E-NEWS & Principal's Podcast

The Principal’s Podcast
Please click this link to see Mr. Kestle’s weekly video podcast. This week on the video podcast we introduce and highlight the ‘Hibernation Station’!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Sep 22 - School Terry Fox Run (am)
• Sep 22 - Staff PD pm - students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
• Sep 29 - Orange Shirt Day
• Sep 30 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
• Oct 2 - School Closure

Terry Fox School Run Friday September 22
In honour of Canadian hero Terry Fox, BES students will be participating in the Terry Fox School Run on Friday September 22 starting with an assembly at 9:40 am. Grades 1-3 students will run in the school field and students in grades 4-8 will walk over to the Canoe Docks at 10:15 am and run a course along the river walk and return to school by 12:00 pm. To participate off campus, each student’s online 2023-2024 Annual Demographic Update must be completed giving Walking Field Trip permission. We encourage parents to run with their child. Students and families are invited to contribute a toonie ($2) for Terry - you can click here to sponsor Banff Elementary School online through the Terry Fox Foundation School Run website.

2023-2024 Online Annual Demographic Update
Thank you to those who have already completed the 2023-2024 Annual Demographic Update..  If you have not already completed and submitted the update, please log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and click on SchoolEngage on the left side bar at the bottom. Once you have signed in to your SchoolEngage account, click on the bell at the top right hand corner. You will see the incomplete forms in blue. This is the place to give permission for walking field trips, which start immediately, along with permission for grades 7 & 8 students only to leave the school grounds at lunch. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

Lunch Program/Volunteering
School Council has committed to running the Lunch Program on Thursdays again this school year starting mid to late October. To do this volunteers to serve lunch will be required from approximately 11:55 - 12:25 as all students eat at the same time this year. You will be able to sign up for the days you are available when placing your child’s order on the MunchaLunch system, and please reach out to Lily Reid at lilyreid@ymail.com in advance to advise that you will be volunteering for planning purposes. Without enough volunteers this program cannot run. Continue to watch our weekly E-NEWS for ordering details and dates.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar

News from the Office
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.

School Fees
As part of the CRPS budgeting process for the 2023-2024 school year, the Board of Trustees has advised that it will remove the BES lunch supervision fee of $140, this year. The decision to remove this fee reflects the Alberta government’s six percent increase in base funding to all school authorities for the upcoming school year, a revenue source the board would like to pass on to families. Incidental fees will be added to your Parent Portal account if required.

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
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 monthly RFTS updates from your child(ren)s homeroom teachers starting at the end of September.

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 September 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!