Dear HWW Students, Families and Community Members,
On October 18, staff enjoyed an outstanding day of Professional Learning on Monday led by our CBE Indigenous Education Team, our Indigenous Strategist, Kathleen Wells, and our school-based professional learning team.
Our day began with an Acknowledgement of Land and words of wisdom from Elders.
We watched several virtual keynote speakers including:
- Dr. Pamela Toulouse' invitation to consider what actions we take to create a holistic school-wide learning environment that supports all students?
- Tomas Jirousek led us through considering who is in our building and how do we honour where each are at, creating positive expectations for each learner. Tomas also discussed honouring the choice of Indigenous students to explore the rich educational system in their communities and that this is a valid way.
And, our Indigenous Strategist, Kathleen Wells, guided Staff in a rich conversation and Ted Talk from Rebecca Thomas about land-based learning and Etuaptmumk: Two Eyed Seeing. Land based learning is:
“to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, and from the other eye with the strengths of Western knowledge and ways of knowing and learning to use both these eyes together, for the benefit of all" (Living Sky School Division Saskatchewan)
We are excited to continue this work in creating inclusive spaces and the interweaving of indigenous ways of knowing and the Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework in our Wise Wood classrooms to impact student success for our Indigenous learners and all of our learners.
In other news, this week holds more outstanding Athletics! Our Cross Country team placed 1,3 and 9 in the Top 10 in the Province for Jr Girls. Our Soccer team took Silver in the City Finals! Congratulations to these teams for an excellent season. Volleyball and Football regularly scheduled season continues.
We are so proud of all of our students, Go Warriors!
Aileen Smyth
Principal
