829).

This is the last group currently approved for immunization and the province hopes it will be expanding to younger populations in the fall, as vaccines are nationally approved for their use.

Students must wait a minimum of 21 days after receiving their first dose before receiving a second dose, based on manufacturer specifications.

Second doses are expected to be provided in July and August after second doses are completed in older populations.

Second dose vaccine schedule released Tuesday

Also on Tuesday the province released the schedule for second doses. Second doses have begun for those 85 and older who received their first dose before Feb. 15.

“As you can see because of the increase of supplied vaccines we will be able to move quickly through the eligibility for second dose, much faster than the first. In fact, by the end of July virtually everyone should have had a chance to get their second dose. Think about that for a second by the end of July Saskatchewan could be fully vaccinated. It’s up to you, it’s up to the Saskatchewan people doing their part in getting your shot,” Merriman said.

Descending ages open based on date of first dose beginning June 28 and continue until July 28. Tentatively:

  • Second dose eligibility is tentatively set to open to residents aged 80 plus on May 24, so long as they received their first dose by March 15.
  • For residents 70 plus, they are expected to be able to receive a second dose starting May31, so long as they received a first dose by March 15.
  • Residents aged 65 and older can get second doses starting June 7, as long as they received their first dose by March 22
  • People 55 or older who got their first dose by April 7 are set to start getting second doses by June 14
  • Those over the age of 45 can get their second shot by June 21 so long as they got their first shot by April 15.

Individuals diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and those who have received solid organ transplants will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail that will allow them priority access to a second dose.

For all other residents, eligibility to book for second doses is based on age or date of first dose.  Residents who meet at least one of these criteria will be eligible for their second dose. 

For all other residents, eligibility to book for second doses will be announced according to the age-based and priority sequencing of first doses. The following table is a tentative guideline; timelines may change due to vaccine availability. Astra Zeneca is not included as the province awaits advice on the use of Astra Zeneca for timing of second doses.

Second dose vaccinations will be available at participating pharmacies across the province, through the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) drive-thru and walk-in clinics as well as through clinics operated by Indigenous Services Canada and the Northern Inter-tribal Health Authority (NITHA). 

Second dose vaccinations can be booked online or by calling 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829).   Be ready by knowing the date you received your first vaccine.  If you do not know the date or have misplaced the wallet card provided at the time of your first dose, they can provide you with that date, or check your Immunization History on your MySaskHealthRecord account.

PAGC receives donation of 281,000 eggs from producers group

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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PAGC receives donation of 281,000 eggs from producers group

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) will have some healthy food options available to their 12 communities after receiving a donation of 23,400 dozen (281,000) eggs from the Saskatchewan Egg Producers (SEP) on Thursday.

“Our local farmers here in the province love giving back and it’s an important value that we have. We know that having quality nutritious food is important and all people throughout Saskatchewan,” said SEP executive director Cam Broten.

“That is what we do all of the time. We know that there are needs especially during this time of COVID.”

The donation was made at Caribou Transport where the eggs, which were packed by Star Egg, known as the official grader of eggs, were being shipped to communities.

“I want to acknowledge Saskatchewan Egg Producers and everybody that’s involved for providing this donation from raising those chickens, boxing them up and packaging whatever. Everything that’s involved we do acknowledge the work and commitment and the willingness and the kindness shown by the Saskatchewan Egg Producers. We are very thankful for the donation,” PAGC Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie said.

Tsannie explained that food security is an issue for the far north communities because of the cost of transportation and delivery. Food, such as eggs, will help to ease the problem of children going to school hungry.

“If we want a quality education and we want our children to learn quality we need to feed them properly. With the declining of caribou that we have to travel 16 hours up into the Arctic to get our traditional food, food is really scarce right now,” Tsannie said.

It is also beneficial to receive the donation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tsannie said, which prevents travel from the north.

“This is perfect timing and we are again so thankful for the donation especially on behalf of our communities, our 12 First Nations within the tribal council. We welcome any donation to help alleviate some of the stresses within our families and this kind of donation does really help and it will go a long way,” Tsannie said.

