Bear Blast

For the Week of Jan 30, 2023

Working together; succeeding together.

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As treaty people, we acknowledge the privilege and honor of sharing Treaty 6 territory with the traditional inhabitants; the Cree, Dene, Nakota, Sauteaux, Ojibway, and Metis Nation, Eastern Region II. We are thankful that we can use this land and all that it offers for our sustenance and the sustenance of our families.

We acknowledge the harm of colonialism and the residential school system and commit to working together toward reconciliation and forging a better path forward.

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"...sometimes my faith in humanity needs a boost."

"...sometimes my faith in humanity needs a boost."

These are the words that came from the admin assistant at the division office last Thursday. What led to her sending me this message? I was bragging about our students.


It all started on Thursday when Mrs. Mielke sent me a picture that she had taken during recess supervision. The picture was of a group of students shoveling the snow outside the front door. A few moments later one of the students in the picture came up to me to tell me that they had shoveled. The student wasn't looking for praise or recognition. She wanted to let me know that they had done it so that I could let Mr. Rye know that he wouldn't have to. In the student's words, "we shoveled it so that Mr. Rye wouldn't have to, he already has enough to do."


I was so proud that I could not contain myself. I quickly posted the picture in our Facebook page which to date has had over 300 post engagements and many comments. It is clear from the comments that our community is as proud of them as I am. I also sent the picture to our division office so that they could share it on their website if they chose. That is what prompted the response from the admin assist. It had made her day, just as it had made mine, and perhaps made the day of many who commented.


This is not a rare occurrence as our students do things every day that make me proud and so grateful that I get to work with the best kids, the best families, and the best community in the world. I do try and say it often, but I need to say it more, "thank you". Thank you for sharing your awesome kids with us. Although they occasionally drive us crazy (it's not a super long drive), but they also make us so proud and so grateful that we work where we do.

"...sometimes my faith in humanity needs a boost."
Final Exam Schedule

Final Exam Schedule

Jan 24 9:00-11:30 ELA 30A (Departmental)


Jan 27 9:00 History 10

Physics 30


Jan 30 9:00 HSci 20, PreCalc 30, Hist 10 Alternate


1:00 WAM 10, Physics 30 Alternate

Final Exam Schedule

Seen Around PPCS

Huge Thanks to the Delmer Thorpe Memorial Draft

Huge thank you to the Delmer Thorpe Memorial Draft for their generous donation of $3500 to go towards funding our van for extracurricular travel.
Hot Lunch Punch Cards

Hot Lunch Punch Cards

Bear Bites is happy to introduce a punch card program for our hot lunches at the school. For $20, families can purchase a punch card good for 5 meals. They can be purchased online using the button below. If you would prefer to pay cash, please have your child bring the money to Mrs. Smith at the front office. We will keep the cards at the Bear Bites canteen and punch them when your child gets a meal.

Please allow 2 school days to process punch card purchases.

Hot Lunch Punch Cards
Bear Bites Punch Card Draw

Bear Bites Punch Card Draw

Each month, we will put all of the finished punch cards into a draw for a free lunch.


The winner for the month of December: Cruz Reed

Bear Bites Punch Card Draw
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Our Day

8:50 - warning bell rings - students line up and come inside.

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

GO Time

For our high school students they may be released at 3:05 provided they are done all of their work. From 3:05-3:25 is called GO Time (Gift Of Time), which is time when students can work one on one with a teacher to get work done. It is our expectation that students are not planning anything (ie. work shifts) for the 3:05-3:25 time as teachers may request them to stay and complete unfinished work.

Next Staff vs. Student is Feb 17

Upcoming Events

Jan 31 - No School (SIP Day)

February 1 - Semester 2 begins.

February 13 - Jump Rope For Heart

February 15 - Pink Shirt Day

Boys Perform Well in Norquay

Sr. Boys dropped a 7pt game to Osler VCA then went on to roll Norquay and Kamsack which was a B-place finish. The team faces off at home to Melfort B boys Monday then takes on Warman and a giant on Friday @ Estevan.

Sr. Girls 3-on-3

3v3 had the week off of games and also this week due to the SIP Day.

Jr. Girls Wins in Carrot River

Jr. Girls got their level of playback on track with a great teamwork ethic win in Carrot River this week. The team is home to a very good Ministik team on Wednesday and looks to build off of last week's efforts.

Athletes and Volunteer of the Month

Volunteer of the Month


Earl Santiago


To be blunt Earl Santiago is a beauty. He can be found on days that end in Y loitering in the gym shooting a ball and looking for ways to help. Earl is a huge component of his Jr boys team but also is at most all home games working the table duties. Although still a year too young to play with the big dogs Earl attends Sr boys practice to give us 10 guys so we can roll with 5 on 5 concepts. Earl makes our teams better by bringing his positive energy to the court, score table and school. Thanks for all your work Earl.



Athletes of the Month


Luis Sabayton is well known across the province as perhaps one of the best outside shooters in high school basketball. His defensive capabilities have improved immensely this year and are also known to go end to end on a fast break and slice through a defense while making it look effortless. He usually ends up bleeding from the mouth at some point in the game but if he’s on, we’re on. Good job Luis.


Harleigh Pohl just added basketball to her schedule this year but has shown no rust or inexperience on the defensive side of the ball. She defines the motto everyone can work hard and play great defense. I have seen very few players learn and execute new to them man and rebounding concepts this quickly. Hopefully her successes on D and transfer some confidence to her O game and she will be a great complete player to watch coming up. Way to keep learning Harleigh.

Shirts Available

We still have very limited quantities of shirts available. Click the button below to order. We will take orders on a first come first serve basis. Note, they fit about 1 size bigger (i.e. if you would normally wear XL, you could order L).

Team Schedules

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Home Games

Senior Boys Bball

Jan 23 vs. Nipawin



** Games may start earlier if teams arrive, our goal is to get them home as early as possible.

Hot Lunches

Bear Bites Under New Management

With the new semester starting on Wednesday, Bear Bites says goodbye to JR, Marek, Carter, Jace, Dysen, Jacob, Lexi, and Macey. These students have done an amazing job of getting Bear Bites back up and running and have grown so much in their understanding of food prep and working as a team to run a business. Marcus and Natasha will remain on board to complete Foods credits and to ensure that the new management gets off to the best start. We will do our best to continue serving as the new crew is brought up to speed in terms of their safe food handling and preparing food for large crowds. Natasha and myself are certified in safe food handling and will ensure that our meals continue to be safe and of the highest quality. I look forward to working with the new crew but want to extend a note of extreme gratitude to the outgoing students. They helped to rebuild Bear Bites and should be very proud of what they have achieved. If you see them out and about, please thank them for their service to the school community.
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Jigs and Carolines are Back

Once again, Jigs and Carolines will be offering hot lunches on Wednesday and Friday. Please order directly from them. Please note: ALL JIGS ORDERS MUST BE PLACED THROUGH THE GOOGLE FORM BELOW.

It's going to be a #wonderFULLyear