Bear Blast
For the Week of Sept 26, 2022
Working together; succeeding together.
We acknowledge the harm of colonialism and the residential school system and commit to working together toward reconciliation and forging a better path forward.
How to Reconcile Our History
I am a farm kid. I spent the first 18 years of my life living on our family farm near Kindersley Saskatchewan, we lived 1 mile East of a small town called Loverna. We were a mixed farm with grain and cattle. I was blessed to be able to grow up on a farm and learned from a very early age the lessons of hard work and being a good steward of the land, which provided our sustenance.
What I did not learn, early in my life was the history of that land and the history that lead to my family being able to occupy and use the land. This is a history that is not a bright and shiny beacon, but rather a dark history that was, for many years, kept in the shadows. This history was one of dishonesty and hidden (and not-so-hidden agendas). These were agendas of assimilation and genocide. These were not my agendas or the agendas of my parents or grandparents, but they were the agendas of our forefathers, the founders of our nation. It was these dark agendas that allowed my family to occupy and use the land we did to feed ourselves and make a living.
This in no way degrades or diminishes the hard work of my family and the work of all the families of this province that broke the land worked the land and used the land (sometimes for many generations) to feed themselves and the world. Bringing up this history is not intended to lessen the value of the families that occupy this land and certainly not to paint them with the brush of evil. Rather, it is critical that we acknowledge this history for two reasons: we need to acknowledge it and learn from it. We need to feel a sense of regret that comes from not having committed the atrocities, but rather regret that we are only now learning about it and being given a chance to reconcile. Secondly, we need to acknowledge it so that we can begin a better path. We cannot, unfortunately, go back and undo the sins of the past. We can only begin a better path.
Reconciliation is a word that we often hear used in the media. Too often it is referenced as a state that we hope to reach. It is portrayed that eventually, we will reach a state of being reconciled. Unfortunately, this cheapens the word. Reconciliation is, I think, a journey. A journey that is not likely to have an end. It is a journey that begins with acknowledgment, continues with apologies, and then proceeds into a time of growth with and commitment to each other. We must be committed to never repeating the past, understanding the consequences of the past, and embracing the beauty of a truly shared culture.
Our history began with promises of sharing and acceptance (empty promises that were not intended to be kept). Now it continues into an era of returning to similar promises to allow for sharing and acceptance. This September 30, it is my hope that all of our families will take time to reflect on all that we have been blessed with living in the most amazing country in the world, but also ( and perhaps more importantly) reflect on the sacrifice and cost of this life. A cost that was hidden for far too long. As the truth is being revealed, it is so critical that we hear the truth, believe the truth, and act to reconcile.
Our Day
8:55 - class bell rings.
9:00 - Oh Canada and morning announcements.
12:10 - lunch bell rings - grades K-3 eat and go outside at 12:30, grades 4-6 go outside and eat at 12:30
12:50 - lunch warning bell rings - students come inside
12:55 - class bell rings
3:05 - high school dismissal bell rings
3:25 - elementary dismissal bell rings
Terry Fox
Terry Fox Pie in the Face
Thank you to everyone who donated to Pie in the Face. The pieing will happen this week.
Watch next week's Bear Blast for the total amount raised.
Grade 11 Field Trip
Warning: some of the images may not be for everyone.
Milk Program
Milk will once again cost $1 per day, which will not quite cover the cost, but thanks to a grant from President's Choice for nutrition we are able to keep our prices at $1. Both chocolate and vanilla will be available.
Extra Curricular Fees
The Next Staff vs. Students game is Sept 28!
SRC Members Needed!
Music Lessons in Porcupine Plain
Upcoming Events
Sept 28 - Terry Fox Walk @2:15
Sept 28- Staff vs. Student Game
Sept 29 - Orange Shirt Day
Sept 30 - School Improvement Planning (NO SCHOOL)
Oct 12 - Retakes and Grad Photos ** Note this was changed from Oct 13 to align with kindergarten days.
Apple Fundraiser a Huge Success
Home Game on Wednesday
Junior Girls B Team League Play in Melfort
Sr. Girls Vball Team Plays in Tisdale Tournament
Jr. Girsls A Play in Naicam Tournament
Team Schedules
Practice Monday & Thursday 3:30-5:30
Wednesday
A team @ home
B team @ Naicam
Sr. Girls Vball
Practice Monday 3:30-5:30, Thursday 7-8:30am
Games @ Melfort Tuesday
Tournament in St Brieux on Saturday
Flag Football
Tues and Wed practice 3:30-5:00
Cross Country
Practice Wed and Thurs 3:30-4:30
Tues meet at Nipawin
Jr. and Sr. Golf
Tues practice 3:30-6:30 @ Greenhills