We are celebrating a couple of special days this week at BES! On Oct. 2nd, we shared our appreciation to our custodial staff on Custodian Appreciation Day! Our custodial staff work so hard each day to keep our beautiful school safe and clean for our staff and students. I am so impressed with how hard they work and their commitment to our school. We cannot thank them enough for all they do for BES!
We will be celebrating World Teachers’ Day tomorrow! We want to give a huge shout out to our incredible teachers and support staff who are dedicated to working with each and every student to help them grow and learn. They care deeply about student success and they work hard to help students develop the skills to be successful in their academics but also to build the skills to have great character! Be sure to reach out and thank your child’s teacher for the amazing work they do at BES!
Spotlight on Learning Grade 7 Spotlight Following our Orange Shirt Day assembly, Grade 7 students worked in small groups to share their projects on indigenous heroes and change-makers. Students rotated through different groups to share their own learning and record key information while learning from others. Students also learned about the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and thought of acts of reconciliation that they can include on their own continued journey.
Grade 3 Spotlight Science: Students have been exploring forces and simple machines through a variety of hands on building activities. They even had the opportunity to check out the design and process of the building of Banff's new playground at the Rec grounds!
Important Upcoming Dates
Oct 4 - Staff PD - 12:05 pm Dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
Oct 10 - Lunch Program Ordering Deadline 11:59 pm
Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day School Closed
Oct 18 - Staff PD - 12:05 pm Dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
Lunch Program School Council is thrilled to announce that our Lunch Program will run again on Thursdays. Session one will run from October 17 - February 13 and ordering is now open and the order deadline for this entire lunch session is Thursday October 10 11:59 pm. Once the system is closed we cannot add additional orders. This is a purely volunteer run program. We are in need of volunteers. Please contact Lily Reid (lilyreid@ymail.com) to volunteer or sign up using the Volunteer tab in the ordering system. Don't delay…order today by clicking here.
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. Circle of Support (formerly Rainbows Program) at BES Once again the Circle of Support: Family Changes Group (formerly Rainbows Program) will be offered at Banff Elementary School. Circle of Support is a group for children and youth that helps them to cope with life changes and losses in their life, such as separation or divorce of caregivers, family illness/injury or the loss of a loved one. The goal of the group is to assist children in expressing and understanding their feelings, accepting what has happened, normalizing grief and loss, and experiencing a sense of belonging in an accepting, non-judgmental environment. As a result of attending the program, participants have reported many positive changes, including significant improvements in well-being, coping skills, problem solving, understanding feelings, self-esteem, and communication skills. Students will meet in groups during non-instructional time within their school day, once per week for six weeks, and use creative ways such as art, games, discussion, and journaling to explore different topics.
If you feel that your child(ren) could benefit from the Circle of Support group, please email Katie Barton at katie.barton@banff.ca. Students who participated in Rainbows last year are more than welcome to join this year. If you have any questions about the program or are not sure if Circle of Support is the right fit for your child, please feel free to contact Katie. The anticipated start date for the program is October 16.
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
October 4
Staff PD - 12:05 pm Dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
October 10
Lunch Program Ordering Deadline 11:59 pm
October 14
Thanksgiving Day - School Closed
October 18
Staff PD - 12:05 pm Dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes )
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.
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.
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!
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 October 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 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!
