By TERRY PUGH
Two schools in the Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) will be launching teacher-led projects in the 2026-27 academic year aimed at enhancing student learning.
Warman High School (WHS) and Borden School were approved for grants under the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund (TISF) by the provincial government. WHS was granted $75,000 for a Construction Program, while Borden School was granted $50,000 for a ‘Student Programming Enhancement Project.’
The initiatives at WHS and Borden School are among 33 new teacher-led projects in schools across the province. The government is investing nearly $1.5 million in the TISF in the upcoming academic year.
WHS Principal Jaren Vetter said there is high demand for industrial trades-related courses.
“The demand for our Practical Applied Arts Programming (PAA) at Warman High School significantly surpasses what we can offer, based on our current Industrial Arts Wood Working and Welding spaces,” said Vetter. “Getting creative, we are starting a new construction program at WHS. This program will be housed in a brand-new shop and compound, behind our existing Industrial Arts Lab.”
Vetter said the project will establish “a hands-on residential construction program” where students gain real world experience in building and renovating.
“The purpose is to develop practical skills, safety awareness, and career readiness in the skilled trades,” he said. “Students will work in teams to plan, construct, and finish small scale structures, gaining experience in framing, layout, material handling, and basic finishing techniques. The program will operate in an outdoor, jobsite-style environment using industry standard tools and equipment, mirroring real construction settings.”
The school also has a longer-term vision for the Construction Program. Under the direction of WHS Industrial Arts Teacher, Dan Holtsman, the program’s aims include:
* Year 1: Mr. Holtsman and the students will build the construction shop itself (30ft x 30ft x 14ft).
* Year 2: Building small out buildings for sale and for community members.
* Years 3-4: Scale up the program, by constructing larger buildings (such as small cabins, garages, oversized sheds, etc.)
* Years 5+: Building an RTM, in the model of the programs that are offered in Greater Saskatoon Catholic and Saskatoon Public School Divisions.
The Borden School Student Programming Enhancement Project will enhance student and teacher experiences by providing equitable access to high‑quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Practical and Applied Arts (PAA), and Outdoor Education learning opportunities.
Borden School Principal Peter Schmidt said the purpose of the project is to improve student engagement, achievement, and career readiness by offering authentic, hands‑on learning aligned with provincial curriculum outcomes and workforce pathways.
“I am extremely grateful for this funding. It will allow us to expand hands-on learning opportunities for our students in areas such as STEM, Practical and Applied Arts, and outdoor education,” said Schmidt. “This investment helps ensure that our students, regardless of our rural setting, have access to meaningful, practical experiences that prepare them for the future.”
The initiative will impact all students at the K-12 school by reducing barriers often faced in rural settings, such as limited access to specialized equipment, facilities, and career‑exploration experiences.
Teachers will participate in targeted professional development and accreditation to build internal capacity and sustainability. Portable, grade‑spanning learning kits—including robotics, coding, 3D printing, computer aided design/drafting, trades and construction tools, agriculture resources, and outdoor education equipment—will ensure students in a small rural school have opportunities comparable to those in larger centers, creating lasting impact with one‑time funding.
The goal is to enhance student programming by providing equipment and teacher professional development to support these opportunities.