BTPS Newsletter

At Buffalo Trail Public Schools, we are so thankful for our amazing staff and everything they do to help students succeed. Every staff member, whether working directly with students or staff working behind the scenes, plays a huge role in making our schools safe, welcoming, and inspiring places to learn. Your hard work and kindness make a real difference in the lives of our students and the whole school community. That’s why we’re excited to celebrate and recognize Education Worker Recognition Week from November 25–29, 2024, as a special opportunity to show our gratitude and recognize the incredible impact you have on our schools and students every day!

Taking part is easy! Share a positive story or message about an inspiring education worker on Facebook, Instagram, or X using the hashtag #YouMakeADifference, and tag ASEBP (@asebpbenefits). You’ll not only spread joy and appreciation but could also win a $100 Tango gift card! Visit ASEBP’s It Takes a Village wellness hub or their social media pages for more details and ideas on how to join this celebration. Let’s come together to make this week unforgettable and remind our education workers how much they’re valued!

Be well,

Michelle

Check out the Board Highlights from the October 23 Regular Meeting.

Highlights include: Council of School Councils, Leadership and Celebration Highlights, Student Engagement, Ward/Boundary Update and Board Updates.

You can read the full summary here.

Buffalo Trail Public Schools is committed to maximizing student learning, in a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team.

On November 4, BTPS hosted the first Council of School Councils session, bringing together trustees, BTPS leaders, and school council representatives to share successes and ideas. Attendees discussed improving communication, building partnerships, and growing memberships, emphasizing that councils play a vital role in public education.

BTPS values parent and community involvement, recognizing it enriches schools and supports student success. A heartfelt thank-you goes to all school council members for their dedication. It is truly appreciated.

Check out the media release for more details!

This year, Hughenden Public School has been filled with opportunities to come together, celebrate achievements, and foster growth. We started the year with a welcoming pancake breakfast, which set a positive tone and helped build connections among students and staff. The breakfast was cooked and served by HPS students.

Our students have engaged in meaningful activities, including Socktober, where the community came together to collect donations for those in need, highlighting compassion and teamwork. All in all, there were over 600 pairs of socks collected.

The Academic Awards celebrated student dedication and success, while a variety of guest speakers brought new insights, sparking curiosity and thoughtful discussions. One of the speakers being from the Alberta Trappers Association with numerous stories to tell and furs to show the students.

Our Wildcats played well this volleyball season. The senior boys, who were joined with Altario School, competed at zones winning the bronze medal; and senior girls finished in fourth place at the conference finals. Our junior girls tied for third in the league and lost in semi-finals at BTJHAA championship.

We held a heartfelt Remembrance Day service, honoring the sacrifices of those who served, and our students showcased their school spirit and teamwork through their participation in sports throughout the year. Four of our students are Cadets and they proudly wore their uniforms for the ceremony.

It has been a busy beginning to our school year at Innisfree Delnorte School. Our school year kicked off with a welcome week including a variety of spirit activities like a welcome back breakfast, school colors and career dress up days, and ending with a visit and workshops from Frisbee Rob focusing on resilience. Thank you to our school council for supporting that opportunity.

As we moved through September we recognized Truth and Reconciliation with a full day of activities on September 27th. Our students were able to participate in rotating stations through the days learning about indigenous games, the Métis people and finger weaving, Orange Shirt Day, traditional jam and bannock making, and a student-led session regarding medicinal plants, the medicine wheel, and smudging.

October brought a variety of learning and spirit activities including our school Cancer Walk/Run for the Stollery Children's Hospital and the beginning of partnership programming with our FCSS for our senior high to focus on career and life planning and our Grade 1/2/3 to do Roots of Empathy. We also began music programming with a local music expert, doing "Sound Exploration" in our elementary classrooms. Celebrating student achievements from the previous school year happened as well, with our Awards afternoon on October 25. A variety of Halloween happenings took place, including a We Scare Hunger Food Drive organized for the local food bank by our Health 7/8/9 class and activities put on by our public library.

November has been a busy month with Parent Teacher Interviews and a bake sale, our Remembrance Day Ceremony with local legion members and a member from CFB Wainwright presenting to our students. Before the break we enjoyed watching our senior girls volleyball team take on our teachers in a very close match, with teachers squeaking out the win.

We look forward to many events and learning opportunities yet to come for our students at Innisfree Delnorte School throughout the school year and thank the many community organizations that have supported our learning thus far!

