Driver education registrations open up on September 2 and will be open until the last session starts. 

To register, Go to your school webpage, Student tab, Driver Education tab.  Be sure to read the NESD Driver Education Handbook and review the session options.   Students will need their NESD email when registering, any other emails used will not be accepted.  Students are required to check their emails regularly for updates with driver education.

The school office is not responsible for driver education but may assist when re-arranging drives.  Students are responsible for communicating with their driver instructor, knowing when classes are, when they are driving, to be ready for drives, and any changes to driver ed schedules.

https://bjorkdale.nesd.ca/About/DriverEd/

Driver Education:

Fall – Online Session (Option 1 and Option 2) submission will close Friday, Sept. 26^th at 4:00pm

Winter – Online and Summer – Online Sessions are still open.

School picture day will be held on October 24th.  

Bjorkdale's Scholastic Book Fair will be held on October 20th-24th.  This year's book fair is an important one.  We need to reach our goal of $2300.00 to ensure we are able to host future book fairs.  Our community members are welcome and encouraged to come into the school during the book fair and have a look around and purchase any books they may be interested in.  Please help me spread the word and let community and family members know about this year’s book fair.  

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come to the school and check out our Scholastic Book Fair!  We were able to sell $2013.25 in Scholastic products!  This means our school gets $283.87 in Scholastic dollars to be spent on more books for our library!  

The Bjorkdale School Clothing store is OPEN!  This year there are a couple of new options- a youth and adult sport shirt (golf shirt) and Grad hoodies with the options of Grad 2026-2027-2028.  If you are purchasing a grad hoodie, please put your child's name on the sleeve (if you choose this option) as "GRAD 20--" will be on the back.  There are sizers at the school if you are unsure what size you may need.  Last day to order is December 12th 2025 until midnight.  Please see the attached link to visit the store!

https://bjorkdlaleschool25.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

We need your help!  We had plans to bake desserts for Thursday's winter feast, but there is currently no water in the school, and they are not sure when they will get it up and running.  This means we can't do the baking here, as was our initial plan.  As a result, we are looking for donations of baked goods for Thursday's supper.  Baking can be dropped off at the school or brought to the hall the night of the feast.  We truly appreciate your help!

On Nov. 27^th, 2024, the Ministry of Education announced the development of a new Saskatchewan Student Assessment (SSA) program. More detailed information about the program is attached to this communication.

In the spring of 2026, NESD students in Grade 5 Math, Grade 9 Math, and Gr. 7 ELA will participate in a census field test.  A census field test is a province-wide trial run of the assessment procedures and questions.  No assessment results from the census field test will be provided to students, families, or school divisions as the purpose is to test the test only.

Additional information and updates about the SSA program and the field test will be provided as it becomes available.

Saskatchewan Student Assessment Fact Sheet

On March 30th the Salvation Army is hosting a free chili lunch at the school.  There will be chili, bun, and a juice box provided.  Notes have been sent home today.  Please ensure the note is returned by March 25th as there will only be chili served to those who have signed up.  

Driver education registrations open up on September 2 and will be open until the last session starts. 

To register, Go to your school webpage, Student tab, Driver Education tab.  Be sure to read the NESD Driver Education Handbook and review the session options.   Students will need their NESD email when registering, any other emails used will not be accepted.  Students are required to check their emails regularly for updates with driver education.

The school office is not responsible for driver education but may assist when re-arranging drives.  Students are responsible for communicating with their driver instructor, knowing when classes are, when they are driving, to be ready for drives, and any changes to driver ed schedules.

https://bjorkdale.nesd.ca/About/DriverEd/

Driver Education:

Fall – Online Session (Option 1 and Option 2) submission will close Friday, Sept. 26^th at 4:00pm

Winter – Online and Summer – Online Sessions are still open.

School picture day will be held on October 24th.  

Bjorkdale's Scholastic Book Fair will be held on October 20th-24th.  This year's book fair is an important one.  We need to reach our goal of $2300.00 to ensure we are able to host future book fairs.  Our community members are welcome and encouraged to come into the school during the book fair and have a look around and purchase any books they may be interested in.  Please help me spread the word and let community and family members know about this year’s book fair.  

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come to the school and check out our Scholastic Book Fair!  We were able to sell $2013.25 in Scholastic products!  This means our school gets $283.87 in Scholastic dollars to be spent on more books for our library!  

