BTPS Newsletter

What an incredible start to the school year it has been! As I look at the date and notice the first signs of autumn, I find myself in awe of how quickly the time has passed. It's hard to believe we’re already halfway through the first month of school, yet summer feels like a distant memory.

This whirlwind is a testament to the tremendous effort happening across our division. Every one of you has worked collaboratively to ensure a smooth and successful start for our students. From classrooms to facilities and transportation, your dedication is clear in every aspect of our operations.

Beyond the usual routines, it’s been wonderful to see the many opportunities you’re creating for our students. As I visit schools, hear stories, and see social media posts, I’m thrilled to witness students participating in activities like golf, volleyball, cross-country, field trips, and various clubs. These enriching experiences wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and enthusiasm of our staff and volunteers.

As we move forward, I’d also like to highlight a few important upcoming events. Many of our schools will soon be hosting Terry Fox Runs, a tradition that not only promotes physical activity but also honours Terry's inspiring legacy in the fight against cancer. Additionally, September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day for reflection, education, and commitment to understanding the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. I encourage all staff to take time with students to engage in meaningful discussions and activities that recognize this important day.

I sincerely thank each of you for making these opportunities a reality for our students. Your commitment and care do not go unnoticed, and they make a world of difference in the lives of our students and communities.

Be well,

Michelle

Check out the Board Highlights from the September 18th Regular Meeting.

Highlights include: Wainwright Elementary School, BTPS Learning Day and Support Staff Conference Feedback, Student Engagement, School Success Collaborations - Value Scoping, Board Advocacy, Electoral Wards and Council of School Councils.

You can read the full summary here.

The Board is pleased to share the good news that the Wainwright Elementary School Replacement project was part of the latest government announcement on the School Construction Accelerator Program and will be funded for the new replacement school. Wainwright Elementary School has been on the BTPS Capital Plan for 10 years and the number one capital plan priority for 5 years. We are site ready and excited to learn more about the construction phase that we have been approved for. Stay tuned!

Planning for the School Success Collaboration sessions for Amisk and Hughenden Schools is well

underway. The engagement process for October 3rd and 4th will bring together invited

representatives from the communities/municipalities, schools, the Board, Senior Leadership,

school councils, school principals and government to have in-depth conversations and learning

opportunities on the process, objectives and evaluations.

For further information or questions, please contact buffalotrail@btps.ca

The Grade 1/2 class had their first flashlight Friday last week. There was 12 minutes of reading time anywhere in the room illuminated by their flashlights. Everyone loved it!

We scored low…too much grass and not enough variety of plants, plus all the animals were hiding! Students were only able to find some grasshoppers and several snakes.

Throughout the year we will spotlight a staff member who will share a book that has inspired or resonated with them. This is a space for personal reflections and insights, where you can discover new perspectives and ideas through the eyes of your peers, find your next great read or simply want to be inspired by others' journeys.

The Courage To Teach 10th Anniversary Edition by Parker J. Palmer

Reflection is essential in our profession. As educators and leaders, taking time to reflect on our practices helps us grow and enhance our effectiveness. Palmer’s "The Courage to Teach" prompted me to critically examine my methods and consider alternative approaches. He emphasizes key principles of paradox practice:

1. Learning spaces should be open and bounded.

2. The learning space should be charged and hospitable.

3. The learning space invites the voices of both the individual and the group.

4. We must honor both the little stories of our lives and the big stories of the discipline.

5. The learning space should support solitude and build the community to protect people in engaging in it.

6. We need to create a space that welcomes both silence and speech.

These concepts have deeply influenced my thinking as a teacher and principal. How can I apply these principles to inform my professional development? This book is truly thought-provoking. I would highly recommend this read for anyone interested in critically reflecting on their practice.

Today, September 20, marks Military Family Appreciation Day. Buffalo Trail Public Schools is proud to celebrate this special occasion, observed each year on the third Friday of September.

We honour and appreciate the significant contributions of military families, who endure long deployments, frequent relocations, and numerous sacrifices to support their loved ones in service.

On this day and every day, we remember the sacrifices made by these families and celebrate, thank, and recognize their remarkable resilience.

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to remember, reflect, and renew our commitment to the path of truth, healing, and reconciliation. On Friday, September 27, staff and students will take part in learning activities to honour this important day.

We encourage you to join us by wearing Orange Shirts on September 27 as a symbol of our dedication to truth and reconciliation. Below are some helpful links to assist in planning activities for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

Please see attached formal invitation to our Celebration and Retirement Event happening the evening of Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Wainwright at the Wainwright Communiplex Halls 1&2.

This is an open invitation to all staff to come and celebrate our long service employees and retirees for the 2023-2024 school year. Supper is being provided by the Board of Trustees.

