E-NEWS & Principal's Post

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful spring break. It was wonderful to see so much energy and excitement as our students and staff returned to BES. We are looking forward to a great couple of months ahead!

It has been an exciting week at BES! Our students have had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with Heather Jean Jordan, Banff’s Poet Laureate, to create a powerful song that will be shared with the leaders of the G7 Summit. The song expresses students’ hopes and dreams for the future, their ideas for contributing to positive change, ways to protect and improve our planet, and the important role of government in shaping a better world. On Monday afternoon, students will be invited to sing the song, which will be audio and video-recorded. We look forward to sharing this inspiring project with our community in the next E-news. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Indovina-Duncan for coordinating this meaningful and impactful experience for our students!


To help raise awareness about the importance of mental health, students and staff are invited to wear a hat on Wednesday, May 7th. In preparation for the week, students have been busy designing posters and decorating bags to promote positive mental health. Throughout the week, we’ll also have a series of announcements and engaging activities to recognize and support this important initiative. Keep an eye out for bags decorated by BES students around Banff next week! These bags are meant to spread joy and mental health awareness for Banff Mental Health and Addictions Week. Additionally, Ms. Jenniex will be leading special programming with various classes to further explore mental health themes. Let’s work together to support and celebrate Mental Health Week!


Monday May 5 is Bus Driver Appreciation Day. We are so thankful for the incredible work our bus drivers do each day in getting our students safely to school. They have an important job in getting our students to and from school safely each day. A huge thank you to Melody, Joan and Roland! 

Spotlight on Learning
Grade 2 Spotlight

Grade 2s and 3s took their learning about geometry outside this week for a shapes (Gr. 2) and angles (Gr. 3) scavenger hunt. Students were engaged in the learning process with peers and could identify the use of geometry in the world around them.

Grade 6 Spotlight

Grade 6 had the opportunity to practice active citizenship by participating in the student vote for our federal election. We also had the opportunity to collaborate with Banff's poet laureate to create a song for the G7 Summit leaders. This initiative aligns with CRPS’ Shared Vision of Learning, fostering collaboration among educators to enhance instructional excellence.

Important Upcoming Dates

• May 2 - Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
• May 6 - Grade 6 Immunization Follow Up

2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is open for children that will be turning 5 by December 31, 2025. Please register your child as soon as possible to help us with our 2025-2026 school year planning and to receive important information on the upcoming Spring Into Kindergarten visit in May. Please click here to register.

2025-2026 BES Intent Form
Please help us with our planning for the 2025-2026 school year by letting us know if you intend for your child(ren) 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. Please complete a separate form for each child. Please note: children already attending Banff Elementary School do not need to submit a new registration for the next school year, even if your child is in Grade 8 and going to BCHS, but we ask that you please click here to complete the intent form.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 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 Criminal Record Check through the RCMP and sign a Confidentiality Contract as per Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ Administrative Procedure 490 - School Volunteers and FOIPP. 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 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. It is available between 7:45 - 8:15 am. Registration is required each year - 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.

Town of Banff Summer Fun Day Camp Registration
This popular summer program is not just about childcare for school-aged children, but creating experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Summer Fun runs Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. (includes lunch hour supervision)  from Wednesday, July 2 – Friday, August 22. We are open for all children going into grades 1-6. There is no programming offered on weekends and Statutory Holidays. For more details, program calendars, Specialty Camps, Youth Camps, and information on how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids. Summer Fun registration opens to all Banff Residents on April 2 at 8:30am, and April 30 at 8:30am for Non-Residents.

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.

Homestay families needed in Banff, Canmore or Exshaw for international high school students (Grade 10-12)
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!