This week has been Bullying Awareness Week at BES. Each day during announcements, we’ve shared a letter from the word THINK to encourage kindness and mindfulness in our words and actions. T stands for "Is it True?", H for "Is it Helpful?", I for "Is it Inspiring?", N for "Is it Necessary?", and K for "Is it Kind?" Our focus is on making choices that promote kindness and friendship, rather than actions that could harm others. We also reminded students to be cautious about what they post or share online. Pausing to think before speaking or posting helps ensure our words reflect our values and intentions. Mrs. McKenna also had some Kindness Ninjas drop off some lovely notes this week celebrating all the great work that she and Mrs. Geyer do in our office!
Tuesday’s family lunch was a huge success!!! It was great to see so many families join us for this special event. A huge thank you to the HI Banff Alpine Centre Hostel for making over 450 sandwiches and lunches for us. What a memorable day!
Spotlight on Learning Grade 1 Spotlight Grade 1 students have been learning to think for themselves in Math. Splat! is an interactive number sense strategy accessible to all students that can be used to develop a visual approach to solving equations. Steven Wyborney developed the materials and routine, which include over 50 lessons with already-made slides using single splats, multiple splats, and even fractions. The basic routine starts with a dot talk where students count a series of dots and then share their counting strategies. How many dots are in the picture below, and how did you count them? Once we know the total number of dots, a splat covers some of the dots and the questions are “How many dots are under the Splat?” and “How do you know?” "Show your thinking"
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 that exemplary teachers consistently design and assess to ensure that all learners develop, create and find joy in learning. As responsive designers and assessors of learning, we:
Collaborate to use evidence of learning gathered through products, performances, observations and conversations to respond to learner needs and inform instructional decisions
Are responsive in our approach to facilitate the development of learners who improve from specific and timely feedback and experiences that build confidence
Design differentiated tasks that provide opportunities to practice such competencies as critical and creative thinking, problem solving and innovation
Foster deep understanding, through multiple perspectives and experience, communicating ideas, questions and understandings in order to transfer learning
We are incredibly fortunate at BES to have a dedicated staff who are fully committed to student success. Our teachers work collaboratively within their grade teams to design engaging, fun, and meaningful learning experiences that support each student’s growth. They understand the importance of building strong connections with students and providing constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement. They celebrate students' hard work, set high expectations, and consistently encourage them to push themselves toward growth every day.
Our staff excels at tailoring lessons and activities to meet the diverse needs of all students, using assessments to guide their planning and ensure that every learner is challenged and supported. As we visit classrooms, we see students collaborating, discussing their learning, and proudly sharing their accomplishments.
We also deeply appreciate how our teachers are lifelong learners themselves, always seeking opportunities to enhance their skills and improve their practice. A big shout-out to both our amazing staff and hardworking students at BES—well done!
Important Upcoming Dates
Nov 22 - Full Day Friday - including our Kindergarten students
Nov 26 - Bake Sale Holiday Campaign
Nov 26 - CRPS Board of Trustees Meeting 7:00 - 9:00 pm at BES AGENDA
Nov 27 - BES Council Meeting 3:30 pm at BES
Holiday Campaigns & Support We are getting excited to kick off the holiday season next week with the launch of our ‘Give What You Can, If You Can’ donation drive and our Food Drive. Next week we will be hosting our bake sale to help kick off our fundraising. Our Food Drive will also begin on November 25th. We really appreciate everyone’s generosity as we look to support BES families and members of our community through these initiatives. Our goal this year is to raise $2000 and we are planning some fun activities when we hit milestone goals! It may just include a pie in the principal’s face if we hit our goal!!! You can find more information below.
“Give What You Can, If You Can” 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)
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!
Bake Sale BES will be hosting a bake sale on Tuesday November 26 to raise money for our holiday campaign. Students can bring money and purchase a treat. Items will be $2 each.
If you would like to donate baked items for the bake sale, please send the items to school with your child on Monday November 25.
All baked goods must be NUT-FREE. This includes things that “may contain nuts” such as M&Ms.
If sending baked goods in a container, it’s helpful to label the container with a piece of painters tape! We will try our best to send containers back home with your child.
Could You Use Support this Holiday Season? If you or someone you know may benefit from additional support this holiday season, please let us know by filling out this (confidential) form by December 6th. BES Holiday Support Request Form. Support is not guaranteed, and is dependent upon donations received.
Holiday Concert Schedule & Tickets 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. Please click here for the schedule and ticket information.
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.
Lost & Found The lost & found at BES is growing. Please ask your child to check for lost items or please stop by the school. All items left behind at the Winter Break will be donated.
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
November 26
Bake Sale for Holiday Campaigns
November 26
CRPS Board of Trustees Meeting 7:00 - 9:00 pm at BES AGENDA
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 - click here 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!
