E-NEWS & Principal's Post

Thank you very much to our families and students who joined us for our Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences! These opportunities to connect and share student successes and areas for growth ensure our lines of communication remain open and our shared support for student learning continues. Partnership between home and school is very important for student success and our conferences are one component that strengthens this partnership.  
We would also like to send out a huge thank you to those families who provided food for our Feed the Teachers dinner. These are busy days and our staff really appreciate your generosity in providing them a delicious dinner!

Attendance Matters at BES!
At Banff Elementary School, we recognize that regular attendance and consistent routines (including arriving to class on time) are key to student success and well-being. We understand that illness and other circumstances may sometimes lead to unavoidable absences. In these situations, our teachers, school/family wellness worker and school administrators are responsible for following up with families and addressing extended periods of absence. It is important that we work together to address school absences and attendance concerns.

Every missed day of school represents a lost opportunity for students to learn, develop social skills, and benefit from the sense of community within our school. Chronic or prolonged absenteeism can negatively impact academic achievement, future employment skills, and overall well-being. Extended absences may also increase anxiety, as students worry about falling behind in their coursework, maintaining their grades, earning credits, and reconnecting with peers who may wonder about their time away.

We want to work together with families to support attendance concerns. We may reach out to see how we can support and encourage families to connect with us if you are having challenges with getting your child to attend school. We are a team and want all our students to be successful at BES!

Spotlight on Learning
French Spotlight

In French, the Grade 4s have been exploring calendar activities and vocabulary. Ask your student if they can sing our "mois de l'année" song for you, and say their birthday month in French! The Grade 5s have been learning about les vêtements, and have been introduced to simple verbs through clothing (porter and mettre). The Grade 6 classes completed a project on common animals in Alberta, and did a fantastic job of writing simple sentences in French! All Grade 7s and 8s have been learning about la méteo, and have completed (or are working on) a "weatherperson for the day!" project. They could choose between a slideshow, video, poster board or animation. An example of an animation can be seen here! Over the last month, the classes have also enjoyed using cooperative skis in recognition of Carnaval de Québec.

Grade 8 Spotlight


Students in 8S are demonstrating leadership, creativity, and collaboration as they bring their Community Initiatives Projects to life. With the successful launch of Games Club, Lego Club, and Tea and Muffin Thursday, along with exciting plans for Hockey Mentors, International Kids Club, and Cooking Class, these students are making a meaningful impact. Their work embodies our Shared Vision of Learning, fostering positive relationships by building a sense of belonging and connection within our school community. Additionally, these projects support whole-child education, as students develop the habits, skills, and mindsets necessary for social, emotional, and academic growth. It is inspiring to see them take initiative, problem-solve, and create opportunities that enrich our learning environment!

BES Compost Club


As part of our commitment to a greener planet, community and school, Mme. Amirault is proud to report that 4A has taken on the role of being responsible for composting at BES! We had our first collection last week and it was a huge success. From making announcements and presentations in front of classes to disposing of the compost bags, the grade 4s are making a difference here at school! Look for some scientific data about our efforts in the coming weeks.

Hot Lunch Reminder - Please send along a reusable container!
Please don’t forget to send along a reusable container on our Thursday Hot Lunch days. We are really proud that we are reducing waste as part of our Hot Lunch program, so bringing a reusable container ensures we hit this goal.  

Sunset Sandwich Ringers Perform at the Home Grown Art Show

We are incredibly proud of our Sunset Sandwich Ringers for their outstanding performance at the Home Grown Art Show, hosted by the Town of Banff on Friday, March 14. They truly shone in their representation of BES! The community was deeply impressed by their dedication and exceptional talent. Bravo to all!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Mar 21 - Morning conferences 8:30 - 11:45 am and P.D. in the afternoon - no school for students all day
• Mar 24 - BCHS Transition Night & Open House 5:15 - 7:00 pm
• Mar 26 - BES Council Meeting 3:20 pm at BES
• Mar 26 - CRPS Board of Trustees’ Meeting 7:00 - 9:00 pm at BES
• Mar 27 - School Council Movie Night - doors open 5:15 pm

BCHS Open House
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 5.15-6:00 pm 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

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 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!

Save the Date - BES Grade 8 Farewell
We will be hosting our Grade 8 Farewell in the afternoon of Wednesday June 25. More information will be shared in the coming months.

2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is open for children that will be turning 5 by December 31, 2025. Please register your child as soon as possible to help us with our 2025-2026 school year planning and to receive important information on the upcoming Spring Into Kindergarten visit in May. Please click here to register.

Wolverines Flag Football Registration

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!

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!