Superintendent’s Memo
For the Week of October 21st - 25th, 2019 FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT... Last week was a very busy week in Buffalo Trail Public Schools. Our Board of Trustees had their annual organizational meeting on th October 16 , 2019. Former Board Chair, Darcy Eddleston, shared INSIDE THIS ISSUE with the Board at a previous meeting that he felt it was time to step
aside. As a result of the meeting, the Board selected Lanie Parr to be Superintendent ...... 2 the new Board Chair and Stephanie Spornitz as Board Vice-Chair. Transportation ...... 3 Lanie began her work on the Board of Buffalo Trail Public Schools in Learning Services ...... 5 October of 2010. While she focuses on the education and well being Technology/Payroll...... 8 of every student in BTPS, she represents the schools in the Dewberry, Extras ...... 9 Clandonald, Marwayne, Students-on-Line and South Ferriby Colony. Around BTPS ...... 10 With respect to her new role as the Board Chair of BTPS, Lanie shares, “First of all, I would like to congratulate Stephanie Spornitz, our new Vice Chair, who will bring her incredible passion for public Question of the week, Page 9 education to her new role. I was very honoured and humbled to be nominated as Board Chair. I want to thank Darcy for his incredible
leadership and guidance over the last 10 years. I am excited to Win a great prize! continue working with our Board to build our inclusive, welcoming Email: [email protected] school communities, and to work to provide optimal learning environments and a wonderful place for our staff to work. We are fortunate in Buffalo Trail Public Schools to have great leadership,
amazing staff and amazing students, and we are all working together COMMENTS ABOUT to create a wonderful place to learn, work and play.” Stephanie THIS NEWSLETTER? Spornitz, our new Vice-Chair joined Please send your comments or the Board in October of 2017. She is suggestions to [email protected] an ardent supporter of all students
in BTPS and the schools in her area We’d love to hear from you! include, Dr. Folkins Community BUFFALO TRAIL PUBLIC School, Edgerton Public School, Au- SCHOOLS tumn Leaf and Ribstone Colony 1041 10A Street Schools. Her ward also Wainwright, AB T9W 2R4 P: 780.842.6144 encompasses the Wainwright students in the area east of Highway F: 780.842.3255 41. Stephanie shared her thoughts regarding her recent election to E: [email protected] Board Vice Chair, “I’m excited about the opportunity to serve the www.btps.ca students, staff and families of Buffalo Trail Public Schools in the Vice Twitter: BTPS#28 Chair capacity. The Board of Trustees diverse personalities and back- grounds has built a strong voice for students and rural education in our communities. MISSION: Buffalo Trail Public Schools is committed to maximizing student learning, in a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team. SUPERINTENDENT CONTINUED…
It’s a privilege to be part of the BTPS team.” We want to congratulate both Lanie and Stephanie on their election to these new roles. We look forward to their leadership! Last week the Board of Trustees attended the Public School Boards Association of Alberta Fall General Meeting. The focus of this organization is to promote the work of public school boards across Alberta. It was a great meeting with a number of areas being targeted in a time of change in ed- ucation in Alberta. One of the highlights of this event was Student Voice. This is an event held in con- junction with PSBAA FGM. 30 students from across Alberta came together to discuss current issues in education and develop their leadership skills. Buffalo Trail Public Schools was very proud to have six students involved. This was a very significant representation in this group. Our students reported the event to be very informative and a great opportunity to share their educational experience and learn from others about their experience. Many thanks go out to our staff, Vince Saretsky, Tamara Stachniuk and Brande Manzer, who took the time to bring students to this event. It was very much appreciated.
Our six students were:
Edgerton Public School Aaliyah Trca and Evan Fenske E. H. Walter Orry Clarke and Elijah Babcock Dewberry Ephram Maltais and Ethan Warawa
Take care,
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TRANSPORTATION
OCTOBER 21-25 IS SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK: The following ad was placed in Newspapers across our division as well as on our web page to honor and say thank you to our school bus drivers during school bus safety week. It is also an opportunity to remind the motoring public about the laws regard- ing stopping for a school bus when it’s red flashing lights are activated. It is also a good time to remind drivers that school buses can only do 90 km/hr so although they may be holding up traffic when there is no opportunity to pass, it is the law and they cannot exceed 90 km/hr. Keeping students safe should be an everyday priority for motorists, however, we take this week to remind everyone of the laws.
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TRANSPORTATION
DRIVER’S EDUCATION FOR THE CALM CLASS: The Student Transportation Association of Alberta (STAA) put together a resource for teacher’s to use to educate young drivers about safe driving practices. We have shared the links for the drivers education video with the principals as well as a lesson plan for teachers to present to their students. We hope that students will pass on the information that they have learned with their parents and siblings. If one person tells another person, who tells another person, our students who are driving themselves and/or riding on a school bus will already be safer.
CINDY HOUSE SAFELY ON BOARD SCHOOL BUS SAFETY PRESENTATION: Cindy House has rescheduled the Clandonald, Dewberry and Marwayne presenta- tions and they are now scheduled for the week of November 4-7, 2019.
