Week of October 7—11, 2013
Superintendent’s Memo LET’S CELEBRATE!
This week BTPS is celebrating the achievements of those we work with every day! The Annual BTPS Celebration Day takes place at JR Robson on Friday, October 11th. This will be a day full of appreciation for the talents of staff and students alike! We are excited to welcome back the gold and silver medalists of the BTPS Superintendent’s Public Speaking contest. We look forward to hearing their speeches and sharing in the celebration of their tal-ents as speakers! Based on feedback from staff, your Board of Trustees has made changes to their Long Service Recognition Administrative Procedures. We are very hap-py to be able to recognize our team members who have served the students of BTPS for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years. In this inaugural year we will be taking the time to recognize those who are between 5 and 10 years of service with their 5 year award and those who have served beyond the pre-vious 30 year milestone! While we know that the morning will be a bit longer, we also know that it is important to recognize the hard work of these im-portant members of our team. We are especially proud to be able to pay trib-ute to those who have served beyond 30 years as a new part of the celebra-tion! This year’s long list of recipients includes: 5—9 YEARS:
Penny Clark Amisk Debbie Green KHS Krista Strom Delnorte Dave Sherbinin KHS Michael Plouffe Delnorte Kailey Moir KES Louise Lysons Delnorte Erin Garnier KES Kurt Caron E. H. Walter Alesha Campbell Edgerton Candice Brundage E. H. Walter Alicia Lacey Edgerton Kevin Elliott Hughenden Colette Prior Irma Ashley Swanson Hughenden Continues next page.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
From the Supt (cont’d) ............2
FSEAP ......................................2
Curriculum ...............................5
Peanut-Free vs Peanut-Aware .5
Celebration Day .......................6
Payroll & Benefits ....................6
Transportation .........................7
Technology………………………….7
Items of Interest………………….8
MISSION: Buffalo Trail Public Schools is committed to maximizing student learning, in
a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team.
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT (FROM PAGE 1)
5—9 YEARS (cont’d)
Carmen Unland MJS
Marina Stafford MJS
Janna McLaughlin VES
Chris MacMillan VES
Pamela Pentelichuk VES
Michelle Tangen WES
Deborah Rhodes WES
Michelle Bishop WHS
Chris Demeule WHS
Travis Hartl WHS
Donald Spencer WHS
Donna Rodgers WHS
Judy Large WHS
Jen Golden WHS
Janet Marquart WHS
Charlene Dodds MJS
Robin Graham WES
Faye Dunne Central
Jodi Simmonds Clandonald
Sean Stromberg WHS
Leah Sacha Delnorte
Annette Dallyn Dr. Folkins
Carol Gabrielson Dr. Folkins
Joanne Skinner Dr. Folkins
Kristina Sayer Hughenden
Corinne Harbin Irma
Leah Larson Irma
Stu Harbak Central
Greg Smith VOS
Lori Wilhelm JR. Robson
Jamie Stromberg KHS
Brenda Cole KHS
Marci Labiuk KHS
Nicole Cusack Mannville
Kristin Presley MJS
Reuben Baker MJS
Kathy Voros Provost
Eryn White Provost
Kim Higdon Provost
Muriel Murphy Provost
Tammy Hoberg Provost
Kaleigh-Anne Strickland SOL
Ashley Verhappen WHS
Lori Goodwin Highland View
Jim Burnett Central
Randy Stewart Central
Bob Brown Central
Carrie Fornwald WES
Lori Knutson Amisk
Stacey Barber Delnorte
Michelle MacDonald E. H. Walter
Terri Moran Edgerton
Joyce Lord KES
Nicole Cey KHS
Renee Wallis KHS
Zane Polishuk Mannville
Gisele Amero Mannville
Darwyn Starner Mannville
Kym Person MJS
Colleen Hoegl MJS
Michelle Thor MJS
Dione Hudon Provost
Sherrilyn Spencer Provost
Rebecca McCullough VES
Raelene Tupper VES
Deirdre Myshaniuk VES
Selene Stang WES
FSEAP
Buffalo Trail Public Schools is proud to be a partner of the Family Ser-vices Employee Assistance Program. FSEAP provides caring and professional assistance for personal, family and work-related concerns. Services are free and confidential.
