E-NEWS & Principal's Podcast

The Principal’s Podcast
Please click this link to see Mr. Kestle’s weekly video podcast. On today's podcast we talk about report cards! Have a watch to learn more about our reporting system, outcomes and indicators, how to access the report card on PowerSchool Parent Portal, where to get help and even translate them into other languages!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Jan 26 - Report Cards will be available on PowerSchool Parent Portal
• Jan 29 - Lunch Program Ordering CLOSES at 11:59 pm

Lunch Program
School Council’s Lunch Program will continue on Thursdays. Session two will run from February 8 - June 13 and ordering is now open and will close on Monday January 29 11:59 pm. This is a purely volunteer run program and provides the opportunity for parents to buy nutritious and appetizing lunches for their children at a low cost. Volunteers are needed - please sign up at time of ordering or contact Lily Reid at lilyreid@ymail.com. Volunteering on Thursdays can be as short as 15 minutes (12:00 - 12:15 pm) if that’s all the time you can spare.

All funds raised go directly back to support Banff Elementary School programs such as Nature Explorers and Outdoor Pursuits (swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, curling, etc). The Banff Centre, Patty's Pantry, Wild Flour, Aardvark Pizza, Fairmont Banff Springs, Domino’s Pizza and new this session, Pho House and Banff Curry will carefully prepare lunches for our children. Thank you to these local vendors for their continued support for this very important program!  

The order deadline for the entire lunch session is Monday January 29 11:59 pm. Once the system is closed we cannot add additional orders. To place an order CLICK HERE TO LOGIN or to REGISTER if you have not ordered before. The MunchaLunch system offers a secure credit card payment option. Once you have placed your order please click on the PAY NOW button and make your credit card payment. Unpaid orders will not be processed. 

An automated reminder email will be sent to you from the MunchaLunch system on Wednesdays if you ordered lunch for the next day. IMPORTANT - please remember to send your child(ren) with additional healthy snacks, a container with a lid and cutlery. No plates or cutlery will be available.

Report Cards
Report Cards will be available tomorrow (Jan 26) after 4:00 pm to view/print on PowerSchool Parent Portal. You can find instructions here on how to view report cards. If you require assistance logging into PowerSchool Parent Portal please contact the school office.

Town of Banff Rainbows Program
Do you have a child who is experiencing grief due to divorce, separation, death or other loss? The Rainbows program is free and provides support to children and youth, in Kindergarten to Grade 8 - connecting with the Town of Banff Family Connections Specialist and other peers in a small, intimate group setting. Confidentiality and safety of all participants is a priority. If you feel your child could benefit from Rainbows, if you would like to learn if the program would be a good fit for your child, or have any other questions about this program, please contact familyconnections@banff.ca or call 403-762-1268 by February 13th. The program is expected to start on February 27th.

Grade 8 Request for Project Supplies
Grade 8s are looking for donations of textile materials and tools to create some exciting projects in their options course this semester. They are looking for any of the following items:

• Yarn in any colour (for knitting, macrame, weaving, etc.)
• Thread in any colour
• Cloth/linen/fabrics in any colour (to practice sewing)
• Felting wool (for needle felting)
• Felting foam blocks (for needle felting)
• Various needles/hooks (sewing needles, felting needles, crochet hooks, knitting needles)
• Finger guards/thimbles for using sewing and felting needles
• Measuring tapes
• Pins
• Fabric paint
• Any other textile materials and tools

Any donations, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the office during school hours. If you have any questions, please contact courtney.reinhart@crps.ca. The Grade 8s thank you in advance for your consideration.

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.

Learn to Snowboard Family Week

Watch our E-NEWS and website for registration details.

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 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 January 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!