Eggs are difficult to get in some northern communities as are fruits, vegetables and milk. Tsannie said communities that will benefit from the donation include James Smith, Wahpeton, Shoal Lake, Red Earth, Sturgeon Lake, La Ronge and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation among others.

“We do have 46,000 First Nations members within our First Nations so every little support and donation does help a lot of the young people in our communities,” Tsannie said.

According to Broten, they have made similar donations to Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and to food banks around the province.

Broten explained that, along with Star Egg, Second Harvest served as a matchmaker for SEP and the PAGC and he encouraged other agricultural groups to consider similar donations.

“Eggs are a versatile protein, they are good in all types of foods, you can hard boil them and send them with a kid on the way to school,” Broten said.

“It was a donation that made sense to us for the PAGC.”

Vaccine policy at various levels discussed by Sask. Rivers board

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Vaccine policy at various levels discussed by Sask. Rivers board

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division board of education discussed the upcoming provincial plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for eligible students at school.

The discussion arose from Trustee Grant Gustafson’s policy committee update during Monday’s regular board meeting.

Director of Education Robert Bratvold said plans are being made by the ministries and health and education, but specifics aren’t yet available. The province has indicated during its twice-weekly COVID-19 press conferences that it plans to rollout the vaccines to eligible students before the end of the school year. Students aged 12-18 can receive the Pfizer vaccine.

“As soon as we (get details) we also have some plans to let our communities know, so I think that is something that is going to be coming,” Bratvold said.

“Those would just be voluntary they are not forced vaccines or anything,” Bratvold said.

There are already public health vaccine clinics in schools for things like the flu. The province has touted the high uptake from those clinics and said it expects the in-school COVID vaccine clinics to have similar success.

“This is a much larger and more intensive effort so it will take a little more careful planning and I think we won’t know the details around that for another week or two,” Bratvold explained.

Gustafson asked that the board direct Bratvold to ensure vaccine expectations are communicated to staff and students, and that policies for staff and student well-being, including vaccinations, be included in the division’s policy committee’s plans.

Bratvold said that would mean the development of administrative procedures to make sure the division follows through with its occupational health and safety requirements to keep staff and students safe.

“That guidance would (consist of) information and encouragement. There won’t be any sort of mandated vaccines,” he said.

“That is not something that was indicated as preferable, so not something that we will move towards either.”

Bratvold disagreed that a policy was needed. He said statements and administrative procedures should be enough.

“The message provincially was to be careful. The conversation didn’t seem to lean towards mandating or requiring vaccines,” he said.

The province is encouraging school divisions to set out administrative procedures regarding vaccine guidance under its occupational health and safety obligations. Employers have to provide a safe working environment under those obligations.

The board has directed its trustees and student trustees to put forward any policy suggestions by May 21.

COVID-19 numbers in Saskatchewan Rivers discussed by board

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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COVID-19 numbers in Saskatchewan Rivers discussed by board

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division board of education received an update on COVID-19 cases in its schools during Monday’s meeting.

Director of education Robert Bratvold told the division that as of May 5, there had been 85 cases in 20 different schools. Thirteen schools had not reported a single case of COVID-19 as of May 5.

“Of the schools that have had a case, 16 of them have had three or less all year long,” Bratvold said.

“It speaks to the work that the health team has done and the work that our schools and families are doing to keep kids safe,” Bratvold said.

There are 13 schools in the division that have not had a case of COVID-19 as of May 5.

The report also stated that local Medical Health Officer Dr. Khami Chkcani remains concerned about the increase in variants of concern (VOC) but there has not been a rapid rise in cases as Regina has experienced. According to the report, VOCs make up 40 per cent of all positive cases outside of correctional facilities which is a slight increase over the previous week.

He also explained in his update that the division has worked with Kids First and the Ministry of Education and there has been the addition of an Early Years Coach funded by Kids First to ensure smooth transition into pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.

“ I have talked about it before but it’s a fantastic program that provides support and guidance, provides funding to really help schools move towards that positive relationship and a joyful learning kind of experience,” he said.

During the closed session of the meeting, superintendent Neil Finch presented an enrolment trends and projections update for Sept. 2021. Recent trends indicate that families who disconnected from the division due to COVID-19 are returning to school.

