BTPS Newsletter

Welcome back to another school year with Buffalo Trail Public Schools. Whether you’re greeting students at the door, preparing classrooms, keeping our schools clean and safe, driving buses, supporting learning, maintaining our technology and facilities, or running our offices, you play a vital role in making our division strong.

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” – Plato

At BTPS, our mission is to maximize student learning in a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team. You are that team. It is through your daily dedication, creativity, and care that we create spaces where students feel welcome, supported, and ready to learn.

Our vision is to empower students to be caring, responsible, and contributing global citizens with a passion for learning. Every day, you help our students grow not just in knowledge, but in kindness, responsibility, and curiosity.

We hold firm to our values of integrity, transparency, diversity, belonging, collaboration, and celebrating success. These aren’t just words on paper, they guide how we treat each other and our students every day.

I want to begin this year by saying thank you. Thank you for showing up with open hearts and open minds. Thank you for making BTPS a place where every student has the chance to succeed. Thank you for being part of this incredible team.

It was wonderful to see our staff at our start-up events and throughout the first week of school. Your energy and commitment truly set the tone for a positive year ahead. As we start the year, let’s take care of ourselves and each other. Let’s keep listening, supporting, and finding ways to work together so every learner can thrive.

Be well,
Michelle

Buffalo Trail Public Schools is committed to keeping our staff informed about the ongoing provincial labour negotiations between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA). These negotiations are part of the province-wide collective bargaining process for teachers, and the outcomes may affect school divisions across Alberta.

We recognize that the possibility of job action can raise questions and create uncertainty. To support you, BTPS will continue to provide clear and timely updates as new information becomes available. Staff are encouraged to visit the Labour Relations page on the BTPS website regularly for the latest updates and resources.

Be a leader in your community. Become a school board trustee!

As part of Buffalo Trail Public Schools, trustees make important decisions that shape education and impact the cultural, social, and economic life of our communities. If you’re passionate about student success and have a vision for local education, consider running for school board.

Nomination Period is Now Open

• Nominations are accepted at the BTPS Central Services Office (1041 10a Street, Wainwright)
• Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Deadline: September 22, 2025, at 12:00 noon

A nomination will only be accepted if accompanied by the required deposit, a current criminal record check (within 30 days), Form 5, and Notice of Intent.

It is advisable to call in advance to ensure a time to accept your nomination submission:

• E-mail faye.dunne@btps.ca or call 780-806-2060

Opening Big Doors in a Small Community: Buffalo Trail Learning Hub

At the Buffalo Trail Learning Hub, we’ve reimagined what rural education can look like. By bringing together online students, outreach learners, adult upgrading, and home education families, we’ve created a vibrant learning community that celebrates both independence and connection. With over 200 students already engaged in various programs, we are proving that big opportunities can thrive in small communities.

This year, we’re especially excited to launch our Human Services Collegiate Program in partnership with Lakeland College. Thanks to funding from Alberta Education, our dedicated team, which includes new teachers Jolene Haag, Megan Valle, and Madison Nelson, are offering students in Grades 10-12 the chance to earn credits in career-focused fields such as Early Childhood Education, Educational Assistant Foundations, Social Work & Youth Support, Health Services Foundations, and Community Care & Mental Health. Through dual-credit college courses delivered by Lakeland College, students can earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, setting them on a direct pathway to meaningful service careers.

What makes the Learning Hub truly special is our commitment to meeting students exactly where they are. With flexible scheduling, personalized support, asynchronous online delivery, and extended hours, we ensure every learner has the tools they need to succeed. The Buffalo Trail Learning Hub is more than just a school; it’s a hub of opportunity, proving that even in small, rural communities, big dreams are possible.

Welcome back Buffalo Trail!

Here at J.R Robson we have had a very busy first week.

We welcomed our new Grade 7s to our school and are celebrating the Last First Day with our new Grade 12's. We got our Pirate Crews (Student Union) started with the nomination assembly, had Picture day on Thursday, and are hosting our annual Sr. Girls Volleyball tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Before we even welcomed our students our teachers and Educational Assistants went to Bodo Archeological Site to tour their museum and have a look at their dig site. It was very enlightening in First Nations learning. As well as being a great bonding day spending a few hours on the bus to get there and back!

