E-NEWS & Principal's Post

Principal’s Post
Spring brings new growth, new energy and new adventures! Spring also is the time we begin planning for the next school year. Please help us in our planning for the 2024-2025 school year by letting us know if you intend for your child to continue with Banff Elementary School (or Banff Community High School if your child is currently in Grade 8) or if your child will not be attending BES or BCHS. We request all families to complete this Intent Form by April 28, 2024.

Please note: children already attending Banff Elementary School do not need to submit a new registration for the next school year, even if your child is in Grade 8 and going to Banff Community High School, but we ask that you complete the intent form.

Spotlight on Learning
Kindergarten met with Lynx to discuss the native plant entry garden and the pollinators that support their growth. Spring is in the air!


Grade 8s are well underway with Textiles. Thank you again to everyone who donated materials that have helped make this course possible. Through Textiles, students are given the opportunity to acquire skills fundamental to both academic and practical situations. This course fosters the development of innovative thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills. As students try new tasks such as hand-sewing, needle felting, and weaving, activities most have never tried before, they come across challenges that are fundamental to the learning process. This course emphasizes the importance of perseverance and adaptability, which are both critical attributes that go beyond the classroom when navigating challenges that arise in life. Recently, they needle-felted some mushrooms in various shapes and colours. Take a look at the results!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Apr 17 - BES Council Meeting 3:30 pm
• Apr 22-26 - Literacy Week
• Apr 24 - CRPS Board Meeting 7:00 pm at BES Agenda
• Apr 26 - Staff PD pm students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
• Apr 28 - Intent Form due
• May 1 - BES Open House 3:15 - 4:15 pm

Literacy Week Activities
Student council has organized literacy week April 22-26 with daily activities:
Tuesday Apr 23 - PJ & Book Day Read: Bring a favourite book to read with a friend and wear your PJs!
Wednesday Apr 24 - Read a T-Shirt (wear a t-shirt that has writing on it)   
Thursday Apr 25 - Drop Everything and Read: Bring your favourite reading material for a school wide DEAR time
Friday Apr 26 - Dress Up Day: dress like your favourite book character

BES Open House Grades K-8 Students & Families
Families are invited to come to BES on Wednesday May 1 from 3:15-4:15 pm to have a preview into the classrooms of your child’s next grade.

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.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Learning Calendars.

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 and FOIPP. 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!

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 Announcements here (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.

CRPS International Student Homestay Hosts Needed
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.