BTPS Newsletter
May 24, 2024
Superintendent's Memo
As the end of the school year approaches, we find ourselves immersed in the joyous celebrations of graduation season. Over the past few weeks, trustees and senior administrators have had the privilege of attending numerous graduation ceremonies across Buffalo Trail Public Schools. The gyms and halls are filled with community members, families, and staff who are all there to celebrate this milestone. These events are a testament to our students' hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Each graduate walking across the stage symbolizes personal achievement and the culmination of a community's collective effort.
In celebrating BTPS students' success, we are reminded of our immense pride in supporting these young individuals on their journey. From kindergarten through grade 12, every role within our division has been crucial in guiding our students to this moment. The care and dedication shown by everyone—whether in maintaining our facilities, driving the buses, keeping our technology current, supporting learning in countless ways, or nurturing students' growth and development, from teaching them to share toys to completing physics problems—have all contributed to this milestone.
To all BTPS staff, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your individual and collective contributions have been vital in helping our students reach this significant milestone. As we celebrate the graduates' achievements, let us also celebrate our collective dedication and commitment to education. Together, we have made a lasting impact, and we should all be proud. Thank you, each and every one of you, for your unwavering support and hard work throughout the years.
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... Teresa Boerrichter!
Check out this edition’s scavenger hunt form for a chance to win.
Kitscoty Elementary School
What’s Happening at KES
At the end of last month, we completed another very successful drama performance at KES. Twenty-five of our grade 5 and 6 students, under the leadership and direction of Mrs. Maxine Byrt, worked hard from January to April to be ready to perform Pinocchio. We had a total of 7 staff members (Maxine Byrt, Stacey Saam, Janice Jackson, Sarah Bergquist, Colleen Tabish, Elisha Taylor, and Sean Stromberg), as well as a grade 12 student from KHS (Vashti Jewitt), helping in various capacities on the production. We also had make-up and hair done by Kyla Fiolleau along with volunteers from the Lakeland College Hair Styling Class of 2024, as well as Kathy Jeffrey. Over 500 people attended two performances of the show. By all accounts, it was a smashing success! A special thank-you also goes out to the BTPS Board of Trustees for helping support our upgraded sound system, which ensured an extremely smooth production. We are already starting to look ahead to our performance for next year!
We have also recently had the good fortune to be joined by Michelle Lake, who provided an artist in residence program to our students. Everyone in the school had a chance to create a painting to take home to their parents. It was a wonderful way to spend some time in the days leading up to the May Long Weekend.
In athletic news, we are currently joined by Mini Legends, a group that encourages track and field skills in Elementary students. Everyone in the school was given the opportunity to participate in honing their running, jumping and throwing skills.
Mannville School
The Elementary students participated in a fun, tug-of-war to celebrate meeting their monthly AR goals!
The kindergarten students explored the Mannville Fire Hall and learned about fire safety from our county Fire Chief.
Mannville’s Jr. Badminton Athletes competed at Northerns, BTPS Finals and the Kitscoty Tournament and came away with lots of hardware! Great Royals!
Keely Chomik and Rylan Jackson brought home Gold Medals in the Elementary and Junior High Divisions of the Superintendent’s Public Speaking Competition!
Our Kindergarten students have found many new and exciting hands-on ways to learn about literacy.
Mannville School hosted a Trickster Theatre Residency in April. The students created and performed plays with the help of their Trickster!
Wainwright Elementary School Leadership
Buffalo Trail Public Schools is pleased to announce that Kimberly DeFord will be the new Principal of Wainwright Elementary School commencing August 2024.
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. DeFord!
National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time dedicated to honouring and celebrating the rich histories, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Canada. As we journey through this important month, we are reminded of the profound impact Indigenous communities have had, and continue to have, on our nation’s heritage and identity.
Learn more about National Indigenous History Month and how you can participate here.
June 21st marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of Indigenous peoples. At Buffalo Trail Public Schools, we are proud to join in these celebrations with various activities, educational programs, and events designed to deepen our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous traditions and histories.
Let’s come together to celebrate, learn, and grow as we honour National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Learning Services Department
Here are some links I have gathered from our Hapara Workspace. They are a great starting point as we approach National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. The links contain:
The Seven Grandfather Teachings
Booklists
Lesson plans from The Rupertsland Institute
Traditional games with instructions
Podcasts
Teacher's Guide - Seven Grandfather Teachings
Truth and Reconciliation Books
Indigenous Language Revitalization Children's Books
Foundational Knowledge for Indigenous Education
Traditional Games Lesson Plans
- Tyler Pearse
Vermilion Elementary School - Metis Culture Workshop
Vermilion Elementary School students and staff had an incredible two days participating in a Metis Culture Workshop with Brianna Lizotte and her accompanist Ethan Graves! We learned to play the spoons and dance the Red River Jig. Brianna also shared her knowledge of the history behind this music and dance. To windup the two days we had a “kitchen party” where each grade shared their learning, and we all participated in the Red River Jig.
Brianna and Ethan are very talented musicians and are truly wonderful sharing this with children. Brianna is a fiddler, and Ethan is taking his music degree and plays the trombone. He was one of the band clinicians who came to get our grade 4 to 6 students started on their band instruments. Brianna grew up in a household where music was played, whether it was from home videos or kitchen parties. At the age of 10, most of the musicians in her family passed away, so she took it upon herself to keep the music alive. This has led her to many opportunities such as competing twice in the Canadian Grand Masters, music festivals across Alberta, and traveling to Rome to support the Metis delegates during their meetings with the Pope in 2022.
VES is very fortunate that Brianna has this passion for sharing her Metis culture and her musical talent with others!
Inclusive Learning Department
Wainwright & District Family & Community Support Services
Please see the attached Wainwright & District FCSS newsletter which is packed full of great opportunities in June.