BTPS Newsletter
February 9, 2024
Superintendent's Memo
As we prepare for next week and look forward to attending Teachers' Convention or an extra few days off, I wanted to shine a light on an upcoming event that embodies the spirit of what we strive for every day. Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 11-17th and provides us with the opportunity to amplify the warmth and compassion that already thrives within BTPS.
At the heart of education lies not only on the focus of continuous learning, but also the cultivation of empathy and kindness. Random Acts of Kindness Week serves as a gentle reminder of the power each of us holds to brighten someone's day with even the simplest gestures. Whether it's a smile in the hallway, a thoughtful note of appreciation, or an offer of assistance, each act has the potential to create ripple effects of positivity and make an impact on the lives of our colleagues and students that we may never know.
Let's come together next week to continue creating an environment where kindness is not just a fleeting gesture, but a way of life. By embodying the principles of empathy, generosity, and gratitude, we can foster a culture of care that extends far beyond the confines of our classrooms, busses and offices. Together, let's make Random Acts of Kindness Week an opportunity to spread joy, build stronger connections, and foster a culture of compassion, celebrating the beauty of human connection and the power of small gestures to create big change.
Thank you for your dedication to our students and each other. Feel free to share with me some of the things happening in your work. I look forward to witnessing the incredible acts of kindness that will emerge throughout the week.
Be well,
Michelle
In the last newsletter, there was a google form scavenger hunt for you to partake in for a chance to win a prize. Thank you to all who participated. The lucky winner of the draw goes to... Kate Forbes!
Check out this edition’s scavenger hunt form for a chance to win.
Board of Trustees
Vermilion Elementary School
Vermilion Elementary has been very busy in the last month! This week we took time to celebrate literacy in a special way. Literacy Celebration Day at VES began with guest readers in each classroom. Not only did our guests read aloud, they took time to connect with our students. The guest explained what their role is in the community and their connections to VES. In the afternoon, we celebrated with a school-wide BOOK BINGO! Each time someone from a class won, the whole class ran up to choose a book. Once they had a book, smaller prizes like bookmarks and pencils were earned. Every student at VES went home with a book. And we danced!!
The grade 6s have entered Detective-in-Training. First they learned about latent, patent and plastic fingerprints. They fingerprinted themselves and then practiced lifting some latent fingerprints from some smooth surfaces from the classroom. Next up is footprints!
January Assembly included a special treat! The grade 5/6 and 6B class shared a song on their instruments with us. Then they told us about each instrument and played a few notes.
What great leaders we have at VES!
Edgerton Public School
We've had a great start to 2024 at EPS! We held an assembly that celebrated student growth and success with our Merit Awards, followed by a heavily hyped game of Dodgeball between staff and our grade 3-6 students! Elementary staff and students invited families to attend a Family Literacy Day on January 29th, where there was lots of reading and snacking to be had. Our month was then capped off with staff putting on a pancake breakfast for students to mark the start of the new term. Next up on our radar....the 100th Day of School and Pink Shirt Day activities!
Random Acts of Kindness Week & Pink Shirt Day
Random Acts of Kindness Week
Buffalo Trail Public Schools proudly recognizes Random Acts of Kindness week from Feb 11 - 17th.
We encourage all staff and students to do their part and "Make Kindness the Norm".
This week is all about spreading joy, making someone's day a little brighter, and showing the power of simple acts of kindness.
Whether it's a smile, a compliment, or a helping hand, let's come together to create a ripple effect of positivity in our schools and our communities.
Schools can use this link to access free RAK week activities for all grade levels. Please be sure to send in pictures/videos of what you are doing in your school.
Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Join BTPS as we stand together to spread kindness, acceptance, and inclusivity in our schools and communities. Together, we can make a difference! Let's paint our schools with positivity and support, one pink shirt at a time!
Wear pink, share your support, and let's make a difference!
Kids Help Phone, 1-800-668-6868
Kids Help Phone, Text ‘686868’
Bullying Helpline – Call 310-1818 or text 310-1818 or chat online for support
Transportation Department
To all BTPS Bus Drivers and Contractors,
Thank you for the work you do getting our students safely to and from school. You perform your duties through all sorts of situations and we can't thank you enough for the dedication you have to your job.
Thank you for all you do!
