🎄 Message From Your Local Branch President

As the snowflakes fall, we say good-bye to a rather lengthy but welcome autumn season but now it’s time to dig out the boots and the parkas—although I saw two fellows out and about in winter gear except for the shorts… Despite the colder weather, the sunrises continue to amaze with their vibrant colors. What a great way to begin a day!

Thank you to everyone who attended the November Luncheon where we had 72 in attendance, the highest number in a few years. Our speakers from Yara Centre shared the recreation and fitness programs available for the city of Moose Jaw, and also limbered us up with some fitness movements. We meet again on January 21 at the Masonic Hall at 10:30 where you will hear the plans for a social afternoon in late February.

There are a few spaces still available for the Drumheller Passion Play excursion in early July 2026. Further information is on the website.

Wherever you travel this month, don’t forget to visit the Christmas markets and light displays. Saskatoon has the Enchanted Forest at the Forestry Farm, Glow, and a light display at the Museum. Winnipeg has the Red River Exhibition Park light show plus the Zoo display. Edmonton has Glow, The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights, Christmas Lights for Larry, and Maisie’s Magical Christmas. Calgary has the Lion’s Festival of Lights, Glow, and magical displays at Spruce Meadows, the BMO Centre, and the Zoo. And, here at home, visit the Wakamow Valley display!

Bundle up, everyone, and enjoy the holidays and the Christmas season with grandchildren, family, and friends.

📜 November 2025 Executive Notes

Take a moment to click the link below and see what’s happening provincially!

November 2025 Executive Notes

🌟 Items of Interest from STS

Retired Teachers of Ontario
Please note that the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) have recently withdrawn from the national organization of retired teachers (ACER-CART) and may be trying to market their health plan to retirees in Saskatchewan. The STS Health Plan is designed by retired teachers in Saskatchewan and is tailored to the needs of retired teachers here. We would encourage you to let the office know if you received marketing information from RTO/ERO.

Incentive Program
A resolution was passed at the 2025 AGM that “the STS investigate the possibility of obtaining discounts for STS members from Saskatchewan businesses”. After investigating various options, the Provincial Executive decided to provide Chapter Presidents with information regarding a national incentive program provided by Perkopolis. Any Chapter Presidents that wish to investigate this further on behalf of their members are encouraged to watch the following video and utilize the request for information form: https://www.perkopolis.com/PerkopolisVideo.mp4 and Request for Information - CA

Recreation Events
The Provincial Executive recently approved four recreation events for the upcoming year. They include Cornhole, Pickleball, Stitch ‘N Quilt, and Kaiser. Please see the website for information on dates: Recreation — Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan

🎁 DID YOU KNOW? More Great Info from Sunil Pandila

Update on Health Spending Account
The STS implemented a second Health Spending Account starting January 1, 2025, and running to December 31, 2026. This is the second time we have implemented such a program under rules established by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Single plan members have an allowance of $200, couple plans $400 and family plans $460.

Members must utilize their HSA money for health or dental expenses paid.

Members do not have to use the Health Spending Account on only the general health or dental services covered by the STS Group Benefits Plan.

The HSA can be used in the following situations:
• Paying for current services that are covered by our plan in the case where a benefit has been maxed out. For example, if you purchase new lenses and frames, you can use the HSA to ‘top up’ beyond what our plan pays.
• Accessing a benefit that our plan might not currently cover but which is permitted by the CRA. (There is additional information below on how to access the CRA list of eligible medical expenses.)

If you do not have any expenses covered under our plan, you can be reimbursed to the amount available in the HSA for premiums you have paid. An annual statement for income tax purposes is mailed out in January, and this can also be used as your HSA claim up to your eligible amount. You also do not need to wait for the January statement—simply contact the STS office.

We want members to fully utilize their Health Spending Account funds. If you are unsure, you can also access information on the STS website.

💝 A Year-End Message from the Executive

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friends. Here’s to the legacy we share and the adventures still ahead.

As Christmas rolls around once again, I find myself thinking of all of you—my fellow colleagues and retired teachers. We may be out of the classroom now, but the stories, friendships, and laughter we created together still make this season feel a little brighter.
Just last week, I had a wonderfully long lunch with a couple of colleagues I hadn’t seen in ages. We laughed, reminisced, laughed some more, and swapped stories about former students—some heartwarming, some hilarious, and all of them reminders of why our years in education were so meaningful. Moments like that make me realize how much I miss my “school families.” In many ways, we spent more time with each other than with our own families, and those bonds don’t disappear simply because the bell stopped ringing for us.

The impact we made is still unfolding in the lives of the students we once taught. That’s one of the beautiful things about our profession: even in retirement, we’re still planting seeds. The wisdom, kindness, and patience we poured into our classrooms continue to grow in ways we may never fully see, but they have shaped countless futures.

Now that the only bells we need to worry about are the ones on Christmas decorations, I hope you’re enjoying the kind of peace we used to dream of during indoor recess. We’ve earned every quiet morning, every slow cup of coffee, and every holiday season free from concert rehearsals, exam schedules, and last-minute photocopying.

As we move into the New Year, may you find joy in cherished memories and inspiration in the opportunities still ahead. Retirement hasn’t ended our story—it’s simply given us a new chapter to write. I encourage you to keep in touch and join us at our luncheons, you never know who you will run into!

On behalf of our Executive, we are wishing you a warm, joyful Christmas and a New Year filled with good health, laughter, and all the blessings you truly deserve.

🍪 RECIPE: Santa's Favourite Soft Ginger Cookies

Don't forget to check out the RECIPE CORNER on our website. See more YUMMY Christmas cookie recipes: Cranberry Bliss Bars and Almond Bark Bars

Santa's Favourite Soft Ginger Cookies

Mix first five ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 tsp ginger, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt

In a separate bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and add 1 cup sugar. Beat in 1 egg and 1/4 cup molasses

Add the dry ingredients and blend well.

Form dough into small balls and roll in sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 - 9 minutes

ENJOY with a tall glass of milk.

📢 ANNOUNCEMENTS 📢

🎺 Needed: Volunteers for the MJ Band and Choral Festival

Planning on including volunteering in your New Year’s resolutions? Consider joining us during the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival, May 11-14, 2026. We are always looking for venue hosts (directing students), crew (moving music stands, chairs, and percussions equipment), and people to join the organizing committee. Send an email to mjbandandchoral@gmail.com. We have a place for you in this “feel good” event.

🥁 Have You Ever Dreamed of Playing in a Band?

The Moose Jaw Adult Band is welcoming new members! Whether you’re feeling a bit rusty, haven’t played in years, or have never picked up an instrument before, you’re in luck—our Beginner Band, led by director Janie Fries, is the perfect place to learn.
Rehearsals resume Thursday, February 12 at 6:00 PM at Vanier.

You’re also invited to enjoy our Christmas Concert on December 14 at 7:00 PM, held at Vanier. The Moose Jaw Adult Beginner Band will perform as part of the Catholic School Bands Christmas Concert, under the direction of Jim Mitchell.

Come share in the music—and consider joining the band!

📨 Help Us Stay Connected!

We’re missing email addresses for some of our members and don’t want anyone left out. If you know a teacher who isn’t receiving our monthly newsletters, please encourage them to visit our website at www.stsmoosejaw.com to update their contact information and stay in the loop.

Also, if you have news or requests, please contact Sandi Hutchinson (Editor and Publicity) at stsmoosejaw@gmail.com.