BTPS Newsletter

Superintendent's Memo

Hi Team,

It is that time of year when our new Kindergarten students register for 2023! Michelle and I did a K Orientation Welcome video so our students know what to expect in our amazing schools.

Faye, Bri, Michelle and I put together a slideshow to highlight some of the ways in which BTPS Flourishes for Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards. Rural Caucus was looking for stories and pictures to showcase divisions on their website. I am so proud of all the amazing work that our staff do to support student learning and engage our students in so many opportunities. This short video is a snapshot of some of the amazing things that have happened this year in our schools. Thank you!

I am so excited to share some of our very own radio ads and also some additional resources to support foundational knowledge of First Nations, Metis and Inuit.

What is a Treaty - Pyrrha from JR Robson
What is a Land Acknowledgement - Maizie from Dewberry
Alberta Education - Sample Lesson Plans
CASS’ Guide to Relationships and Learning with the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta
Empowering the Spirit
First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Teacher Resources
ATA Library - Foundational Knowledge for Indigenous Education

Also, we look forward to seeing how you are celebrating your substitutes as Substitute Appreciation Week is coming up. Ebony from WHS will be sharing this message on the radio.We are very appreciative to have our fantastic subs! I can’t thank them enough for their time and dedication to BTPS students and schools.

In the spring, we will continue to support teachers with implementation of new curriculum.In September 2023, new curriculum will be implemented for:

Grades 4-6 Mathematics
Grades 4-6 English Language Arts and Literature
K-3 Science
K-3 Fine Arts

Provincial curriculum and supporting resources will be available on new.LearnAlberta.ca.

Stayed tuned for more information as BTPS continues to prepare and support our teachers for new curriculum implementation. We are committed to maximizing student learning, in a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team. I am very proud of the support that our teachers and staff provide our students.

Take care,

Rhae-Ann

BTPS Flourishes

Celebrating Our Staff and Students

Sharing Highlights of BTPS

We're excited to share a video highlighting the remarkable achievements of our staff and students. Our staff have shown resilience, hard work, and dedication to their goals. The video showcases outstanding work from groundbreaking research, to impressive athletics and creative endeavors. We thank our staff and students for their unwavering dedication and hard work.

International Women's Day Event 2023

BTPS is hosting an International Women's Day Event on Thursday, March 9, 2023. The event is in Wainwright at the Communiplex. We will have some time for socializing at 5:30pm and then dinner at 6:00pm. The cost is $25.00 per person for the meal.

Darci Lang will be engaging us in conversation during the evening. Darci has written four books and her book Embrace the 90% supports this year’s IWD theme #EmbraceEquity. We will have an opportunity to hear Darci Lang speak and also have conversations with others on how we all are able to advocate and champion accelerating women's equality and support the development of an inclusive mindset.

If you do choose to register, you will also receive a copy of Darci's Embrace the 90% book! She has kindly offered to do a book signing for us as well at Front Porch Mercantile in Wainwright that same day from 2:30pm - 4:30pm, if anyone is interested in meeting with Darci one-on-one.

This event is for everyone! So feel free to register a guest with you or share it out with co-workers, friends or family.

All of the event details are here, including the sign up, if you are interested in attending.

Darci shared a special personalized message for us on this great event, please check the video out below. She is excited to spend the evening with us on March 9!

Kindergarten Welcome Video

Prime Time Local News Interviews

Superintendent Holoien - Have a Heart Day

Superintendent Holoien - Pink Shirt Day

Superintendent Holoien - BTPS IWD 2023 Event

Media Releases

Retirement of Deputy Superintendent

Supporting female leaders in Buffalo Trail Public Schools

You can view all of our news releases on our website here.

Radio Ads

Ebony from Wainwright High School - Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week

You can listen to all of our Radio Ads on our website here.

