BTPS Newsletter
October 13, 2023
Superintendent's Memo
Tuesday, October 10, was World Mental Health Day. I hope that each of you took some time to reflect on how you prioritize your own mental well-being. It truly is important, even with the busyness of work and homelife to take time to ensure you are taking care of yourself.
Collectively we are working towards creating a culture of open communication and empathy which helps normalize discussions around mental well-being and encourages help-seeking. I would encourage you to reflect on ways that you create a supportive environment for students. By consistently prioritizing mental health, staff contribute to the overall well-being and success of our school communities.
Just a reminder that there are supports available through Inkblot and ASEBP.
If you choose, fill out the form here on ways that you care for your own mental well-being.
Be Well,
Michelle
Mannville School
Our elementary students performed for our school community at our Autumn Tea on October 6th.
Our staff contributes to our annual Highway Clean Up.
We are grateful for the support of our local Credit Union and their contribution to our Accelerated Reading Program.
Edgerton Public School
Edgerton Public School has an amazing and awesome 138 students and 17 outstanding staff members! The 2023-24 school year has begun with a plethora of activities including Welcome Back Week, Sports, Terry Fox Run, Truth & Reconciliation, Military Family Appreciation, Guided Reading Groups, Awards Night and the list goes on! Everyone at EPS wishes BTPS Central Services and Schools all the best in 2023-2024!
A group of our grade 12 students from Irma School were on a podcast with Hapara to discuss their journey of FNMI learning that they have been on since grade 7.
Episode #10: Truth and Reconciliation at the Irma School
In this episode, we sat down with three students from the Irma School of Buffalo Trail Public Schools in Alberta, Canada. When Calleigh, Kinsley and Faith were in seventh grade, they were curious about indigenous culture. So, along with their teacher Jenny Thomson and classmates, they embarked on a years-long journey of genuine project-based learning to connect with the culture and the people of indigenous communities in Canada. They have developed strong relationships with local indigenous elders, experienced traditional ceremonies and visited a former residential school to understand the harm that was done there. Listen to the episode to hear more about their learning journey and the lessons learned that they will carry into adulthood.
RSVP Deadline is Today! Celebration and Retirement Event
Please see attached formal invitation to our Celebration and Retirement Event happening the evening of Wednesday, October 25, 2023 in Vermilion at the Vermilion Regional Centre.
This is an open invitation to all staff to come and celebrate our long service employees and retirees for the 2022-2023 school year.
Supper is being provided by the Board of Trustees.
Each school has their own sign up sheet. Please RSVP with your respective admin assistant or administrator by Today, Friday, October 13, 2023 so we have a final count for our caterer.
We hope to see you there!
School Bus Safety Week
October 15-21, 2023 is School Bus Safety Week
School Bus Safety Week is held the third full week of October each year. It is a reminder for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators and the community to keep school bus safety in the forefront. Student safety is our priority!
You can learn more about school bus safety here: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/Pages/school-bus-safety.aspx
Thank you for your help in keeping children and students safe.
Transportation Department
School Bus Safety week kicked off again this year with the Bus Safety Poster contest. We received a large number of excellent entries this year. Congratulations to everyone that submitted an entry and to those selected as the winners!
Great job everyone!
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: 920002
password: bfftrl
Learning Services Department
Literacy:
Implementing literacy across the curriculum is easier than it sounds! Creating a literacy-rich environment with a theme is a simple way to start! For example, you have a second-grade science class, and you’re studying weather, your literacy-rich classroom might include:
Reading books about the weather
Exploring labels around the classroom with weather vocabulary
Learning content on raindrops and clouds
Singing songs about the weather
Students write in their weather journals about the conditions each day
Graphing the daily temperature
Check out this Edutopia video on building literacy in the science classroom.
Regardless of what subject or grade you teach, literacy can be implemented in so many wonderful, creative, and simple ways. How are you incorporating more literacy into your classroom?
EdTech Tips:
Looking for more ways for students to show their work? Try incorporating the use of digital mindmaps. Google Drawings, Figjam, and other online apps like Coggle and Mindmup are great ways for students to annotate pictures, make connections, share their understanding, or collaborate with their peers. Mindmaps can be effectively used in any subject and any grade! Use these tools as formative assessment pieces or for students to save for later when it comes time to study! Find more ideas and resources on our BTPS resource site!
Inclusive Learning Department
Youth Stress Less Workshop Series
Wainwright FCSS is offering a brand-new youth series. Starting in November, they will be offering a Youth Stress Less Workshop Series for youth aged 13-17 that will introduce different ways to support mental well-being and manage stress using therapeutic art and wellness strategies including yoga, meditation, journaling, and nutrition.
Please find the attached poster for more details.
Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence
The Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence have recognized exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines since 1994, with over 1,800 teachers honoured to date. Teaching Excellence Awards recipients are honoured for their remarkable achievements in education and for their commitment to preparing youth for a digital and innovation-based economy.
Shelley Sinclair from Irma School was awarded a Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Achievement.
Shelley Sinclair is a vocal and stoic advocate for improving the educational and cultural opportunities for students in rural settings.
Congratulations, Shelley!
Park Plains East ATA Induction/Retirement Ceremony
The ATA Park Plains East hosted a wonderful evening on October 5, 2023, to induct those new to the teaching profession and recognize teachers retiring. We are so proud of our BTPS staff!
Kid’s Poster Contest - ERA
The ERA is proud to announce their 6th Kid’s Poster Contest that will launch September 1st and run until Dec 1st. We are asking students in Elementary, Jr High & High Schools across Canada to use their creative minds for a chance to win a FREE laptop.
This competition is designed to have their teachers educate students on the importance of sustainability and the 3 R’s (Reduce Reuse Recycle) and bring their vision of an ever-changing environment to paper.
Check out our blog for more details on how to enter.
2024 Olympic Day Grants
APPLY NOW FOR THE TEAM CANADA OLYMPIC DAY GRANT
In celebration of Olympic Day, recognized annually by the IOC on June 23, Team Canada is opening applications for the Team Canada Olympic Day Grant for Canadian publicly funded schools with the goal of empowering students to play and stay in sport.
Sport brings communities together, teaches us leadership and fair play, and fuels our health and well-being. But often there are barriers that mean that young Canadians either “can’t” or “won’t’” participate in sport. We believe we play a role in ensuring access and a quality experience in sport at all levels.
The Team Canada Olympic Day Grant provides funding to increase access to sport in schools while also giving athletes the opportunity to inspire students through their stories.
HOW IT WORKS
A total of 10 grants of $5,000 are available for Canadian schools across the country to help students play and stay in sport. Successful schools will also receive a 90-minute Team Canada athlete speaking engagement to inspire students to participate in sport and develop the skills to thrive and succeed in their daily lives.
Learn more: https://olympic.ca/team-canada-olympic-day-grant/
All applications must be submitted by no later than November 10, 2023, by 23:59 Eastern Time.
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.