Barb Seymour for School Board

11/13/2024

Election Day is tomorrow!

Please go out and vote for city council and public school boards!

I am humbly asking you for your support at the polls.

I am an experienced and strong voice for public education in our division.

Thank you!

Please go out and vote for Public Education.

A bit about me.
📚I was born and raised in Meadow Lake and attended schools in the city.
📚My 2 children attended the schools in Meadow Lake.
📚I served on the School Community Council as Chairperson at Gateway School.
📚I have 19+ years of experience on our local division school board (former Meadow Lake School Division and Northwest School Division after amalgamation)
📚I have served as Vice Chair.
📚I have served on the Policy and Governance committee.
📚I have been the SHSAA Board Rep for 10+ years and value extra-curricular activities for student engagement.
📚 I believe in our motto when making decisions at the board table
“Laying the Foundation for Success…. One Student at a Time”.

I humbly ask you for your support when you go to vote!

Please make sure you vote for Public Education when you vote for our new city council.
Your vote Matters!

11/07/2024

Please go out and vote for Public Education.

A bit about me.
📚I was born and raised in Meadow Lake and attended schools in the city.
📚My 2 children attended the schools in Meadow Lake.
📚I served on the School Community Council as Chairperson at Gateway School.
📚I have 19+ years of experience on our local division school board (former Meadow Lake School Division and Northwest School Division after amalgamation)
📚I have served as Vice Chair.
📚I have served on the Policy and Governance committee.
📚I have been the SHSAA Board Rep for 10+ years and value extra-curricular activities for student engagement.
📚 I believe in our motto when making decisions at the board table
“Laying the Foundation for Success…. One Student at a Time”.

I humbly ask you for your support when you go to vote!

Please make sure you vote for Public Education when you vote for our new city council.
Your vote Matters!

10/31/2024

Exercise your right to vote for Public Education!

Wednesday, November 13 is the official Election Day for all municipal and school elections.
For complete election details, please visit the Election page - https://www.nwsd.ca/elections

10/27/2024

📣 Edsby in Northwest School Division Schools 📚

This digital platform helps keep everyone connected, informed, and organized.

What Edsby Offers:

📚Parent-Teacher Communication: Stay in touch with teachers to support your child’s learning journey.
📚Assignments & Grades: Track assignments, see grades, and stay up-to-date on progress.
📚School News & Events: Get instant updates on important school events, closures, and announcements.
📚Attendance Tracking: Easily report absences and monitor attendance records.
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This is an amazing app that allows parents and caregivers an up to date snapshot of how their student is doing in all classes that teachers are using it.

This is something that I would have loved to have when my kids were in school to ensure assignments were being completed and to have no “surprises” when those first report cards came home.

A tool that supports communication between school and home, as well as ensuring school events and performances are shared so they are not missed.

🏆 Our rollout team did an excellent job of helping staff and parents/caregivers get set up and had training days to ensure all of the features are used and understood.
It is evolving and we hope that someday it will replace the stress on our staff of preparing marks and comments for all students they teach in all class offerings.

One thing the NWSD board is proud of in enhancing key communication and information sharing of our students with their homes 🏡.

One more way to ensure key initiatives from our strategic planning on communication between home and schools is met.

10/23/2024

Early Learning at Northwest School Division: Building Strong Foundations for Lifelong Success

At the Northwest School Division (NWSD), we believe that early childhood education is critical to fostering a love for learning and building a strong foundation for future academic success. Our early learning programs focus on nurturing children’s natural curiosity, creativity, and social skills, setting them up for success in school and beyond.

🐸Play-Based Learning
Our early learning programs are rooted in play-based learning, where children explore, experiment, and discover in a safe and engaging environment. Through play, children develop essential skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Play-based learning encourages creativity and allows children to take charge of their learning in a way that feels natural and exciting to them.