Employees wishing to contact FSEAP can do so toll free at 1-800-661-8246, or visit the employ-ee section of the FESEAP Website.
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“We are very happy to be able to recognize our team members who have served the students of BTPS for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years.”
Continued next page.
5—9 YEARS (cont’d)
Ashley Chaulk WES
Brynna Mannix KHS
Carmen Watt MJS
Jennifer Wagner Irma
Candice Braconnier Mannville
Velvet Morris WHS
Stephanie Cooper WES
Kerry Frissell WHS
Alysha Grosky WHS
Chad Marchand WHS
Mary Claire Miller WHS
Kara Yeo WHS
Sparks Tammy WHS
Linda Erickson Percy Lake
Lonnie Tipler Central
Gayle Hedley Central
Kevin John Central
Donna Rozka Central
Gerene Gilbertson Amisk School
Tracy Snider Clandonald
Karen Elliott E. H. Walter
Rick Dawson Irma
Martina Ruston-Carter KHS
Rachel Miller Mannville
Raelle Kissick MJS
Claudette Bast VES
Tracy Long VES
Marilyn Pospolita WES
Jill Westman WHS
Cody Machney Central
Jason Yaremchuk Central
Dallas Foxwell Central
Denise Mitchell Edgerton
Sherry Paulson Amisk School
Wendy Molle Dr. Folkins
Cathy Samson Hughenden
Monica To JR. Robson
Elesha Pinder KES
Kim DeFord Mannville
Marg Hatch Mannville
Tiffany Weninger Provost
Sheila Propp WES
Sean Pullen WES
Heather Rentz WES
Christine Martens WES
Katherine Campbell WHS
Karen Boyarchuk Autumn Leaf
Sandy Boomhower Creighton
Bart Hill Central
Bev Ragsdale KES
10 YEARS
Travis Stachniak WHS
Geralyn McCormack Clandonald
Anita Dutchak Clandonald
Anne Fehr Dewberry
Angela Golinowski WES
Jody Cook Provost
Karen King VES
Sharleen Moses VES
Connie Berg WES
Sarah Seymour WHS
Brad Romanchuk Central
Kristin Page VES
Janis McNalley Provost
Deb Froelich South Ferriby
Mary Ann Sparks Ribstone
15 YEARS
Sandra Grunow WHS
Bev Perry Dr. Folkins
Kimberly Selte E. H. Walter
Deanna Waddell Edgerton
Paula Waddell Edgerton
Lara Ledger Hughenden
Brenda Taylor Hughenden
Wendy Holt Irma
Diana Ratzlaff Irma
Terry Lynn King Irma
Valerie Paull KHS
Cindy Pylypow Provost
Aylene Jago Provost
Bonnie Doyle WES
Gail Koroluk WES
Rhonda Ward Dewberry
Kim Wasylyk-Nicoll VOS
Karen Evison Dewberry
Continued next page
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15 YEARS (cont’d)
Rae Beatty Dr. Folkins
Karen Hauff KES
Laurel Boxell WES
20 YEARS
Tarla Olson Dr. Folkins
Darla Fischer Irma
Craig Campbell JR. Robson
Tara Tod Mannville
Judy Walsh VES
Cheryl Brick WES
Guy Sharon WHS
Crystal Tower Central
Sandy Birch VES
Terry-Lynne Hines Marwayne
Mary Lou McInnis Provost
Jean Murie VES
25 YEARS
Leanna Orbeck E. H. Walter
Linda Rathwell KES
Diana Dixon KES
Daryl Venance KHS
Wayne Lewin MJS
Shirley Stuckky Provost
Lila Hermiston SOL
Debbie Marriott VES
Phyllis Tomkins VES
David Goddard WES
Becky West WES
Anita Sawyer WES
Vivian Locher Central
Laurie-Anne Erickson Irma
Mike Soucy Central
Randy Huxley Central
30 YEARS
Colette Johnson Amisk
Holly Garton E. H. Walter
Anne Gordon KES
Myrna Southoff Provost
Maureen Meyer WES
Doris McNally Provost
Gail Beck Marwayne
35, 40, 45, 50 YEARS (and in-between)
Beverly Haydu E. H. Walter
Eleanor Shaw KES
Neil Williams KHS
Lewis Young Central
Diane Wilkinson Edgerton
Mary Arnold E. H. Walter
Donna Smallwood Irma
Sharon Earl KHS
Stan Fox MJS
Sandra Miller VOS
Nadia Melynik Delnorte
Josie Tarapaski Delnorte
Teresa Motley Hughenden
Susan MacWilliam KES
Deena Forrester Central (Off-Campus)
As this week ends, we will be in preparation for
Thanksgiving. What a wonderful time of the year to
exhibit the characteristic of thankfulness as we ap-
preciate all that we have been given! On behalf of our
Board of Trustees, I would like to wish everyone a
very happy Thanksgiving and we hope that you have
many opportunities to share time with family and
friends.
