BTPS Newsletter

​As we step into April, we proudly recognize two important celebrations in Buffalo Trail Public Schools—Education Week (April 7–11) and National Volunteer Week (April 27–May 3).

This year’s Education Week theme, "Learning Uplifts All," speaks to the heart of public education. In BTPS, learning is a shared journey that reflects the strength of our rural communities and schools—places where relationships run deep and every student is known by name. Each of you, whether in classrooms, offices, buses, or hallways, plays a vital role in shaping a culture where learning is valued, nurtured, and shared. Your passion, patience, and persistence truly uplift all.

National Volunteer Week, with its theme "Volunteers Make Waves," offers a chance to celebrate the countless individuals who give their time to support our schools. In rural communities, volunteerism is a way of life—neighbours helping neighbours, parents stepping in where needed, and staff going above and beyond to create rich experiences for students. Whether coaching a team, reading with students, participating in School Councils, organizing hot lunch, or running a club, these waves of support are deeply felt and long-lasting. In BTPS, many of you are both educators and volunteers—your impact is amplified, and your dedication does not go unnoticed.

Together, these two celebrations remind us of the incredible power of public education in rural Alberta—grounded in connection, driven by purpose, and sustained by people who care deeply. Thank you for being the heart of Buffalo Trail Public Schools. Your daily commitment uplifts, inspires, and creates waves of positive change that reach far beyond the walls of our schools.

April is a fabulous time to celebrate the people, passion, and purpose behind public education in BTPS!

Be Well,

Michelle

The BTPS Board of Trustees plays an active role in advocating for the needs of our students, staff, and school communities. Their efforts focus on key priorities such as hiring and retention, aging facilities, and wellness.

🌟 Check out the Board Advocacy page to learn more about how the Board is working to support public education in our division.

It has been said that upon entering Edgerton Public School “there is a noticeable positive energy”! That is a testament to our wonderful, caring staff and great students!! EPS continues to strive and succeed together whether in the quality learning time in our classrooms or through the many activities our school participates in! We hold a school-wide Assembly once/month where we celebrate student success with Merit Awards and then have a fun activity. In the past month some of our staff and students have participated in the Ag Safety Pancake Breakfast, Ski Trip to Table Mountain, Student Leadership Spirit Days, Leprechaun Wellness activity, Pi Day and most recently Elementary Swimming Lessons and Breakfast of Champions.

Our Staff and Students are treated very well by our Edgerton Public School Foundation who provide lunch to all once/month and “We Love Our Staff” luncheon. They also fund several of our activities that would not be possible without their support. Many, many thanks to them!

We live in a forward-thinking community where EPS is the center and is a great place to learn and grow! Go Eagles!

Dewberry Student Council is raising funds to support spirit days, dances, and other fun activities through popcorn sales. The students have worked hard to provide fun opportunities for their peers, and we are so thankful for this group who continue to work diligently to make it a success.

Students from our Land Based Agricultural Program, Greenhouse Green Certificate Program, and Poultry Green Certificate Program had the opportunity to attend the Generate Conference in Calgary. Dressed up for a gala, they experienced an inspiring talk by Dr. James Makokis and Anthony Johnson at WinSport. The Generate Conference team also took part in the “smelliest” tour as they explored the Bearspaw Water Treatment Facility.

New this semester is a Guitar Club with community volunteer Matt Fletcher. From our school surveys, we heard students asking for new opportunities, and we acted on their request by launching the club. We are so thankful for the dedicated group of students and our volunteer Matt for making this a success!

We hosted Carnival, with the Land Based Agriculture group taking the time to build various stations that connected fun games to academic learning. In the afternoon, we invited the community to come and experience the hard work and passion our students have put into their learning.

Elementary students explored science, numeracy, and literacy outcomes by building leprechaun traps in preparation for St. Patrick's Day. Students enjoyed the fun and engaging experience offered in our multi-grade classroom.

A large initiative in our Land Based Program this year at the junior high level is the incorporation of our shop. Every time students go on a trip, they return inspired to create items for purchase. This has included photos from their travels, art inspired by their adventures, slime kits, accessories, candles developed from local entrepreneur interactions, and new school swag. Students are responsible for tracking inventory, managing finances, and running the overall operations of the shop.

