E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

What could be better than hands-on learning? Learning that also feeds you at the end of the lesson! Grade 7 students in the CTF Foods course are learning the culinary arts. From food handling and safety to preparation and presentation, all students in Grade 7 and 8 get a chance throughout the school year to ‘dig in’ to a variety of recipes and cooking techniques providing life long skills and maybe even some help at home in their kitchen!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Feb 8 - RFTS Take 5 at BES 8:15 am
• Feb 10 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes) 
• Feb 15 - School Council Meeting at BES Time TBD
• Feb 15 - Parent Upstander Session at BES 3:30 pm
• Feb 15 - CRPS Public Board Meeting at BES 7:00 pm
• Feb 17 - Pink Shirt Day - Assembly 1:00 pm
  
  

Report Cards
Report Cards are available to view/print on PowerSchool Parent Portal. You can find instructions here on how to view report cards. If you require assistance logging into PowerSchool Parent Portal please contact the school office. 

BES RFTS Take 5
Join Right from the Start, inside the school on February 8th for a coffee, herbal tea or light snack! Take 5 extra minutes in your morning to spend time together with your child before your busy days. Doors open at 8:15 am. 

Parent Upstander Session
Join Right from the Start for an upcoming parent session on being an "upstander" and how to support our young people in being an upstander! An upstander, or an engaged bystander, is someone who recognizes actions, attitudes, and beliefs that normalize violence (and/or bullying) and stands up or speaks up against them. This session is a follow-up to the upstander conversation with Grades 7 and 8, however, parents of any aged child(ren) are welcome to join!
Banff: February 15th, 2023 at 3:30 pm-4:30 pm at Banff Elementary School
Canmore: February 16th, 2023 at 5:30-6:30 at Lawrence Grassi Middle School
Food and beverages will be provided. The workshop is FREE but you must register so we know how much food to provide and if you require childcare. Please email mary.weighell@crps. if you have any questions.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/qbjnBKPXaWStTFbB9

Town of Banff Rainbows Program
Do you have a child who is experiencing grief due to divorce, separation, death or other loss? The Rainbows program is free and provides support to children and youth, in Kindergarten to Grade 8 - connecting with a trained Rainbows facilitator and other peers in a small, intimate group setting. Confidentiality and safety of all participants is priority. If you feel your child could benefit from Rainbows, or have questions about this program, please contact familyconnections@banff.ca or call 403-762-1229 by February 10.
              

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar

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 Overdue
Banff Elementary School fees are available on PowerSchool Parent Portal and are now overdue. 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.

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 February 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 or follow BES on Instagram @banffelementaryschool for news and reminders.

Canadian Rockies Public Schools
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.

Do you have a spare bedroom? Become a host family for our International Student Program! We are looking for 5 or 10 month commitments (and for temporary host families over April Spring Break, 2023). Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!