This week at BES, we have been celebrating Métis Week. Each morning, our announcements have highlighted various aspects of Métis culture, including the significance of the Métis flag, fiddling, the Métis sash, and the iconic Red River Jig. If you'd like to learn more about Métis Week and its cultural importance, we encourage you to explore the Rupertsland Institute website for more resources and information.
Tomorrow, our staff will continue their professional development with a focus on Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices. We are excited to welcome Wanda Dechant from the Alberta Professional Learning Consortium, who will lead us in exploring seven key practices for effective math instruction and strategies to incorporate them into our numeracy program. We will also dive deeper into the concept of Building Thinking Classrooms—a powerful approach that encourages active student engagement and critical thinking in math. Several of our classrooms have already been implementing this approach, and we look forward to expanding our knowledge and refining our practices as a team. It promises to be another enriching day of learning and growth for our staff!
CRPS Shared Vision of Learning This week’s highlight of the CRPS Shared Vision of Learning and how it is coming to life at BES is the following belief:
We believe positive relationships foster effective and engaging learning experiences. As nurturers of relationships, we:
Care deeply for the wellness and safety of each person by building a sense of belong and responsible risk taking through mutual respect and trust
Cultivate a culture of caring, listening and communicating with empathy to understand and be compassionate toward others and the land
Relationships are essential for success both in school and in life. By treating each other with care and respect, we create an environment where everyone can contribute, grow, and achieve their potential. Teachers play a key role in fostering these relationships by providing students with opportunities to collaborate on tasks, which helps them build social skills and learn to work with diverse peers. While these groups often work well together, there are times when they may need guidance. In those moments, staff members are there to offer support—whether it's through guidance, encouragement, mediation, or celebrating successes as students navigate challenges.
Administration plays a crucial role as well, especially when students are referred to the office. In these situations, we focus on reviewing and reinforcing expectations, helping students understand the impact of their actions, and working toward solutions that restore the relationships involved. This restorative approach not only resolves conflicts but also strengthens our community by promoting empathy, understanding, and respect.
Equally important are the partnerships we build between staff and parents. When home and school work together effectively, students receive the support they need both in the classroom and at home. Keeping communication open and connecting families with resources ensures that our school community is united in its efforts to help students succeed. By fostering relationships built on trust, respect, and care, we create a positive environment where students can thrive. Together, we can make our school a warm and welcoming place for all!
Parent Communication Preferences – Add Your Voice to the Conversation! Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) wants to improve communication with parents. Please take this short 11 question survey to provide your feedback. The survey will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. All individual responses are confidential. The survey will close on November 18, 2024 at 4 p.m. Thank You!
PS If you would like to see this Google Form Survey in your preferred language, you can easily use Google Translate to translate the form on your computer browser (not smart phone). Follow these simple steps.
Spotlight on Learning Grade 2 Spotlight Grade 2s have been learning all about mapping skills and created their own map of a country or island. This week, we have been focusing on Canada, the provinces and territories, and their flags and symbols. We had lots of fun making flags of our own as well!
Grade 6 Spotlight Grade 6 students take science outdoors to identify energy transfer in their chain reaction machines during Nature Explorers with Lynx.
Important Upcoming Dates
Nov 15 - Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
Nov 17 - Deadline for Apparel Orders
Nov 19 - Hostelling International-Banff Family Lunch 12:05 - 12:55 pm at BES
Hostelling International-Banff Alpine Centre Family Lunch We look forward to seeing those that are able to attend the Family Lunch on Tuesday November 19 at 12:05 pm. Family members joining are asked to meet their child(ren) outside of the gym. After you collect your lunch, you can eat in the foyer area, the den or in your child’s classroom - sorry there is no eating in the gym.
Apparel Order Thank you to those that have placed an order already - please log on to your Power School Parent Portal to make a payment. This is your chance to order BES hoodies and/or t-shirts to show your school spirit! Hoodies and t-shirts are available in traditional BES Green or Grey (hoodies $35.00 youth sizes/$40.00 adult sizes, and t-shirts $13.50 youth sizes/$14.50 adult sizes). Buffs are also still available for $2 each (limited supply). DEADLINE FOR ORDERS is November 17, 2024 11:59 pm / DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT is November 18, 2024 11:00 am. Order delivery is expected in mid December. The total amount of your order will be added to your Power School Parent Portal account under Student Fees. CLICK HERE to access the online Google form to place your order.
“Give What You Can, If You Can” Holiday Campaign As the heart of the community, Banff Elementary School is always eager to support our families and our community. As we are aware that community supports are limited this holiday season, BES is once again working to support as many of our families as we can during the 2024 holidays. From now until December 13, we will be running our “Give What You Can, If You Can” Campaign. We are looking for the following donations which can be dropped off at the BES office.
Grocery gift cards ($25 denominations)
New, unwrapped family Board games (e.g. Uno, Snakes and Ladders, etc.)
Monetary donations (cash, cheque made out to Banff Elementary School)
Please watch our E-NEWS over the next couple of weeks while we announce school initiatives, events and challenges to support the campaign. Our school goal this year is to raise $2,000 for the campaign, and there will be some awesome celebrations for our students and staff along the way!
Could You Use Support this Holiday Season? Our self referral sign up will be available by the end of November. Please watch our E-NEWS for the sign up link. Support is not guaranteed, and is dependent upon donations received.
Holiday Concert Schedule Banff Elementary School students will be performing on specific evenings at the Holiday Concert at the Banff Centre with the exception of the Grade 7 & 8 band students that will perform both evenings. Further information will be shared shortly about obtaining complimentary tickets.
Save the Date!!! Family Movie Night We are excited to share that our School Council is organizing a Family Movie Night on Thursday, December 5th. We are still finalizing the details and will share more information in the coming weeks.
2024-2025 Caribou Kids Season Ski Pass Program Banff school students will enjoy free skiing again this winter. Now in its 18th 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 online purchasing link. All payments and inquiries should be directed to Banff Mount Norquay.
Casual Lunch Supervisors Needed Are you available on a casual basis to supervise students over the lunch hour? We are in need of subs to call in the event that we are short staffed. This is a paid position and you are required to obtain a Criminal Record Check (unless we already have one on file). Please contact the office for more information.
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
November 15
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
November 17
Deadline for Apparel Orders
November 19
HI-Banff Alpine Centre Family Lunch 12:05 - 12:55 pm at BES
November 26
Bake Sale for Give What You Can, If You Can Holiday Campaign
November 26
CRPS Board of Trustees Meeting 7:00 - 9:00 pm at BES
November 27
BES Council Meeting 3:30 pm
November 29
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
December 5
Save the Date - School Council Movie Night - more details to follow
December 11&12
BES Winter Concert at the Banff Centre 6:30 - 7:30 pm - watch for ticket details
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 Criminal Record 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 Criminal Record 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 (CTF) course fees for Grades 7 and 8 students have been added to your Parent Portal account and are due by October 31, 2024. You can pay school fees online and obtain a copy of your invoice through your Power School Parent Portal account. Once you sign on, under navigation, click on Student Fees. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.
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!
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.
Out of School Club The Town of Banff Out of School Club (OSC) is a licensed childcare program offering care for school aged children during the school year. 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 more details, program calendars, and information on how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids. Winter Break registration opens to all on November 15th 2024 at 8:30am.
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.
Homestay families needed in Banff, Canmore or Exshaw for international high school students (Grade 10-12) from Feb-June 2025 Do you have a spare bedroom? Become a host family for our International Student Program! Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!
