E-NEWS & Principal's Post

We are looking forward to the upcoming Parent/Teacher/Student conferences next week. These conferences are a vital part of a child’s educational journey, providing an opportunity for open communication between parents, teachers, and students. This is a chance for parents to gain insight into their child’s progress, strengths, and areas for growth, while also fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can share perspectives and set goals for the future. Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children's learning by staying engaged, reinforcing academic expectations, and offering emotional support. When parents are actively involved, it helps children feel more motivated and confident in their educational experience. Working together, parents and teachers can ensure that students are on the path to success and well-being. We look forward to seeing you at BES next week!

This month, students in Grades 4 to 8, as well as staff and parents of students in Grades 4 and 7, will be completing both the Alberta Assurance Survey and the OurSchool Survey. The data collected through these surveys plays a crucial role in shaping our School Education Plan and guiding our professional development at BES. The surveys provide valuable insights into the experiences of both students and parents, helping us make informed decisions that support our ongoing efforts for improvement. Your feedback is essential to ensure that we continue to excel in many areas while also identifying opportunities for growth. We greatly appreciate your participation in this process! 

Check out this news article that was recently posted on the CRPS website about a project our Grade 2 and 3 classes embarked on to honour Ancestral knowledge in the classroom and to celebrate the wonderful work of one of our Knowledge Keepers, Philomene Stevens. 
https://www.crps.ca/news/post/celebrating-philomene-stevens-honouring-ancestral-knowledge-in-the-classroom

Spotlight on Learning
Grade 6 Spotlight

Grade 6 had the opportunity to attend a Town Council Meeting as well as learn from our Mayor to support our social studies learning on municipal government. Our shared vision of learning believes positive relationships foster effective and engaged learning experiences. 

Grade 2 Spotlight

In Grade 2, students engaged in a hands-on learning experience by creating Edible Landforms, deepening their understanding of Earth Systems in a fun and memorable way. Each student was tasked with including four different landforms and two bodies of water, which they explained in detail, demonstrating their grasp of essential concepts.

The dioramas reflected creativity and neatness, showcasing the students' dedication to quality work. After the project, students reflected on their experiences, highlighting the importance of perseverance and resilience in ensuring they met the project criteria. This activity not only allowed learners to apply their knowledge practically but also encouraged them to develop critical and creative thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of innovation.

Through this project, we fostered a collaborative environment where evidence of learning was gathered through student presentations and reflections. This approach informed our instructional decisions and provided specific, timely feedback that built their confidence.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Mar 10-14 - Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week
• Mar 16 - P/T/S Conference Booking System Closes 11:55 pm

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
March 19 Evening conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - regular classes during the day
March 20 Evening conferences 5:00 - 8:00 pm - regular classes during the day
March 21 Morning conferences 8:30 - 11:45 am and P.D. in the afternoon - no school for students all day

For our Spring P/T/S Conferences, you will have a choice of a virtual meeting or an in-person meeting. Please note there are separate schedules: one for Grades K-7 to book a 15 minute conference with their homeroom teacher, one for Grade 8 to book a 10 minute conference with both Grade 8 homeroom teachers at the same time, and a schedule to book a conference with our Music teacher (Grades 1 - 8) and/or our French Teacher (Grades 4 - 8). Please ensure to select the correct schedule when making your booking. Appointments can also be made with our Principals, Jason Billings / Valerie Chisholm, and our School and Family Wellness Worker, Emily Nicholson, by emailing them directly (firstname.lastname@crps.ca). Please click here for School Appointments - Parent Instructions. Appointments for parents and students to meet with teachers can be booked online at https://banff.schoolappointments.com. This system will open Friday March 7 at 4:00 pm and appointments can be booked until Sunday March 16 11:55 pm. You will be able to login to your account created in the fall or register for a new account and add your child(ren), then schedule a meeting (Virtual or in-person) using this system. After March 16 the online booking system will be closed - parents will be required to email their child's homeroom teacher directly to change or cancel an appointment. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.