ASTAC SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK POSTER CONTEST: The Alberta Student Transportation Advisory Council (ASTAC) is once again sponsoring a provincial post- er contest to promote School Bus Safety Week (October 20- 26, 2019). This year’s theme is “Ready to Ride!). Entries may be submitted by students in Grades K to 6 and the deadline for submissions is October 31, 2019 to the Transportation Department so we have time to submit them prior to the provin- cial deadline of November 8, 2019. Click here is the link to the contest information. Please make sure you follow the instructions for the submissions. We look forward to seeing the entries as we were fortunate enough to have a winner at the provincial level last year!!
Chrysti Mannix Director of Transportation Buffalo Trail Public Schools GO BACK 4
LEARNING SERVICES
RDC
Regional Distribution Centre @ Central Office IS OPEN To view our “How To” Guide
https://tinyurl.com/y4yyqlks
Access is limited to teachers and support staff of BTPS, because this is an intranet system.
Recommended Inclusive Learning Resource from the RDC:
If you’re the parent of a smart but scattered teen, trying to help him or her grow into a self-sufficient, responsible adult may feel like a never ending battle. This positive guide provides a science- based program for promoting teens independence by building their executive skills- the fundamental brain-based abilities needed to get organized, stay focused, and control impulses and emotions. Executive skills experts Drs. Richard Guare and Peg Dawson are joined by Colin Guare, a young adult who has successfully faced these issues himself. Learn step-by-step strategies to help your teen live up to his or her potential now and in the future-while making your relationship stronger.
Special Inclusive Learning Calendar days: *October 22 - International Stuttering Awareness Day *October 22 - Respiratory Care Week
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LEARNING SERVICES CONTINUED...
Looking for resources to support Inuit Learning in your class- rooms.
Check out Inhabit Media. Inhabit Media Inc. is the first Inuit-owned, independent publishing company in the Canadian Arctic. They promote and preserve the stories, knowledge, and talent of the Arctic, while also supporting research in Inuit my- thology and the traditional Inuit knowledge of Nu- navummiut (residents of Nunavut, Canada’s north- ernmost territory). Our authors, storytellers, and artists bring traditional knowledge to life in a way that is accessible to readers both familiar and unfa- miliar with Inuit culture and traditions. Check out their Educator Page for book study information for students K-12.
Did you know that all staff and students of Buffalo Trail Public Schools have premium access to WeVideo? See how students of all ages and grade levels are empowered to discover their voice and make an impact in their world through video creation. To get started with WeVideo, it is important that you use your BTPS Google Log In. PLEASE DON’T create an account. Just simply click “Log In.”
You will then be prompted to choose which Log In method to use. Choose Log In with Google.
Click to read how you can have your students collaborating, thinking cre- atively and demonstrating their learning… all while having fun.. Con- tact your Innovation Coaches if you need any help and/or support with WeVideo.
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LEARNING SERVICES CONTINUED...
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TECHNOLOGY For technology related requests, please use the email addresses below. Big or small, a help desk ticket needs to be started. Please do not “save” your issues for when a tech member is in your school. We use the tickets to prioritize and plan for the best and most efficient solution. At least one member of our technology department is on call to assist you, phone or email. Most issues can be dealt with remotely. PLEASE start tickets as needed, the sooner a ticket is started the sooner we can look for solutions. Remember your asset tag number on all tickets. For Tech problems email [email protected] Phone 780-806-2053 For PowerSchool or Power Teacher problems email [email protected] Phone 780-806-2057
PAYROLL/HUMAN RESOURCES
Teacher Payroll: Please be advised that if you are due for a September Increment it will be on your September Statement of Earnings & Deductions. To check if you received your increment compare your August statement to your September statement to see if there was an increase in the Step (years) on your statement. Individual notifications will not be sent to those teachers that receive an increment salary adjustment. GO BACK
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EXTRAS
How many BTPS students attended Student Voice? Colin Beecroft
ANSWER @ Vermilion Elementary
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AROUND BTPS - IRMA SCHOOL
The Irma school hopes all of BTPS had a Happy Thanksgiving. Our school is filled with gratitude and thanks for the staff, students, parents, volunteers and community for giving of themselves everyday, and working together to create a safe, caring learning environment.
Our Senior Girls volleyball team should be very proud of their day in Castor on October 5. The support they showed one another, and their effort on the court were both very admirable. Coming home with the last game won in 2 sets (best of 3) to capture bronze.
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AROUND BTPS - IRMA SCHOOL CONTINUED...
Crepe making day in Home Ec for the Grade 7-8 class. A few students tried crepes for the first time!
The Grade 7-8 Health Class worked over 3 class periods to help beautify the 3-6 playground. They weeded thistles and quack grass as well as shoveled and raked the pea gravel back to where it was supposed to be. Great to see such hard working citizens in our community!
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AROUND BTPS - IRMA SCHOOL CONTINUED...
The X-Country Running Club had a wild and wet day at the New Norway Spartan Tough Run on October 3 at Dried Meat Lake. This was our longest and wettest run of the year. A super big thanks goes out to the parents and grandparent who drove to the race and helped the kids throughout the day. One parent even gave up her warm socks! We could not have done this race without you!
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AROUND BTPS - INNISFREE SCHOOL
Students in Grade 10 drama have been practicing with theatrical make up. They learned how to age a person and create a realistic wound. Making the wound look real was easier than making a person look old!! They even staged an accident scene and pranked Mrs. Barber into believing the wound was real.
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