E-NEWS & Principal's Podcast

The Principal’s Podcast
Please click this link to see Mr. Kestle’s weekly video podcast. This week’s video podcast goes vintage as the production team dusted off some old recording equipment to highlight the purpose and importance of student goal setting and Parent/Teacher/Student conferences. Thanks to the grade 3 teaching team of Ms. Anderson and Ms. Horsley for joining the podcast this week!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Oct 13 - Staff PD pm students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
• Oct 13 - P/T/S Conference booking system opens at 4:00 pm
• Oct 18 - School Council Meeting at BES 3:30 pm
• Oct 22 - P/T/S Conference booking system closes at 11:55 pm

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
October 25 Evening conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - regular classes during the day
October 26 Evening conferences 5:00 - 8:00 pm - regular classes during the day
October 27 Morning conferences 8:30 - 11:45 am and P.D. in the afternoon - no school for students all day

For our Fall P/T/S Conferences, you will have a choice of a virtual meeting or an in-person meeting. Please note there are two schedules: one for Grades K-7 to book a 15 minute conference with their homeroom teacher, and one for Grade 8 to book a 10 minute conference with both Grade 8 teachers at the same time. Please ensure to select the correct schedule when making your booking. Appointments for parents and students to meet with teachers can be booked online at https://banff.schoolappointments.com. You will need to create a new account, even if you have used this system in the past, by clicking the REGISTER tab on the menu bar. This system will open Friday October 13 at 4:00 pm and appointments can be booked until Sunday October 22 11:55 pm.. After October 22 the online booking system will be closed - parents will be required to email their child's homeroom teacher directly to change or cancel an appointment. Appointments can also be made with our Principals, Mr. Kestle/Ms. Chisholm, our Music teacher, Ms. Kowalewski, and/or our School and Family Wellness Worker, Deanne Arada, by emailing them directly (firstname.lastname@crps.ca). Please click here for School Appointments - Parent Instructions. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.

School Council
School Council is a liaison group between parents/guardians, teachers, administration, community and School Board to encourage communication, involvement and cooperation with the goal of maximizing individual student learning and enhancing school life. As a parent or a guardian with a child in the school, you are considered a member of School Council. We welcome all parents to join our Council meetings to learn, observe, and have a voice. School Council generally meets the third Wednesday of each month at 3:30 pm (in-person at BES and virtually). Please click here for the meeting link to join virtually. Whether you can join for one meeting, or every meeting, for 30 minutes or the full hour, your involvement is welcome. The next meeting is Wednesday October 18 3:30 pm.

School Picture Day Proofs & Ordering
Picture Day proofs have been sent home for those students that had their pictures taken on September 14. We are requesting that families place their picture orders online at mylifetouch.ca. There are more choices and savings online, and this reduces paper handling. Picture retakes will be on November 7, 2023. Students that missed picture day can also have their picture taken this day.

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
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 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 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!