BTPS Newsletter

As we approach the winter break, I want to pause and reflect on the many ways you support our students, colleagues, and school communities each day.

“We rise by lifting others.” – Robert Ingersoll

Our mission calls us to create safe and caring environments for all. That includes respecting the many traditions and celebrations our students, staff, and families hold dear. Inclusion means making sure everyone feels welcome.

Our vision to empower students to be caring, responsible citizens is nurtured by the way we show kindness, understanding, and respect.

Our values of diversity and belonging ask us to see the strength in our differences. Thank you for helping our schools and sites be places where everyone can celebrate who they are.

As we head into the winter break, I hope this season brings you opportunities to rest, reconnect, and enjoy meaningful time with family, friends, and loved ones. May you find moments of joy, laughter, and quiet reflection, and may the break offer the chance to truly recharge. Please know how deeply appreciated you are and how grateful I am for the care, dedication, and heart you bring to Buffalo Trail Public Schools every day.

I wish you a peaceful holiday season filled with warmth, kindness, and moments that matter, and a New Year ahead filled with health, hope, and continued joy.

Be well,

Michelle

This year, we are gathering stories that celebrate what makes Buffalo Trail Public Schools such a meaningful place to learn and work. Through your “Why We Love BTPS” cards, newsletter submissions, and school features, you have shared moments of connection, gratitude, and rural pride that remind us why our work matters. These reflections capture the heart of who we are.

"When we moved out to the rural community of Minburn County seven years ago my child was struggling severely emotionally and educational in previous schools, even though he was diagnosed with several learning disabilities it seemed impossible to find the right help.

It seemed that he was getting lost in the school system and getting no help to overcome challenges. When we moved out here, the school that we chose was in a very small town, and the principal and the teachers assured me that they would do everything in their power to help my child succeed. Their goal was to see him graduate.

Looking back last year, my child graduated something that I wasn’t sure that we would even see, but he took on the challenges of the school curriculum and the school and the teachers and especially the EAs helped my child on lifting him up and beyond what he didn’t think was possible without the community and the EAs and the teachers and the principal of the small school that we were at I don’t think we would’ve been where we are today.

My child is a happier more successful, well rounded person because of all the help that he received in the schools .When we went to in the city there was no help. He was lost shuffle to the back extremely frustrated he didn’t want to do school so our choice to move out here and attend a small community school was probably the best thing that we ever did."

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 Delnorte School for being selected this month! Your treats will be on next week’s van run.

This week, the BTPS Board of Trustees had the chance to walk through the new Wainwright Elementary School construction site and see the incredible progress being made. These new spaces will soon support curiosity, belonging, and student success for years to come.

We are so grateful to our partners, project teams, and BTPS staff who continue to move this exciting project forward for our community.

Highlights from the November Board Meeting can be found on our website here.

Buffalo Trail Public Schools looks forward each year to our Celebration and Retirement Event, a special evening dedicated to recognizing the service, commitment, and contributions of staff and retirees across our division.

Following the postponement of the October event, the Board of Trustees has chosen a new date at their November meeting.

Save The Date 📅

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Vermilion Regional Centre

A formal invitation will be shared with all staff and retirees. We look forward to coming together to celebrate our colleagues and their lasting impact on our schools and communities.

Marwayne Jubilee School is a great place to learn and work because it truly lives our mantra: Engaging Minds, Creating Opportunities. In our rural setting, we have the unique ability to know each student and design learning experiences that challenge, inspire, and support them. This deep connection allows us to nurture excellence in academics and athletics, helping students discover their strengths and rise to their potential.

Families, local organizations, and community partners are actively involved in our school, creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Whether through shared expertise, community events, or cheering on our teams, the support surrounding our students is unwavering.

Our close-knit environment means every learner is known, valued, and encouraged. Students thrive in a school where their efforts in both academics and athletics are recognized and celebrated, and staff take pride in working in a place where they can make a meaningful difference every day. Our students learn the importance of hard work, connection, and community pride—lessons that last a lifetime.

At Marwayne Jubilee, we are proud of who we are, where we come from, and the future we are helping our students build through Engaging Minds and Creating Opportunities.

Each day, over 150 Hutterute children in grades 1 to 9 attend school in their own community on one of 8 colonies that are spread across BTPS. Our Colony Schools are truly remarkable places to learn, grow, and work, where our 17 dedicated staff members work tirelessly to support and educate the students of our Hutterite families. While some might imagine colony schools as small, quiet spaces where life moves at a slower pace than in traditional settings, nothing could be further from the truth.

Each colony school is filled with caring, effective, and creative educators who work with up to 26 English as an Additional Language students ranging from grades 1 to 9. Our staff and students put in tremendous effort to prepare learners for life on the colony once they complete their English schooling—knowing that the future of each colony community is closely tied to the strength of the education provided.

