E-NEWS & Principal's Post

We are thrilled to be hosting Education Week next week at BES. We have a variety of activities planned including a book swap, special guest readers, math bingo, scavenger hunts and our Open House on Thursday from 2:00 - 3:00pm. We are really excited about celebrating the incredible literacy and numeracy work that happens at BES each day. It should be a fun way to wrap up our final week before the spring break!
Education Week Spirit Days
Pyjama and Book Day on Tuesday, Read a T-shirt Day on Wednesday, and Dress Up Like Your Favourite Book Character on Friday.


We are looking for your gently used books that you would like to donate to our Education Week Book Swap. Please drop the books off in the office early next week and we will have them available on Thursday, April 10 for our student Book Swap. If everyone is able to bring in one book, we will have enough for everyone to take one home at the end of the swap! Thanks for your support!

Science Fair was a blast!



Congratulations to all our students who participated in our Science Fair. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm and our students did an incredible job preparing their projects. We are so proud of their hard work!  Congratulations to Felix on being our Overall winner for the Science Fair. A special congratulations to our other winners - Mistaya, Udruja, Odette and Poppy, Aubree and Luna, Willow and Siena, Pender and Alex, Izabella, Cara. A huge thank you to Mr. Conniff for organizing this event and for the many hours he volunteered over the lunch hours to support students. Well done everyone!

Movie Night at BES

Thank you to all the families that joined us for our latest Movie Night. It was great to see so many excited students here enjoying the movie with their family and friends. A huge thank you to the School Council for organizing this community building event. The funds raised from our movie night will go towards purchasing classroom library books. Thanks for your support!

Grade 7 and 8 School Dance

Thank you to our Student Wellness Action Team for planning and organizing our Grade 7 and 8 school dance. It was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed DJ New Petch Mode and his great music. Thank you to Ms. Flores, Ms. Jenniex, Ms. Anderson, Ms. Shebek and our parent volunteers Lily and Beth, for being there to supervise and enjoy the dance with our students!  It was a lot of fun!

Spotlight on Learning
Kindergarten Spotlight

Although everyday is Earth Day, April is the month for truly focusing on it. Kindergarten had Nature Explorers this week and talked about the importance of trees while learning some important facts about them. We learned that trees produce terpenes that make us feel calm; they produce oxygen and provide us with materials like wood, paper, and even medicine. Lynx designed some outdoor games to help us understand the importance of reusing, recycling and composting. Blindfolded, we had a partner guide us to the correct bin for sorting things that can be recycled, reused or composted. We also played a BINGO game to match various seeds to the vegetable or plant it grows into. 

Kindergarten is also composting! Grade 4’s visited our classrooms to deliver compost bins and to introduce this schoolwide program. They empty the bins at the end of each week and have given us feedback about the types of food waste that can be composted, as well as items that are not included. We appreciate their morning announcements and reminders about how to contribute to the care of our planet!

This relates to the Shared Vision of Learning by providing a diversity of experiences and connections in nature and the community, and by enhancing our learning beyond the classroom. 

Grade 4 Spotlight

In Grade 4, students are diving into exciting activities that promote both mental and physical well-being! One of the highlights is our yoga sessions, where students learn techniques to manage stress and enhance focus. Yoga not only boosts their physical health but also nurtures mindfulness and relaxation.

Additionally, students are exploring the world of 3D printing through Tinkercad. This hands-on experience allows them to unleash their creativity by designing and modeling unique objects. As they navigate this digital tool, they gain valuable skills in technology and design.

Together, these activities enrich our students' learning experiences, fostering a balanced approach to education!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Apr 4 - Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
• Apr 7-11 - Education Week
• Apr 10 - BES Open House 2:00 - 3:02 pm
• Apr 10 - Book Swap
• Apr 14-25 - School Closure for Spring Break - see you April 28 

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.

2025-2026 BES Intent Form
Please help us with our planning for the 2025-2026 school year by letting us know if you intend for your child(ren) 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. Please complete a separate form for each child by April 11, 2025. 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 BCHS, but we ask that you please click here to complete the intent form.

2025-2026 Learning Calendar
Please click here for the next school year learning calendar for Grades 1-12. The 2025-2026 Kindergarten calendar will be released ASAP. The learning calendar can also be found on our website.

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.

Parent Discussion Group

The purpose of a parent discussion group is to offer a space where parents of youth can share experiences, challenges, and advice in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. These groups provide emotional support, reduce feelings of isolation, and help parents develop coping strategies for common parenting challenges. They also offer access to resources, education, and skills related to parenting, family dynamics, and child development. Additionally, a parent discussion group can foster a sense of community and collective problem-solving, allowing parents to learn from each other’s successes and difficulties.
During each session, a facilitator will use the first 50 minutes to present on a topic, leaving the final 40 minutes for group discussion.
A different topic will be presented each week relating to the challenges parents of youth (ages 0-18) may be facing.

Registration is separate for each session and registration is now open.
Location: Banff Public Library (101 Bear Street, Banff)
Dates: Tuesdays - April 29 - July 8 
Please click here for more information on the topics and dates.

Looking for FREE youth programs in the Bow Valley? Arts Place in partnership with the Family Connections Center is offering Artful Conversations: Clay Series, a ceramics course where parents and youth can get together to express emotions and build resilience. This program is open to children 8-13. 

Wolverines Flag Football Registration

Please click here for the registration link.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 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. It is available between 7:45 - 8:15 am. Registration is required each year - 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 2 at 8:30am, and April 30 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)
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!