Principal’s Post It has been a wonderful week at BES with our students settling into their classes. They are working very hard to get the routines and procedures in place to support their success in class. Ms. Chisholm and I have been popping into classes and we see many wonderful relationships forming already! We also need to recognize the amazing transition our Kindergarten students have made to their new school. They have done so well!! Thank you to all of our incredible staff for making this a fabulous start up for our students!
We have lots of exciting things to look forward to in the next week. We will have our first fire drill on Friday! We plan to have 3 fire drills this fall, along with a lock down drill (to be announced in advance). Lynx has been here already doing some amazing Nature Explorers programming with students. Lastly, our Grades 7 and 8 students are also starting their complementary courses.
We are excited to welcome all families to our Open House on Thursday September 12! Please drop by between 3:15 and 4:30pm to visit your child’s classroom and meet their teacher.
Don’t forget Picture Day on Thursday September 12!
Spotlight on Learning All last week, Grade 6 students were working through analyzing which one doesn't belong, ruling out numbers based on multiples and factors, or based on criteria such as non-polygon versus polygon. On Friday, students made their own versions and had fun sharing their thoughts and listening to their peers share their thoughts as well.
Grade 6 students have also been working on note taking and summarizing using prepositional sentence openers.
2G began their ‘Stones in the River Writing’ this week. This is something they started to help with our ideas all year long. When students get stuck on what to write, Ms. Grant will ask them to go to their river and pick an important stone to write about. They can also add to their river when they remember or discover new important things. What a fantastic idea 2G!
Grade 2s from Ms. Emro’s class have been exploring sound and how the speed of vibration changes the sound.
Important Upcoming Dates
Sep 12 - BES Open House 3:15 - 4:30 pm
Sep 12 - School Picture Day (Individual & Class Photos)
Sep 20 - Terry Fox Assembly & Run
Sep 20 - Staff PD 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
2024-2025 Annual Demographic Update/Permissions & Consents Thank you to those who have already completed the online 2024-2025 Annual Demographic Update. If you have not already completed 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.
Before School Care Before School Care is being offered at no cost to families in need of childcare before school to enable parents to get to work on time. Before School Care will commence Tuesday September 3, 2024 and registration is required each year. It is available between 7:45 - 8:15 am. Please click here to register your child. Students who arrive at 8:15 do not need to register for the Before School Care Program.
Picture Day School picture day is on Thursday September 12, 2024 for both individual and class photos.
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
September 12
Open House 3:15-4:30 pm
September 12
Picture Day (Individual & Class Photos)
September 20
Terry Fox School Assembly and Run 9:30 am
September 20
Staff PD 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
September 25
First School Council Meeting 3:30 pm at BES
September 27
Orange Shirt Day - please wear orange
September 30
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - School Closed
October 4
Staff PD - 12:05 pm Dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes )
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. RCMP checks expire one year from the issue date. 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 For the third year, the CRPS board has decided not to charge lunchroom supervision fees for the 2024-2025 school year, reflecting our division's commitment to easing family financial pressures. Complimentary course fees (Grade 7 & 8) and incidental fees will be added to your Parent Portal account as required.
School and Family Wellness Worker Emily Nicholson, 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 RFTS newsletter updates from your child(ren)’s homeroom teachers throughout the year to see what is happening with RFTS!
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 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.
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!
