Looks like the cold weather is on its way!!! We are definitely ready for some snow. Temperatures on Monday look like they will be well below what we have experienced so far this year, so please ensure your student is prepared with winter boots, snow pants, winter coat, hats and mittens/gloves. We do go outside in most weather situations and we want our students to be prepared. Please also take care when you are dropping off or picking up your child at school. We do try and get out with the salt for our sidewalks in the morning, but some days (especially over the weekends) can be tricky. If you notice any areas that we need to address, please let us know in the office. Thanks for sharing your concerns and working with us to keep everyone safe in the winter months.
Next week, we are excited to welcome a Grade 9 student from BCHS to one of our classes. He will be participating in the Career Exploration Program which gives students an opportunity to do some job shadowing, workplace observations, and mentorships. Grade 9 students have the opportunity to work in a number of local workplace settings and we are really excited about sharing the teaching profession with an interested student. The Career Exploration Program exemplifies CRPS’ commitment to equipping students with the skills and experiences needed to explore and plan their futures and we are really happy to be a part of it.
Spotlight on Learning Kindergarten Spotlight Kindergarten has begun learning more about story elements such as character, setting and events. Through familiar stories such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, “Rosie’s Walk”, by Pat Hutchins, and “The Mitten”, by Jan Brett, we have been practicing verbally re-telling each story, as well as acting them out in gym and even programming “Bee Bots” to travel through a story map to help us recreate the action. KD has been intrigued and captivated by the Bee Bots as we learn to give them a set of directional commands (called an algorithm) and watch as the tiny robots follow our plans. We will be continuing to learn how to program these helpful Bee Bots until the end of January. KC’s turn will be next week.
Grade 4 Spotlight As the new year began, Grade 4 students were excited to kick things off with a fun and unique event: book speed dating! This engaging format introduced the idea of book clubs, encouraging collaboration and teamwork as they discuss different genres and authors. By stretching their reading choices, students will discover new stories and make connections with their peers, all while building a love for reading together!
Important Upcoming Dates
Jan 17 - Staff Professional Learning 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
School Council School Council is a liaison group between parents/guardians, teachers, administration, community and School Board to encourage communication, involvement and cooperation with the goal of maximizing individual student learning and enhancing school life. As a parent or a guardian with a child in the school, you are considered a member of School Council. We welcome all parents to join our Council meetings to learn, observe, and have a voice. School Council generally meets the third Wednesday of each month at 3:20 pm (in-person at BES and virtually). Whether you can join for one meeting, or every meeting, for 30 minutes or the full hour, your involvement is welcome. The next meeting is Wednesday January 22 3:20 pm. Since the last movie night was a great success, our School Council is looking for volunteers to help organize the next BES Family Movie Night. Please email chair@bescouncil.org for more information or join the next meeting.
Town of Banff Circle of Support Circle of Support is a group for children that helps them to cope with life changes and losses in their life, such as separation or divorce of caregivers, family illness/injury or the loss of a loved one. The goal of the group is to assist children in expressing and understanding their feelings, accepting what has happened, normalizing grief and loss, and experiencing a sense of belonging in an accepting, non-judgmental environment. If you feel that your child(ren) could benefit from the Circle of Support group, please click here for more information and to fill out the consent form and return it to the school office, the Community Services office at Town Hall or email it to katie.barton@banff.ca.
BCHS Casino Fundraiser Needs Volunteers! Banff Community High School has the chance to raise $40,000-$50,000 for music initiatives like a recording studio and future band trips, through a casino on January 29 & 30, 2025, at ACE Casino Blackfoot (4040 Blackfoot Tr. S.E.). This fundraiser will benefit Banff students for years to come, so we are sharing it with BES families as well! We need 36 volunteer spots filled, so we need to spread the word and encourage people to help. Please fill out your preferred roles asap - before someone takes them. *Note: volunteers can work more than one shift but must be in the same role: https://signup.com/go/BGqgVVB
Banff Mountain Madness Relay Race Please click here to learn more about the Town of Banff’s Mountain Madness Race on Friday February 7, 2025. Registration deadline is January 24.
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.
Important Dates Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar andclick here for the 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.
January 17
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
January 21
CRPS Board Meeting 7:00 pm Canmore Board Office
January 22
BES Council Meeting 3:20 pm
January 31
Progress Report Cards available on Parent Portal
February 7
Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
February 17 - 19
School Closure - Family Week
February 20 - 21
Teacher Convention - no classes for students
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 children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 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, staggered kindergarten entry and school breaks. For more details, program calendars, and information on how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids, or get in touch at outofschoolclub@banff.ca.
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/.
SWIS Upcoming Events: Positive Ways to Parent Tuesdays: January 14, 21, 28, and February 4 Time: 6:00–7:00 pm (online via Zoom) Pizza will be provided. Register here
Schooling in Canada: Open Discussion and Skill Building Monday, January 20, 2025 Time: 6:00–7:30 pm (online via Zoom) Pizza will be provided. Register here
Schooling in Canada: Grade to Grade Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Time: 6:00–7:30 PM (online via Zoom) Pizza will be provided. Register here
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!