“The enrolment report that Neil brought was reassuring in a lot of positive ways. Our elementary schools are seeing significant steady growing enrolment and I think that just sends a message that our parents are seeing — despite the challenges — that schools still are great safe places to be. So we have got lots of kids coming back to school and that’s a positive,” Bratvold said.

Enrolment numbers play a role in the amount of funding school divisions receive from the province.

It is also really reassuring to know that families are seeing the support and the connections that they can have with their schools,” Bratvold said.

“Building that relationship with families and sustaining it is really nice to see and seeing the value of our schools.”

SRSC group completes professional development workshop

During the Saskatchewan Rivers Students for Change (SRSC) update trustee Emily Zbaraschuk explained that the group had met and completed professional development facilitated by Kim Bader.

“We finished off by giving presentations that we had been working on for the last two meetings and we were given a chance to practice them and make them better so that we had quite polished presentations by the end of it. We all really enjoyed what we learned and enjoyed getting to learn about various topics like student leadership and to see what our fellow students had researched and spent some time learning about,” Zbaraschuk said.

SRSC was also offered a chance to present these at the school board’s meeting on June 7. Zbaraschuk was also an active participant in a notice of motion presented by trustee Jaimie Smith-Windsor.

“It’s a great thing that students are connected, she offered some good insights in the conversation around the notice of motion and also relative to things that are happening in their schools and that was a really good thing,” Bratvold said.

During her update on activities in schools, Zbaraschuk mentioned that schools are planning for graduation, Birch Hills School completed a Co-op card fundraiser and Shellbrook students at W.P Sandin School did an environmental cleanup for Earth Day.

“We are just headed into the last two months and we are excited for summer,” Zbaraschuk said.

Student trustee Kelly Lam was not able to attend Monday’s meeting.

Pride Month recognition motion tabled by Sask. Rivers board

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Pride Month recognition motion tabled by Sask. Rivers board

A possible recognition of Pride Month in the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division has been tabled after the board of education’s regular meeting on Monday. The notice of motion by trustee Jaimie Smith-Windsor was tabled in a five to four vote in order to have further consultations.

Smith-Windsor’s recommendation in her notice of motion was that the board invite students and staff submissions for the design of the SRPSD logo in recognition and celebration of Pride, June 2021 and annually thereafter.

“I think that it’s important to recognize that our schools celebrate gender and sexual diversity and cultivate belonging and ally-ship in many different ways but the board has an opportunity also to promote safe and inclusive schools,” Smith-Windsor said in her opening.

The notice of motion was introduced at the board’s meeting on April 12. Because the motion was tabled it will be discussed at a future date when it is reintroduced to the board, that date has not been determined.

The intent of the motion according to Smith-Windsor was to affirm the commitment of the board to LBTQ plus students and staff and the core values of the division in the foundational statements. She also provided policy manual references which recognize gender and sexual diversity as well as the Ministry of Education’s policy framework on deepening discussion of gender and sexual diversity.

“I think it’s important we look at this in a virtual format this year and it would be a good ongoing practice for this school division as well. I think it’s important that all students and staff see themselves represented in and through our policies but also in this way through our logo as well,” she said.

Vice chair Darlene Rowden made the tabling motion because there was no input from students on the motion and it did not come from a student group.

“This was a discussion one time using our school division logo in pride celebrations at other ways and the board moved against it at that time. So maybe we all have different opinions and I think we need time to discuss and get the kids opinions on what should be done,” she said.

Smith-Windsor said it was pretty common practice throughout the province that there is a school division logo with the Pride design overlaid or integrated into the logo and can be used by schools or divisions to create things like shirts that staff and teachers use to celebrate pride in June and all year round.

Saskatchewan Rivers Students for Change (SRSC) trustee Emily Zbaraschuk said that the motion was briefly discussed at the last SRSC meeting but came up too late to be discussed at length. She added that there was some interest expressed.

Board chair Barry Hollick wanted to have it discussed again and to see a vote from the SRSC. According to Zbaraschuk they are not having another meeting but having an executive meeting later in May where it will be discussed and any action would have to take place next school year.