Literacy:

Needing something to help teach digital literacy? Google’s Be Internet Awesome program teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence. Through the online game, Interland, an online adventure that puts the key lessons of digital safety into hands-on practive with challenging games, kids can play their way to being internet awesome! Also provided on the website is a complete Be Internet Awesome curriculum, which guides the teacher through classroom activities that bring the fundamental lessons to life.

EdTech Tips with Stacy:

When it comes to assessment or engaging online tools, there are so many options! Consider checking out Nearpod! Teacher can gain real-time insights into student understanding through interactive lessons, videos, gamification, and activities - all in a single platform. Quickly assess student understanding through collaborative digital boards, polls, question prompts, and quizzes. You can also choose from a plethora of pre-made presentations, so you can save time and see how others are taking advantage of all that Nearpod has to offer!

Thank you to all staff for continuing to use techhelp@btps.ca for all your Technology concerns. Since the start of the year we have successfully closed over 1000 tickets :)

Here a couple items that may help streamline the process even more.

Use a TECH TICKET TEMPLATE
PLEASE do not send cell phone pictures in the tech help request, The motion photo format does not work with our ticket dashboard. If a picture is required the techie will ask for one to be sent through direct email or text.
Also, if you are sending pictures with your techhelp ticket please send them as attachments to the email and not embedded in the text of the email.

Thanks again for your cooperation, the tech team appreciates it.

Adulting 101

Wainwright FCSS has started a brand-new Adulting 101 program!

Adulting 101 program offers valuable life skills through a series of free and informative workshops to keep you surviving and thriving through the transition to adulthood. These workshops offer a safe space for individuals aged 16-24 to learn about things like relationships, money management, self-care, vehicle maintenance, and other aspects of being a happy and healthy adult! For more information, please view the poster here -->

Wainwright & District FCSS newsletter for March

Check out our March 2023 Community Connector to see some of the exciting activities happening in our community next month! It is packed full of some very exciting and dynamic growth opportunities. To view the full March newsletter, click here.

2023 Alberta Education Assurance Survey

We are extending the deadline for the completion of the Alberta Education Assurance (AEA) survey to Friday, March 17, 2023. This extension applies to student, teacher, and parent surveys. It is important that schools communicate this extension to their parents. The attached flyer can assist schools with their communication. . For more info see https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-education-assurance-survey.aspx

Students Wanted - 2023/24 Minister's Youth Council

Recruitment for Alberta Education’s 2023/24 Minister’s Youth Council began Feb. 15, 2023. The ministry is looking for approximately 40 junior and senior high school students between the ages of 14 and 19, who represent diverse interests, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives, to join next year’s council. Participation will allow students to build their leadership skills and leave a legacy that will last for generations. The deadline for students to apply is March 24, 2023. Help promote the recruitment process by sharing these English / French posters with your learning communities!

Exciting MEd Opportunity in Educational Technology with Online and In Person Options!

M.ED cohort specializing in Educational Technology at the University of Victoria starting in Fall of 2023. This program is suitable for learners from any sector (K12 teachers and administrators, post-secondary learning designers and educators/staff/admin, workplace learning, etc.). learn more about educational technology, modality (online, hybrid, multi-access), and important topics, such as inclusion, UDL, open education, decolonizing education, and more!

*Deadline for applications is February 28 *Starting September 2023 *Learners can collaborate entirely on their projects. Only oral presentations on personal learning and reflections are conducted individually. *The project can be completed in various media formats. *Entire program can be completed entirely online and outside of regular working hours in Fall/Spring. *Fall/Spring courses are online. *The July courses are multi-access, with choice for in person or online study. *We use an open course design in our program with personalized privacy settings. *Your MEd supervisors will be Dr. Valerie Irvine & Dr. Michael Paskevicius.

More information:

- EdTech Cohort Flyer [PDF] for printing, posting, or circulating

- EdTech area blog post sharing more detailed information [website]

- Dept Graduate Programs page [website] includes application process

- Visit our post on Linkedin for sharing

If you have any questions, please contact edcigrad@uvic.ca