Throughout this past week, local schools have been even more busy than usual. 

It's education week and both school divisions have used the past few days to celebrate the accomplishments of both staff and students.

Various teachers find this as a good tool to keep students connected to school and keep kids focused, as some may start to be losing steam at this point in the semester. 

"It's always great to remember that kids are still kids and they love to celebrate, they love to celebrate their school, and the love to cheer on their teams," explained Lisa Busta, Teacher, and Chaplin at Vanier Collegiate High School.  "Especially with Education Week, I always like to remind kids that you're so lucky that you get to have an education and you get to be in a great school."

Busta says everyone starts in September like it's going to be the best year ever, but by November people are getting tired, and they're ready for Christmas break. After that January comes around and there are finals, so there's a push to do good academically. The next semester starts off strong again for students, but then around April she notes they are ready for the Easter break once again.

"How to keep student engagement up, it's a tricky thing. But I think having honest conversations about the subject area that you're teaching keeps kids engaged. I try to make it applicable to what's going on in the world today, relationships, I kind of try to make it relatable to the kids."

One class in particular Busta used as an example, stating that she keeps switching the dynamic and finding ways for all children to find it easy to learn. 

"I teach Grade 12 English and we're reading the novel, the classic novel, the Great Gatsby. I've kept the kids engaged with it, we read a bit, I explain a bit and of course, I show a bit of the movie. We just kind of read and watch, read and watch and it keeps the kids guessing (with) lots and lots of class discussion."

With numerous events in each of our school divisions, from academic awards being handed out at Central Collegiate, Treaty 4 presentations at some schools and Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Monday, they've kept the week exciting for students.

Saskatchewan Education Week is October 14th to the 20th.