BTPS Newsletter

I hope you had a restful and joyful Easter and spring break. As we return to our schools for the final stretch of the year, I want to wish you well in the weeks ahead. The next two months will be filled with learning, celebrating growth, and guiding students across the finish line. Thank you for continuing to bring our vision to life by empowering students to be caring, responsible, and contributing global citizens with a passion for learning.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s a meaningful time to reflect on how we support student well-being in our classrooms and school communities. The connections you build, the safe spaces you create, and the care you show each day make a difference. Mental health is foundational to learning, and your efforts help students develop the resilience and confidence they need to thrive, now and in the future.

As we focus on students, please remember to take care of yourselves too. Your mental health matters. This is a busy and often emotionally charged time of year, so take a moment when you can to pause, breathe, and do something that brings you joy. In BTPS, we believe that dynamic leadership starts with well-being - our own and that of those we serve. Thank you for leading with heart, and for helping all students discover their own passion for learning.

Be Well,

Michelle

Check out the Board Highlights from the April 2025 meeting.

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.

Student Engagement with the Board of Trustees

Every month, Buffalo Trail Public Schools students join our Board meetings to connect with Trustees and share their learning, thoughts, and ideas. This monthly student engagement opportunity is one way we are bringing to life the commitments outlined in our What We Heard document, where students shared the importance of being heard, feeling valued, and contributing to their school communities.

At the April Board Meeting, students from Irma School, J.R. Robson School, and Kitscoty High School shared their experiences with Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses, Dual Credit trades pathways and University Transfer courses offered through Lakeland College. They spoke about how these opportunities enriched their learning, opened doors to potential career paths, and provided a welcoming and practical introduction to post-secondary education. Their insights highlighted the value of meaningful, hands-on learning experiences in helping students discover and shape their future goals.

We are grateful to the students for their thoughtful contributions and to the Board for their continued commitment to listening and learning from the voices of BTPS students.

It has been a busy winter and spring here at KHS. Graduation is only a week away, and the spring sports are in full swing. The Greece trip is back and the ice is off the lakes, but not before our wilderness class got some fishing in!

Our junior high school athletes won the BTPS Supremacy Award this year! KHS won the Zone Banner for Senior Badminton as well as the Northern and District banner for Junior Badminton. Our coaches and players have gone above and beyond this year.

Track and Field is well underway as well as is our Track Improvement Project. We are redeveloping the track and associated areas in partnership with both Kitscoty Schools, BTPS, the town, and the County. Big plans are afoot.

This time of the year, we also have students at Lakeland College taking Mechanics, our Grade 9s will be going to Lakeland for a tour, and the Try-a-Trade Show for our Grade 10s.

Graduation will take place on May 10th, and our senior class is excited for the event. It is always a celebration of 12 hard years as well as a sad goodbye to another group of KHS students.

We had a junior high school-wide competition this year for the Superintendents' speaking contest. The students were amazing as they jumped out of their comfort zone. It is a sprint to the finish now!

At MJS, we are excited that spring has arrived, and around the school, it is always busy. Students are busy in their classes; teachers are always planning and prepping for the next exciting lesson. Basketball quickly transitioned to badminton, and that will quickly transition to track and field. A big shout-out to Kadyn Warawa, who is competing in Red Deer at the provincial badminton tournament. Best of luck, Kadyn! The semester of art is going on the walls, and it is exciting to see what students have completed for the semester. We plan to finish the year strong and make the most of the opportunities the rest of the 2024–2025 school year presents!

Buffalo Trail Public Schools is pleased to share upcoming principal appointments taking effect in August 2025. We extend our congratulations to these dedicated leaders and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to have in their school communities.

Buffalo Trail Public Schools proudly hosted the 13th Annual Superintendent’s Public Speaking Competition in April. It was an inspiring event that showcased the confidence, leadership, and talent of our students.

Congratulations to this year’s winners! Thank you to all participants, judges, staff, and families for supporting this incredible event.

Division II (Grades 4 to 6)
Gold: Avaya Miles, Vermilion Elementary School
Silver: Georgia Swanson, Hughenden Public School

Division III (Grades 7 to 9)
Gold: Eunice Cunanan, Mannville School
Silver: Anoushka Rath, Wainwright High School

Division IV (Grades 10 to 12)
Gold: Keaton Xu, Wainwright High School
Silver: Jillian Nelson, Dewberry School

🌼 Thank You for Springing into Wellness!

A sincere thank you to all staff who participated in our Spring into Wellness series. Your engagement in weekly activities - stretching, hydration, and breathing - helped foster a culture of care and connection across our division.

We invite you to share your feedback by completing our short Motivation Mondays survey. Your input will help shape future wellness initiatives, and you'll be entered into a draw to win a wellness-themed prize!

🌸 Welcome to Mindful May

As we move into Mental Health Awareness Month, our focus shifts to supporting mental clarity, emotional balance, and healthy routines. Motivation Mondays will continue with simple, guided activities designed to reduce stress and promote mindfulness in everyday moments.

