E-NEWS & Principal's Podcast

HI-Banff Alpine Centre Free Family Lunch, Grade 5 Bake Sale, Caribou Kids Norquay Season Pass Program, School Fees, Dressing for the Weather

The Principal’s Podcast
Please click this link to see Mr. Kestle’s weekly video podcast. On this week's podcast, Mr. Kestle meets with a few members of the BES Student Council to find out more about the council's purpose, goals and impact on the school community. Also, don't miss the joke of the week.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Nov 10 - Banff Elementary School Closure
• Nov 14 - Sign up for the HI-Banff Alpine Centre Family Lunch by 9:00 am
• Nov 15 - School Council Meeting 3:30 pm
• Nov 16 - Grade 5 Bake Sale
• Nov 17 - Staff PD pm - students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)

HI-Banff Alpine Centre sponsored Free Family Lunch on Tuesday November 21, 2023
HI-Banff Alpine Centre are sponsoring and serving a free, optional family lunch at BES to promote community connections. Please come join your child for lunch (12:05 - 12:55 pm) on Tuesday November 21. Please sign up by completing this FORM by Tuesday November 14 9:00 am to ensure there is enough food. You can also indicate on this form if you do not wish to have your child(ren) participate in this event. All family members are welcome to join us for this meaningful event but even if parents are unable to attend, you can still order a free lunch for your child(ren). Please complete one form per family providing the oldest student's name and homeroom. We will be accepting cash donations to kick off our “Give What You Can, If You Can” holiday campaign to support BES families in need.

Grade 5 Bake Sale
Inspired by Orange Shirt Day conversations, the grade 5s are hosting a bake sale on Thurs. Nov. 16 to raise money for the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund to support Indigenous Schools. All items will be $1-$3. Families are welcome to contribute baked goods to sell and we would appreciate them being brought to school on Wednesday November 15 so we can portion and individually wrap the items. 

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.

Dressing for Outdoor Recess and Indoor Shoes
As it appears winter is upon us, it is important that children come to school prepared to go outside with proper winter boots and jacket, snow pants and hat and mitts. As well, please ensure your child(ren) has indoor shoes at school each day that are also appropriate for gym. 

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!