🐸Holistic Development
We recognize that every child is unique, and our programs are designed to support the whole child. This means fostering not only academic skills like early literacy and numeracy but also promoting emotional, social, and physical development. Our educators work closely with families and community partners to create an inclusive environment where every child feels supported and valued.

🐸Inclusive Learning Environments
NWSD is committed to providing inclusive early learning opportunities for all children. Our classrooms are designed to accommodate diverse learning needs and styles, ensuring that every child can participate fully in activities and feel a sense of belonging. We work closely with support staff and specialists to offer personalized learning experiences and interventions where needed.

🐸Collaboration with Families
We believe that parents and guardians are a child’s first and most important teachers. That’s why NWSD places a strong emphasis on collaboration between families and educators. We encourage open communication, regular updates, and family involvement in classroom activities, creating a strong home-school connection that supports each child’s learning journey.

🐸Preparing for Kindergarten and Beyond
Our early learning programs aim to ensure that children are ready for the transition to Kindergarten and future grades. By focusing on the development of language, social skills, and emotional regulation, we help children build the confidence and resilience they need to thrive in school. Our programs lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and success.

We invite families to explore the early learning opportunities available at NWSD. Our educators are passionate about creating a nurturing spaces where students can learn, grow and explore.

Some of the nicest classrooms in our division are the PreK rooms. Jubilee School and Lakeview School in the city of Meadow Lake have beautiful PreK rooms that our students love to learn in.
The spaces are decorated to suit small learners and are equipped with many interesting ways for them to learn and explore. A variety of play based centres keep the students busy while they learn.

If you get a chance to visits the schools, make sure a PreK room is on your list.

10/21/2024

One program in place to promote healthy lifestyles and mental health awareness among our division.

The Northwest School Division’s Live Well program has been a significant success in promoting wellness among students, staff, and the broader school community. Focused on fostering physical, emotional, and mental well-being, this initiative has seen positive engagement and impactful outcomes.

Through a variety of activities and resources, Live Well encourages participants to adopt healthier lifestyles. The program includes wellness challenges, mindfulness practices, and physical activities, all designed to enhance overall well-being. Schools have embraced this initiative, integrating wellness themes into daily routines and school events. Notably, the focus on mental health support and community-building activities has helped reduce stress and promote a positive environment across the division.

Furthermore, the Live Well program’s emphasis on balance—encouraging participants to care for both their mental and physical health—has been a key factor in its success. Staff members have reported feeling more supported, and students are better equipped to manage stress and stay active, contributing to improved academic performance and overall morale.

The initiative’s success is also attributed to the collaborative approach, with teachers, administrators, and the community all playing vital roles in its implementation. Through continuous feedback and adaptation, Live Well remains a dynamic and responsive program that is positively shaping the culture of wellness in the Northwest School Division.

Our communications officer plays a vital role in administering this program for us and keeping the entire division motivated and up to date on the monthly challenges!
Healthy competition amongst our schools has been fun and interesting to watch. 🏆

10/19/2024

📚 Addressing Current Education Issues in the Northwest School Division

As part of the Northwest School Division, we are committed to providing a high-quality, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for every student. However, like many school divisions across Saskatchewan and beyond, we are facing several important challenges that need to be addressed to ensure our students continue to thrive.

1. Funding and Resources: With increasing demands on classrooms and limited provincial funding, schools are struggling to meet the needs of students and staff. We advocate for more equitable funding to ensure every child has access to the resources, technology, and support they need.

2. Mental Health and Well-being: The mental health of students and staff is a growing concern. The aftermath of the pandemic has brought mental health to the forefront, with increased anxiety, stress, and burnout among students and teachers. We are pushing for better mental health support systems, including additional counsellors and wellness programs. We hire our own counsellors and we have just celebrated one of our provisional psychologists becoming registered. We also hire Wellness Coordinators in all of our schools to assist students with daily health and well-being concerns, and to bridge the home to school.

