BTPS Newsletter
November 17, 2023
Superintendent's Memo
I hope all of you were able to enjoy the past long weekend and any other extra days you had away from work.
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Next week, November 20-24, 2023 is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Where to Turn.” I would like to thank the staff of BTPS for providing welcoming, caring, safe, and respectful environments for our students.
On Friday, November 24 from 10:00-11:30am, there is an opportunity for students, staff, and parents to participate in a virtual event featuring speakers Teddy Manywounds and Sheldon Kennedy, who will share their unique stories and experiences with bullying behaviors.
Registration information for the live event can be found here. For those who cannot tune in live, a recording will be posted at alberta.ca/bullying-awareness-week following the live event.
ASEBP Education Worker Recognition Week
Next week is also Education Worker Recognition Week which is sponsored through ASEBP. The objective behind this week is to lift spirits and share how much we appreciate everything education workers do.
During the week of November 20-24, you are invited to share messages of thanks on social media for all education workers. We are fortunate to have so many staff — teachers, substitute teachers and casual staff, bus drivers, SEC staff, custodians, educational assistants, VIBE and WOW staff, administrative assistants, administrators, central office staff, trustees, technicians, therapists, facility staff, learning commons facilitators — who support student learning and help to build an amazing climate to work and learn. Take time to think of important staff in your building, and share their story by recognizing them individually, in your staff meetings, or on social media. Use the hashtag #YouMakeADifference
I invite you to look at the poster later in the newsletter with more information on how you can share great stories about individual staff members.
Be well,
Michelle
Board Highlights
The October News from the Board can be found here.
Dr. Folkins Community School
It has been very busy at Dr. Folkins Community School. We started the year off with Spirit Day activities with fierce house team rivalries. A pancake breakfast cooked by the staff. A hot lunch that was catered to all the staff and students provided by the School Council and Library Society. The annual Terry Fox run was held, as well as Orange Shirt day activities. In October we had Awards Day, Fire prevention week, Swimming for grades 4-6, Sports competitions as well as Spirit Days including Halloween fun for the whole school. In the first week of November we hosted the Junior Girls Volleyball Finals, and had a student-led Remembrance Day Service.
Marwayne Jubilee School
Troy Kneen received Bronze at Zones and represented MJS at Cross Country Running Provincials! Troy placed 34th out of 125 runners on a tough course!
MJS students slimed teachers because they surpassed their Terry Fox Fundraising goal and brought in over $5580 for the Terry Fox Foundation!
MJS Sr Girls volleyball compete at Zones in Two Hills. Good Luck CATS!
Cargill donated LOTS of cereal to our MJS breakfast program. THANK YOU!
MJS grade 12 and 10 students travelled to Edmonton to the Citadel.
Rock Paper Scissor Showdown to start our year at our first MJS assembly of the year!
E.H. Walter School - Buddy Bench
We had the privilege of having a Buddy Bench installed this week in honour of 2 former students who have passed away (John Gordon and Brenda Courts). Their graduating class of 97 took donations at a class reunion to have the bench installed. Thanks to Trustee Block who came for the installation, Leah Holmen and Eunice Gordan family representing John Gordon. Carmen Watt our Parent Council President, did the presentation.
Learning Services Department
Number talks are a great way to engage students in rich mathematical discussion. It gives them an opportunity to communicate their thoughts as well as the strategies they used to solve a mathematical problem. Number talks can be used to activate prior knowledge before you begin a unit or as a way to revisit concepts taught earlier in the year. Below is a link to an example of a number talk. Number talk
Inclusive Learning Department
AMH Caregiver Education
Alberta Health Services is proud to offer FREE online programming to caregivers of school-age children and youth as well as adults in the community who want to learn more about addiction and mental health topics.
Sessions are offered online through the Zoom conferencing application. A link to access the online session will be sent by email to those who have registered for the session.
MFC Nov & Dec Programs & Services
Program Guide 2023
MFC Nov & Dec Programs & Services
Program Guide 2023
Technology Department
Criterion-on-Demand enables teachers and students to access a large variety of feature films online, at the click of a button. BTPS has a subscription that should be used to stream movies in your classroom. All other streaming services are not legally permitted.
username: 92002
password: bfftrl
Education Worker Recognition Week
2024 Prime Minister’s Award! Nominate an educator today
Consider nominating an educator for a 2024 Prime Minister’s Award! Download your nomination package and poster today by visiting the website.
Celebrate those who go above and beyond to create safe spaces for their students, continue to work hard to make learning fun and inspire the next generation to be bold innovators and creators.
Prime Minister’s Awards recipients for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Excellence in STEM and Excellence in Early Childhood Education can receive:
• A certificate from the Prime Minister
• National recognition and promotion of their best teaching practices
Follow BTPS on Social Media!
BTPS is excited to connect with our students, staff, families and communities on social media! Follow for updates and information on what is happening in BTPS and a glimpse into our school communities.