Rowden explained that when the motion was coming from a trustee rather than a student or staff group and this gave her pause

“There is no Pride parade this year because of the pandemic so maybe we just slow this down so we can all get our heads wrapped around what is wanted. I’m not sitting here saying no I’m siting here saying can we discuss this further than what we have got today,” Rowden said.

Smith-Windsor explained that the point of bringing the notice forward in April was an opportunity for trustees to engage with their communities ahead of the vote at this meeting and be able to form an opinion.

“With all due respect I think the board actually moved very quickly to snuff this out the last time it came up to the board level. And now you are saying you need more time to deal with this request and that’s a little disingenuous in my view. I would also point out that there is a point of order to use a tabling motion to shutdown debate if there is something that has come up or is unexpected, different than the original motion,” Smith-Windsor said.

Trustee Grant Gustafson also spoke in favour of the motion and saw it as done on behalf of the groups.

“This motion represents an accommodation, a valuation of a very marginalized group not just in our school division but in our community and they have made an approach before to get this kind of thing done and we turned this down,” he said.

Trustee Arne Lindberg did not like the accusation by Smith-Windsor and disagreed that it was a stalling motion but was an information motion to get feedback from students. Trustee Bill Yeaman voted for the tabling motion because he thought more time was needed to look at the motion. In discussion, trustee Alan Nunn wanted to see overall thoughts from students and to hear some different voices.

“I personally think that this is something I would agree with however if you need to hear more from students I am willing to consult with the students,” Zbaraschuk said.

Sask. Rivers board approves three year maintenance plan

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Sask. Rivers board approves three year maintenance plan

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division knows what the future holds for some maintenance and upkeep in the division. At their regular meeting on Monday the board of education

approved their three year Preventative Maintenance and Renewal (PMR) plan and budget.

The three years approved in the plan cover from 2022 to 2025. There were also some amendments to the current year’s plan passed by the board. The presentation to the board was by superintendent of facilities Mike Hurd.

“That is some good planning in terms of preventative maintenance. One of the things that is really nice about that and we emphasize it because we have been doing it for years, this is a good way for the Ministry (of Education) to fund these things and it’s got a great team under Mike’s leadership that makes sure we have got really effective maintenance plans,” director of education Robert Bratvold said.

There were a number of questions around the aging buildings in the division by trustees after his presentation.

“We have aging buildings and that is part of the challenge. Mike’s team has done a great job of keeping them current and up to date that they don’t qualify for major capital funding but they take significant dollars investment to maintain them,” Bratvold explained.

He gave the example of windows, roofs and floors as items requiring investment.

“They are well maintained but they still take some investment to keep them that way,” he added.

The board also passed amendments to the 2020-2021 PMR, projects included sanding and refinishing the gym floors at both Riverside and St. Louis School, replacement of windows at Wild Rose Public School, two projects at Carlton including a washroom upgrade and replacement of condensate receiver and pump ad remediating mould in tunnels at Kinistino School.

Projects approved for 2021-2022 include upgrading to high efficiency boilers at Big River Public High School and a replacement of aluminum sliders with commercial grade double glaze windows at Prince Albert Collegiate Institute (PACI).

Looking ahead, projects approved in 2022-2023 include window replacement at St. Louis School, a roofing replacement project at Carlton Comprehensive Collegiate and a gym floor replacement at PACI.

The 2023-2024 list includes a replacement of windows at St. Louis Public School, replacement of existing hardwood floor in the gym at PACI, replacement of roofs on the two gyms at Carlton and replacements of windows at King George Public School.

The deadline for submitting Preventative Maintenance and Renewal (PMR) plans is May 31, because of the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 deadline was set at June 30.

Mental health wellness texting service SaskWell offers new supports

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Mental health wellness texting service SaskWell offers new supports

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have partnered with a text-based service developer MEMOTEXT, to create a two-way wellness texting service called SaskWell.

SaskWell was developed to connect residents of Saskatchewan with information, supports and digital tools to support their mental health and wellbeing. The resources can be used to help with the challenges to mental health and wellness brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It really is a service built by Saskatchewan people and nurses for Saskatchewan people. We have gotten some really good feedback and people really like it. We just finished our first pilot 10 weeks and we have got two more 10 week cycles to go and one is just starting up this week, so it’s a perfect time to join and to be SaskWell,” project lead Dr. Tracie Risling explained.

