Feb. 7-13 is Staff Appreciation Week at schools across Saskatchewan. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division)

By Alison Sandstrom

An Exceptional Year

‘Unsung Heros:’ school staff recognized amid pandemic

Feb 11, 2021 | 5:25 PM

It’s staff appreciation week at schools across Saskatchewan and the annual event has taken on an added significance amid the pandemic.

Mark Cantin, principal at St. John Community School, told paNOW this year’s province-wide theme “Unsung Heroes” perfectly describes the job his staff do every day.

“We do have superheroes working in this school,” he said.

Staff at schools around the city are being honoured with gifts, lunches and special events. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division)

Like most schools in the city, Cantin said St. John has had its share of cases of COVID-19. In particular, he’s impressed with how staff have kept students engaged as they transition back and forth between in-class and online learning when required.

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“The work [staff] do any school year is amazing,” he said. “But to be able to continue to close those learning gaps during a pandemic makes this an extra special year to celebrate staff.”

Teachers, administrative assistants, custodial staff, librarians and educational assistants are being honoured with gifts and special events at schools across the city.

Teachers have had to modify instruction during the pandemic. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division)

At Red Wing Public School, a drive-by parade is being organized by the Student Parent Council (SPC) Thursday evening to recognize teachers.

“Out of all of the different things that happened this year, the adaptability of teachers has been amazing,” Randelle Zwozdesky, chair of the Red Wing SPC, said.

She explained her Grade six daughter’s teachers have made school a safe, comfortable place, amid the craziness of the pandemic.

“Things are different, for sure,” Zwozdesky said. “But for kids to be able to have that stability in their life; that connection with their teachers, their classmates, other kids in the school, it keeps things somewhat normal for them and that’s so important.”

Teachers were recognized with a drive-by parade Thursday night. (Submitted/Randelle Zwozdesky)

(Submitted/Randelle Zwozdesky)

Editor’s note: this article has been amended to included pictures of the drive-by teacher appreciation parade at Red Wing Public School.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom