BTPS Newsletter

Happy New Year! I hope you had a chance to rest and recharge over the break.

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” – Ralph Marston

As we begin a new calendar year, let’s remember our mission: to maximize student learning in a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team. Every role in BTPS contributes to this mission, from classrooms to buses, offices, shops, hallways, and beyond.

Our vision is to empower students to be caring, responsible, and contributing global citizens. That means modeling responsibility, goal-setting, and optimism for what lies ahead.

Our values of ownership and accountability remind us that each of us has the power to make a difference every day. Thank you for starting this new year with commitment and care. Let’s work together to make 2026 our best year yet.

This week, I had the pleasure of joining our Board of Trustees, Director of Facilities Randy Huxley and Secretary Treasurer Matt Read, on BTPS school facility site tours across the division. It has been so exciting to visit our schools, see learning spaces in action, and spend time in the places where your important work happens each day. I truly enjoyed visiting each site and am already looking forward to returning again during my regular superintendent school visits, when I will have more opportunities to connect and visit with you all.

Be well,

Michelle

“The sense of belonging to an awesome group of people who strive to make a difference in the students lives. The sense of community I feel. The Transportation Department works hard to make my job as a bus driver easier, and it’s a privilege to be part of a great team. Bus driver drop-ins and being included in school activities. A close-knit team who does the best to provide a safe learning environment for students. A small town community working together for the students education. Friendly staff that greet the buses as they come in and the staff that supervise the crosswalk at Provost Public School, greeting the buses every morning.”

Rural public education is at the heart of who we are. From close-knit school communities to the unique opportunities that come with learning and working in a rural setting, there are so many reasons to be proud of BTPS. We’d love to hear your story!

Each newsletter, we’ll randomly select one submission, and that person’s school or department will win a treat for their staff!

Congratulations to Provost Public School for being selected this month! Your treats will be on next week’s van run.

This week, the Board of Trustees joined senior leadership for facilities site tours across Buffalo Trail Public Schools. These visits allowed trustees to see our schools firsthand and celebrate the unique strengths and welcoming learning environments across our communities.

Trustees appreciated the opportunity to connect, learn more about how our facilities support teaching, learning, and daily operations, and see the care and pride staff bring to maintaining safe, welcoming spaces for students and colleagues.

Thank you to all staff who welcomed the group! BTPS values strong connections between schools, leadership, and communities, and these visits help strengthen that shared understanding.

As we settle back into the rhythm of the school year, we are pleased to share the new date for our Celebration and Retirement Evening. This special event brings us together as a division to honour the dedication, commitment, and lasting contributions of our long-service recipients and retirees from the 2024–2025 school year.

📅 Thursday, February 26, 2026
📍 Vermilion Regional Centre

Please RSVP with your school’s administrative assistant or administrator by Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to support planning and catering. We look forward to celebrating together and hope to see many of you there for an evening of gratitude and recognition.

We are excited to announce the upcoming 14th Annual Superintendent's Public Speaking Competition.

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Where: JR Robson School - North Training Centre

Time: 9:30am - Noon

The Buffalo Trail Public School Superintendent’s Public Speaking Contest provides an opportunity for students in BTPS to be involved in an event that will display their public speaking abilities. The competition is meant to acknowledge the importance of public speaking as an essential skill for today’s youth.

The contest is open to students who are currently enrolled in a BTPS school. Schools can nominate a maximum of 1 (one) candidate in each of the competition categories (A school level competition may be held to identify the candidates to be nominated).

Buffalo Trail Public Schools will be hosting online community focus groups in February to share information and gather feedback as part of our commitment to student success and strong partnerships with families and communities.

These sessions are open to parents/guardians, students, staff, school council members, and community members, and will help inform future planning aligned with our Education Plan priorities.

Sessions will take place on Tuesday, February 3; Monday, February 9; Thursday, February 19; and Wednesday, February 25, from 7:00–7:30 p.m., online.

Additional details and the meeting link will be shared on the BTPS website closer to the session dates, and a letter will also be shared with families.

Our rural school community is special because of the strong connections that bring students, families, and community partners together. In our school, every student is truly seen for who they are, and programming is flexible and individualized to meet each student’s unique needs, strengths, and aspirations. This personalized approach ensures that students feel valued, supported, and empowered in their learning. An example of this is that every student in our highschool participate in an off-campus or dual credit opportunity that is allowing them to investigate a future career path or develop world of work skills.

Students in our school have the opportunity to be mentors and to receive mentorship from older or younger peers, creating a culture of care, family, and shared responsibility. These meaningful relationships help foster confidence, belonging, and a strong sense of community. Our families play an active role in our school, regularly volunteering their time to support programming, classroom activities, initiatives, and fundraising efforts. Parents help with field trips, reading with kids, attending school events, and providing expertise in learning areas. This partnership between home and school strengthens learning and shows students that their success matters to the entire community.

Our school council is a vital support, providing thoughtful feedback, manpower, as well as advertising and fundraising support that allows us to offer rich opportunities for students. Beyond the school walls, our wider community is deeply involved, partnering with us through many organizations to provide hands-on learning experiences and real-world opportunities. We may be small, but we are mighty—working together to create an engaging, inclusive, career and real world focussed learning environment.

December was a busy and joyful month at Kitscoty Elementary School, a time when the true spirit of our rural community shone brightly. We loved welcoming families into the school for our Festive Family Fun Night, an event filled with connection, laughter, and holiday cheer, all of which highlighted the deep bonds we share here. It’s moments like these that make being part of a rural school so special, as there’s a unique sense of togetherness that’s felt by students, staff, and families alike. The event was a reminder of how our small but tight-knit community supports and celebrates one another throughout the year.

In addition to the festivities, students had a blast at our annual Book Bingo, a much-anticipated tradition where every child gets to choose a brand-new book to take home. It’s always exciting to see their faces light up as they select a book that sparks their interest, encouraging their love of reading. And, of course, our school spirit was on full display throughout the month with fun spirit days, including Pajama Day and Festive Clothing Day. These days were not just about dressing up; they were a chance for everyone to come together and show their pride for our school in a way that felt inclusive and fun.

Being part of a rural school like KES offers a deeper sense of belonging, where we all know one another and work together to create a community that truly feels like family. In rural schools, everyone plays a role, and that shared responsibility and connection make every moment feel more meaningful. There’s something uniquely special about learning, growing, and celebrating in a place where every person matters, and December was a perfect example of just how powerful that sense of community can be. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for helping make December such a memorable and heartwarming month at KES!

Kitscoty High School is a rural community school that believes in connection, growth, and engagement. We are a community who works together to support one another, while focusing on academics, relationships, and character. We embody rural values including hard work, compassion, commitment and growth. Our story shows who we are: We give back to the community, cheer one another on, stand strong together, celebrate our achievements, and create enriching learning opportunities.

Pictures included: Annual Neil Williams Classic Hockey Game, Letter Writing to Santa Clause, partnership with the seniors group in Kitscoty, Christmas Chefs (Mrs. Venance and Mrs. Wunder), and Sr Boys and girls basketball at the Lashburn tournament in December. The girls won first place. KHS is a great place to work and learn while continuing to make a positive difference!!

On Monday, December 15, the Board of Trustees approved the 2026-2027 school year calendar.

The calendar was developed using the BTPS framework as set out in 302.1AP Calendar Guidelines.

The 2026-2027 School Year calendar can be found on the BTPS website here.

The Buffalo Trail Public Schools Board of Trustees has approved the 2024–2025 Annual Education Results Report for submission to Alberta Education. This report highlights our division’s progress, key achievements, and focus areas in supporting student learning, safe and caring school environments, and strong partnerships with families and communities.

The report reflects the Board’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement as we work to ensure meaningful opportunities for all learners across BTPS.

Identifying phishing can be harder than you think. Phishing is an attempt to trick you into giving up your personal information by pretending to be someone you know. Can you tell what's fake?

BTPS is proud to support Bell Let’s Talk Day on Tuesday, January 21. This day is a reminder of the importance of talking, listening, and supporting one another when it comes to mental health.

A Bell Let’s Talk Toolkit is available with simple resources such as conversation guides, self-care activities, and classroom-friendly materials to help spark meaningful discussions.

🔗 Learn more here

Support for youth: Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting 686868.

Small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference. 💙

BTPS is pleased to celebrate Family Literacy Day on Monday, January 27, an annual initiative led by ABC Life Literacy Canada that highlights the importance of reading and learning together as a family.

The 2026 theme, Make mealtime family learning time, highlights how everyday moments like preparing meals, following recipes, making shopping lists, and sharing stories at the table can become meaningful learning experiences for the whole family.

Free Family Literacy Day resources are available to support classrooms, schools, and families, including activity sheets, posters, bookmarks, and digital resources.

Taking time to learn together each day helps build strong literacy skills and lasting family connections.

Winter Walk Day encourages people of all ages to get outside and enjoy movement during the winter months.

Participation can be as simple as going for a short walk with students, colleagues, friends, or family, or encouraging active travel throughout the day.

Learn more or register as an individual or group here.

Opening the door and getting outside is a great way to support wellness and enjoy the season.

The Consortium is pleased to announce our line-up of Music Educator professional learning opportunities for 2026!

Join our practical, hands-on sessions with experts such as Heather Nail, Françoise Lombard, and David Rankine to gain new energy, creative ideas, and inspiring repertoire for your classroom.

You will receive tested resources for all grade levels and strategies focused on:

• Building positive relationships and inviting learning environments.
• Making music a joyful, active experience for all students, including reluctant learners.

Further details regarding upcoming sessions, presenters, and registration links can be found here.