The Bjorkdale School Clothing store is OPEN!  This year there are a couple of new options- a youth and adult sport shirt (golf shirt) and Grad hoodies with the options of Grad 2026-2027-2028.  If you are purchasing a grad hoodie, please put your child's name on the sleeve (if you choose this option) as "GRAD 20--" will be on the back.  There are sizers at the school if you are unsure what size you may need.  Last day to order is December 12th 2025 until midnight.  Please see the attached link to visit the store!

https://bjorkdlaleschool25.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

We need your help!  We had plans to bake desserts for Thursday's winter feast, but there is currently no water in the school, and they are not sure when they will get it up and running.  This means we can't do the baking here, as was our initial plan.  As a result, we are looking for donations of baked goods for Thursday's supper.  Baking can be dropped off at the school or brought to the hall the night of the feast.  We truly appreciate your help!

On Nov. 27^th, 2024, the Ministry of Education announced the development of a new Saskatchewan Student Assessment (SSA) program. More detailed information about the program is attached to this communication.

In the spring of 2026, NESD students in Grade 5 Math, Grade 9 Math, and Gr. 7 ELA will participate in a census field test.  A census field test is a province-wide trial run of the assessment procedures and questions.  No assessment results from the census field test will be provided to students, families, or school divisions as the purpose is to test the test only.

Additional information and updates about the SSA program and the field test will be provided as it becomes available.

Saskatchewan Student Assessment Fact Sheet

On March 30th the Salvation Army is hosting a free chili lunch at the school.  There will be chili, bun, and a juice box provided.  Notes have been sent home today.  Please ensure the note is returned by March 25th as there will only be chili served to those who have signed up.  

The meeting minutes and public packages for each of the North East School Division Board meeting can be found under the Board tab on the website.

NESD 2024-2025 Board Minutes

NESD Public Board Packages

📌 NESD Closure – September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

VIDEO of Events happening in our North East Communities

Public Notice is hereby given that nomination of candidate(s) for the office of:

North East School Division No. 200 Board of Education Trustee

 Town of Nipawin:    1 Member at Large

will be received by the undersigned on Wednesday, the 12^th day of November 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK and during regular business hours from Tuesday, October 24^th, 2025, until Monday, November 10^th, 2025.

Candidates are required to provide a Criminal Record Check along with their nomination form.  The Criminal Record Check must have been completed no more than six (6) months before the date of filing the nomination form.

Nomination forms may be submitted in person by appointment, by regular mail, by registered mail, by fax (306-752-1933) or by email (elections@nesd.ca). 

Nomination forms may be obtained at the following locations:

• North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK
• On-line at 2025 Board Elections www.nesd.ca/board/boardelections

For further information, please contact (306) 752-5741.

Dated this 15^th day of October 2025.

Tanya Biesenthal, Returning Officer

24 Dec 2015 cL-30.11 Reg 1.

The next NESD Board Meeting is on October 21, 2025.

Time: 1:30pm

Location: Central Park Elementary, Nipawin, SK

Agenda link

Minutes and Highlights can be found at https://nesd.ca/Board/Minutes&Highlights/ 

The North East School Division is currently looking to fill the following Board Position:

North East School Division No. 200 Board of Education Trustee
Town of Nipawin: 1 Member at Large

Nominations will be received by the undersigned on Wednesday, the 12th day of November 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK and during regular business hours from Friday, October 24th, 2025, until Monday, November 10th, 2025.

Candidates are required to provide a Criminal Record Check along with their nomination form. The Criminal Record Check must have been completed no more than six (6) months before the date of filing the nomination form.

Nomination forms may be submitted in person by appointment, by regular mail, by registered mail, by fax (306-752-1933) or by email (elections@nesd.ca).

Nomination forms may be obtained at the following locations:

• North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK
• On-line at 2025 Board Elections www.nesd.ca/board/boardelections

INFORMATION: 

By-Election Candidate Manual

NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT OF POLL
North East School Division No. 200

Whereas a poll is not required pursuant to The Local Government Election Act, 2015 for
the office of Board Member: North East School Division No. 200

Town of Nipawin (1 Member at large)

I hereby give public notice that no voting for the said office will take place and that the
following person is elected by acclamation.

Town of Nipawin: Faron Saufert (ACCLAIMED)

Dated at Melfort this 13th day of November, 2025.

Tanya Biesenthal, Returning Officer

The next NESD Board Meeting is on November 25, 2025.

Organizational Meeting: 1:00pm.

Regular Board Meeting: 1:30pm.

