E-NEWS & Principal's Post

Principal’s Post
Thank you to Arts Place for providing our Kindergarten to Grade 5 students an engaging afternoon of classical music. Guitarist, Robert, captivated students with his dynamic and expressive playing while also sharing and answering questions about his life-long journey as a musician and how he came to live and play now in the Bow Valley. 

Spotlight on Learning
Grade 4 students spent the day learning at Star Six Ranch located just outside of the hamlet of Exshaw beside Kananaskis. With the help of Lynx, the Stoney Nakoda Knowledge Keepers and Star Six staff, students further explored Grade 4 curricular outcomes in science and social studies: plant cycles, histories and stories of Alberta and Indigenous peoples, and waste in our world. The day ended with historical and traditional stories from the Elders and students lending a helping hand in the gardens! 


Important Upcoming Dates

• May 29 - School Council AGM 3:30 pm at BES
• May 31 - Staff PD pm - students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)

School Council - AGM Wednesday May 29 3:30 pm
School Council is a liaison group between parents/guardians, teachers, administration, community and School Board to encourage communication, involvement and cooperation with the goal of maximizing individual student learning and enhancing school life. As a parent or a guardian with a child in the school, you are considered a member of School Council. We welcome all parents to join our Council meetings to learn, observe, and have a voice. School Council generally meets the third Wednesday of each month at 3:30 pm. Whether you can join for one meeting, or every meeting, for 30 minutes or the full hour, your involvement is welcome. The next meeting is our AGM on Wednesday May 29, 2024 3:30 pm at BES. Please join us to review finances and plan some great events and initiatives to support your students' learning next year. 

Town of Banff Commuter Challenge
Join the National Commuter Challenge from June 2 - 8, 2024 for your chance to win some great prizes! This week is intended to celebrate active and sustainable transportation in our community. You can join the challenge as an individual, with your registered workplace or school. Participants can log trips and distances for travel to and from work that are taken by transit, cycling, walking, rolling or carpooling. Prizing will be awarded in the following categories for Banff and Canmore residents commuting in or to Banff for work or school: 

Workplace
Elementary Student
High School Student
Local Active Champion
Local Transit/Carpool Champion

Please click here for more information.


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.

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.