BTPS Newsletter
December 15, 2023
🤶Superintendent's Memo🤶
As we approach the end of an exciting bustling four months of our school year, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your hard work and dedication. Your commitment to creating a positive learning environment has made these past months truly remarkable. I cannot express enough how fortunate we are to have such a an engaged, caring, and knowledgeable staff. Each of you contributes immensely, and because of this, our students, staff, and communities are truly blessed.
As we enter the festive season and a well-deserved break, I hope you find time to rest, recharge, and indulge in the things that bring you joy. Whether it's spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing personal hobbies, or simply enjoying a moment of tranquility, please remember to prioritize self-care.
Thank you for all you do to support our school community. May this festive season bring you warmth, happiness, and moments of peace. Take care of yourselves, and I look forward to seeing what exciting learning and adventures will take place in the upcoming year.
In the last newsletter, there was a fun scavenger hunt for you to partake in. Thank you to all who participated! The lucky winner of the draw goes to... Tyler Comeau! Check out this weeks google form, All I Want for Christmas..., for a chance to share your holiday adventures and win a prize.
Wishing you a wonderful festive season and a rejuvenating break!
Be Well,
🎄Michelle🎄
❄️Board of Trustees❄️
The Board of Trustees of Buffalo Trail Public Schools would like to take time before the holidays begin to express our gratitude to the wonderful team that we have at BTPS.
We had a fantastic start to our school year and we have heard first hand from our students how you as a staff achieved that. It was our pleasure to celebrate staff in October and recognize the many awards achieved.
Thank you to our whole team of bus drivers and contractors, custodians, educational assistants, learning commons facilitators, administrative assistants, teachers, assistant principals and principals, maintenance and technology personnel, and all central services staff for doing your part to ensure our safe and caring environment is helping to maximize our student’s learning every single day.
As a Board we look forward to attending the Christmas events in our schools during this festive season. The Board is very thankful for the many opportunities that you afford students at this exciting time of the year and beyond.
We are thankful for you for all of your hard work and dedication to students and wish you a well-deserved, and restful holiday season. If you travel, travel safely.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2024 from the Board of Trustees.
Hughenden Public School
All of the HPS students had the opportunity to try their hand at sledge hockey in Phys Ed.
The elementary Christmas concert went off without a hitch. The students performed “Christmas ‘round the world” this past Tuesday evening for family and community members.
HPS celebrates student achievement in our monthly Achievement Tree and Accelerated Reading assembly. This school gathering recognizes and celebrates growth and learning that takes place in our school.
What an amazing year we had! We had a record-breaking number of students participate in 7 different races this year. We had 19 runners participate, some in all 7 races! With numerous top-10 finishers, HPS was well represented. Running Club is open to all students, grades 4-12. We had students from grade 4-8 this year.
The senior boys volleyball team battled hard at Zones in Bashaw. In the end they took 4th place.
It was the end of high school volleyball for 4 of the boys as they will graduate in June.
Our junior girls had 2 teams. One was a competitive team and the other was a skill building team. They all played very well throughout the season bringing home some plaques.
🎄Learning Services Department🎄
🎄Inclusive Learning Department🎄
Mental Health & Wellness Symposium 2024
They Symposium Committee has been working hard to bring you another excellent event which is scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Speakers:
Sonic Coaching - 5 Language of Appreciation in the Workplace
Donna Astley-Reed - Emotional Tapping
Maverick Hann - Personal story of PTSD
Lily Belland - Laughter Yoga
*Lunch and Snacks will be Gluten and Lactose Free
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the IL Department!
On behalf of the BTPS Department of Inclusive Learning, we wish all of you and your families the very best possible Christmas - holiday season ever! Please take some time for yourselves (you deserve it!!) and also please be sure that you take the time to connect and share with those that you love the most. Create the memories that will last a lifetime and also that you may call upon, on those days when you need a “safe, happy, special place” to go to.
Please take care, be safe, be happy, be restful ...and do something FUN!!!
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!!!
From the BTPS Department of Inclusive Learning
🎄Technology Department🎄
Free Cyber Security Course
Anyone in BTPS can access KnowBe4's Home Course to train remote workers and their families on network security.
Access KnowBe4 Home Course: https://www.knowbe4.com/homecourse
Password: homecourse
Season's Greetings from the Technology Department!
May your days be merry, your tech issues be minimal, and your holiday break filled with joy and relaxation.
Happy Holidays! 🎄⛄️
🎄Payroll Department🎄
Please find the attached document that includes important information regarding your pay. These changes are effective January 1, 2024.
If you have any questions, the contact information is on the bottom of the form.
🎄OHS Department/Joint Health & Safety Committee🎄
On behalf of our Joint Health & Safety Committee, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The festive season brings cheer, warmth, and an abundance of joyous moments shared with family and friends. Amidst the merry atmosphere, it’s crucial to prioritize safety to safeguard those precious moments. Whether it’s the dazzling decorations, sumptuous feasts, or the exchange of gifts, a few precautions can ensure a secure and delightful Christmas celebration. Let’s dive into essential safety tips to make this holiday season not only joyous but also safe for everyone involved.