Risling said the project has received funding for COVID-19 based research from the Canadian Institute for Health Research. It was also awarded funding based on mental health aspects. The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation has also provided funding.

“We were lucky to receive this funding,” Risling said. “We set out to think about how we could create connection and understanding for people to know about the tools that are out there (and) to kind of help us out with our mental health and wellness. Because there are a lot of tools out there and maybe people just aren’t aware of these.”

The program runs over 10 weeks and people can text to join. It uses demographics to pair people with the proper mental health resources, since MEMOTEXT has the ability to partner needs with texting information based on responses.

“When we sign people up we ask them about what kind of data or WiFi access that you have and that helps us to target the resources more appropriately so everyone’s not getting the same thing,” she said. “I think that is really the cool thing. We have been doing some ongoing polling so people can share information with us through this via text. As the program goes on, it helps us to target information and provides better support.”

The SaskWell service is meant to bridge access divides and increase awareness of digital mental and wellness resources. Those who are interested in joining can text “JOIN” to 759355 or they can use the link mtxt.io/besaskwell to sign-up for the text-based service.

Once registered, participants will receive 10-weeks of resources and supports. This will include a week one match to a digital mental health tool and then frequent wellness prompts and tips. Polling questions allow participants to provide feedback on their pandemic experience to the research team, so that additional supports or information can be provided.

The survey and polling questions find where people are on a continuum from essentially flourishing to languishing.

“It’s just about having someone send you a couple of texts a week. Some of our wellness stuff is really simple, so it’s about taking a bit of time and maybe doing something creative, (like) getting outside (and) those kinds of things. It is just a reminder that we are here, that we are thinking about each other in Saskatchewan, and that we want to support each other through the challenges that continue with the pandemic,” Risling said.


She said the service was useful for people in rural remotes locations and uses texting to create a connection to other digital tools and resources.

“When you work in digital health, we think about the connectivity across the province and really the country. We are really trying to be a lot more aware of finding a point of connection for everyone. That’s a big part of what SaskWell is about,” Risling said.

This texting service is led by nursing researchers in partnership with patient and community advisors.

Westview School awarded Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge grant

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Westview School awarded Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge grant

Westview Community School in Prince Albert been selected as one of  10 Saskatchewan schools that will each receive a $10,000 grant to support student nutrition after being selected to win this year’s Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge

According to Principal Cheryl Arcand, the school applied to enhance some of the programming that is already in place including being a Breakfast Club of Canada school.

“We are so fortunate that we are able to serve breakfast for our students every day and that helps them to get their day started in a great way and then this additional grant dollars will just enhance what we currently have and so much. It will be an amazing opportunity, it’s exciting actually,” Arcand said.

“It just builds on all of the good things that are happening here at the school,” she added.

The grant funding will centre around a reconciliation project and will allow them to develop hydroponic and compost programs and purchase a new dishwasher, cooler and freezer.

“It will just enhance what we have. The school was built in 2000 and so we will be looking at purchasing and updating some stoves, two stoves and adding an additional refrigerator, cooler and microwave to our kitchen and then new will be the composting system,” Arcand explained.

According to Arcand, kitchen staff already does baking and the composting will help enhance the garden boxes that are already in the school. Other things that they are looking into include growing towers in classrooms.

“ So then to be able to see firsthand just growing, planting, harvesting that growth of lettuce or strawberries we will be planting in those grow towers so that they can reap the rewards of it too. So they can share in some healthy food together and of course you hope that they will take all of that learning and that passion for growing your own healthy food and then try that at home too,” Arcand said.

As the project is planned into next year, they are also trying to incorporate traditional medicines in the school community with the help of a teacher who is a carpenter.

“We are just trying to wrap our minds around that what that will look like. We have four garden boxes in our Pre-K Kindergarten outdoor learning space so we are going to add to that as well with traditional medicines and wave garden boxes too to do that,” Arcand said.

The entire concept is also based around Truth and Reconciliation at the school.

“That’s helping us on our Truth and Reconciliation journey that we have in the school. It’s something that I know our staff and students will benefit from,” she said.

