BTPS Newsletter

Welcome back! I hope your holiday season was filled with rest, joy, and meaningful moments shared with loved ones. As we step into this new year, I trust your first week back at work has been smooth and that you’re feeling prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

January is often a time for reflection and renewal. Whether you set specific goals, establish meaningful intentions, or embrace a guiding “word of the year,” I encourage you to consider prioritizing mental health in your plans. By making mental health a priority, we strengthen our ability to grow, connect, and navigate the year with resilience and purpose.

Caring for our mental health enables us to show up fully—not only for ourselves but for our colleagues, students, and communities. This month, Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 22 offers a significant opportunity to shine a light on mental health. Whether by sharing a story, offering support to someone in need, or simply reflecting on your own well-being, every small action helps reduce stigma and fosters understanding.

As we move forward in 2025, let’s continue to support and uplift one another, creating a positive and caring environment for everyone in our division. Thank you for the dedication, passion, and difference you make every day in the lives of students and families.

Wishing you a January filled with purpose, connection, and well-being. Together, let’s make this a truly remarkable year!

Be Well,

Michelle

We are excited for the upcoming 13th Annual Superintendent's Public Speaking Competition.

Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Where: JR Robson School - North Training Centre

Time: 9:30am - Noon

The BTPS Superintendent’s Public Speaking Contest provides an opportunity for students in BTPS to be involved in an event that will display their public speaking abilities. The competition is meant to acknowledge the importance of public speaking as an essential skill for today’s youth.

The contest is open to students who are currently enrolled in a BTPS school. Schools can nominate a maximum of 1 (one) candidate in each of the competition categories (A school level competition may be held to identify the candidates to be nominated).

Dr. Folkins Community School: Celebrating a December to Remember!

December was packed with joy, creativity, and community spirit at Dr. Folkins Community School! Here’s a glimpse of what’s been happening:

Our Christmas concert was a musical adventure to remember! "Santa's Rock'n Christmas" brought our elementary students together for a heartwarming and entertaining show. With a fun-filled plot weaving through every act, the night featured a special ukulele performance by our Grade 5/6 class that left the audience clapping along.

Door Decorating Competition
Creativity was unleashed during our school-wide door decorating competition! The hallways were a festive wonderland, with themes ranging from traditional Christmas cheer to out-of-the-box ideas like "Santa on a Ski-Doo!" While the glue and glitter may have gotten a bit messy, the results were spectacular.

Sledge Hockey Fun
Thanks to Mrs. Tarla Olson, our students got to experience the inclusive thrill of sledge hockey. As hockey is the lifeblood of our community, this hands-on activity was a fantastic opportunity to learn how Canada’s game can be enjoyed by everyone.

Books, Toys, and Learning Galore
Our book fair was a huge success, fueling a love of reading across the school. We also came together in the spirit of giving, donating a “mountain” of toys to the Kinsmen Make-A-Wish Foundation. And amidst all the fun, our classrooms were alive with exciting learning experiences.

Thank you to our staff, students, and families for making this season so memorable. Here's to more adventures in the new year!

What a whirlwind of activity December was at Kitscoty Elementary! With the holidays in the air, our students and staff came together to make this month truly memorable.

The highlight of the month was undoubtedly our Christmas Concert. Students spent countless hours rehearsing songs, skits, and performances that brought holiday cheer to life. Their hard work and dedication shone brightly on stage as they hosted two performances with a combined audience of approximately 700 parents, grandparents, and community members. The joy and pride in the room were palpable, making it a special event for everyone involved. Thank you to all who attended and supported our students—your presence made both performances even more magical!

As we wrapped up the month, the fun continued with our Book Bingo and Pajama Day. Students and staff alike enjoyed a day filled with games, laughter, and a love of reading. To make the holiday break even more special, every student selected a book of their choice to take home.

Indigenous literacy kits have arrived in your schools!

These kits feature a diverse collection of stories that highlight Indigenous content, perspectives, and ways of knowing.

Accompanying the stories are thoughtfully designed activities that align with the ELA curriculum. These resources are intended to support the meaningful integration of Indigenous content into your classrooms.

Introducing the CLEAR Framework: Enhancing Teaching with AI

The CLEAR Framework, created by the AI team at BTPS, is an innovative tool designed to empower teachers to create effective, AI-enhanced lesson plans and instructional strategies. CLEAR stands for Curriculum, Learners & Lesson, Engagement, Assessment, and Resources. By addressing each of these areas, the framework ensures that lesson plans are aligned with curriculum goals, cater to diverse learner needs, and provide engaging and inclusive educational experiences.

Why is the CLEAR Framework Important?

The CLEAR Framework simplifies the process of designing impactful lessons while maintaining high standards. It helps teachers:

• Align activities and assessments with curriculum goals and Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels.

• Address the diverse needs of learners, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

• Incorporate engaging strategies to promote collaboration and critical thinking.

• Use formative and summative assessments to guide instruction and provide actionable feedback.

• Leverage and adapt resources effectively to enhance learning outcomes.

How to Use the CLEAR Framework

The CLEAR Framework can guide your entire lesson-planning process:

1. Before Prompting: Use guiding questions from each section of the CLEAR framework to collect critical information about your lesson objectives and students’ needs.

2. After Prompting: Use the refinement questions to review AI-generated outputs, ensuring they are aligned with your classroom goals and actionable for real-world teaching.

If you have any questions or would like to collaborate on planning or creating resources and assessments using the CLEAR framework, please reach out to stacy.jubinville@btps.ca.