Location: North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK

Regular Board Package Link

Minutes and Highlights can be found at https://nesd.ca/Board/Minutes&Highlights/ 

Image description / alt text: Four children laugh and play together with paint in front of a grey background. ‘Accessibility Plan 2026-28: Building a more inclusive division’ appears below it, alongside the North East School Division logo.

Accessibility Plan now available

Our new Accessibility Plan outlines the key actions we’ll take over the next three years to identify, remove and prevent barriers that people with disabilities experience in our school communities.

Visit our Accessibility Plan webpage for more information.

North East School Division No. 200

Notice of Intent to Change School Attendance Area Boundaries

Under authority of Section 85(1)(i) and Section 122(1) of The Education Act, 1995 the Board of Education made the following motion at their meeting held November 25, 2025:

That the attendance boundary for the North East School Division No. 200 will be changed from the Star City attendance area to Tisdale in accordance with the following land locations: NE 21-43-16-2, NW 21-43-16-2, SE 21-43-16-2, SW 21-43-16-2, NE 20-43-16-2, NW 20-43-16-2, SE 20-43-16-2, SW 20-43-16-2, NE 19-43-16-2, NW 19-43-16-2, SE 19-43-16-2, SW 19-43-16-2, NE 24-43-17-2, NW 24-43-17-2, SE 24-43-17-2, SW 24-43-17-2,NE 23-43-17-2, NW 23-43-17-2, SE 23-43-17-2, SW 23-43-17-2, NW 14-43-17-2, NE 14-43-17-2, SW 14-43-17-2, SE 14-43-17-2, NW 13-43-17-2, NE 13-43-17-2, SW 13-43-17-2, SE 13-43-17-2,NW 18-43-16-2, NE 18-43-16-2, SW 18-43-16-2, SE 18-43-16-2, NW 17-43-16-2, NE 17-43-16-2, SW 17-43-16-2, SE 17-43-16-2, NW 16-43-16-2, NE 16-43-16-2, SW 16-43-16-2, SE 16-43-16-2, NE 9-43-16-2, NW 9-43-16-2, SW9-43-16-2, SE 9-43-16-2, NE 8-43-16-2, NW 8-43-16-2, SE 8-43-16-2, SW 8-43-16-2, NE 7-43-16-2, NW 7-43-16-2, SE 7-43-16-2,SW 7-43-16-2, NE 12-43-17-2, NW 12-43-17-2, SE 12-43-17-2, SW 12-43-17-2, NE 11-43-17-2, NW 11-43-17-2, SE 11-43-17-2, SW 11-43-17-2, NW 2-43-17-2, NE 2-43-17-2, SW 2-43-17-2, SE 2-43-17-2, NW 1-43-17-2, NE 1-43-17-2, SW 1-43-17-2, SE 1-43-17-2, NW 6-43-16-2, NE 6-43-16-2, SW 6-43-16-2, SE 6-43-16-2, NW 5-43-16-2, NE 5-43-16-2, SW 5-43-16-2, SE 5-43-16-2,NW 4-43-16-2, NE 4-43-16-2, SW 4-43-16-2, SE 4-43-16-2, NW 33-42-16-2, SW 33-42-16-2, NE 32-42-16-2, NW 32-42-16-2, SE 32-42-16-2, SW 32-42-16-2, NE 31-42-16-2, NW 31-42-16-2, SE 31-42-16-2, SW 31-42-16-2, NE 36-42-17-2, NW 36-42-17-2, SE 36-42-17-2, SW 36-42-17-2, NE 35-42-17-2, NW 35-42-17-2, SE 35-42-17-2, SW 35-42-17-2, NE 34-42-17-2, NW 34-42-17-2, SE 34-42-17-2, SW 34-42-17-2, NW 34-42-17-2, SW 34-42-17-2;

 And that the proposed changes will be communicated in a local area newspaper, on the school division’s website and correspondence will be sent to the affected families;

 And that the Board will be accepting written submissions and/or delegations sharing any concerns about the proposed changes at the January 20, 2026 Regular Board Meeting.

 A written submission should be sent to the division office at divisionoffice@nesd.ca or 402 Main Street, Box 6000 MELFORT SK S0E 1A0 by January 5, 2026. Anyone wishing to appear as a delegation must contact the Director of Education at 306-752-5741 by January 5, 2026.

For additional information regarding the outlined changes, please contact the transportation office at 306-873-4555 or visit our website at https://www.nesd.ca/Board/Boundary_Reviews

Map of Proposed Area Change

Please take this holiday season to spend time with the people you love. 