1. Decorating Safety
The sparkle of lights and ornaments adds magic to our homes. Yet, when decking the halls, ensure safety is the top priority. Use stable ladders for hanging decorations, secure them properly, and avoid overloading electrical outlets to prevent fire hazards. Eliminate tripping hazards caused by trailing cables and use indoor and outdoor lights as directed for utmost safety.
2. Fire Safety
Candles, fireplaces, and heaters are enchanting but demand cautious handling. Always supervise lit candles, turn off decorative lights, and extinguish candles before leaving or heading to bed. Equip your home with fire extinguishers or fire blankets, and acquaint yourself with their usage.
3. Tree Safety
Christmas trees, the centerpiece of festive décor, demand attention. Keep them away from heat sources to minimize fire risks. Ensure live trees stay hydrated by watering them regularly. If children or pets are around, be cautious of ornaments that could pose risks if broken or ingested.
4. Gift Safety
Selecting gifts involves more than just the joy of giving. Consider age-appropriateness and safety warnings, particularly regarding small parts that might pose choking hazards to young children. Dispose of packaging promptly and store edible gifts away from pets to prevent any mishaps.
5. Cooking Safety
The heart of Christmas resides in the kitchen, where sumptuous feasts come to life. However, never leave cooking unattended and maintain caution with flammable items near the stove. Ensure meats are cooked to safe temperatures. Equip your kitchen with class K fire extinguishers or fire blankets specifically designed for grease and cooking oil fires.
6. Travel Safety
For those journeying during the holidays, safety is paramount. Plan travel meticulously, considering weather conditions and potential traffic. Avoid drinking and driving, ensuring a safe return for all.
Remember, the holidays embody joy and togetherness. By embracing these safety guidelines, we can ensure a splendid and secure Christmas season for everyone. From our family to yours, may your holidays be merry, bright, and, most importantly, safe.
Naloxone Training
If you are interested in taking a Naloxone training course. St. John Ambulance is providing a 2-hour online webinar. After registering, pick a time that works best for you. After the course is completed, you’ll get a certificate of completion and they will mail you a naloxone kit. The Naloxone kit contains 2 nasal dispensers. The Naloxone in kits are easier to use, as there aren’t any needles to load. It’s also more tolerant to temperature. To access the course, click on this link. https://reactandreverse.ca/.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
🎄Transportation Department🎄
Happy Holidays from the Transportation Department!
Garth, Aimee, and Belle wish our incredible staff a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎅🚌
May your Christmas be merry, and your holidays be filled with joy and laughter. If you travel, travel safely!
ASEBP Benefit Updates: January 1, 2024
Find out how your benefits are changing or refreshing come January 1, 2024. Plus, find valuable information to support you and your family throughout the year.
Your Benefits Are Changing
Every year, ASEBP reviews and optimizes the group plan benefits and the MyRetiree Plan benefits to better support covered members and employers. Find out what benefits will change, effective January 1, 2024.
Your EFAP Hours Reset January 1
Your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) offers four free hours of counselling services each calendar year, along with separate hours for the EFAP’s Work, Health and Life Services. On January 1, 2024, all EFAP hours will reset for the new year. And don’t forget, once you’ve used all your counselling hours, you still have options.
Registration for Winter Walk Day 2024 is now open, so click below to get your registration in and cross one thing off of your year-end to-do list!
Staying active and getting fresh air is as important as ever, so we're looking forward to a great Winter Walk Day in February!
International success for Alberta students: Minister Nicolaides
Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides issued the following statement on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 results:
“The 2022 PISA results released Dec. 5 show that Alberta continues to be a leader in education in Canada and around the world. Alberta students rank first in Canada in reading, first in Canada in science and second only behind Quebec in math.
“In addition to our impressive results nationally, Alberta students also perform exceptionally well against international competitors. Globally, we ranked second in reading, second in science and seventh in math, within statistical deviation.
“We should all be extremely proud of Alberta’s success in these assessments. I want to take a moment to thank teachers, staff and parents for their work in ensuring Alberta’s education system remains world-class and congratulate students for their hard work and dedication to learning. Alberta’s continued participation in international assessments such as PISA reflects our government’s commitment to benchmark Alberta’s education system against the rest of the country and the world.”
The University of Portland MED program in Edmonton
A master's degree provides teachers and teacher leaders with a deeper understanding of educational theories, instructional strategies, curriculum development, and educational research. It equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of education and make informed decisions as an educator, enhancing their ability to address the unique needs and challenges within their specific field of study. In many school divisions, a master's degree opens up opportunities for administrative roles such as principal, vie-principal, assistant principal, curriculum or instructional lead, or education consultant.
We are currently accepting applications for our cohort commencing in fall (September) 2024.
Access more information on the UP programs at Master of Education (MEd) | University of Portland (up.edu) and https://education.up.edu/graduate-programs/doctor-of-education-edmonton.html.
We are hosting two information zoom sessions in December for those that might be thinking of starting their Master’s degree for our cohort commencing in fall (September) 2024.
2024 Prime Minister’s Award! Nominate an educator today
Submit your nomination electronically or by mail by January 11, 2024.
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