We’re excited to share that Indigenous Literacy Kits have been created!

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

They will be available in schools soon and provide a meaningful opportunity to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into your classrooms, especially as part of your language arts classes.

On Thursday, November 14, the Facility Services team spent the day taking their Basic First Aid Course.

During the two previous days, Don trained 18 bus drivers on Tuesday and our CUPE custodians on Wednesday. BTPS is so fortunate to have our own in-house first aid trainer to offer courses throughout the year to our staff and students.

Photo (Left to right): Don Doherty, Randy Stewart, Rod Wasylciw, Brett Leggett, Carter Lawson, Cole Kaban, Joe Evans, Harlie Prowse, Mike Soucy, Bart Hill

School Bus Safety week (October 21-25, 2024) kicked off again this year with the Bus Safety Poster contest. We received a large number of excellent entries this year.

The theme for the poster contest this year was: Bus Rule - Be Clever, Dress for the Weather

Congratulations to everyone that submitted an entry and to those selected as the winners! Great job everyone!

December edition of the Recovery Alberta Mental Health & Addiction Parent Newsletter that focuses on Benefits of Family Time.

The themes include:

• Spending time with family
• Health benefits of family time
• Be intentional with family time
• Plan family time outside of your routine

Inclusion Alberta, post-secondary education coordinators, from the campuses at Lakeland College, will be holding an informational session next week in Lloydminster. Both coordinators will be on hand to answer any questions and to inform of our supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities who would like to pursue post secondary studies.

Please accept this as your invitation to attend (see the attached information poster) for an evening session on inclusive post-secondary education. Please RSVP to Darren Beach @ dbeach@inclusionalberta.org.

Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton and Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides issued the following statement on Bullying Awareness Week:

“Many Albertans have experienced the pain and trauma caused by bullying, but we all have the power to prevent future harm by creating safer, more welcoming communities."

“Bullying Awareness Week serves as a reminder of how important it is for all of us to learn how to recognize and prevent bullying in all its forms. Alberta’s government is proud to support initiatives and organizations that work to promote healthy, respectful relationships and ensure victims have the resources they need to overcome the challenging, long-term health and social impacts bullying can cause."

“Help is available 24-7 by calling or texting Alberta’s Bullying Helpline at 310-1818, or by connecting with trained staff online.”

Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services

“Bullying has no place in our province. Everyone deserves to feel safe no matter where they are, whether that’s at home, in our schools, at work or online. Together, we can all stand against bullying and let those around us know that there are people and resources available to help so we can ensure our communities are safer for everyone."

“This week, I encourage everyone to raise awareness that help is always available. Get involved by using the #BullyingAwarenessWeek hashtag on social media, starting a discussion with your friends, family or coworkers about how to intervene and support each other, and taking part in anti-bullying events at your school or in your community. Let’s all work together to promote safe, healthy and respectful relationships.”

Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

Teachers, are you aware of these exceptional Collaborative Communities of Practice, organized by The Consortium (APLC). These online sessions offer opportunities for educators specializing in areas such as English as an Additional Language, Early Learning, Music, Physical Education & Wellness, and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education. Participants can connect with colleagues across Alberta, access new resources, and collaboratively address shared challenges. Led by experienced facilitators, each community fosters a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and networking. For more information or to join a community, visit APLC's website.

Think Globally Collage Contest is for Alberta’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 students including those enrolled in Alberta’s international accredited schools. This contest encourages students to further their understanding of the differences and connections among the world’s people and places by creating a collage that answers the question, “In my school, how do I interact with the world?” As part of the process, students are encouraged to reflect on their own school experience and provide examples that represent language and culture learning, sharing ideas, perspectives, and values, and strengthening international and intercultural relationships.

This contest will provide students with the opportunity to explore the benefits of international education. International education helps students gain international and intercultural knowledge, skills, and awareness. Students also develop greater understanding and respect for cultural diversity while learning from different perspectives, practices and systems. In an increasingly global world, these global competencies are beneficial for students as they build relationships with international communities here in Alberta and abroad.

Please visit alberta.ca/international-education-programs for further details and to download the contest guide and entry package as well as the contest poster. If you have any questions about the Think Globally Collage Contest, please contact Waldemar Riemer at waldemar.riemer@gov.ab.ca or 780-422-1540.