E-NEWS & Principal's Post

We hope everyone had a fantastic May long weekend! While many were enjoying the break, our dedicated staff spent Friday collaborating in preparation for the upcoming school year. We engaged in team-building challenges, reviewed our Draft School Education Plan, and explored our professional learning goals for next year. It was a productive day filled with thoughtful discussion, valuable insights, and a shared commitment to continued growth.

We were also thrilled to welcome some of our future Kindergarten students for Spring Into Kindergarten! These eager learners had the chance to explore their classrooms and take part in fun, hands-on activities. Meanwhile, parents gathered with me in the Den to learn more about BES and how to support a smooth transition into Kindergarten. We’re already looking forward to welcoming our newest BES students this fall!

Join the Banff Bike Bus! We hope you will join this fun new event in partnership with the Town of Banff – the Banff Bike Bus on June 4, 2025! The Bike Bus is a group ride to school, supported by volunteers and parents. It promotes eco-friendly transportation, community building, and a safe, fun way to start the day. Students can join the Bike Bus at designated stops along a pre-planned route. The route map and pick-up times will be shared with all registered participants.
Important: All participants must register in advance. Once registered, you’ll receive safety guidelines, route maps, and waiver forms.
Register in person, online (Register here), or by phone at 403-762-1251.
Want to Volunteer?
We’re looking for parents to help supervise and ride along with our students. If you’re interested, please email Christine.LaRocque@banff.ca to sign up.

After the Banff Bike Bus, please join Right from the Start on the Elk Field at BES for a "Take 5"! Take 5 extra minutes in your morning to connect with your child(ren) before starting your busy days. Free coffee, tea and light snacks will be available from 8:15-8:45 am. 

Spring baseball fever is here! Teachers may choose to play baseball during gym or for DPA (daily physical activity) with their individual classes. However, using any sort of bats or baseballs/softballs is not safe during recess when all students are out on the fields. Parents, please discourage your child from bringing bats and baseballs to school - thank you!

Spotlight on Learning
Kindergarten Spotlight

Kindergarten has been exploring “Plants” and “Insects”, with both classes enjoying several different activities. These included: preparing materials for planting seeds with moms on Mother’s Day, growing plants from seeds in class, learning about the parts of plants and insects with Grade 7 learning buddies and drawing visuals of what plants need to grow. We have followed “How To Draw” lessons and successfully been able to create with colour, plants and insects in their Kindergarten glory! We are waiting, with anticipation, for the arrival of tiny caterpillar larvae. We will be able to live the favourite book The Very Hungry Caterpillar in our very own classrooms. Pop by soon and peek into the metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly! This relates to the Shared Vision of Learning by providing a diversity of experiences and connections in nature. These experiences allow us to also nurture relationships in the classroom and beyond.

Grade 4 Spotlight

The Grade 4 students were recently introduced to a 3D design program called TinkerCad and students learned the basics of how to create objects that could be printed using our school's new 3D printers. One of the new science units in Grade 4 is focused on space and space exploration. After learning about rocket ships in class, students designed a model rocket ship on paper and then translated their designs into 3D using TinkerCad. With the assistance of Mr. Weller, students were able to print their rocket ships using the 3D printers in our school's Maker Space! Students were excited to be able to use this new technology, which provided them opportunities to practice competencies highlighted in the CRPS Shared Vision of Learning, such as critical and creative thinking, problem solving and innovation.

Right From The Start Spotlight

Right from the Start has been visiting classes from K-4 for the last couple of weeks, with a focus on being a good friend, building a sense of belonging and problem-solving skills. In Grade 1 this week, we made a "gratitude chain" of all the things we are grateful for! When we practice gratitude it reduces stress, increases our overall happiness, and improves our mood. 

In Grades 2 and 3, we've been focusing on what it means to be a good friend, and completed a favourite experiment to go along with it! Using a bowl with pepper sprinkled on top, we talked about the pepper representing all the relationships we have in our world. This includes friends, families, teachers, coaches, and even people at the grocery store! When we use unkind words (or a drop of dish soap), those people move away from us. However, when we are sweet (like sugar!), people want to gather around us and spend time with us. 

Don't forget to mark your calendars to join Right from the Start for a Take 5 before school on the morning of June 4th! Light snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided for free on the Elk Field. 

Important Upcoming Dates

• May 28 - BES School Council meeting at 3:30pm
• May 28 - Grade 6 Provincial Assessment Test (English Language Arts - Part A)
• June 4 - Bike Bus and Take 5

Save the Date! Grade 8 Farewell
We are excited to share that we will be hosting our Grade 8 Farewell on Wednesday June 25 at 1:15pm. More information to come soon!

2025-26 Bus Registration
For the 2025-2026 school year, students who will be taking Canadian Rockies Public School (CRPS) bus transportation must complete an online registration form. This ensures our system has accurate, up-to-date student information in our system. Please note: a registration form is required for each student intending to ride the school bus in the 2025-26 school year.  Failure to complete the form indicates your child(ren) will not need bus service next school year.

To access the 2025-2026 School bus registration form, please follow the link to sign in to your parent portal account. Once signed in, you will click on School Engage to access the Bus Registration form. Please complete the registration form by June 11, 2025 in order to receive your bus pass before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. 

If you require further information regarding Transportation Registration please follow the link Transportation Registration and Info.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out directly to the transportation department at crpstransportation@crps.ca. We would be happy to assist you!

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
Ms. Jenniex with Right from the Start visits all classrooms at BES. 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!