Superintendent's Memo
Hi BTPS Team!
It’s staff appreciation week! I can’t thank our amazing staff enough for all you do to support students and each other. BTPS has the most incredible staff. Students are very fortunate to have such dedicated staff working with them. Thank you.
The beautiful weather and sunshine has been amazing! I have attached my snow ice grips to my walking boots as the nice weather has made some very icy sidewalks. Be careful outside!
It was great to celebrate our BTPS partnership with Lakeland College at the beginning of the semester. Our students have the opportunity to take two dual credit courses this semester and we kicked off these new courses with a ribbon cutting at Lakeland. This year our grade 10s have the chance to participate in the Try-a-Trade hosted at Lakeland later this spring.
BTPS continues to show our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commision’s Calls to Action. You may have already heard some of our BTPS radio ads (What is a Treaty and What is a Land Acknowledgement) and earlier this month we distributed a media release to raise more awareness beyond National Indigenous Peoples Day or Indigenous People's Month. I appreciate that we remember to keep learning and take action all year long. That's why I want to bring attention to Have a Heart Day for First Nations Children. This day reminds us to incorporate the Calls to Action into our daily lives. Thank you for your leadership in promoting knowledge and understanding. Together, we can make a difference."
February 22nd, is Pink Shirt Day! Remember to wear your pink shirt to support our collective effort to promote healthy relationships, prevent bullying, and create safe environments. The bullying helpline is 310-1818. Send Bri your Pink Shirt Day pictures and activities.
I hope you all have a great week! You are my favourite valentines! To everyone who attends the convention, I hope you have great learning opportunities!
Take care,
Rhae-Ann
International Women's Day Event 2023
Buffalo Trail Public Schools celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD). This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity. On March 9, 2023, we are hosting an in person event and 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.
This event on March 9 is for everyone. 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.
Save the date on your calendars:
Date: March 9, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM Socializing - 6:00pm Supper
Location: Hall 1 & 2 at the Wainwright Communiplex
Meal Cost: $25.00/meal
We will have supper together, listen to Darci and celebrate IWD 2023. We will have limited seats available. Sign up here and contact Bri Blackie to pay for your meal ticket via e-transfer.
Learn more about Darci Lang on her website.
Join us for a book signing event!
Register and join us for our International Women's Day Event happening on March 9, 2023, and receive a copy of Darci's "Embrace the 90%" book! Darci will join us for a book signing prior to the event - Sign up here
Date: March 9, 2023
Where: Front Porch Mercantile
121 10 Street, Wainwright
Time: 2:30pm - 4:00pm
2FA FEBRUARY CONTEST CHALLENGE!
If you set up 2FA on your BTPS Google account by the end of February you will be entered in a draw for some FREE SWAG from the Technology Department. All staff who have 2FA enabled on their accounts by 3:30 pm on February 28, 2023 will be eligible.
Secure your account for your chance to secure a prize!
Financial Reporting Dashboard
Check out Financial Reporting Dashboard BTPS! We are increasing transparency of our financial reporting through the creation of a new financial reporting dashboard. It can be found on BTPS website in About > Reports > Financial Reporting Dashboard. Link: BTPS Budget & Finance Reporting
Wainwright FCSS is hosting a great learning opportunity called Be Their Safety Net which all about empowering parents, caregivers, professionals, and community workers to support youth as they traverse the landscape of relationships and technology. 12PM-1:30PM, on March 2nd - please see the poster for more information
RDC Library:
The BTPS RDC library has a number of resources to support your role as a teacher. From novel collections, Indigenous kits, to a host of professional learning books and resources.
For information on accessing resources, please reach out to Gayle Hedley at Central Office.
PSBAA Photo Contest
PSBAA photo contest is open to all residents of Alberta – including students, teachers, parents and school community members. Photos must relate to people or subjects connected with K-12 public school education in Alberta.
Please note the deadline for submissions is May 1, 2023. Just a reminder there are three prizes up for grabs: $300 (1st place); $200 (2nd place), and $100 (3rd place). If you have any questions, please email Troy Tait at ExecutiveDirector@public-schools.ab.ca.
BTPS staff and students are proudly recognizing Black History Month, which is an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the extraordinary contributions of Black Canadians in our communities and around the world. Resources:
Black history organizations and educational resources
Registration Open for the 2023 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference
Registration is now open for the 2023 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference, happening April 14-15th at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, AB! **Discounted Early Bird ticket pricing in effect until February 28.**
The Conference is a time for families, allies, educators and service providers from all over the province to deepen their knowledge and commitment to assisting children and adults with developmental disabilities to live fully inclusive and meaningful lives in their community. The Conference is the largest and longest standing of its kind in the world and offers fully-inclusive onsite child and teen care so parents and guardians can enjoy the Conference worry-free.
Learn more about the 2023 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference on the website here.
Buffalo Trail Public Schools
