Welcome back to a new year! We hope everyone had a wonderful break. There has been a lot of energy and excitement as our students are back in the swing of learning. January is certainly a busy time in our schools as our staff begin to finalize assessments and prepare to report on student progress at the end of the month. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are also participating in provincial literacy and numeracy assessments again this month. Columbia Sportswear has generously donated 30 winter coats to BES for any students who might need a little extra warmth this winter! The sizes are from Youth XXS (4-5) up to Youth XL (18-20). If you are interested please reach out to Valerie Chisholm (valerie.chisholm@crps.ca) or email bes.info@crps.ca. Please feel free to call us if you have any questions. A big thank you to Columbia Sportswear, we are so grateful for this community!
We are sad to share some unfortunate news about one of our CRPS Knowledge Keepers, Philomene Stevens. Philomene passed away over the winter break after a brief illness. Philomene’s visits to BES were always special. She was an advocate for Indigenous rights and cultural preservation and she shared many stories and teachings in CRPS schools. Her teachings shared the importance of connection to each other, to nature and to our roots. She was an incredible person and she will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest condolences to Philomene’s family, friends and Mînî Thnî community.
Spotlight on Learning Grade 1 Spotlight Grade One is learning about how animals adapt to Winter. We are just beginning our learning by focusing on what animals do in winter. We will learn about hibernation, migration, torpor, and adaptations.
Grade 5 Spotlight Grade 5 teamed up before the holidays to try and solve some festive problems using the Building Thinking Classroom method. Students worked in small groups and collaborated their reasoning and mathematical thinking to solve Ms. Norwood's festive wardrobe question: How many festive outfits could I create if these were the items I owned?
Important Upcoming Dates
Jan 17 - Staff Professional Learning 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
BCHS Casino Fundraiser Needs Volunteers! Banff Community High School has the chance to raise $40,000-$50,000 for music initiatives like a recording studio and future band trips, through a casino on January 29 & 30, 2025, at ACE Casino Blackfoot (4040 Blackfoot Tr. S.E.). This fundraiser will benefit Banff students for years to come, so we are sharing it with BES families as well! We need 36 volunteer spots filled, so we need to spread the word and encourage people to help. Please fill out your preferred roles asap - before someone takes them. *Note: volunteers can work more than one shift but must be in the same role: https://signup.com/go/BGqgVVB
School Council Movie Night Since our last movie night was a great success, our School Council is looking for volunteers to help organize the next BES Family Movie Night. Please email chair@bescouncil.org for more information.
2024-2025 Caribou Kids Season Ski Pass Program Banff school students will enjoy free skiing again this winter. Now in its 18th year, Banff Lodging Co and Banff Mount Norquay are happy to offer the Caribou Kids Season Pass program for students enrolled at Banff schools. Please click here for more information and the online purchasing link. All payments and inquiries should be directed to Banff Mount Norquay.
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
January 17
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
January 21
CRPS Board Meeting 7:00 pm Canmore Board Office
January 22
BES Council Meeting 3:20 pm
January 31
Progress Report Cards available on Parent Portal
February 7
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
February 17 - 19
School Closure - Family Week
February 20 - 21
Teacher Convention - no classes for students
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 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/.
SWIS Upcoming Events: Positive Ways to Parent Tuesdays: January 14, 21, 28, and February 4 Time: 6:00–7:00 pm (online via Zoom) Pizza will be provided. Register here
Schooling in Canada: Open Discussion and Skill Building Monday, January 20, 2025 Time: 6:00–7:30 pm (online via Zoom) Pizza will be provided. Register here
Schooling in Canada: Grade to Grade Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Time: 6:00–7:30 PM (online via Zoom) Pizza will be provided. Register here
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!