The November NESD Board Highlights have been posted. 

nesd.ca/Board/Minutes&Highlights/ 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The North East School Division No. 200 Annual Report for 2024-2025 has been approved by the Ministry of Education. 

Link to the document on the Ministry of Education website

Other Accountability Reports for the NESD can be found at https://nesd.ca/Board/Accountability/ 

On Nov. 27^th, 2024, the Ministry of Education announced the development of a new Saskatchewan Student Assessment (SSA) program. More detailed information about the program is attached to this communication.

In the spring of 2026, NESD students in Grade 5 Math, Grade 9 Math, and Gr. 7 ELA will participate in a census field test.  A census field test is a province-wide trial run of the assessment procedures and questions.  No assessment results from the census field test will be provided to students, families, or school divisions as the purpose is to test the test only.

Additional information and updates about the SSA program and the field test will be provided as it becomes available.

Saskatchewan Student Assessment Fact Sheet

In Saskatchewan, Family Literacy Week is observed from January 25–31, 2026, with Family Literacy Day recognized on January 27.

This year’s national theme, “Make Mealtime Family Learning Time,” invites families to turn everyday routines into opportunities for connection, storytelling, skill-building, and joy. From reading recipes and planning meals to sharing cultural food traditions and telling stories at the table, mealtime becomes a powerful learning environment that reflects the strengths of family life.

With colder weather keeping families indoors, it’s common for children to spend more time on screens. However, extra screen use can add hidden stress that makes it harder for kids to stay calm, focused, and emotionally regulated, an idea that connects closely with Dr. Stuart Shanker’s Self‑Reg work. Research shows that heavy screen use, including gaming, videos, and social media, is linked to increased anxiety, irritability, difficulty winding down, and delays in language and cognitive development. The fast pace of screen activity also makes it harder for the brain to shift into calmer routines, adding to stress.

From a Self‑Reg perspective, this stress can be easy to overlook. Children may seem relaxed while watching or playing, but their nervous system may still be working hard. Hidden stress often shows up later as emotional outbursts, sleep challenges, or difficulty with transitions. Families can help by reframing screen‑related behaviour as a sign of stress, offering gentle alternatives like movement, drawing, or reading, and creating small moments of quiet connection. These calming routines support co‑regulation and help children reset during the long winter months.

References
American Psychological Association. (2025, June 9). Screen time and emotional problems in kids: A vicious circle? https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2025/06/screen-time-problems-children
Panjeti-Madan, M., & Ranganathan, R. (2023). Disconnected Connections: The Impact of Screen Time on Young Children’s Social-Emotional Well-Being. SK Prevention Institute. https://skprevention.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Disconnected-Connections.pdf
North East School Division. (2024). Self-Regulation. https://nesd.ca/pdf/248635542/381564719/248635696

The NESD Board of Education Highlights have been updated. 

2025-2026 Board Highlights

If you wish to provide feedback regarding the draft 2026-2027 calendars, please complete the form by April 16, 2026.

2026 - 2027 Regular Calendar Feedback

2026 - 2027 Alternate Calendar Feedback (Star City, Arborfield, White Fox)

The meeting minutes and public packages for each of the North East School Division Board meeting can be found under the Board tab on the website.

NESD 2024-2025 Board Minutes

NESD Public Board Packages

📌 NESD Closure – September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

VIDEO of Events happening in our North East Communities

Public Notice is hereby given that nomination of candidate(s) for the office of:

North East School Division No. 200 Board of Education Trustee

 Town of Nipawin:    1 Member at Large

will be received by the undersigned on Wednesday, the 12^th day of November 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK and during regular business hours from Tuesday, October 24^th, 2025, until Monday, November 10^th, 2025.

Candidates are required to provide a Criminal Record Check along with their nomination form.  The Criminal Record Check must have been completed no more than six (6) months before the date of filing the nomination form.

Nomination forms may be submitted in person by appointment, by regular mail, by registered mail, by fax (306-752-1933) or by email (elections@nesd.ca). 

Nomination forms may be obtained at the following locations:

• North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK
• On-line at 2025 Board Elections www.nesd.ca/board/boardelections

For further information, please contact (306) 752-5741.

Dated this 15^th day of October 2025.

Tanya Biesenthal, Returning Officer

24 Dec 2015 cL-30.11 Reg 1.

The next NESD Board Meeting is on October 21, 2025.

