BTPS Newsletter

As we wrap up Semester 1 and begin a new year, January is a natural time to reset, refocus, and strengthen the ways we work together.

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford

Our mission and vision are only possible because of the teamwork that happens across BTPS every single day, whether you’re supporting students in classrooms, driving buses, keeping our schools running smoothly, supporting learning behind the scenes, or caring for our facilities and spaces. The way we communicate, share ideas, and support one another truly matters, and it makes a difference for our students.

Thank you for your commitment, your collaboration, and the care you bring to your work. I’m excited for what we will accomplish together in Semester 2.

Be well,

Michelle

"Rural public education is a huge part of our communities. I like when I am out and about in my community and see students from school, and they come running up to me and want to share what they are doing. It is also so special to see how the kids light up when they tell their parents who I am and how I help them. It is also rewarding knowing that you are helping families raise their kids and how much working in a rural school helps build the community.

Rural schools allow staff to educate multiple kids from the same family and get to see them grow from kindergarten thru grade 12. Watching students that you have known for 12 years graduate brings a feeling of pride in a job well done from all the people involved in those students lives. The parents, teachers, administrators, and all the support staff. Rural public education is the backbone of any small community.

Going back after Christmas break is always exciting because the students are buzzing in the hallways chatting a mile a minute and that is fun to see. We held our school awards and it is a great time to recognize our students in many areas of education."

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

The January 2026 Board Highlights are now available on our website!

All previous Board Highlights are also posted online, so you can stay engaged with how the Board is supporting students, staff, and schools across BTPS.

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 online from 7:00–7:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, February 3
• Monday, February 9
• Thursday, February 19
• Wednesday, February 25

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.

At Provost Public School, we continue to build momentum in learning, leadership, and community connection.

Across grade levels, learning at PPS continues to focus on engagement and student-centeredness. Our Grade 7 Language Arts students recently completed Passion Projects, an inquiry-based learning experience that allows students to develop literacy skills while exploring topics they care deeply about. Students showcased their learning by hosting an event for parents and members of the school community. This was an authentic and meaningful way to celebrate student voice, creativity, and growth.

Our school-wide Christmas lunch and assembly provided a meaningful opportunity to come together as a school community. We celebrated students who were fostering belonging and positive relationships, and students enjoyed participating in cross-grade activities that strengthened connections across the school.

Building student leadership is a key focus at Provost Public School this year. Junior and senior high students are engaged in meaningful leadership and mentorship opportunities, including serving as student greeters, supporting lunch-time Big Buddy programs, providing numeracy and literacy support, and assisting with office coverage. These roles help students build responsibility, confidence, and a strong sense of contribution to the school community.

Working closely with community partners is also a priority. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Wang and Dr. Christel for their generous donation supporting Trickster Theatres for our K–6 classes. Through this experience, students will engage in movement and drama aligned with the Alberta Science curriculum, enriching learning through creativity and hands-on engagement.

As the end of the semester approaches, we will say farewell wishes to two of our amazing staff members. Roxy Reinhart will be retiring, and Dorothy Connauton will be relocating to be closer to family. Our school community will miss them dearly, and are so grateful for the laughter and legacy they have left at PPS.

The Curriculum Planning & Assessment Resources (CPARs) from the APLC are a fantastic tool for teachers across all grades and subjects. They provide ready-to-use ideas for lessons, assessments, and activities that align directly with the Alberta Program of Studies. CPARs make planning easier and offer inspiration for engaging students while meeting curriculum outcomes. Whether you’re designing a new unit or looking for assessment examples, these resources are a practical and flexible support for your classroom.

Curriculum planning and Assessment Resources

Effective April 1, 2025, responsibility for Alberta’s recycling program started to shift from municipalities to the producers of packaging and paper under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. The initial rollout of EPR applied primarily to residential recycling. As a result, schools were no longer eligible for curbside recycling pickup through municipal programs.

Buffalo Trail Public Schools supports recycling initiatives as it helps to reduce the amount of waste placed in garbage dumpsters and ultimately sent to landfills. Introducing recycling practices at an early age also helps students develop habits that can carry forward throughout their lives.

Through our partnership with E360, we have replaced our cardboard only bins to a mixed recycle bin and have added bins to the schools previously relying on curbside pick up. Our schools are now able to continue with their recycling initiatives with an onsite recycling service.

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.

World Read Aloud Day is a wonderful reminder of how powerful a shared story can be. On February 4, Buffalo Trail Public Schools will be celebrating alongside communities around the world by highlighting the joy of reading aloud together. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Learning,” and it fits perfectly, because every read aloud moment builds connection, curiosity, and confidence.

We encourage BTPS families to set aside a few minutes that day to curl up with a favourite book and read aloud at home. Whether it’s a quick bedtime story or a chapter from a longer book, those small moments make a big difference and help nurture a lifelong love of reading.

For ideas and free resources, visit the World Read Aloud Day Activity Hub here.

BTPS staff may be interested in a no cost classroom opportunity from Kids Help Phone called Counsellor in the Classroom. This program is available for Grades 4 to 12 and is designed to support student well being and mental health learning in a way that is age appropriate and school friendly.

Participating teachers receive ready to use classroom resources and can also request a live 45 minute phone or video session where students connect with a Kids Help Phone counsellor. It is a meaningful way to build understanding, normalize help seeking, and give students practical tools they can use beyond the classroom.

If you would like to explore this opportunity for your class, you can learn more and submit a registration request here.