E-NEWS & Principal's Post

Principal’s Post
Thank you to all of the families that were able to join us at the Spring Open House on May 1 to celebrate learning at BES and peek into next year's learning. Also, a big bear cub hug to the BES Spring Fair participants for engaging the school community with useful information about the services and programs available to BES families and the Grade 8 Ambassador team for serving tea and snacks. Lastly, thanks to the RFTS team and Ms. Thomson’s Foods course students for bringing snacks and baking goodies!

Spotlight on Sports - BES Badminton Players heading to Okotoks for Zones
BES had 29 athletes compete in the Bow Valley Regional Badminton Playoffs. Fourteen of those athletes have qualified to compete in the South Central Alberta Zones competition. These athletes will be travelling to Edison School in Okotoks on May 8th to compete against the best junior high badminton players in South Central Alberta. We are all very excited to compete. Good Luck!

Grade 7 Boys Singles - Igor
Grade 7 Girls Doubles - Abigail and Ara
Grade 7 Boys Doubles - Kale and Jayden
Grade 7 Boys Doubles - Emmanuel and Sota 
Grade 8 Boys Singles - Masato 
Grade 8 Girls Doubles - Lily and Sophie
Grade 8 Boys Doubles - Billie and Jan 
Grade 8 Mixed Doubles - Emily and Louis 

Important Upcoming Dates

• May 3 - Staff PD afternoon students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
• May 5 -  Apparel Order Deadline
• May 8 - Hats On! for Mental Health Day! Students and Staff are invited to wear a hat to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health. 

Next Year School Planning
Thank you to those that have already completed the 2024-2025 Intent Form. If you have not completed it yet, please help us in our planning for the 2024-2025 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) or if your child will not be attending BES or BCHS. We request all families to complete this Intent Form by May 5.

Please note: children already attending Banff Elementary School do not need to complete a new registration for the next school year, even if your child is in Grade 8 and going to Banff Community High School.

Apparel Order
This is your chance to order BES hoodies and/or t-shirts to show your school spirit! Hoodies and t-shirts are available in traditional BES Green or *new this year* Grey (hoodies $35.00 youth sizes/$40.00 adult sizes, and t-shirts $13.50 youth sizes/$14.50 adult sizes). Buffs are also still available for $2 each (limited supply). DEADLINE FOR ORDERS is May 5, 2024 11:59 pm / DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT is May 6, 2024 11:00 am / order delivery expected in early June. Please refer to the email sent on Wednesday April 24 for more details. CLICK HERE to access the online Google form to place your order.

Mental Health Week May 6 - 12
May 6 to 12 is Mental Health Week! This year’s theme is “A Call to be Kind,” because compassion connects us all. In addition to finding mental health resources through the CRPS Wellness microsite, the Canadian Mental Health Association has produced a Compassion Toolkit, which includes guides, lesson plans, posters, and social media images. And don’t forget! “Hats On! for Mental Health Day!” is on Wednesday May 8, 2024. Students and Staff are invited to wear a hat to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health.


Alberta Education - Cell Phone Use in Schools - an  invitation to participate in a survey
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education is interested in hearing from teachers, parents, and other staff about cellphone usage in our schools. Input from this targeted engagement will help inform potential future government direction. You are invited to share your views about the future of student cellphone use in schools until May 3, 2024. The survey is available at survey link. 

Parent Portal
Please ensure you can log on to Parent Portal. Look for the PowerSchool Parent Portal Quick Link on our school website or click here. This is where you will access report cards, attendance updates and school fees. If you are having trouble with your username or password, please contact the school office.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.

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.

Before School Care
Juggling work and family can be challenging. Banff Elementary School would like to support families by offering before school care. This program starts at 7:45 am and students will play in the gym until 8:15 am - students please enter through the Den doors off of the Elk playground. This is a free service for BES families and registration is required - please click here for the 2023-2024 school year.

School and Family Wellness Worker
Deanne Arada, our School and Family Wellness Worker, 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
Interested in what’s going on at BES with Right from the Start? Ms. Jenniex has monthly newsletters for every grade! You can check them out here, BES RFTS Monthly Newsletter 23/24. Ms. Jenniex can also be contacted at Megan.jenniex@crps.ca if you have any questions or want to learn more about the program!

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 Newsletter. More information about Settlement Services and a calendar of events is available at: www.banff.ca/settlement or follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSBV.CCBV/.

You can also check out our School Announcements here (this is updated frequently) for more information. Please like us on Facebook and follow BES on Instagram @banffelementaryschool for news and reminders.

Canadian Rockies Public Schools
Please follow CRPS on Facebook, Follow/Tag us on Twitter and on Instagram 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.

CRPS International Student Homestay Hosts Needed
CRPS is looking for Canmore & Banff families to host our next incredible cohort of 50 international students arriving in August 2024! Make meaningful connections, share your different cultures, learn a new language, and build life-long memories & friendships! Commitments of 5 months and 10 months are available, with monthly remuneration provided. For more information and to apply, contact international@crps.ca or 403-609-6072. Please click here for more information.