IN THIS EDITION
Superintendent's Memo
Orange Shirt Day - Order Information
Technology
Extras
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Professional Learning
Resources
Learning on the Trail Podcast
Around BTPS
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We made it!
From the bottom of my heart, I thank each of you for all that you have done to get us to a successful end of the 2020-2021 school year. Your determination and perseverance have gotten us to the end and your efforts are appreciated. This has been a year like no other we have ever encountered and you have navigated the unknown extremely well. It is incredible that we can celebrate so many accomplishments in a very challenging year.
I am so proud of all of you and how you have worked together this year. Through it all, you showed your commitment to student learning and wellbeing. You supported students and each other. I am grateful for all of your contributions to BTPS. We are quite an amazing team!
As you wind down, take a moment to reflect on your incredible journey this year as you have done amazing things. You deserve a great summer.
I hope your holiday is filled with relaxation and all the things you love.
Take care,
Rhae-Ann
#btpstogether
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Orange Shirt Day - Order Information
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Order your shirts here!
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Spam, Spoof and Phish.
  
Email cybersecurity is always important but at this time of year it seems to be even more important.
Phishing: a scam by which an Internet user is duped (as by a deceptive e-mail message) into revealing personal or confidential information which the scammer can use illicitly
Spam: unsolicited usually commercial messages (such as e-mails, text messages, or Internet postings) sent to a large number of recipients or posted in a large number of places
Spoofing: is the creation of email messages with a forged sender address. Because the core email protocols do not have any mechanism for authentication, it is common for spam and phishing emails to use such spoofing to mislead or even prank the recipient about the origin of the message.
Please use good judgment when deciding whether to open unwanted messages. If it looks suspicious, it may be malicious spam. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure whether or not a message is safe. The best you can do is reduce your risk by thinking carefully and following these tips.
If an electronic message seems at all suspicious, don't respond. Never reply to or click on a "remove" or "unsubscribe" link in a suspicious spam message. If you do respond, it can confirm your address and cause your business to receive more spam.
Beware of clicking on the links in suspicious emails. Such links may take you to an unsafe website without realizing it.
Attachments included in emails may contain software that could harm your computer, the BTPS network or steal confidential information. Malicious software can corrupt our network and computers, block access to your data or take over your email account and use it to send viruses to other people.
Please do not forward any suspicious emails (in full or in part) to anyone else. If you feel it is spam, it probably is. Mark the message as spam and delete it. If you feel that you may have clicked on something within the email that is harmful please contact the Tech Department at techhelp@btps.ca (start a new email, do not forward the suspicious email) or call 780-806-2053. We will need your email address, the time of the email and the subject line. We can then search your spam and deleted folder to retrieve more information if needed. This will also allow us to block the suspicious email address.
Can you spot when you’re being phished?
Identifying phishing can be harder than you think. Phishing is an attempt to trick you into giving up your personal information by pretending to be someone you know. Can you tell what's fake? Take this quick quiz to test your “phishing” knowledge.
https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com/
For all problems technology-related 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.
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Pride Month - Ready to be Brave
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Congratulations to Kitscoty High School student, Anthony Desjarlais, who received Honourable Mention in the Alberta School Boards Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards 2021. Congratulations Anthony!
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Leadership for Learning Sessions
Our Leadership for Learning sessions continue to offer some “at our own pace” sessions, collaboration groups, or blogs over the summer. BTPS has full access to all that Illuminate has to offer which has something for everyone.
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As an Albertan high school student, you are eligible to apply to become a Page! The Page Program is more than just a job. It is an opportunity for students to learn firsthand about the Legislative Assembly while gaining work experience, career insights, and valuable skills such as communication, problem solving, and leadership. Pages work at the Legislature during Session and have the unique opportunity to play an important role in Alberta’s democratic process. Interested? Check out the Page Program (assembly.ab.ca) for details about applying. If you have any questions or want to know more, feel free to contact Amber Edgerton at Amber.Edgerton@assembly.ab.ca. |
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New app helps young adults transitioning out of care
June 21, 2021 Media inquiries
In partnership with the Government of Alberta, Native Counselling Services of Alberta is launching an app to support former and current youth in care navigate the adult world.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and young adults can download the free Connections app to access information to help make the transition into adulthood a little easier. The app provides practical information, including how to do your taxes, easy recipes and life hacks for household chores.
The Connections app is a critical tool to make sure youth and young adults have convenient and immediate access to important supports and resources on topics such as housing, budgeting, school, employment and mental health.
“We know that young adults coming out of government care need financial, social and emotional resources to help them successfully transition into the next phase of their lives. This app is a critical tool to help them at a crucial period in their lives and will give them access to important information at their fingertips.”
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services
“This app allows us to provide ongoing and increased support for young adults to transition out of Child Welfare's care into independence in a meaningful way. It provides the access young people need to assist them on their journey to success. The app is also a tool for guardians, caregivers, parents and professionals supporting youth. We hope young people find the information they need to increase their confidence in their gifts, so they can make positive community and family connections for themselves.”
Allen Benson, CEO, Native Counselling Services of Alberta
“Transitioning to adulthood is a critical time in a young person’s life and we need to ensure supports are there to help them navigate the transition successfully. For vulnerable children and youth, accessing culturally appropriate, timely support can be more challenging. This app is a tool that young people will have on hand to help with day-to-day problem solving and decision-making.”
Del Graff, Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate
Quick facts
- The Connections app is available to download at no cost on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- The App content and messaging has been guided by Indigenous Elders, Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) program staff, the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Youth Council, and Alberta Children’s Services staff and caseworkers.
- The app is designed for Alberta youth and young adults aged 14-26 who are transitioning to adulthood from government care.
- Connections provides more than 150 resources in 17 topic areas, including housing, education, mental health, money, food and transition to adulthood, and quick access to mental health and emergency information.
Related information
Access the app:
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Professional Learning Opportunities
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August PD Sign Up
Link is here!
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BTPS Learning with Leaders
https://www.warmdemanders.com/btps
The BTPS Board of Education and Division Administration are advocates of lifelong learning and of providing professional learning opportunities for all of our staff. We have a goal to attract, retain, and grow amazing staff and leaders.
This professional learning menu is part of our commitment to support you. We're really excited about offering so many online leadership courses, masterclasses, and communities, and will be adding more selections to the PL menu each year. A key feature of the menu is how easy it is for you to register in any of the opportunities. For this year, every item on this site is funded and supported by BTPS, and all administration related to payment is handled by the division office.
It really is this easy to find your lead domino and further your learning journey! There are many options to support growth in leadership, collaborate with others, and learn simple organizational tips.
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AHS Virtual Mental Health Supports
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page17137.aspx
Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous people
1-855-242-3310
Alberta Mental Health Help Line
1-877-303-2642
https://cmha.ca/
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
Sixties Scoop Peer Helpline
1-866-456-6060
Fully Confidential Helpline for Indigenous Women (Talk, Text, Chat)
1-855-554-HEAL (4325)
MISSING MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN GIRLS HELPLINE
1-844-413-6649
https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Residential school survivors who need support can call this number 1-866-925-4419
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Caregiver Education Newsletter
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BTPS Learning on the Trail Podcast
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This educational podcast series is designed to guide students through information about various careers and opportunities. Through personal interviews hosted by Superintendent, Rhae-Ann Holoien, we share excitement, knowledge and stories about careers. Students are able to hear advice and learn how to overcome barriers to be able to find a job they will love.
Listen and Subscribe here! We are on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts
Email us at btps@podcast.ca for any inquiries.
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