On October 17, we had the pleasure of welcoming Eli Snow, Ollie Benjamin and Ethan Hunter, who hosted our Truth and Reconciliation Assembly. Eli and Ollie shared information about the importance of September 30th (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) and spoke about the residential school system. Ethan did some drumming for us and we finished with a Round Dance. Our students were on their best behaviour and listened well to the important messages from Eli. We are looking forward to all our classes working with our Knowledge Keepers this year.
The winter weather has returned!! Students enjoyed their time outside but it was chilly and wet! As the snow has melted, we have been dealing with some muddy conditions outside. Please ensure your child is coming with indoor shoes and outdoor boots each day. They should also have the proper winter gear to head outside for recess. We will be heading outside for most recesses and want students to be prepared!!
We are excited to be hosting our Halloween Assembly and Parade next Thursday at 1:15pm! Students will get into their costumes after lunch and we will meet in the gym at 1:15 to gather and begin our parade. Please remind your child not to bring weapons as part of their costume. Parents are welcome to join us for this exciting event!!
Spotlight on Learning Kindergarten Spotlight This week, Kindergarten had a visit from the fire department! Firefighter Chris spoke about the importance of having a working smoke detector and what to do if you hear it beeping. K's were able to see Firefighter Chris get all his protective gear on, including his breathing apparatus. We were able to see what he looks and sounds like when he is all dressed up. This makes it seem familiar in case we ever see a firefighter at a scene one day. Our favourite part, of course, was seeing Sparky and giving him a high five or a hug!
Grade 4 Spotlight This week in Grade 4, students engaged in the innovative Cardboard Arcade project, where they used creativity and teamwork to design and construct playable arcade games from cardboard. This hands-on experience not only fostered their engineering skills but also encouraged imaginative play. Complementing this, the Take Me Outside activities of 4A allowed students to explore nature firsthand, promoting environmental awareness, creating Nature ART and active lifestyles. Thank you to Lynx for joining us on our adventure! Together, these projects enriched their learning, blending creativity with outdoor exploration.
Important Upcoming Dates
Oct 25 - Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - booking opens 4:00 pm
Oct 31 - Halloween Assembly and Parade - 1:15 pm
Nov 1 - Staff PD - 12:05 pm Dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
Nov 7 - Remembrance Day Assembly 9:30 am
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences November 6 Evening conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - regular classes during the day November 7 Evening conferences 5:00 - 8:00 pm - regular classes during the day November 8 Morning conferences 8:30 - 11:45 am - BES is closed in the afternoon
For our Fall P/T/S Conferences, you will have a choice of a virtual meeting or an in-person meeting. Please note there are separate schedules: one for Grades K-7 to book a 15 minute conference with their homeroom teacher, one for Grade 8 to book a 10 minute conference with both Grade 8 homeroom teachers at the same time, and a schedule to book a conference with our Music teacher (Grades 1 - 8) and/or our French Teacher (Grades 4 - 8). Please ensure to select the correct schedule when making your booking. Appointments can also be made with our Principals, Jason Billings / Valerie Chisholm, and our School and Family Wellness Worker, Emily Nicholson, by emailing them directly (firstname.lastname@crps.ca). After November 3 the online booking system will be closed - parents will be required to email their child's homeroom teacher directly to change or cancel an appointment. Please click here for School Appointments - Parent Instructions. Appointments for parents and students to meet with teachers can be booked online at https://banff.schoolappointments.com. This system will open Friday October 25 at 4:00 pm and appointments can be booked until Sunday November 3 11:55 pm. You will need to create a new account, even if you have used this system in the past, by clicking the REGISTER tab on the menu bar. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.
