BTPS Newsletter
September 4, 2026
Buffalo Trail Public Schools (BTPS) Board of Trustees held its annual Organizational Meeting on August 19, 2026.
During the meeting, Trustee Tanya Ford was nominated for and accepted the position of Board Chair, and Trustee Kara Jackson was nominated for and accepted the position of Board Vice Chair.
The BTPS Board of Trustees for the 2026–2027 school year includes:
Tanya Ford – Board Chair, Ward 4
Kara Jackson – Board Vice Chair, Ward 1
Jim King – Trustee, Ward 2
Arthur Block – Trustee, Ward 3
Stephanie Cooper – Trustee, Ward 5
Duane Skinner – Trustee, Ward 6
Nicole Gillies – Trustee, Ward 7
Buffalo Trail Public Schools looks forward to the Board’s continued leadership and commitment to supporting strong public education and meaningful opportunities for students across our rural communities.
Small towns, big hearts!
As we begin a new school year…one that will be filled with hope and with hard work, remember to bring your head, and your heart; your hands and your health. Remember to help each other. These are our tools, as we build a home for our students and ourselves. A place of stability and connection, of learning and growing, of grit and of grace.
Have an amazing year everyone!
And just for fun… remember your walk-up song? 🎶
Custodians: The Best – Tina Turner
Maintenance: Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
Technology: Man I Need – Olivia Dean
Central Office: Takin’ Care of Business – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Student Support Services/Mental Health: I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
Bus Drivers: On the Road Again – Willie Nelson
Support Staff: Lean on Me – Bill Withers
Administrators: You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones
Teachers: Tubthumping (I Get Knocked Down) – Chumbawamba
Scan the Spotify code to revisit the Small Towns, Big Hearts playlist from Learning Day! 🎵
Buffalo Trail Public Schools is excited to welcome Erin McManus to the BTPS team as our new Executive Assistant of Human Resources! We’re happy to have Erin joining us at Central Office and are looking forward to having her as part of the BTPS team.
Buffalo Trail Public Schools is excited to welcome Danveer Sarwara to the BTPS team as our new Fleet Operations Coordinator! We’re happy to have you on the team and look forward to working with you, Danveer!
Buffalo Trail Public Schools is excited to congratulate Melissa Reid as she begins her new role as Executive Assistant to the Secretary Treasurer! Melissa has been a valued part of our Central Office team, and we’re excited to see her step into this new opportunity.
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.
Lakeland College is pleased to host Creating Safe Spaces with Allison Forsyth and would like to extend an invitation to our school communities.
Allison Forsyth is an Olympian and national champion who draws on her lived experience to help participants better understand what a safe environment looks like, how to recognize and respond to risk, and why preparedness matters. She will share practical insights on culture, accountability and leadership.
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 7–8 p.m.
Location: Vic Juba Community Theatre, located on Lakeland College’s Lloydminster Campus
Cost: Free
Those interested in attending can scan the QR code on the poster to RSVP or clicking here.
Reading, Give it a Shot! is a literacy program available for students from grade 1-9 that aims to boost classroom literacy rates by rewarding students for reading. In partnership with local businesses, this program links literacy in a child's most formative years to the reward of having the opportunity to attend a live hockey game at Rogers Place.
Registering for Reading, Give it a Shot is easy! All students have to do is start reading. Once every student in a classroom completes their required reading in one month’s time, the teacher can submit an entry form online for their chance to win tickets to an Oilers or Oil Kings game! The entry form can be found on the Oilers and Oil Kings Reading, Give it a Shot! Website pages, or can be found directly below:
For reference, please use the below links:
If you or your teachers have any questions, please feel free to contact us at readinggiveitashot@edmontonoilers.com at any time.
Registration is now open for Kids Help Phone’s 2026–2027 Counsellor in the Classroom program. Designed to support conversations around student mental health and well-being, the program offers classroom activities followed by a conversation with a Kids Help Phone professional counsellor.
Modules are available on Mental Health & Help-Seeking for Grades 4–12, Stress & Anxiety for Grades 9–12, and a new Online Safety module for Grades 6–8.
Railway Safety Week will take place September 21–27, 2026. The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Police Service, in partnership with Operation Lifesaver Canada, is reaching out to schools to help promote railway safety among students.
Railway tracks, crossings and railway property can present serious hazards. Railway Safety Week is an excellent opportunity to remind students about the importance of making safe decisions around railway property and crossings.
Educators can access the Operation Lifesaver (OL) Educator Toolkit, which includes educational materials and resources that can be used in the classroom throughout the week.
Operation Lifesaver Resources:
https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/resources/
The CPKC Police Service is also available to provide in-person railway safety presentations at schools during Railway Safety Week.
Schools interested in arranging a presentation can contact Conrad Yue at Conrad.Yue@cpkcpolice.com and include:
- School name
- Preferred date during September 21–27
- Preferred time, if known
- Grade(s) or approximate number of students
Requests will be accommodated based on availability.
September 8 is International Literacy Day
Literacy is at the heart of learning. It helps students build confidence, explore new ideas, communicate, think critically and develop skills that support them throughout their lives. Across Buffalo Trail Public Schools, literacy is part of learning every day, from our youngest learners beginning their reading journey to students continuing to build and strengthen their skills.
On September 8, we join communities around the world in recognizing the importance of literacy and the opportunities it creates for learners of all ages. 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.
September 15 is National IT Professionals Day
On September 15, BTPS recognizes the incredible Technology Services team who work behind the scenes to keep our schools and division connected, supported and running smoothly.
From keeping our systems and devices working to troubleshooting the unexpected and supporting staff and students across BTPS, their knowledge and dedication make a difference every day. Thank you to our IT professionals for all you do to support learning across Buffalo Trail Public Schools!
September 18 is Military Family Appreciation Day
On Friday, September 18, 2026, 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.