3. Teacher Shortages: The province is facing an ongoing shortage of teachers, particularly in rural and northern communities like ours. This affects classroom sizes and the overall learning experience for students. We are working on strategies to attract and retain qualified educators in our region.

4. Inclusive Education: Ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or abilities, receive a quality education is a priority. We continue to advocate for better resources and training for staff to support diverse learners, including those with special needs, to foster an inclusive environment for all.

5. Technology and Remote Learning: With the rapid growth of digital learning, there are concerns about equitable access to technology, particularly in rural areas. Bridging the digital divide is essential to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to benefit from online resources and remote learning when necessary. Our budget reflects the priority we place in this area and our technology team is one of the BEST in the province!!

If elected to the board, I will continue to work towards addressing these issues and creating a brighter future for the students of the Northwest School Division.

November 13 is Election Day. Please ensure you vote for Education in the province and especially in our Division! 🗳️

10/18/2024

Let’s talk money! 💰

Budget Planning for Northwest School Division 203: Ensuring Financial Sustainability and Excellence in Education

Northwest School Division 203 is focused on creating a transparent, responsible, and well-structured budget that aligns with our mission to provide quality education for all students. Budget planning is crucial to ensuring that our resources are effectively utilized to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community.

Key Areas of Focus for Our Budget:

💰Student Success: Prioritizing funding for student programs, special education, and extracurricular activities to ensure a holistic and inclusive learning environment.
💰Staff Development: Allocating resources for professional development opportunities for our teachers and support staff, ensuring they have the tools and training necessary to enhance classroom instruction.
💰Facility Maintenance & Upgrades: Addressing the ongoing needs of our schools by maintaining safe, up-to-date facilities that foster a conducive learning environment.
💰Technology Integration: Investing in modern technology to enhance digital learning opportunities and prepare our students for the future.
💰Community Involvement: Engaging with parents, teachers, and stakeholders in the budgeting process to ensure transparency and meet the community’s needs.

Note:

We do not always have a balanced budget, as there are many factors that go into determining a financial snapshot of the division at a moment in time. Some of the funds we receive by the Ministry are allocated to certain programs we offer, some are set aside to buy busses, some are set aside for preventative maintenance and capital spending.
We have a series of rigorous audits both by our accountants, as well as audits by Education Ministry and the Provincial Auditor to ensure we are following approved accounting practices and current rulings.

10/18/2024

The Northwest School Division is responsible for:

*Accountability to the Provincial Government

*Accountability to communities that it serves

*Continuous Improvement Plan and Reporting

*Policy

*Director/Board Relations

*Political Advocacy

*Board Development

*Fiscal Accountability

The Northwest School Division is committed to our mission and vision of:

Laying the foundation for success … One student at a time.

Success in Northwest School Division is achieved by a commitment to the following principles:

The pursuit of excellence based upon high expectations for all;
The principle of being student-centered;
Accountability toward each other as individuals, schools, communities and governing bodies;
A culture of mutual respect, trust and understanding;
The highest standards of integrity and honesty;
Inclusiveness as the celebration and acceptance of all people;
Collaborative and cooperative relationships with all stakeholders.

10/16/2024

Facts:
Northwest School Division has eleven(11) elected trustees to represent 4500 students in 22 schools in 15 communities.
The division has over 700 employees and include
Central Office staff, school administrators and staff, admin assistants, wellness coordinators, professional service providers, bus drivers, educational assistants, caretakers, maintenance staff and more.
Board meetings are held 10 months of the year in the Meadow Lake office.
We cover a large area in the North west area of Saskatchewan.

10/16/2024

Welcome to my page.
Elections for School Board Trustee are being held in conjunction with the municipal election November 13 at the Meadow Lake Civic Center or alternate polling stations.
I have been nominated to run in the City of Meadow Lake Division 9/10.
This is an information page to make voters aware of some items that come to the table to discuss as a board.
Please make sure to register to vote - and then go out and exercise your right to vote!