Principal’s Post Dear BES Families, I want to take this moment to extend my heartfelt thanks for welcoming me into the BES and Banff community. It has been an honour to serve this school, support your children, and work alongside this great team for the past two years. It is with a bit of a heavy heart that I say goodbye for now. I look forward to fulfilling my new role as Principal of Exshaw School, bringing with me many lessons from my time at BES. In my career I have had the pleasure and honour to support the growth of a diverse set of learners, including Indigenous students. My Masters in Indigenous Education and Curriculum and my previous experience teaching at Exshaw School give me the foundation to positively impact student learning and well-being. May the Force be with you! Craig Kestle
Spotlight on Learning The Native Species garden at the front of the school continues to provide students with engaging learning opportunities in the curricular areas of science, art and Indigenous ways of knowing. Ms. Daffern’s kindy class was ‘in the garden’ this week exploring the native plants and documenting their learning by painting their chosen plant. Thanks again to Lynx who directs our Nature Explorers program and the Pauw Foundation for their continue support in experiential land based learning!
A big bear cub hug to our community partners from the Town of Banff, Municipal Enforcement department and the RCMP for meeting with our students to talk about Bike Safety in and around our school and community. Constable Tejas and Bylaw Officers Jessie and Jono did an amazing job answering student questions around bike safety and regulations and laws. We remind all families, students and parents to wear their helmets when biking, scootering and skateboarding and to follow the ‘rules of the road - and sidewalks’ when out and about in the town and travelling to and from school.
One last shout out to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball organization for their support of the Girls at Bat after school program, introducing girls of all skill levels to the sport. Thanks to coaches Weller, Thomson and Jenniex for sharing your passion and knowledge around baseball with a great group of BES girls.
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
Jun 14
BES Library Books Due
Jun 14
Staff PD pm - students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
Jun 19
School Council final wrap-up BBQ 3:00 pm
Jun 21
Gr 7 Leadership led Fun Day
Jun 24
Div 2 Track and Field Day
Jun 25
Kindergarten Last Day of School - Family Picnic noon dismissal
Jun 27
Grade 8 Farewell - afternoon 1:00 pm in the BES gym followed by a reception for Gr 8 students and their families
Jun 28
Last Day of School (Gr 1-8) 12:05 pm dismissal
Student School Supplies 2024-2025 BES and Bow Valley Basics are working together to offer you great savings and convenience for purchasing your child’s next year school supplies! Please click here for more information and to place your order with Bow Valley Basics by July 31, 2024. It is not necessary to purchase through Bow Valley Basics or to purchase all new supplies, however all items are required. Please reuse/recycle.
Lost & Found Our lost & found tables are overflowing. Please have your child(ren) check out the tables for their belongings or please stop by the school and have a look. Lots of winter items have been left behind. Items not claimed by the end of the school year will be donated.
Library Books Due BES Library books are due back to the school library by June 14. Students who have lost/damaged a library book can purchase the same book and bring it to the library or a replacement fee will be added to the students' school fees.
Lunch Program Today (June 13) was the last hot lunch of this school year. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers for their time and effort that goes into making this program a success. Watch for information in the fall about the return of this program - new volunteers will be needed to make it happen.
Inside Out 2 Family Movie Day offered by Right from the Start and Lux Cinema Join Right from the Start for a free family screening of Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” at the Lux Cinema on June 16th, 2024 at 12:30 pm. Tickets are mandatory and can be found at the following link:Inside Out 2 Family Movie Day. Tickets are limited. It’s a first come, first serve so please book fast. There is a maximum of five tickets per family. “Inside Out 2” is rated PG.
Family Roller Skating with Right from the Start The Right from the Start team is excited to invite you to join us for a free family roller skate party! Bring your roller skates/blades and a helmet to skate along side the RFTS team at the Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff on June 18, from 6:00-8:00 pm.This is a free family event but does require tickets and a waiver must be filled out for every participant: We look forward to skating with you!
Parent Portal As we prepare for report cards this month, please ensure you can log on to Parent Portal. Look for the PowerSchool Parent Portal Quick Link on our school website orclick here. This is where you will access report cards, attendance updates and school fees. If you are having trouble with your username or password, please contact the school office before June 27, 2024.
CRPS International Student Homestay Hosts Needed - URGENT CRPS is looking for Canmore & Banff families to host our next incredible cohort of 50 international students arriving in August 2024! Make meaningful connections, share your different cultures, learn a new language, and build life-long memories & friendships! Commitments of 5 months and 10 months are available, with monthly remuneration provided. For more information and to apply, contact international@crps.ca or 403-609-6072. Please click here for more information.
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 andFOIPP. 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 for the 2023-2024 school year.
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 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.