This month, let’s take time to pause, check in with ourselves, and support one another. Small, intentional actions like practicing gratitude, breathing deeply, or offering a listening ear can create a lasting impact.

Let’s make May a month of awareness, growth, and positive change.

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.

This is Stacy's best tip for trying to sniff out AI-written work: If it sounds perfect but feels hollow, pause and probe.

As AI tools become more accessible, it’s important for teachers to recognize when student work may not be entirely original. AI-generated writing often looks polished but lacks the natural quirks of authentic student voice. Use these quick tips to help you spot potential AI use and open a conversation with students about academic integrity and responsible AI practices. The #1 giveaway, in my opinion, is if the long dash (AKA the em dash - longer than the standard hyphen) is anywhere in the written work, AI was probably used to create it.

Technology Department vs Dewberry Panthers E-Sport Team

On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the BTPS Technology Department travelled to Dewberry to take on the Panthers' E-Sports team. The competition was tough, but the tech team was able to pull off one win out of eight events. Competitions included 1 v 1 Chess, 1 v 1 Rocket League, 2 v 2 Rocket League, 3 v 3 Rocket League, and one round of GeoGuesser.

It was a great afternoon of games, fun, pizza, and doughnuts. The Panthers' E-Sports Team was excited to show their skills and expressed gratitude to the tech team for their support in setting up their E-Sport arena.

The tech team had a great time, and thanks Mr. Comeau and his Panthers’ E-Sport team for hosting us. Next year they will be ready for Round 2 :)

At Buffalo Trail Public Schools, we believe that caring for our mental health is just as important as caring for our physical health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect, connect, and support one another. It’s an opportunity to pause and recognize how important our mental well-being is in all areas of life, at school, at work, and at home. Whether it’s checking in on a friend, taking a few moments for yourself, or reaching out for support, small actions can make a big difference.

Mental Health Week (May 5–11), led by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), is also a chance to focus on empathy, understanding, and creating space for meaningful conversations about mental well-being.

Here are some helpful resources to explore:

• Mental Health Awareness Month NAMI — Ideas, information, and ways to raise awareness.
• Mental Health Week CMHA - Tools for building empathy, connection, and understanding.
• CASA Mental Health – Services for children and youth, with family supports.
• Kids Help Phone (available 24/7): Text CONNECT to 686868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca
• 211 Alberta – Call or text 211 for free, 24/7 help connecting to mental health and community services.
• Mental Health Helpline – 1-877-303-2642 for confidential support.

Throughout May, let’s continue making mental health a priority, for ourselves and for each other.

Access Your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Just a friendly reminder that all BTPS staff and their families continue to have access to mental health and wellness support through our EFAP provider, GreenShield Health.

To get started, you’ll need your ASEBP ID number and the organization code provided in your welcome email. If you’ve already registered, you can log in at any time to access services.

Need help registering or migrating your account? Contact ASEBP Benefits at benefits@asebp.ca or 1-877-431-4786. Your wellness matters! 💙

May 1, 2025 is National Principals Day! Today we celebrate our incredible principals and assistant principals.

Your leadership, dedication, and the care you show each day make a lasting difference in the lives of our students, staff, and school communities. From creating welcoming spaces to supporting meaningful learning, your work is felt in every corner of our division.

We’re grateful for all that you do to support our mission of maximizing student learning in a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team.

Monday, May 5 is Bus Driver Appreciation Day, held annually on the first Monday of May.

Our drivers do so much more than transport students safely to and from school, they are the first smiling faces students see in the morning and the last ones they see at the end of the day. Rain, shine, or snow, they show up with care, patience, and a deep commitment to student safety.

To all our bus drivers: thank you for the early mornings, safe travels, and steady presence you bring to our school communities. You are truly valued and appreciated by students, families, and staff across BTPS! Let’s take a moment to show our appreciation for the incredible bus drivers who go the extra mile every day! 💛

Buffalo Trail Public Schools is proud to take part in Hats On! For Mental Health on Wednesday, May 7. This special day encourages students and staff to wear a hat to school to raise awareness and spark conversations about the importance of mental health.

By wearing our hats, we’re showing that mental health matters and helping to create a safe, supportive space for everyone.

Classroom resources and activities to support mental health conversations are also available through the Alberta Teachers' Association’s Can We Talk? campaign. Let’s wear our hats and help end the stigma around mental health, one conversation at a time.

April 23, 2025, was Administrative Professionals Day! BTPS proudly recognizes the incredible administrative professionals across Buffalo Trail Public Schools who are the heart of our schools and offices.

Your dedication, organization, and kindness keep everything running smoothly, from welcoming families, supporting staff and students, managing endless details, and being the go-to problem solvers every single day. Thank you for all that you do to support student learning and help BTPS thrive.