Time: 1:30pm

Location: Central Park Elementary, Nipawin, SK

Agenda link

Minutes and Highlights can be found at https://nesd.ca/Board/Minutes&Highlights/ 

The North East School Division is currently looking to fill the following Board Position:

North East School Division No. 200 Board of Education Trustee
Town of Nipawin: 1 Member at Large

Nominations will be received by the undersigned on Wednesday, the 12th day of November 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK and during regular business hours from Friday, October 24th, 2025, until Monday, November 10th, 2025.

Candidates are required to provide a Criminal Record Check along with their nomination form. The Criminal Record Check must have been completed no more than six (6) months before the date of filing the nomination form.

Nomination forms may be submitted in person by appointment, by regular mail, by registered mail, by fax (306-752-1933) or by email (elections@nesd.ca).

Nomination forms may be obtained at the following locations:

• North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK
• On-line at 2025 Board Elections www.nesd.ca/board/boardelections

INFORMATION: 

By-Election Candidate Manual

NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT OF POLL
North East School Division No. 200

Whereas a poll is not required pursuant to The Local Government Election Act, 2015 for
the office of Board Member: North East School Division No. 200

Town of Nipawin (1 Member at large)

I hereby give public notice that no voting for the said office will take place and that the
following person is elected by acclamation.

Town of Nipawin: Faron Saufert (ACCLAIMED)

Dated at Melfort this 13th day of November, 2025.

Tanya Biesenthal, Returning Officer

The next NESD Board Meeting is on November 25, 2025.

Organizational Meeting: 1:00pm.

Regular Board Meeting: 1:30pm.

Location: North East School Division Office at 402 Main Street, Melfort, SK

Regular Board Package Link

Minutes and Highlights can be found at https://nesd.ca/Board/Minutes&Highlights/ 

Image description / alt text: Four children laugh and play together with paint in front of a grey background. ‘Accessibility Plan 2026-28: Building a more inclusive division’ appears below it, alongside the North East School Division logo.

Accessibility Plan now available

Our new Accessibility Plan outlines the key actions we’ll take over the next three years to identify, remove and prevent barriers that people with disabilities experience in our school communities.

Visit our Accessibility Plan webpage for more information.

North East School Division No. 200

Notice of Intent to Change School Attendance Area Boundaries

Under authority of Section 85(1)(i) and Section 122(1) of The Education Act, 1995 the Board of Education made the following motion at their meeting held November 25, 2025:

That the attendance boundary for the North East School Division No. 200 will be changed from the Star City attendance area to Tisdale in accordance with the following land locations: NE 21-43-16-2, NW 21-43-16-2, SE 21-43-16-2, SW 21-43-16-2, NE 20-43-16-2, NW 20-43-16-2, SE 20-43-16-2, SW 20-43-16-2, NE 19-43-16-2, NW 19-43-16-2, SE 19-43-16-2, SW 19-43-16-2, NE 24-43-17-2, NW 24-43-17-2, SE 24-43-17-2, SW 24-43-17-2,NE 23-43-17-2, NW 23-43-17-2, SE 23-43-17-2, SW 23-43-17-2, NW 14-43-17-2, NE 14-43-17-2, SW 14-43-17-2, SE 14-43-17-2, NW 13-43-17-2, NE 13-43-17-2, SW 13-43-17-2, SE 13-43-17-2,NW 18-43-16-2, NE 18-43-16-2, SW 18-43-16-2, SE 18-43-16-2, NW 17-43-16-2, NE 17-43-16-2, SW 17-43-16-2, SE 17-43-16-2, NW 16-43-16-2, NE 16-43-16-2, SW 16-43-16-2, SE 16-43-16-2, NE 9-43-16-2, NW 9-43-16-2, SW9-43-16-2, SE 9-43-16-2, NE 8-43-16-2, NW 8-43-16-2, SE 8-43-16-2, SW 8-43-16-2, NE 7-43-16-2, NW 7-43-16-2, SE 7-43-16-2,SW 7-43-16-2, NE 12-43-17-2, NW 12-43-17-2, SE 12-43-17-2, SW 12-43-17-2, NE 11-43-17-2, NW 11-43-17-2, SE 11-43-17-2, SW 11-43-17-2, NW 2-43-17-2, NE 2-43-17-2, SW 2-43-17-2, SE 2-43-17-2, NW 1-43-17-2, NE 1-43-17-2, SW 1-43-17-2, SE 1-43-17-2, NW 6-43-16-2, NE 6-43-16-2, SW 6-43-16-2, SE 6-43-16-2, NW 5-43-16-2, NE 5-43-16-2, SW 5-43-16-2, SE 5-43-16-2,NW 4-43-16-2, NE 4-43-16-2, SW 4-43-16-2, SE 4-43-16-2, NW 33-42-16-2, SW 33-42-16-2, NE 32-42-16-2, NW 32-42-16-2, SE 32-42-16-2, SW 32-42-16-2, NE 31-42-16-2, NW 31-42-16-2, SE 31-42-16-2, SW 31-42-16-2, NE 36-42-17-2, NW 36-42-17-2, SE 36-42-17-2, SW 36-42-17-2, NE 35-42-17-2, NW 35-42-17-2, SE 35-42-17-2, SW 35-42-17-2, NE 34-42-17-2, NW 34-42-17-2, SE 34-42-17-2, SW 34-42-17-2, NW 34-42-17-2, SW 34-42-17-2;

