E-NEWS & Principal's Podcast

PARENT FEEDBACK NEEDED!, Casual Lunch Supervisors Needed, Caribou Kids Norquay Season Pass Program, School Fees

The Principal’s Podcast
Please click this link to see Mr. Kestle’s weekly video podcast. This week on the Podcast we talk about the importance of Parent and Family voice in helping schools understand and continue to improve upon the educational journey of their child. This podcast is for you parents! BES needs your feedback (see links below) and the podcast focuses on the reasons why and how to give your voice!

IMPORTANT - PARENT FEEDBACK NEEDED - please click the links below to share your feedback by November 28:

Question 1: Can you share some thoughts on your child's education?

Question 2: How do you feel about YOUR involvement in your child’s school?  

Important Upcoming Dates

• Nov 17 - Staff PD pm - students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
• Nov 21 - HI Banff Alpine Centre lunch for those that signed up in advance
• Nov 22 - CRPS Public Board Meeting at Exshaw School - 7:00 pm
• Nov 24 - Kindergarten classes are in session
• Nov 30 - 2024/2025 Kindergarten Online Registration Opens at 5:00 pm
• Dec 1 -  Staff PD pm - students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
• Dec 13 - Banff Schools Holiday Concert at the Banff Centre (more info to come)

Casual Lunch Supervisors Needed
Are you available on a casual basis to supervise students over the lunch hour? We are in need of subs to call in the event that we are short staffed. This is a paid position and you are required to obtain an RCMP Vulnerable Sector check (unless we already have one on file). Please contact the office for more information.

Give What You Can, If You Can Holiday Campaign
To kick off our "Give What You Can, if You Can 2023" Holiday Campaign, please consider making a monetary donation while attending the HI-Banff Alpine Centre sponsored Free Family Lunch on Tuesday November 21. Donation jars will be available during the lunch, and even the smallest amount can help if you're able to. As the heart of the community, Banff Elementary School is always looking for ways to support our families and our community. Please watch for more information on "Give What You Can, if You Can 2023" soon.

Banff’s Santa’s Celebration of Lights
Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Town of Banff are hosting the Santa’s Celebration of Lights on Saturday November 18 on Banff Avenue! The day starts at 11:00 am and there are roving performers, stilt walkers, puppeteers and more! The celebration ends in a big main stage show at 4:45 pm with Santa Claus and Mrs Claus. Banff Elementary School students and families are welcome to come and sing some songs!

2023-2024 Caribou Kids Season Ski Pass Program
Banff school students will enjoy free skiing again this winter. Now in its 17th 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 registration form. All payments and inquiries should be directed to Banff Mount Norquay.

School Fees
Based on the wishes of our Board of Trustees to see families benefit from the government’s six percent increase in base funding, we have removed the $140 cost of lunchroom supervision from School Fees for this school year. With the generous donation from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation our students will continue to enjoy mountain living experiences, including Nature Explorers and Outdoor Pursuits at no cost this school year. There are no 2023/2024 school fees for students in Grades K - 6. Grade 7 and 8 CTF Complementary Course (Foods, etc) and Band fees have now been added to PowerSchool Parent Portal. Debit or credit card payments can be made online through your Parent Portal https://powerschool.crps.ca/public/. Please contact the school office to make payment arrangements if unable to pay by November 30, 2023.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2023-2024 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 Vulnerable Sector Check through the RCMP and sign a Confidentiality Contract as per Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ Administrative Procedure 490 - School Volunteers and FOIPP. 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 Vulnerable Sector Checks can be completed by the RCMP within 24 hours. Please click here for more information on volunteering opportunities.

Before School Care
Juggling work and family can be challenging. Banff Elementary School would like to support families by offering before school care. This program starts at 7:45 am and students will play in the gym until 8:15 am - students please enter through the Den doors off of the Elk playground. This is a free service for BES families and registration is required - please click here.

School and Family Wellness Worker
Deanne Arada, 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
Interested in what’s going on at BES with Right from the Start? Ms. Jenniex has monthly newsletters for every grade! You can check them out here, BES RFTS Monthly Newsletter 23/24. Ms. Jenniex can also be contacted at Megan.jenniex@crps.ca if you have any questions or want to learn more about the program!

Town of Banff Children & Youth Programs
The Out-of-School Club (OSC) is a licensed childcare program offering care for school aged children, September to June. 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 details and how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids.

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 November 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.

Do you have a spare bedroom? Become a host family for our International Student Program! We are looking for 5 or 10 month commitments. Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!