E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Spotlight on Creativity and Crafts
In the spirit of the holiday season our Kindy students are busy like little elves creating handcrafted keepsakes to make their class, school, home and community a more beautiful place. Handcrafted gifts are one of a kind. They come with a story, are personal, surprising and delightful!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Dec 9 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes) Afternoon Staff Professional Development (PD)
• Dec 13 - Bake Sale in support of the Holiday Campaign
• Dec 14 and 15 - Banff Holiday Concert at the Jenny Belzberg Theatre at the Banff Centre 6:00 pm or view on the Live Stream
• Dec 16 - deadline to make a donation for the “Give What You Can, if You Can” Holiday Campaign
• Dec 21 - BES Carolling Assembly 2:00 pm
• Dec 23 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes) pm school closed
• Dec 26 to Jan 6 - Winter Break School Closed

“Give What You Can, if You Can” Holiday Campaign / Supports
As the heart of the community, Banff Elementary School is always looking for ways to support our families and our community.  As we are aware that community supports are limited this year, BES is working to support as many of our families as we can this holiday season.
From now until December 16, we are starting a “Give What you Can, if You Can” Campaign. We are looking for donations of:

• Grocery gift cards ($25 denominations)
• Non-perishable food items (bring to the holiday concert, or the school)
• New, unwrapped family Board games (e.g. Uno, Snakes and Ladders, etc.)
• Monetary donations (cash, cheque made out to Banff Elementary School)

Donations can be dropped off at the BES main office.

Could You Use Support this Holiday Season?
If you or someone you know may benefit from additional support this holiday season, please let us know by filling out this (confidential) form by December 14 BES Holiday Support Request Form. Support is not guaranteed, and is dependent upon donations received. For a list of community supports available this holiday season, please click here. As well please visit the Primary Care Network Bow Valley Holiday Supports, Resources and Events 2022 web page.

Bake Sale
BES will be hosting a bake sale on Tuesday December 13 to support our Holiday Campaign. Students can bring money and purchase a treat. Items will be $2 each. If you would like to donate baked items for the sale, please send the items to school with your child on Monday December 12. All items must be NUT FREE.

Banff Holiday Concert at the Banff Centre - Ticket Information
The Banff Centre Box Office is currently working on seating assignments for Banff Elementary School families that requested tickets. The Banff Centre Box Office will email tickets by the end of this week. Please check your junk/spam folders if you do not receive an email. If you still haven't received anything by the end of the week, you can then contact the Box Office at 403-762-6301.
On concert night, please have your tickets ready (you can print the attachment of tickets from the email, NOT the email itself) or have the email pulled up on your phone at the door. The concert team and lobby volunteers will have full lists of names and seat assignments to help direct you if there are any issues.
Additional tickets for family, friends and community members can be requested via the following links (specific per performance date):
December 14 performance ticket request link  
December 15 performance ticket request link

Tickets will be sent via email once ready. Banff Elementary School and the concert organizers, Shane Nizinkevich and Grace Gadon, do not have access to ticket reservations or distribution. Please direct your questions to the Banff Centre Box Office.

In reference to information that CRPS forwarded to families from Dr. Mark Joffe, Chief Medical Officer, "Using a well-fitting, high quality mask is encouraged, especially in crowded indoor settings." The Banff Centre and concert organizers recognize that the Banff Holiday Concert is a large gathering event and recommend the use of a mask in the lobby, theatre and backstage (although this remains optional). Students and attendees are also asked to stay home if feeling unwell. Organizers would like to minimize the spread of any respiratory illness or outbreak from the event before the holiday break. 

Banff Holiday Concert at the Banff Centre - Live Stream
For family, friends and community members (local and across the world) unable to attend our live show, you can log on and watch live using the link below! The stream will commence when the show starts each night at 6pm MT. Feel free to share! This will also be on the BES Website.
Public Viewing URL: https://vimeo.com/event/2669798
Password: B@nff-C0nc3rt  (*that is a zero and a three in concert)

Lost & Found

The number of lost & found items is growing and growing. Please ask your child to check out the lost & found tables or please feel free to stop by the school. All items remaining at the Winter Break will be donated.

CRPS 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration
CRPS Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open. Please visit crps.ca for more information. Registration is online only.

Parent Session: Suicide Awareness for Caregivers (CANCELED)
December 13th (Canceled) - watch for a rescheduled date.

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 an annual 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. As per Canadian Rockies School Division’s Administrative Procedure 503, payment for school fees is due 30 days after invoicing. Please contact the school office to make payment arrangements if payment has not been made at this time.

Important Dates
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. This is one more way Canadian Rockies School Division is here to help support not only your child, but also your family.

Right From The Start
Ms. Jenniex is now sending home monthly updates for each classroom! To check out what other classes are doing, or to read prior months' updates, go here: BES RFTS Monthly Updates. For information on Right from the Start at Banff Elementary School or to contact me directly, please email megan.jenniex@crps.ca.

Town of Banff Children & Youth Programs
The Out-of-School Club (OSC) is a licensed childcare program offering care for school aged children, September to June. With a focus on child-led play, exploration and natural curiosity, OSC aims to connect children through indoor and outdoor programming. The OSC program hours compliment the Canadian Rockies Public School calendar- providing care during the after school hours, PD days, parent/teacher interviews, the staggered kindergarten entry and school breaks. For details and how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids.

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 December 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. 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. Please click here for the CRPS Board Meeting Calendar, Agendas and Highlights.