E-NEWS & Principal's Post

A Single Seed Continues to Garner Attention!
We are so proud of the BES created song, A Single Seed, and the attention this has gotten from the community. This week, it was featured on CBC Radio! You can find the link here: CBC Homestretch (Maya is accidentally introduced as in Grade 6 but is only Grade 1). We are also excited to share that we will also be featured on the CTV National News on Monday next week!!! We can’t wait to host Omar Sachedina and the CTV National News crew on Monday at BES to share more about this impactful project. Be sure to tune in to the national broadcast on Monday as we share this song and our message to all of Canada!

Last Thursday, the Sunset Sandwich Ringers delivered an engaging performance alongside Banff's Poet Laureate, Heather Jean Jordan at the newly opened Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi pavilion in Sundance Park. The highlight of the show was their rendition of "A Single Seed," the song crafted for the G7 Summit, showcasing BES's musical talent and collaboration in a vibrant community setting! Well done, Ringers!

Your Voice Matters!
Canadian Rockies Public Schools is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments for every student. Our new parent satisfaction survey is your opportunity to share how your child experiences school and how we can continue to grow as a division. To ensure consistent and meaningful input, please complete the survey from the perspective of your oldest child currently attending a CRPS school. The survey is short and simple, taking only a few minutes to complete. It must be accessed using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge. All responses are confidential and anonymous. Your honest feedback will help guide improvements across our schools. The survey will remain open until June 30, 2025. 
Access the survey now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2PPFGY2
Thank you for partnering with us in your child’s learning journey.

Spotlight on Learning
Grade 8 Spotlight
This past week, our Grade 8 students had the incredible opportunity to spend two days immersed in nature at Camp Chief Hector. This overnight experience, made possible through the generous support of the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation, was a meaningful combination of connection, responsibility, and growth beyond the classroom.

Together with fellow Grade 8 students from Lawrence Grassi Middle School, students took part in a wide range of challenges and activities including high-ropes courses, archery, team-building games, and campfire trivia. These moments of fun and adventure also helped students build strong relationships, develop resilience, and foster collaboration across schools.


A central element of our time at camp was the opportunity to learn from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers who guided us in exploring the cultural and spiritual significance of the land. Students listened deeply and respectfully, gaining a better understanding of what it means to connect with place, and how land-based knowledge continues to shape Indigenous identity, community, and sustainability. This interaction directly reflects the CRPS Shared Vision of Learning, as we collaborate to create and honour relationships with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and community experts to bring learning to life in powerful, grounded ways. These experiences go beyond textbooks, they root students in story, tradition, and land-based knowledge.


Throughout the trip, students demonstrated remarkable citizenship, empathy, and leadership, from encouraging one another through challenging activities to managing camp responsibilities and looking out for one another’s safety and well-being. Their actions embodied the CRPS Shared Vision of Learning, as they grew as collaborators, problem solvers, and globally aware, responsible citizens.


We are so fortunate to experience authentic learning where students are connected to nature, community, and culture. This experience at Camp Chief Hector reflects that belief in full: students left not only with unforgettable memories, but also with deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and a renewed respect for the land and those who have long stewarded it.

French Spotlight

Over the last few weeks, each French class has started their lesson with a listening exercise. We watch a 5-6 min cartoon episode from Loup (available on télé-québec) and then create a list of the words we understood and a short phrase to explain the idée générale of the story. It has been exciting to watch language ears improve over the weeks! The Grade 4s have also been learning oral language games. Ask your student to name an indoor game and outdoor game- in French! The Grade 5s, 6s, 7s, and 8s have been completing book reports to practice their oral language skills. They have chosen a short and simple book in French, practiced reading it, and made a list of words new to them. The next step will be presenting their books to the class, with a focus on proper pronunciation and clear speaking skills! These tasks connect to our shared vision of learning through fostering engaging learning opportunities to develop skills that build academic competence, as well as confidence, in a new language.

The Smoke is Back!
With rising concerns with our local Air Quality, we strive to make informed decisions by referencing the recommendations from the Alberta Government website found here. The table in this link supports decision making around student activity outdoors. 

If Air Quality is above 6, we will modify outdoor activity to reduce student exposure.  This might mean either a reduced time outdoors or a rescheduling of outdoor activities. If the Air Quality is above 10, students will remain indoors. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to school administration.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Learning Calendars.

Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found is filling up! Please make sure to check the Lost & Found shelves/bins in the hallway outside the Den/Gym. If you are looking for anything small/precious (such as jewelry, earpods, glasses, keys) please check Mrs. McKenna’s desk in the office. All items left unclaimed will be donated at the end of June.

2025-2026 Grade 7 Band Program Presentation
There will be an important band music information session for current Grade 6 parents on Thursday June 19 at 4:00 pm in the Den at BES. I hope to see you there! Students are also welcome. At this meeting, Ms. K will outline what we do in music in Grade 7. We are very fortunate to have a band program at our school! She will explain all the options for renting or buying an instrument and help you get prepared for the upcoming school year. We will also have our rep from Long & McQuade here to talk about their amazing and affordable rental program.

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! CRPS is in need of host families for the 2025-26 school year.  Remuneration is provided. Please follow this link to find out more!


2025-2026 School Supplies
BES and Bow Valley Basics are working together to offer you great savings and convenience for purchasing your child’s school supplies! This is an optional program designed to save parents time and money over the summer. Bulk purchasing means we get excellent discounts and these savings are passed directly onto you – this is not a fundraiser. Please click here for more information and the 2025-2026 school supplies lists.

2025-2026 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. 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 or have any questions regarding Transportation Registration please follow the link Transportation Registration and Info or email crpstransportation@crps.ca.

Grade 8 Farewell
We are excited to invite our Grade 8 friends and families to our Grade 8 Farewell Ceremony on June 25 at 1:15 pm in the BES Gym. The event will feature an awards ceremony, the distribution of certificates, musical performances, and a special memories slideshow to celebrate our students' journey. Following the ceremony, we invite you to join us for a reception with light refreshments in the Den. We look forward to celebrating this joyful and memorable occasion with 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.

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.