Calling all parents! 
The BES School Council would like to continue the tradition we started again last year, and ask for your help in preparing some food and drinks, to give teachers one less thing to worry about during the P/T/S conferences. Please sign up below for items that you can prepare and drop off at the school before the conferences on Wednesday March 19 from 3:00-4:00 pm,  Thursday March 20 from 3:00-4:00 pm or Friday March 21 from 8:00-9:00 am. Teachers will have their own plates, cutlery, etc.
Thank you!
BES School Council
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ACA82AA5F8CE9-55531401-parentteacher

BCHS Open House Dates
Banff Community High School has its Spring Open House on Monday March 24. We would love to see Grade 7 and 8 students and parents visit our wonderful school to explore the learning that takes place in Banff's own high school. You will meet teachers and students who will be excited to share with you what happens at our school and for you to gain a positive impression of our school's warm and welcoming culture.  There will also be a Transition presentation to Grade 8 Students and Parents at 5.15-6m in the school gym. The presentation sets the scene for Grade 9 and the move from BES to BCHS. It also launches the course selection process for complementary courses in Fine Arts and Career and Technology Foundations.You can find more information here: BCHS Open House

Save The Date - Family Movie Night on March 27

Our School Council is excited to host another movie night on Thursday March 27. This time we will be watching Moana 2. Doors will open at 5:15 pm and our movie will start at 5:30 pm. $2 per person for admission or $5 for a family (students must be accompanied by an adult). We will also have a concession with some snack items for sale for $1 or $2. Funds raised during our movie night support building classroom libraries for each of our classes. 
We will need some volunteers to help with a variety of tasks on movie night.  If you are able to support, please email chair@BEScouncil.org. We are excited for another great community building event!

Volunteers Needed - Grade 7 and 8 dance on April 2
Our Student Wellness Committee is working to plan a dance for April 2 from 3:30-5:00 pm. In order for this event to run, we are looking for 6 - 8 parent volunteers to support with supervision during the dance. If you are interested in helping, you will need a valid criminal record check.  Please email bes.info@crps.ca if you are able to help out.

Education Week April 7 - 11 / BES Open House
BES will be celebrating Education Week from April 7 - 11. During this week, we will celebrate all the hard work our students and staff put into learning each and every day. We will be running some school wide literacy and numeracy/STEM activities, will host Earth Week activities and will host an Open House for families to drop in to enjoy some fun learning activities alongside your children. The Open House will run on Thursday April 10 from 2:00 - 3:02 pm. We hope you can join us!

Raising Digitally Resilient Kids
Helping children navigate the digital world is more than just setting screen time limits - it’s about building digital resilience. CRPS is encouraging parents to explore MediaSmarts’ “Raising Digitally Resilient Kids” workshop, which provides strategies to help children balance online risks and rewards. Based on research with youth, the session outlines key risk areas and offers practical tools to guide safe and responsible media use. Parents will learn how to create household media rules, evaluate apps and websites, and foster open conversations about digital habits. Handouts cover essential topics, including how to assess online content, support healthy screen time, and protect personal privacy. With children increasingly connected, understanding how to engage with technology wisely is more critical than ever. Explore the workshop resources and help build digital resilience at home! More information is available at MediaSmarts.

Lost & Found

The lost & found at BES is growing again since the winter break. Please ask your child to check for lost items and please be sure to visit the lost & found area while here at P/T/S Conferences.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 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 Criminal Record Check through the RCMP and sign a Confidentiality Contract as per Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ Administrative Procedure 490 - School Volunteers and FOIPP. 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 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. 

Town of Banff Summer Fun Day Camp Registration
This popular summer program is not just about childcare for school-aged children, but creating experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Summer Fun runs Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. (includes lunch hour supervision)  from Wednesday, July 2 – Friday, August 22. We are open for all children going into grades 1-6. There is no programing offered on weekends and Statutory Holidays. For more details, program calendars, Specialty Camps, Youth Camps, and information on how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids. Summer Fun registration opens to all Banff Residents on April 2nd at 8:30am, and April 30th at 8:30am for Non-Residents.

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.

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!