Our focus is very similar to our colleagues in our larger community schools such as a deep commitment to literacy, numeracy, and high-quality learning. We work hard to ensure students meet the same rigorous curricular outcomes as their peers across the division, but without the use of modern technologies in accordance with our Hutterite families’ wishes. This respectful partnership inspires creativity, encourages flexibility, and leads to inventive lessons—sometimes taking us to the communal kitchen, a dugout, a barn, or wherever the learning naturally comes to life. Field trips, after all, are wonderfully simple in a colony school.

What we lack in technology, we more than make up for in unique experiences and community connections. A “typical” day might include a warm invitation to the dining hall for a delicious home-cooked lunch, a delivery of fresh buns or fresh garden produce. Each season brings new moments that fill our buckets: visiting newborn lambs in the barn, flying down a snowy hill on a homemade toboggan, or celebrating the end of harvest with our colony families. Life in a colony school is undoubtedly challenging, but like all BTPS schools, the rewards are extraordinary and unlike anything found elsewhere.

And speaking of excitement—our entire BTPS colony school community is buzzing about the new school construction at Rosewood! This project represents growth, renewal, and our ongoing commitment to supporting students and families in vibrant, meaningful ways. As we look ahead to this new chapter, we’re energized by the positive impact the new Rosewood school will have on learning, collaboration, and community connections on the colony and beyond!

From all of your colleagues and friends of the BTPS Colony Schools team, we send best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year!

At Mannville School, we remain committed to fostering student growth through high-quality learning experiences, strong relationships, and an engaging school culture. We strive to ensure a safe, caring environment where every student feels valued and respected. Our mission is to provide opportunities for our Royals students to Learn and Lead.

At Mannville School, we value our many community connections and the support they provide. We have a very active School Council that organizes events and supports our parents, teachers, and school community. MEFA, the Mannville Ag Society, the Legion, the Credit Union, and Lakeland College are just a few of the community partners who play an important role in enriching our school.

Being a K–12 school with a preschool allows us to build strong, lasting relationships not only between students and teachers but also amongst students across all grade levels. Rural education offers unique opportunities for our learners and strengthens the connections between school and community. From Kindergarten to Graduation—and everything in between—we strive to instill in our students a love of lifelong learning.

ROYAL Teamwork!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our BTPS One-Word Challenge, and congratulations to Samantha Dyer from KHS, our contest winner! 🎉 Be sure to check out the One-Word word cloud below to see the words that resonated across Buffalo Trail Public Schools.

There is still time to share a Christmas or holiday tradition that brings you comfort or joy, whether it’s a favourite recipe, a playlist, a quiet ritual, or a family tradition.

🌲 My Favourite Holiday Traditions 🎄
(Please use your BTPS email to log in.)

The holiday season can be joyful, but it can also bring added stress as we navigate family dynamics, expectations, and busy schedules.

As part of our GreenShield benefits, staff have access to mental health resources to help support well-being during this time of year. GreenShield reminds us that while we can’t control how others show up, we can take steps to prepare and protect our own well-being.

Helpful reminders include:

• Plan ahead by setting boundaries around time, expectations, and exit strategies

• Recognize your stress signals, such as feeling overwhelmed, experiencing brain fog, or noticing physical tension

• Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust or consider booking time with a therapist

• Be realistic about spending and have honest conversations to reduce financial stress

• Avoid comparison, especially on social media, and focus on how you want to show up

• Take breaks when needed — stepping away can help you stay grounded and present

Most importantly, remember that the holidays are about connection, not perfection. Taking care of your mental health allows you to show up more fully for the people and moments that matter.

More tips for taking care this season

The nomination period for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Awards is now open.

The Prime Minister’s Awards are a chance to celebrate educators for their leadership and exemplary education practices. Any person or group (i.e. parents, colleagues, principals, board members or students) can nominate educators in three different categories:

• Teaching Excellence
• Teaching Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
• Excellence in Early Childhood Education

The nomination deadline is January 14, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time). Visit canada.ca/pm-awards

Creating the next generation of technology innovators!

The Schulich Leader Scholarships are Canada’s most prestigious undergraduate STEM scholarships. Each year, 100 scholarships are awarded to entrepreneurial-minded high school graduates enrolling in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) program at 20 partner universities across Canada.

Half of the scholarships are valued at $120,000 for engineering programs, and half are valued at $100,000 for science, technology, and math programs. Every high school in Canada may nominate one graduating student each year to apply.

The Schulich Leader Scholarship nomination deadline is January 28, 2026.

🔗 Click here to view the 2026 Nominee Application Guide
🔗 Click here to access the Schulich Leader Nominee application

Inspiring imagination, creativity, and joyful learning!

Crayola Creativity Week is back and bigger than ever! Taking place January 26 – February 1, 2026, this free, week-long global program encourages young learners to explore creativity through fun, engaging, hands-on activities.

Classrooms can participate in:

• Daily creative challenges and activity videos led by celebrity creators and children’s authors

• Opportunities to win daily prizes by sharing student creations using #CrayolaCreativityWeek

• A live virtual assembly on Friday, January 30 connecting classrooms around the world

Educators who register using the keyword CREATIVITY will also be entered to win one of three $500 Crayola classroom prize packs.

🔗 Learn more and register here!