Take care,
CURRICULUM
Authentic Learning and Collaborative Inquiry: Click here for more information
When: October 16 and 17, 2013 Where: Edmonton, AB
Who: Garfield Gini-Newman from TC2
Framing Inquiry as Reading and Writing Instruction: Click here for more infor-
mation
When: October 30, 2013
Where: Edmonton, AB
Who: Dr. Jeffrey Wilhelm
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities from The Learning Network
can be found here
We are a member jurisdiction with the Critical Thinking Consortia
(www.tc2.ca). Included in this membership is online access to digital resources
that promote critical thinking (one of the competencies outlined in the Ministerial
Order (Alberta Education, May 2013)).
This week, I’d like to highlight the teacher tools that TC2 has created to assist teachers in teaching thinking strategies to their students. These include asking, investigating, sharing, constructing, and reflecting. Please create a user account at TC2 with your BTPS email address to fully access these wonderful re-sources. Once logged in, visit: Teaching Resources Tab, click on the Tools for Thought (T4T) icon, then click on “Browse” the Tools for Thought Collection. You will see the teacher strategies and resources for Thinking Strategies in the middle of your screen.
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“PEANUT-FREE” VS.
“PEANUT AWARE”
There appears to be some confusion as to the best signage wording to be used when a student or students in a school have a severe or life-threatening allergy to peanuts.
Although it is our duty to provide a safe and caring environment for all of our students, it is best to avoid using the term “peanut-free”. Legal advice received from the Alberta School Boards Association states that while a school can and should take every precaution to protect a child that has such an allergy, it is nearly impossible to enforce a “peanut-free” environment throughout a school building. The term “peanut-free” implies a guarantee. This poses a legal problem for the Board, because, as mentioned, it is virtually impossible to enforce throughout the entire school.
Declaring a school building “peanut-aware” is the safer term to use, along with practicing due diligence.
BTPS procedure 203.1AP Administration of Medication/Medical Assistance to Students and its exhibits contain all the information needed to help schools provide a safe environment for students with peanut or any other severe allergies, including a sample parent notification letter, peanut free lunch ideas and more.
If you have any questions on this procedure or any other BTPS policy/procedure, please email [email protected].
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CELEBRATION
DAY 2013
WHERE: JR Robson
School
WHEN: Friday, October
11, 2013
Breakfast starts at
8:30 a.m.
Program starts
promptly at 9:15 a.m.
Long Service
Awards—new for-
mat!
Gold & Silver medal-
lists from the 2nd
Annual Superinten-
dent’s Public Speak-
ing Competition!
Continental break-
fast & hot lunch
courtesy of Mrs. J’s
Catering
(Vermilion)!
SEE YOU
THERE!
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PAYROLL & BENEFITS
Canada Savings Bonds—If you are interested in the Canada Sav-ings Bond Program you can sign up until November 1, 2013 with your first deduction beginning in De-
cember 2013. Please note to sign up you must go the link:
csb.gc.ca/employees
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LAPP
To view the full size image, please click here. GO BACK
“Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.”—Ernest Dimnet
BUS DRIVERS WANTED BY LOCAL BUS CONTRACTORS: Buffalo Trail Public
School local bus contractors are in need of spare bus drivers. If you love children
and enjoy driving, please call our office and we would be happy to put you in con-
tact with a local bus contractor in your area and get you started on a rewarding
career as a school bus driver. Our office phone number is 780-806-2051.