Stay Safe Online: Email Security Tips

Email is a valuable tool, but it can also be a source of online threats.

• Be wary of suspicious emails: Watch out for unexpected emails, especially those containing links or attachments.

• Don't click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.

• Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking.

• Never reply to spam emails.

• If an email asks for personal information, be cautious.

If you suspect an email is malicious, contact the BTPS Tech team immediately by starting a techhelp@btps.ca ticket. By following these simple tips, you can help protect yourself from phishing, spam, spoofing, and other online threats.

Remember:

• If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

• When in doubt, don't click

Caregiver Education

January / February 2025 Newsletter

Wainwright and District FCSS

Attached is a poster with the details for the upcoming parent presentations for Irma, Wainright & Edgerton.

​Check out our monthly Newsletter to stay up to date with all the exciting activities and events happening in and around our community.

January 2025

Submitted by Katrin Heim, Provost Public School

Seven Sacred Teachings is a profound exploration of Indigenous wisdom, written by David Bouchard and Joseph Martin, and illustrated by Kristy Cameron, with flutes and music by Swampfox. The creators of this book share traditional values and hope for the future, compelling readers to reflect on their contributions within all of creation.

The Seven Sacred Teachings of White Buffalo Calf Woman, also known as the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, is an expression of the worldview about the interconnectedness of all creation. It is believed that these Teachings were necessary for communities to survive and to live well. Grounded in the rich oral traditions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, the book introduces the timeless teachings of humility, honesty, respect, courage, wisdom, truth, and love. These values are embodied by animals, serving as guides for living a harmonious and balanced life.

• Humility is represented by Wolf and reminds us of our place in the larger circle of life. It encourages us to recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and live without arrogance.
• Honesty is characterized by Kitchi-Sabe (mythical creature) and Raven and requires living a truthful life. It encourages authenticity and a commitment to living without deceit.
• Respect is embodied by Buffalo and reminds us to honour all living things and the natural world. By recognizing the value in others, we foster harmony and balance.
• Courage is modelled by Bear and teaches us to face challenges with strength and determination. It calls us to stand up for what is right and overcome fear.
• Wisdom is personified by Beaver and is the ability to make good decisions for the benefit of the community. It teaches us to seek knowledge and apply it thoughtfully in our actions.
• Truth is portrayed by Turtle and is the foundation of all teachings. It calls us to live with integrity, staying true to our beliefs and values while seeking understanding.
• Love is present in the Eagle and is the foundation of a good life. To love means to first understand and live the other six Teachings. Love teaches us to care for ourselves, others, and all of creation, showing compassion and empathy in all that we do.

Each teaching offers guidance for living a life of balance, respect, and connection, honouring both self and community. Accompanied by vibrant illustrations and reflective storytelling, the book invites readers to deepen their understanding of Indigenous worldviews while fostering respect for cultural diversity. It is an inspiring resource for educators to explore curricular areas of English Language Arts and Literature (oral language and text forms), Art, Music, and Social Studies. Above all, with its bilingual English and Ojibwe text, this work bridges cultures and celebrates the interconnectedness of all life.

In today's fast-paced world, shifting from merely surviving to truly thriving is achievable through intentional habits that nurture both mental and physical well-being. Dr. Greg Wells outlines five actionable strategies to facilitate this transformation:

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, viewing setbacks as learning experiences to build resilience.

2. Invest in Social Connections: Cultivate strong, supportive relationships to enhance your sense of belonging and happiness.

3. Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Incorporate consistent exercise to boost both physical health and mental well-being.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude: Stay present and appreciative to reduce stress and foster a positive outlook.

5. Set Meaningful Goals and Celebrate Small Wins: Establish realistic objectives and acknowledge incremental achievements to maintain motivation and drive continuous improvement.

Implementing these practices can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life. For a deeper exploration of these strategies, visit Dr. Wells' full article.

Buffalo Trail Public Schools is proud to support Bell Let's Talk Day, an initiative dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and fostering open conversations about mental well-being.

The Bell Let's Talk Toolkit includes a variety of resources designed to engage individuals of all ages in conversations about mental health.

• Conversation Guides
• Self-Care Activities
• Kindness Box
• Stickers and Posters
• Mandala Art and Colouring Pages

By engaging in open conversations and utilizing the tools available, we can work together to create a more supportive and understanding environment for all. Let's continue to support one another and keep the conversation about mental health going every day.

For more information and to access the full toolkit, please visit Bell Let's Talk's official website.

Kids Help Phone: Free, confidential e-mental health supports and services for youth available 24/7.

Call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868

Buffalo Trail Public Schools is excited to celebrate Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2025!

This annual event, created by ABC Life Literacy Canada, highlights the importance of reading and engaging in literacy activities as a family. This year’s theme, “Learn to be Green, Together,” encourages families to explore fun and educational ways to be environmentally friendly while learning together.

How can your family "Learn to be Green"?

• Use Less Electricity: Turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use.
• Commute Together: Walk, bike, or carpool as a family.
• Reuse and Repurpose: Get creative with upcycling projects.

Reading and learning together not only boosts children’s literacy skills but also strengthens family bonds. It’s a meaningful way for families to connect and grow.

Visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca to access free resources and find inspiration for fun activities to make literacy and environmental awareness part of your family’s daily life. Together, let’s embrace literacy, learning, and sustainability. 🌍📖💚

Registration for Winter Walk Day 2025 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!

Register here!