Pearl-Ann Gooding, an internationally recognized storyteller, visited our school on Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday to share the magic and power of fairy tales. After the student sessions, she worked with staff on how to integrate storytelling into daily lessons and instructional practices. What we love most about this experience is that Pearl-Ann is a local expert—she’s an educational assistant at WHS, and we are so thankful and fortunate to celebrate our internal talents.

Registration for bus transportation for the 2025–2026 school year opens on May 1, 2025. All registrations must be submitted online.

In-Town Students
All in-town students are required to register for bussing every year. The deadline to register is June 15, 2025.

Rural Students
If your child is already registered for rural bussing, you do not need to register again—unless:

• You have a new student starting school, or

• There’s been a change to your address

Late Registrations
Forms submitted after 12:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025, may not be processed in time for the first day of school. If you haven’t received confirmation or heard from your child’s bus driver, please do not send your child to the bus stop. Until you receive direct communication from your assigned bus driver, you will be responsible for arranging transportation for your child.

Questions about school bus registration?

transportation@btps.ca

Student safety is our top priority. We are committed to providing a safe and caring transportation experience for students every day.

Whether you have our littlest learners in your school or not, ALL schools are hubs for families with children of varying ages.

Please consider spreading the word! Siblings, cousins, neighbours, friends can benefit from valuable connections within our communities.

This AHS Play Connect Group is a great way for parents and children to make new connections and discover new support opportunities.

Support Our Troops - National Child and Youth Disability Reimbursement Program

The Support Our Troops National Child and Youth Disability Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement up to a total of $3,000 per applicant per FY to Regular and Reserve Force CAF members with dependent school-aged children with disabilities including neurodevelopmental, social, physical, and medical needs who require accommodations to access their education curriculum.

For more detailed information, eligibility and contact information, please visit the Support Our Troops website.

In an era when technical skills are evolving at an unprecedented pace, there is an important set of durable ‘soft skills’ that last a lifetime.

Durable Skills include a combination of how you use what you know – skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity – as well as character skills like fortitude, growth mindset, and leadership. Here is a link to the site connecting the skills to the workplace.

Vince Saretsky, CAREER coordinator

vince.saretsky@btps.ca

Submitted by Lorne Maier, JR Robson School

Looking for an unforgettable professional development experience? The Teachers Institute in Ottawa offers K–12 educators a week-long, immersive look into Canadian parliamentary democracy. Connect with educators across Canada, explore key institutions like the House of Commons and Supreme Court, and access incredible classroom resources.

Applications are due by May 4, 2025!

This year’s theme, “Learning Uplifts All,” is a reminder of the powerful impact education has on students, families, and communities. It’s a time to celebrate the meaningful connections, daily efforts, and shared commitment that make our classrooms vibrant places to learn and grow.

Education Week is also an opportunity to reflect on the role public education plays in building a brighter future for all. From the curiosity sparked in early learners to the confidence developed in graduating students, every stage of the journey is shaped by the dedication of educators, the support of families, and the resilience of learners.

Learn more at the Alberta Teachers’ Association website.

At Buffalo Trail Public Schools, we’re celebrating the incredible impact of our volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 27 – May 3, 2025! From reading with students, helping at school events, organizing hot lunch days, to supporting extracurricular activities — your time, energy, and care make a world of difference in our schools.

This year’s theme, “Volunteers Make Waves,” is a perfect reflection of what we see every day in BTPS. Like ripples in a pond, every act of volunteerism spreads kindness, connection, and community throughout our schools. Your support helps our schools thrive and our students feel seen, supported, and encouraged.

💙 Thank you to each and every volunteer who helps make BTPS a special place to learn and grow. Learn more about National Volunteer Week

At Buffalo Trail Public Schools, we recognize the importance of mental health and well-being for our students, staff, and families. As May approaches, we want to remind everyone that Mental Health Awareness Month and CMHA’s Mental Health Week (May 5–11) are just around the corner. It's a great time to reflect, connect, and support one another.

Stay tuned—more information and resources will be shared in our next newsletter!