superintendent’s memo 23rd -27th 2017.pdf · 2 from the assistant superintendent (from page 1) go...
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Asst. Superintendent ........... 2
Curriculum ........................... 3
Payroll/ ................................. 4
Extras .................................... 6
Around BTPS………............7-10
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BUFFALO TRAIL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1041 10A Street
Wainwright, AB T9W 2R4
P: 780.842.6144
F: 780.842.3255
www.btps.ca
Twitter: BTPS#28
Superintendent’s Memo
For the Week of January 23rd - 27th, 2017
FROM THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT...
Email: [email protected]
Question of the week is on Page 5!
New prizes this year!!!
MISSION: Buffalo Trail Public Schools is committed to maximizing student learning,
in a safe and caring environment, supported by a highly effective team.
As a system, Buffalo Trail Public Schools is very focused on First Nations, Métis and Inuit education. Our work in this area is directed by numerous international, federal, and provincial legislations, memorandums of understanding, calls to action, commitments and standards of practice. Specifically, we are working towards developing an understanding of the historical, social, economic and political implications of treaties and agreements with First Nations and agreements with the Métis; enabling all school staff and students to gain a knowledge and understanding of, and respect for, the histories, cultures, languages, contributions, perspectives, experiences and current contexts of First Nations, Métis and Inuit; and supporting the school community in developing an understanding of the legacy of residential schools, and the impacts of intergenerational trauma on learner development. One of our system-wide initiatives in this regard, is the acknowledgement of Treaty 6 territory at district and school events. The land base of treaty six territory covers 313,390 square kilometers. Since the signing of Treaty 6 in 1876, the growth of cities, vast industrial developments, and increasing populations have transformed Treaty 6 lands into what we know as part of present day Saskatchewan and Alberta. First Nations believed that the terms of the Treaty would provide them with the tools to survive in the fast changing landscape while never extinguishing their aboriginal and treaty rights. In turn the Crown received access and settlement of lands for the settlers coming to Canada and building the railway west connecting western Canada to the east. It was the beginning of the formation of Canada as we know it. It was understood by the terms of the treaty that there would be a peaceful co-existence with one another. Today, there are misconceptions that only First Nations peoples are part of the treaties, but in reality, both parties are part of treaty. All people in Alberta are treaty people.
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FROM THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT (FROM PAGE 1)
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Acknowledging Treaty 6 territory where we gather and the people who have traditionally called it
home for thousands of years is an act of respect and reconciliation. Such acknowledgement supports
the calls to action of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report (Government of
Canada, 2015), in addition to a variety of other standards, calls to action, etc. as mentioned above.
We have many exciting projects and initiatives occurring across BTPS to support this essential work! I
would like to highlight just a few:
First Nations, Métis and Inuit TES Team
Twenty-three teachers are working together to further their
knowledge through a partnership with Edmonton Public
School’s FNMI branch and the support of Jeremy Albert. One
of the opportunities that Jeremy provided was to take the
team through a blanket exercise, a powerful teaching tool to
share the historic and contemporary relationships between
indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in Canada.
ATA Local Professional Learning Day
Four FNMI sessions were offered: Abo-
riginal Games, the Blanket Exercise,
FNMI foundational knowledge, and Tipi
Teachings. All of these sessions were
well attended by BTPS teachers. In
these photos teachers learn tipi
teachings from Glenda Bristow and par-
ticipate in the blanket exercise.
First Nations, Metis and Inuit Art Session
BTPS teachers had the distinct pleasure of working with Lana
Whiskeyjack on a two day professional learning journey that looked
at reconciliation and resiliency through art. Lana led teachers
through two sessions; first, Confronting History: resilience and
reconciliation, and second, Neuro-rewiring: exploring indigenous arts
and artists. Teachers learned about residential schools,
intergenerational trauma, reflected on the work of reconciliation, and
made personal connections to story and healing.
We look forward to continuing to share and celebrate the work of our
staff on this important BTPS Three Year Education Plan goal.
Lisa
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CURRICULUM
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Fo
https://outstanding-lessons.wikispaces.com/Starters+and+Plenaries
First Nations, Métis and Inuit
TEACHER RESOURCES
Empowering the Spirit is a web-resource
produced by the Alberta Regional Consortia.
The website provides opportunities for
educators to expand their understanding of
First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives
and gain tools and strategies to support First
Nations, Métis, Inuit and all students’
success.
Featured this week on Empowering the
Spirit, is a new resource supporting learning
about Métis perspectives and history.
Filmed and produced in Edmonton, the
History of the Métis Jig is a video that shares
the origin of the traditional Métis jig.
Here are some other resources for support-
ing learning about the Métis.
Virtual Museum of Métis History and
Culture
Cross Curricular Métis Teaching Unit
Pemmican Publishers—promoting Métis au-
thors, illustrators and stories
Louis Riel Institute
Métis Nation of Alberta
Learn to speak Michif
Upcoming Local Events to check out:
Flying Canoe Festival—February 3 & 4 Rubaboo Arts Festival — February 4-6 Amiskwaciy History Series — ongoing archived videos of past sessions here
January PL opportunities:
February PL opportunities
Changes to ORC resources are occurring, as budget cuts have been made, and the resource budget for the 2016/2017 school year has been exhausted.
Science and Math Gizmos, and CBC News In Review were both licensed directly by Alberta Education and hosted on the Online Reference Centre (ORC). Unfortunately, the ORC will not be able to license either of these products any longer via the Grant-In-Aid. It is unknown at this time if the CBC News In Review will return to the ORC collection for the 2017/2018 school year.
On the good news front, there have been new titles recently been added to TrueFLIX resource on the ORC., and they
support the Physical Science Theme: The Elements (Grade 5 science) Electricity (Grade 5 Science) Energy Friction Gravity Simple Machines (Grade 4 science)
Don’t forget these resources, and many others are available from the ORC which is accessed via LearnAlberta.ca. Remember to log-in with your school ID and password!
Math Strategies Corner
Great math starter's for grade 5-
6 to start class to really get
students thinking.
Want to engage students? Try one of these lesson
starters or activities!
http://www.statisticsonline.org/subtangent/30-maths-starters.pdf
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PAYROLL
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For staff updates, click the logo.
2017 Personal Tax Credit Returns
Federal & Provincial
If you have any changes for the 2017 tax
year, please download the forms and re-
turn to the attention of payroll. If you
have any questions please
contact either:
Links:
TD1-2017
TD1AB-2017
Payroll Changes Effective
January 2017
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Answer here
WES
Maureen Myer What
year was
Treaty Six
signed?
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Teacher and Early
Childhood Educator
School Supply Tax
Credit
Dr. Jody Carrington
February 8th, 2017
6:00pm @
E.H. Walter School
"Our Parenting
Superpowers: A
Discussion about the
Relationships that
Mean the Most to
Us..."
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EXTRAS
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AROUND BTPS
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Some fantastic artwork from the Jr. High students at Marwayne Jubilee.
Submitted by: Wayne Lewin
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AROUND BTPS
Below, tourist day at JR Robson.
Submitted by: Heather Reeve
Mr. Grosky @ Irma School teaches more than IA
and PE! Today's life skill - how to tie a tie!
Good luck to the Atom Irma Aces in their first
provincial game.
Submitted by: Jennifer Falle
Partner reading at Irma School
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AROUND BTPS
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The Grade 1's at Irma School made marshmallow snowmen for art on January 18. They won't be
coming home though because we ate them!
Who let the dogs out? "Man's Best Friend" made by the Irma Grade 5 & 6 students.
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AROUND BTPS
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WES Grade 1’s had a fun afternoon of teamwork, building and fresh air!