“You have to have a name for your project and that will ground it and give it that focus and our school is known as Westview Community School and then underneath that it is Kistahpinanik which is the meeting place. Then we added an additional layer to that so we called our Mosaic Nutrition Challenge we called it Pe micisok Kistapinahnihk which translates to You all come to eat at the meeting place,” she explained.

The grants will support winning projects that have goals including supporting reconciliation projects, enhancing kitchen and garden facilities, increasing educational opportunities for students and families and expanding nutrition programs. Schools from across the province submitted their projects to compete for the total of $100,000 in prizes, provided by Mosaic.

“We can’t wait to see what this year’s winning schools create with their funding for the next school year,” Sarah Fedorchuk, The Mosaic Company’s Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, North America said in a release.

“From gardens to cooking classes to breakfast programs, these 10 schools are providing healthier school environments that are sure to have a lasting impact on students and their schools, building on the program’s legacy that’s helped deliver better access to nutritious food in 70 Saskatchewan schools.”

Other schools receiving grants this year are part of Christ the Teacher, Good Spirit, Northern Lights, Prairie South, Regina Public, Saskatoon Public and South East Cornerstone school divisions.

To encourage grassroots initiatives to help improve student nutrition, this program, formerly known as the Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge, began in 2006.

“The 27 school boards in Saskatchewan are so grateful for Mosaic’s ongoing generosity and continued commitment to this program,” Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA said in a release.

“We are so excited to see innovative ideas continue to come forward in this, the 15th year.”

Arcand said that the plans are tied to curriculum outcomes in the province and the school wants to thank all of the community partners associated with the Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge for this grant opportunity.

“We have all of the partners that make that our school. Our students are very appreciative it is just a wonderful surprise for sure,” Arcand said.

May 9 to 15 is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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May 9 to 15 is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week

This week (May 9 to 15) is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, and the province recognizes it as a time to highlight invasive species and the important role the public can play to protect our province’s waterbodies from this significant threat.

“We have only to look to neighbouring provinces and states to see the devastating impact that aquatic invasive species can have, ecologically and economically,” Environment Minister Warren Kaeding said in a release.

“This week is intended to highlight the threat our province faces when it comes to aquatic invasive species but, more importantly, it also creates awareness that we can support the health of our water and fishery resources by taking preventative measures. These measures can be as simple as removing the plug when transporting your watercraft.”

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are plants, animals and invertebrates that enter ecosystems where they don’t occur naturally. These species disrupt the ecosystem, and can damage aquatic habitat, fisheries, valuable recreational resources and important power generation and water infrastructure.  Once established in a waterbody, AIS can be impossible to eliminate, and cost millions of dollars each year to manage. Examples include zebra mussels, Prussian carp, flowering rush and the spiny waterflea.

Saskatchewan’s AIS program continues its focus on public education, including promotion of the Clean, Drain, Dry Program for watercraft, as well as roadside inspections, decontaminations and regular monitoring of the province’s waterbodies. Prevention of zebra and quagga mussels remains a top priority for the province. The program has proved successful so far, with no invasive mussels found in Saskatchewan waterbodies to date.

The ministry has eight mobile watercraft decontamination units that support its AIS inspection and decontamination program. Two units will be set up along the Manitoba border, three along the U.S. border, and the rest throughout the province. Watercraft inspection stations in Estevan, Regina, Swift Current, Moosomin and Churchbridge are set to open next week, as well as mobile inspection stations at strategic locations. The U.S. border remains closed to non-essential travel.

“Saskatchewan continues to partner with federal agencies, as well as provincial organizations and provincial governments, to co-ordinate prevention efforts across Western Canada,” Kaeding said.

“The importance of these relationships was highlighted earlier this year, when a serious threat posed by imported aquarium moss balls contaminated with zebra mussels was identified and stopped. Quick and co-ordinated action averted potential disaster for Saskatchewan’s aquatic ecosystems.”

The ministry also works with the provincial AIS Task Force and the Invasive Species Centre for public education and monitoring, with a focus on the prevention, introduction and spread of AIS in Saskatchewan.

More information about aquatic invasive species can be found at saskatchewan.ca/invasive-species.

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