E-NEWS & Principal's Post

It has been a wonderful Education Week at BES! We celebrated literacy and numeracy in so many ways. It was also great to see so many families at our Open House. We had Mayor DiManno, Trustee Callahagn, and Deputy Superintendent Ms. McKibbin here to read with some classes. Students enjoyed activities like Math Bingo, the Great Character Escape and Math Estimation Jars. They celebrated literacy by wearing clothing with words on it and dressing up as a favourite book character. They also collectively wrote a travelling story and explored alternate communications activities using Core Word Finds and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Thank you as well to all the families who donated books to our Book Swap! It was a huge success and it has been a fantastic week!

Wishing our wonderful community a happy spring break.





We will be holding our next School Council meeting on Wednesday, April 30 at 3:30 pm. All parents are welcome. Our dedicated School Council does a lot for our school and we are always looking for more parents to join us and discuss the amazing things that happen at BES and how we can continue to make BES the best school possible! We hope you will join us! School Council would also like to send a huge thank you to the Lux Cinema for donating popcorn to our last movie night. It was greatly appreciated!!!

Check out this wonderful book created by our Student Council! This was a project that was thought of, written by, illustrated and recorded by our very own BES students:
The Courageous Cub

Spotlight on Learning
Grade 3 Spotlight

Our Grade 3 students have been fully engaged in an exciting story writing unit! They kicked off the unit by planning their stories like computer code, which guided their understanding of the elements and structure of storytelling. Students also explored how different cultures share stories and created unique beaded versions of their tales. As they developed their writing skills, they navigated through the writing process and are now putting the finishing touches on their final copies to be showcased with their peers and parents at our open house event. As part of our Education Week and aligned with the BES Shared Vision of Learning - fostering community connections, Mayor Dimanno made a special guest appearance and read some stories to the students, enriching their storytelling experience!

Grade 7 Spotlight

Grade 7T is wrapping up their Foods and Nutrition complementary course this week. They have made all sorts of tasty snacks, including these delicious smoothie bowls! All Grade 7 and 8 students have the opportunity to participate in this great class with continued opportunities in both CRPS high schools.

BES Intramural Badminton Tournament
Over the past two weeks, Grade 7 and 8 students have brought energy and sportsmanship to our lunchtime intramural badminton tournament. Congratulations to all who participated, and a special shoutout to our top finishers: 3rd place – Antoine Jackson, 2nd place – Gaku Ito, and our BES Tournament Champion – Jayden Wiggins!


Important Upcoming Dates

• Apr 14-25 - School Closure for Spring Break - see you April 28 
• Apr 30 - School Council Meeting at BES 3:30 pm
• Apr 30 - CRPS - Public School Board Meeting 7:00 pm Exshaw School

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.

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.

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!