Each school has their own sign up sheet. Please RSVP with your respective admin assistant or administrator by Friday, October 11, 2024 so we have a final count for our caterer.

We hope to see you there!

At Buffalo Trail Public Schools (BTPS), the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Whether it's playground equipment, fire drills, or more critical situations, we are dedicated to maintaining a safe and caring environment across all of our school communities.

To enhance our safety measures, BTPS has partnered with East Central Catholic Schools to implement Hour-Zero, a Canadian-based emergency preparedness program. Hour-Zero specializes in school emergency planning, providing the necessary tools, technology, and training to establish a thorough and consistent safety protocol throughout BTPS schools and communities.

Senior administration and school principals have been participating in training sessions, and further training will be conducted throughout the year at all school sites to ensure ongoing preparedness.

Outstanding Support Staff Award

We are now accepting nominations for this year's Outstanding Support Staff Award. This is your opportunity to recognize the remarkable contributions your support staff make to students, families, colleagues, schools, and the division.

Please refer to the Administrative Procedure for the award criteria and nomination form, which you may share with your staff. Submit all nomination packages to Assistant Superintendent, Camille Quinton at camille.quinton@btps.ca prior to the last day of September.

EdCan Network

As we enter a new school year we want to remind all staff that Buffalo Trail is a member of the Ed Can Network. Membership entitles ALL school district staff, including all your schools' teachers and principals, access to EdCan member benefits. Please distribute the following link to ALL staff: EdCan Exclusive School District Membership Benefits

We highly encourage your staff to create an online account to gain unlimited access to Education Canada Magazine’s vast online article archives and podcast episodes exploring every facet of Canadian public education.

The 2024-2025 edition of Education Canada highlights the great things happening across the country's school communities. Collaborative efforts among students, staff, unions, trustees, governments, parents, and partners foster shared vision, wellbeing, and better outcomes. By sharing successes and lessons learned, educators and leaders can uplift Canadian K-12 education.

This week, we're talkin' MATH STARTERS.

Math starters are quick, engaging activities that help students warm up their math skills and focus at the beginning of a lesson. They review previous learning, introduce new concepts, or build problem-solving skills. Incorporating math starters into daily lessons is simple, as they can be done in just a few minutes using resources like quick problems, puzzles, or number games.

Check out these math starter resources:

Dice Games

Esti-Mysteries

K-6 Math Starters

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all of our bus drivers for the incredible job you’ve done in helping make the start of this school year a smooth and successful one. Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed.

Every day, you ensure our children get to and from school safely and on time. We know that this isn’t always an easy task, yet you do it with such care and professionalism. You greet our students with smiles, patience, and kindness, creating a positive start and end to their school day.

Your role is so important in our school community, and we deeply appreciate the effort you put into keeping our children safe and comfortable as they travel. It truly helps create an environment where learning can flourish. Thank you again for your outstanding service. We are lucky to have such a wonderful team of bus drivers!

Transportation Team - Garth, Aimee and Belle

It is wonderful to have all our students and staff back in our facilities after a nice long break. Over the summer the facilities and custodial staff were busy maintaining and cleaning our schools, preparing them for the 2024-25 school year.

Thank you to all our facilities and custodial staff for keeping our schools safe and sparkling clean all year round!

Please practice good citizenship:

• wipe your feet before entering our schools
• wear clean, non-marking footwear
• use trash and recycle bins provided
• keep all exterior doors closed (not propped open) to prevent unwanted rodents and insects from entering our facilities

Custodial Supervisor - Jennifer Schneider

Health Skills Day

Attention Grade 9-12 students in the M.D. of Wainwright! Here is an exciting opportunity to explore rural healthcare firsthand with hands-on experience. Register now and take your first step towards a future in healthcare!

To register:

Contact Carley Herbert

Economic Development Officer, Town of Wainwright

780-842-3381

cherbert@wainwright.ca

Registration deadline is October 30th

For over 15 years, Best Buy Canada's School Tech Grant program has supported Canadian public elementary schools looking to upgrade their classroom technology. We believe that having access to the latest computers and digital devices is essential to keeping students motivated and inspired. This year we have multiple Grants to apply for.

• General School Tech Grant: Grants of up to $10,000 are now available for elementary schools to help introduce or improve technology available to all students in the school from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
• Google Chromebook Package: We’ll be offering a classroom set of Chromebooks, worth $10,000, to an elementary school to boost interest and proficiency in STEM learning among teachers and students.
• E-Sports Grant: This year we're introducing a grant category for new or existing e-sports programs targeted at elementary-aged students. Successful schools will receive $5,000 to purchase the tech needed to create or grow an e-sports club to promote teamwork and foster interest in STEM fields.