 And that the proposed changes will be communicated in a local area newspaper, on the school division’s website and correspondence will be sent to the affected families;

 And that the Board will be accepting written submissions and/or delegations sharing any concerns about the proposed changes at the January 20, 2026 Regular Board Meeting.

 A written submission should be sent to the division office at divisionoffice@nesd.ca or 402 Main Street, Box 6000 MELFORT SK S0E 1A0 by January 5, 2026. Anyone wishing to appear as a delegation must contact the Director of Education at 306-752-5741 by January 5, 2026.

For additional information regarding the outlined changes, please contact the transportation office at 306-873-4555 or visit our website at https://www.nesd.ca/Board/Boundary_Reviews

Map of Proposed Area Change

Please take this holiday season to spend time with the people you love. 

The November NESD Board Highlights have been posted. 

nesd.ca/Board/Minutes&Highlights/ 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The North East School Division No. 200 Annual Report for 2024-2025 has been approved by the Ministry of Education. 

Link to the document on the Ministry of Education website

Other Accountability Reports for the NESD can be found at https://nesd.ca/Board/Accountability/ 

On Nov. 27^th, 2024, the Ministry of Education announced the development of a new Saskatchewan Student Assessment (SSA) program. More detailed information about the program is attached to this communication.

In the spring of 2026, NESD students in Grade 5 Math, Grade 9 Math, and Gr. 7 ELA will participate in a census field test.  A census field test is a province-wide trial run of the assessment procedures and questions.  No assessment results from the census field test will be provided to students, families, or school divisions as the purpose is to test the test only.

Additional information and updates about the SSA program and the field test will be provided as it becomes available.

Saskatchewan Student Assessment Fact Sheet

In Saskatchewan, Family Literacy Week is observed from January 25–31, 2026, with Family Literacy Day recognized on January 27.

This year’s national theme, “Make Mealtime Family Learning Time,” invites families to turn everyday routines into opportunities for connection, storytelling, skill-building, and joy. From reading recipes and planning meals to sharing cultural food traditions and telling stories at the table, mealtime becomes a powerful learning environment that reflects the strengths of family life.

With colder weather keeping families indoors, it’s common for children to spend more time on screens. However, extra screen use can add hidden stress that makes it harder for kids to stay calm, focused, and emotionally regulated, an idea that connects closely with Dr. Stuart Shanker’s Self‑Reg work. Research shows that heavy screen use, including gaming, videos, and social media, is linked to increased anxiety, irritability, difficulty winding down, and delays in language and cognitive development. The fast pace of screen activity also makes it harder for the brain to shift into calmer routines, adding to stress.

From a Self‑Reg perspective, this stress can be easy to overlook. Children may seem relaxed while watching or playing, but their nervous system may still be working hard. Hidden stress often shows up later as emotional outbursts, sleep challenges, or difficulty with transitions. Families can help by reframing screen‑related behaviour as a sign of stress, offering gentle alternatives like movement, drawing, or reading, and creating small moments of quiet connection. These calming routines support co‑regulation and help children reset during the long winter months.

References
American Psychological Association. (2025, June 9). Screen time and emotional problems in kids: A vicious circle? https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2025/06/screen-time-problems-children
Panjeti-Madan, M., & Ranganathan, R. (2023). Disconnected Connections: The Impact of Screen Time on Young Children’s Social-Emotional Well-Being. SK Prevention Institute. https://skprevention.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Disconnected-Connections.pdf
North East School Division. (2024). Self-Regulation. https://nesd.ca/pdf/248635542/381564719/248635696

The NESD Board of Education Highlights have been updated. 

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