Saskatchewan Home Based Educators

Saskatchewan Home Based Educators (SHBE) is the official voice of home-based educators in Saskatchewan. We assist in creating a positive social network and a positive political environment for all those who choose home-based education. We also provide supportive, social and instructional resources for our members.

Latest News:

April 6, 2009. A word from Saskatchewan Home Based Educators. Twenty years ago, there was no SK Home Based Educators. There was no organization to stand for the rights of homeschool families in SK. There was no organization to turn to for information to know if we even had any rights. There was no organization to host a provincial convention to inspire and encourage families to pursue their vision. There was no organization to bring a sense of connection and unity
to homeschool families across the province. There was no organization to care for the cares of homeschool families in SK. continue reading ...

March 30, 2009. Survey SAYS……. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank everybody who took the time to complete our survey, whether you went online and did it, or whether you completed a paper copy and mailed it in. At the end of the day, we received 108 responses from people all across the province (and even one who is not from Saskatchewan at all!).

With that many responses, a number of trends can already be seen. Now, the hard part begins: analysis! Over the next few weeks, the Board will be analyzing the results in order to determine what they mean, and what actions will be taken going forward. Be sure to check the next issue of the Journal for more results!

February 14, 2009. Dr. Brian Ray who is the keynote speaker at this years convention will be interviewed by John Gormley on Tuesday, Feb. 17th, at 11:00 - 11:30 on AM radio. It's on CKOM 650 Saskatoon, and CMJE 980 in Regina. If you miss the broadcast you can still listen online after the fact here.

January 8, 2009, SHBE Convention Survey. Please consider completing our convention survey. This survey will help us in planning future convention events.

January 7, 2009. SHBE 2009 Conference is coming up soon. The brochure is now available. The 2009 conference page has been updated recently, be sure to have a look at what the 2009 conference has to offer. It is shaping up to be an excellent and encouraging event. Check back often; new information will be added as it becomes available.

November 2008, New president for the SHBE Board! Unlike in the American election, Dorothy Holfeld did not spend over $30 million to get elected. Instead Dorothy has homeschooled for over 20 years, has faithfully served on the SHBE board for over 6 years, and has a passion for the homeschool movement. Blair Andrew remains as Vice-President and will serve as government liaison when needed at the request of the President. Newcomer Bryan Watson, with over 15 years of homeschooling experience, has stepped up to the plate as Secretary as well as Journal Liaison. Veteran Daniel Unruh continues to monitor the financial state of SHBE as Treasurer. Linda Karn who is a new member to the board but a veteran in the trenches of homeschooling circles, is serving as Convention Liaison. Doug Schmuland will soon reside in Alberta and will serve as Past President until June 2009.

October 14, 2008 in Moose Jaw.  Members of the public are invited to an informal discussion of homeschooling in Saskatchewan.  This will be held at the Moose Jaw Public Library 7:30 pm.  Can I really do this?  Is it legal? How do I start?  What about socialization?  What about help and support? What are the benefits?  What about post secondary entrance?  Contact Linda for further information, 306-692-3899 or e-mail

September 11, 2008 in Swift Current. Sask Home Based Educators cordially invites you to an informal discussion of homeschooling in Saskatchewan. Swift Current Library, September 11th, 7 - 9 p.m. Can I really do this? Is it legal? How do I start? What about socialization?  What are the benefits? What about post secondary entrance? What are homeschool grads saying about their homeschool experience? Come with your questions. Contact Dorothy for further information, 306 784 2797 or email.

SHBE directors elected by acclamation: 4 of 9 positions remain vacant. Nominations for SHBE board directors for Regions 2, 4, 6 and three directors-at-large closed on March 31, 2008. Dorothy Holfeld was nominated for director for Region 2; Regions 4 and 6 director positions were uncontested and remain vacant. Current directors-at-large Angelo Coppola of Regina and Sandy Timm of Nipawin were nominated for directors-at-large positions. All those nominated are declared elected by acclamation and will begin their new two-year terms in June, 2008. The position of director for Region 3 (Regina area) was uncontested in 2007 and remains vacant. Of the nine positions on the board, only five are filled.

April 9, 2008. CLEP Testing Now Available in Saskatchewan. CLEP, which stands for College Level Examination Program, has arrived in Saskatchewan as of February 2008. This program is widely recognized in United States where there are upwards of 2900 colleges granting college credit for individuals who successfully write CLEP tests. There are even several American Colleges who will grant complete distance degrees using CLEP combined with other testing methods such as the DANTES. Students using the CLEP testing method are not required to attend classes; rather they are able to prepare/study independently to write these college level exams. Read more.
 

December 28, 2007. SHBE convention brochure and registration forms are now available from the SHBE convention web page. Location is the Delta Regina February 29th and March 1st. Dr. Jay Wile is our keynote speaker this year! Check out our survey for an idea of the breakout sessions that will be available and to help us plan session times and locations. Teen session are back this year will many exciting sessions and activities planned for them. If you plan to sell used books at the convention, you will need to download a couple of documents from the convention page. Remember to register by February 15th and your lunch will be included (late registrations will not include lunch).
 

December 6, 2007. Help for Requests from new home educators/new to the area. SHBE occasionally receives requests for answers concerning home education in various SK locations. Because each school board in SK is autonomous, it is difficult for one person to know all the policies for each school board. And because SHBE does not share names or contact information with anyone, it is difficult to connect newcomers without prior permission.. If parents would like to leave their names, location, and contact information with SHBE Helpdesk, a list could be maintained and information distributed through the HELPDESK as needed. Thanks to those who have already submitted their information!
 

August 24, 2007. Blazing New Trails in Saskatchewan by Heidi Goertz
One hundred years ago this year, the University of Saskatchewan opened its doors to the citizens who would become the forerunners of today's undergraduates. Because of the vision of the pioneers who established the university, a long history of quality post- secondary education began... Read more.
 

June 5, 2007. On June 1, 2007, the Home-Based Education Review Board met in Regina, with Doug Schmuland representing SHBE. At this meeting, the Department of Learning presented a package for discussion which includes the complete rewriting of the Home-Based Education Regulations. This package consisted of a shortened version of the regulations with some clauses being moved to Department Policy. The Department is looking to fast track this package. We are concerned. Read more..
 

November 14, 2006. SHBE and the College of Arts and Science of the University of Saskatchewan are pleased to announce that a Memorandum of Understanding on Prerequisite Policies for Home-Educated Students was signed November 14, 2006. Read more.
 

September 13, 2006. SHBE held extensive consultation meetings around the province this past July, at which the new Distance Learning Framework currently being developed by the Department of Learning was discussed.

The report submitted by SHBE is now available for viewing. As always, SHBE welcomes your comments, and will continue to update home-educating families on the progress of the discussions with the Department. Click here to view the report.