Teacher Meals-of-Appreciation - A Message from our School Council Calling all parents! We can all agree our teachers have been working hard with our kids as everyone settles into a new school year and new routines. BES Teachers have been busy preparing for the upcoming Parent/Teacher Student Conferences, on top of their regular teaching load. The BES Parent School Council would like to continue the tradition and ask for help in preparing some food and drinks, to give teachers one less thing to worry about during the conferences! Please sign up below for items that you can prepare and drop off at the school in the Staff Room (Squirrel Street entrance) before the conferences, Wednesday 3 - 4pm or Thursday 3 - 4pm or Friday 8:00 - 8:30am. Teachers will have their own plates, cutlery, etc. Here is the Sign Up Genius link: Meals of Appreciation Sign Up
Thank you!! BES Parent School Council
School Travel Plan The School Travel Plan is a way we keep our kids, parents, and teachers safe while travelling to and from school. Here is how you can help!
As parents, you play a key role in your child's safety in three ways:
As teachers of safety behaviours.
As role models of safe behaviours.
As drivers near the school
Drivers near the school can help create an environment that feels safe and inviting for pedestrians and bicyclists by:
Obey speed limits for the school zone.
Come to a complete stop at stop signs.
Do not pass a school bus with flashing amber lights and an extended stop sign.
Do not block pedestrian crosswalks or make U-turns.
Drop off only in designated Kiss and go zones.
Watch for and yield to pedestrians and bicyclists near and around the school.
Students travelling to school can help keep themselves safe by:
Always using crosswalks, sidewalks and/or paths.
Stop at the edges of driveways and curbs and look for motor vehicles before proceeding.
Walk, don't run across the street.
When biking or riding a scooter, always wear a properly fitted helmet - it's the law!
Do not carry anyone else on the bicycle. A bicycle with one seat is a bicycle for one person.
Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe each day at BES!
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
October 25
P/T/S Conference booking system opens at 4:00 pm
October 31
Halloween Assembly and Parade at 1:15pm
November 1
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
November 6 / 7
P/T/S Evening Conferences
November 7
Remembrance Day Assembly at 9:30am
November 8
P/T/S Morning Conferences - BES is closed in the afternoon
November 11
Remembrance Day - School is closed
November 15
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
November 26
CRPS Board of Trustees Meeting 7:00 - 9:00 pm at BES
November 29
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
December 11/12
Save the Date - BES Winter Concerts at the Banff Centre 6:30 - 7:30 pm - more details to follow
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 Criminal Record Check through the RCMP and sign a Confidentiality Contract as per Canadian Rockies Public Schools’Administrative Procedure 490 - School Volunteers andFOIPP. RCMP checks expire one year from the issue date. 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 Criminal Record Checks can be completed by the RCMP within 24 hours. Please click here for more information on volunteering opportunities.
School Fees For the third year, the CRPS board has decided not to charge lunchroom supervision fees for the 2024-2025 school year, reflecting our division's commitment to easing family financial pressures. Complimentary (CTF) course fees for Grades 7 and 8 students have been added to your Parent Portal account and are due by October 31, 2024. You can pay school fees online and obtain a copy of your invoice through your Power School Parent Portal account. Once you sign on, under navigation, click on Student Fees. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.
School and Family Wellness Worker Emily Nicholson, our new 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 Welcome back BES families! We are so excited to have you here! Ms. Jenniex, with Right from the Start, will start visiting all the classrooms next week. If you have any questions about Right from the Start, please feel free to reach out to megan.jenniex@crps.ca. Watch for RFTS newsletter updates from your child(ren)’s homeroom teachers throughout the year to see what is happening with RFTS!
Before School Care Before School Care is being offered at no cost to families in need of childcare before school to enable parents to get to work on time. Before School Care will commence Tuesday September 3, 2024 and registration is required each year. It is available between 7:45 - 8:15 am. Please click here to register your child. Students who arrive at 8:15 do not need to register for the Before School Care Program.
Out of School Club The Town of Banff Out of School Club (OSC) is a licensed childcare program offering care for school aged children during the school year. 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 more details, program calendars, and information on how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids. Winter Break registration opens to all on November 15th 2024 at 8:30am.
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 October 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 Announcementshere (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.
Homestay families needed in Banff, Canmore or Exshaw for international high school students (Grade 10-12) from Feb-June 2025 Do you have a spare bedroom? Become a host family for our International Student Program! Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!