Thank you to everyone who took a moment to share their thoughts at our BTPS Learning Day on why BTPS is such a special place. The cards highlight the care, connection, and community that make our schools unique. From small school spirit to strong support for one another, your voices show the heart of BTPS.

These reflections are part of our Why We Love BTPS campaign, celebrating the people and stories that make our division so special. These are just a few of the responses and voices we heard that remind us why BTPS is such a meaningful place to learn and work. ❤️

The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. Buffalo Trail Public Schools uses the Hour Zero Emergency Response Program to provide a consistent, division-wide approach to emergency planning. This program ensures that every school is prepared to respond effectively in a variety of situations and that families know what to expect should an emergency occur.

An overview of the Hour Zero program is available on the BTPS website. We encourage both staff and families to take a moment to review this information and become familiar with the steps BTPS takes to help keep everyone safe.

As we begin the new school year, we are excited to implement the new Social Studies curriculum for Grades 1–6. To support planning and teaching, we’ve gathered resources that highlight meaningful ways to connect learning with Indigenous perspectives.

Below you’ll find:

• A link to an ECSD document that includes planning guides and additional resources.
• Meaningful connections to Indigenous ways of knowing, developed in partnership with Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools.
• A link to the Indigenous Culture-Based Learning website, which directly connects Indigenous ways of knowing with the curriculum.
• A Social Studies Implementation Toolkit from the Consortium to support teachers with the new curriculum, including sample lessons, assessment ideas, and planning tools.

Resources:

• ECSD Social Studies Planning Guides and Additional Resources
  

• Connections to Indigenous ways of knowing - Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools
  

• Indigenous Culture Based learning

• Social Studies Implementation Toolkit

Below are a few links and resources you can use to help your students honour this important day.

Indigenous Literacy Kit & Book Walk

Use your Indigenous Literacy Kit to create a book walk around the school. Post guiding questions at each station so students can explore and discuss the story as they move through it. An example using When We Were Alone is included below.

When Were Alone - Book Walk

Rupertsland Institute

What is Reconciliation - CBC kids

September 8 is International Literacy Day!

Buffalo Trail Public Schools recognizes the vital role literacy plays in shaping futures. Reading, writing, and digital skills empower our students to learn, connect, and thrive in today’s world.

Since 1967, UNESCO has marked this day as a reminder that literacy is more than a skill, it’s a foundation for opportunity and growth.

On September 8, we join communities around the world in recognizing the importance of literacy and celebrating its impact on learners of all ages.

On Friday, September 19, 2025, Buffalo Trail Public Schools is proud to recognize Military Family Appreciation Day, celebrated annually on the third Friday of September. This day honours the important role that military families play in our communities. Their resilience, strength, and support make a lasting difference in the lives of those who serve and in the places we all call home.

We honour and value the immense contributions of military families who face long deployments, frequent moves, and countless sacrifices to support their loved ones in service. On this day, and every day, we extend our gratitude for their sacrifices and contributions to our schools and communities.

September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month, with International FASD Day observed on September 9, symbolically chosen to represent the nine months of a healthy pregnancy. This month is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of FASD, strengthening prevention efforts, and improving supports for diagnosis and care.

The 2025 theme, “Everyone Plays a Part: Take Action!” emphasizes collective responsibility, where everyone has a role in building more inclusive and supportive communities for Albertans with FASD. Through education, advocacy, and open conversations, we can create a society that is more informed, compassionate, and welcoming.

Alberta Education and Childcare encourages all educational staff to complete CanFASD’s free training courses. Access to CanFASD’s Level 1 and 2 courses is free for all Albertans (funded by Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis) once you enter your postal code in billing information at checkout.

For further details on FASD Awareness Day and other FASD resources available, please visit:

• CanFASD Canada Rocks Red for FASD
• FASD Networks
• In addition, CanFASD has published a tri-fold brochure on FASD