Garth, Aimee and Belle
Human Resources Department
Teacher Retirement Transition Strategy 2023-2024
Just a reminder for any teachers considering taking advantage of the BTPS Teacher Retirement Transition Program that was approved for the 2023-2024 school year, February is the last month to apply for this year. The deadline to submit your retirement is February 23rd.
Information on the TRTS program is posted on our website.
Wellness
🌞 Join Our Kindness Challenge! 🌞
Have you ever considered the impact of performing random acts of kindness? It turns out, these small gestures can have profound effects on your attitude, outlook, and even your health!
According to the Mayo Clinic, practicing kindness can do wonders for both your mental and physical well-being. Not only can it "rewire" your brain, making you more present and attentive to others, but it can also boost your mood in the process.
That's why we're inviting you to join our Kindness Challenge! We encourage you to take part in completing these acts of kindness, while spreading joy and positivity wherever we go.
Please initial and date each square of the board as you complete it. Staff members who successfully complete all activities by February 29th are invited to submit their board to patti.neale@btps.ca for a chance to win a prize!
So, why not spread a little kindness today? You never know the positive ripple effect it might have on both yourself and those around you. Let's make the world a brighter place, one kind act at a time!
Are you in? Join us in making a difference!
Online Graduate Programs at the U of A
The Faculty of Education, through its Professional Learning programs and courses, provides high-quality educational experiences for teachers and school leaders in a wide variety of school settings. We would like to draw your attention to the two graduate certificates and one MEd program offered, which have fully online and blended delivery options:
The Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies is a 4-course program with 12 disciplinary streams. This certificate allows teachers and school leaders to build their knowledge and expertise in specific disciplinary areas. Current offerings include:
- Contemporary Literacy Education K-9
- Early Childhood Education
- Education Futures
- Elementary Music Teaching and Learning
- Indigenous Education
- Indigenous Language Sustainability
- Leadership and Mentoring
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education
- Teaching Students with Complex Communication Needs
- Technology in Education
- Trauma-Sensitive Practice
The Master of Education in Educational Studies is a 10-course program. Students are able to come directly into this program OR they can ladder in one of the graduate certificates into the program which would reduce the program to 6 remaining courses. In addition, this program can be customized to meet identified needs of school divisions.
Digital Literacy Program
Do you want to improve your digital literacy skills to stay connected, access more opportunities, and make your daily tasks easier?
In this free program from the Province of Alberta, you will learn how to use the internet with confidence as a tool to improve your day-to-day life. Whether you’re starting at the very beginning, or you just want to improve your online skills, our self-guided courses will meet you where you’re at and help you learn new skills quickly.
For more information on how the program works and a step-by-step video, click the link below.
The National Youth Climate Activism Award
Show Canada Your Activism!
The National Youth Climate Activism Award honours students under the age of 20 and comes with a prize of up to $1000.
Make UP-TO a 5 minute video or write a short story of 500 words on how you are taking meaningful steps toward improving the outlook for our planet with respect to climate change.
APPLICATION PORTAL OPENS: Valentines Day Feb 14, 2024 & CLOSES: Earth Day April 22, 2024
WINNERS ANNOUNCED: Victoria Day May 20, 2024
For full details, please visit the website: https://www.youthclimateactivismaward.org/
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Artist and Education Funding
• Deadline May 1, 2024
This funding supports Alberta schools by subsidizing fees of professional Alberta artists of any artistic discipline that provide interactive arts residency projects for grades K-12.
The May deadline is for projects taking place in the next school year.
Eligible residency projects must meet the following criteria:
- engage either an Alberta-based individual artist, or a group of artists working together in any artistic discipline who has school residency experience to deliver a program
- provide students access to Alberta’s professional artists and their work
- provide an opportunity for students to observe and actively participate in the creative process
- encourage students to discover and express their creative potential
- take place on school property during school hours
- be five hours to thirty days in duration
- be completed within three months of its commencement date
The maximum grant will not exceed $15,000.
Click here for more information.
Math Bursary Program
The Math Bursary Program intends to encourage current and future Alberta K to 12 teachers to take a qualifying math course and strengthen their knowledge, skill, and confidence in teaching the subject. This bursary is for teachers already working in the school system and Bachelor of Education students at an Alberta post-secondary institution.
The bursary is a financial award of $1,000 that recipients may use to recover course costs and related expenses for successfully completing a pre-approved bursary-eligible course. Recipients will not have to repay any unspent funding. If the bursary does not cover all course expenses incurred, no additional funds will be awarded for that course.
Click here for more information.