E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Clubs are back! Grade 4s have been loving board games club. A great chance to practice our social skills and build new friendships.

Our Grade 2 students are learning about the Inuit throat-singing as part of their Social Studies’ Programs of Studies.

Grade 5 students enjoyed their last day of outdoor pursuits snowshoeing!

Thanks to the initiative of Grade 6 students for organizing a bake sale, they raised over $2000 to donate to the Red Cross in support of Ukrainian families!

Our Grade 1 students learning all about the color wheel.

Important Upcoming Dates

• April 4-15 - Spring Break school is closed, see you on Monday April 18
• April 20 - School Council Meeting 3:20 pm
• April 20 - CRPS Public School Board Meeting Exshaw School 7:00 - 9:00 pm
• April 22 - Earth Day
• April 26 - Grade 8 Transition Meeting at BCHS 6:30 pm

Hiring Lunchroom Supervisors
If you are interested in working with us daily from 10:00 to 1:00 to supervise our students during recesses, please contact our Principal, Nadine Trottier, at nadine.trottier@crps.ca.

Next Year School Planning
Please help us in our planning for the 2022-2023 school year by letting us know if you intend for your child to continue with Banff Elementary School (or Banff Community High School if your child is currently in Grade 8) by completing this Intent Form by April 18. Children already attending Banff Elementary School do not need to complete a new registration, even if your child is in Grade 8 and going to Banff Community High School.

Grade 8 Transition Information Night
A Grade 8 parent and student information night will be held on Tuesday April 26 at 6:30 pm at Banff Community High School. This will be a one hour session to welcome current Grade 8 parents and students to BCHS. We will go over topics including Grade 9 timetables, supports in our school, and extra curriculars. At the end of the session, parents will be given direction on how to sign their child up for option classes. *If your child is interested in attending Canmore Collegiate High School in Grade 9, CCHS will be hosting their transition meeting at CCHS on Monday, April 25 at 6:30 pm. Please contact Principal Chris Rogers (chris.rogers@crps.ca) to discuss this option.

Earth Day - April 22, 2022
We will be celebrating all week with Nature Explorers Earth Week Activities.  All students in Grades K-6 will be helping to create a large chalk art mural outside the Squirrel Street doors spreading Earth Day Every Day messages to inspire everyone to Care for Our Earth! Grade 4 will participate in a neighbourhood garbage clean-up and Grades 5 and 6 will present their individually designed poster art around the playground fence. Come by the school on Friday, April 22, to see what we have created.

2022-2023 Kindergarten Registration
Please follow this link to view important information regarding 2022-2023 Kindergarten Registration. Don’t delay, register today!

Town of Banff Children & Youth Programs
The Town of Banff offers a variety of programs for children and youth, including Out of School Care and Spring Break programs.
April 4-8 & 11-14 Into the Wild Nature and Forest Play Camp $42 daily *Banff Access cardholder discounts available. Spring Break Camp participants will meet in the Banff Recreation Grounds at the Rundle Cabin. Drop-off is between 12:00 – 12:30 pm. Pick up is between 5:00 – 5:45pm. This is a play-based, child-led outdoor program. All curriculum is emergent, dynamic, and driven by your child’s interests. Special attention in programming is given to the change of seasons and the unique flora and fauna of Banff National Park. This week-long camp features an Indigenous-led tour, forest bathing, shelter-building and a nature walk with a local interpretive guide! Children (K-grade 5) will also enjoy plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in rich, sensory-based experiences in the woods, imaginative play, singing, crafts and tinkering. For more information or to register your child, please call 403 762-1251 or visit https://banff.ca/195/Children-Youth. 

News from the Office
Volunteering
Banff Elementary School loves and greatly appreciates our volunteers! We require all volunteers who help in the school or on field trips to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check through the RCMP and sign a Confidentiality Contract as per Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ Administrative Procedure 490 - School Volunteers and FOIPP. Prior to volunteering, please email your legal name to the school office at bes.info@crps.ca to request an RCMP Fee Waiver Letter and we will email you back the letter, required forms and instructions. Often Vulnerable Sector Checks can be completed by the RCMP within 24 hours. Please click here for more information on volunteering opportunities.

School Fees Now Due
Banff Elementary School fees are available on PowerSchool Parent Portal and are now due. Debit or credit card payments can be made online through your Parent Portal. If you are unable to make full payment at this time or have any questions, please contact Joanne Geyer at joanne.geyer@crps.ca. Please click here for instructions on how to make a payment using PowerSchool Parent Portal.

School Events Calendar
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar

School and Family Wellness Worker
Ashley Butenschon is here to help support families and students with their social and emotional well-being. Please contact her at 403-762-4465 ext 6089. One more way Canadian Rockies School Division is here to help support not only your child, but also your family.

Right from the Start
Right from the Start is wishing you a happy, healthy spring break! If you are in need of urgent mental health assistance during the break, please contact the Alberta Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642, or visit your nearest emergency health provider. Banff Mineral Springs Hospital provides drop-in, emergency mental health services from 2-9 pm daily. BES Success Coaches can be reached by emailing Megan.Jenniex@crps.ca or Michelle.Skingle@crps.ca and will respond upon returning to the office. You can also check out our website for resources or find us on social media.

Settlement Services
Settlement Services provides Permanent Residents of Canada, Live-In Caregivers and Refugees with the support they need to settle in the Bow Valley.  Please click the link for the Settlement Services March Newsletter.  More information about Settlement Services and a calendar of events is available at: www.banff.ca/settlement or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/settlement.services.in.the.bow.valley.

You can also check out our School Announcements here (this is updated frequently) for more information - see info on a FREE Glee Club Class and The Basement schedule. Please like us on Facebook for news and reminders.

Please follow CRPS on Facebook, and Follow/Tag us on Twitter, so you can stay up-to-date on all CRPS school related issues, updates and information.