REMINDER:
SAFELY ON BOARD SCHEDULE: Cindy House from Safely on Board will once
again be doing her Safely on Board School Bus Safety Program with students in
grades K-6. Teachers and principals, please make sure you review the schedule
for your school and if you see any issues please email Cindy House directly at
[email protected]. Click this link for the schedule .
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VIDEO CONFERENCING UPGRADE
This week marks the first week of use of our new video bridge. This bridge was installed to update our HD offer-ings in the video conferencing classes and the expanding use of CMA desktop. Also installed with this was a video recording capability that will allow our video users to record the video feed and content with the touch of a button. Work is now being done to create a web video archive that will be availa-ble on the World Wide Web.
iPAD PILOT: The iPad pilot is under-way and the carts are out and about in the division, and we are still accepting submissions for the other timeslots throughout the year. If they would like more information about the iPad Pilot, please go to: http://bit.ly/BTPSicart
We will also be releasing details on Chromebook carts next week and there will be 3, 10 week slots available for the Chromebook carts and there will be only 25 Chromebooks in each cart.
Xay also making the rounds and work-ing with teachers around the division.
If anyone has any interest in having him visit them to talk about integrating technology into their practices, just send him an email, and he can schedule a time to meet.
WIRELESS NETWORKING
Please look at last week’s Memo for tips on using wireless with large groups.
GAFE STATISTICS
5,681 GAFE created accounts
1,513 authenticated accounts
37.5% of accounts( 13% growth)
1007actual operating accounts (person has actually been working with it)
17.7% of accounts (1% growth)
Helpdesk
Call volume has been light and email volume is light . Please remember to contact us with any problems you are having. Technology collects all of these problems to monitor for trends.
Call: 780-806-2053
Text: 780-806-9228
Email: [email protected] GO BACK
TRANSPORTATION
TECHNOLOGY
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COMMENTS ABOUT
THIS NEWSLETTER?
Please send your comments
or suggestions to
We’d love to hear from you!
BUFFALO TRAIL PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
1041 10A Street
Wainwright, AB T9W 2R4
P: 780.842.6144
F: 780.842.3255
www.btps.ca
ITEMS OF INTEREST
REMAX Quest for Excellence 2014 School Bursary Program—The Quest for
Excellence program is a bursary program for grade 12 students in Western Cana-
da. It was established by RE/MAX of Western Canada to recognize the success and
ongoing pursuits of Western Canadian students in regards to leadership and com-
munity contribution initiatives. Once again 16 students will receive $1000 bursa-
ries; their names will also be entered into a draw for a REMAX hot air balloon ride
for two.
Deadline for applications is March 10, 2014. To enter online, go to www.remax.ca.
for more information on the program, please contact Kelsey Woodliffe, Senior
Administrative Assistant at [email protected] or call 1-800-563-3622.
Safe & Caring Schools & Communities—Safe and Caring is a centre of excellence
that fosters effective networks and partnerships to improve the quality of life for
all Alberta children and youth.
HEROES Awards program recognizes individuals and organizations who demon-
strate a commitment to creating safe, caring, healthy and inclusive schools and
communities. Anyone is eligible for nomination – children, youth, teachers, adults,
schools, community organizations, government representatives and businesses.
The SCSC also invites Alberta’s children and youth to share their entry in our
annual “Art of Caring” Contest. Use your creativity to show us what represents a
safe and caring world through your eyes. Express your thoughts... in writing,
(poetry, essay, or story); in drawing or sculpture; song or sound; or video! The fun
thing about the Art of Caring Contest is that it is all about expressing yourself and
your vision of what a safe and caring world means to you!
For more information on HEROES or the art contest, check www.safeandcaring.ca.
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(from JR teacher Nicole Polishuk) On September 25 the JR Robson High School Pirate Crew
Executive went on their annual retreat. Time was given to discussing leadership and the importance in our school. The students also spent time brainstorming on ideas that could be incorporated into our yearly activities. In the end the students broke into their 4 teams and planned their major and minor activities for the year. The students came back energized for the year and excited about their
plans.
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