E-NEWS & Principal's Post

A huge thank you to the Town of Banff for organizing the Banff Bike Bus on Wednesday. It was wonderful to see so many people participating in this event. We would also like to send our thanks to the Right From The Start team for providing a Take 5 (coffee, tea, and treats) for those that participated. And a big shout out to the RCMP and Peace Officers for helping everyone get to BES safely. Well done everyone!

It is exciting to see so many students, staff and parents riding their bikes to school each day. Please be sure to wear your helmet each ride. We want to ensure everyone gets to school and home safely each day! 


Did you get a chance to hear the Mountain FM broadcast about our song, A Single Seed? If not, you can have a listen here: Mountain FM Broadcast

Spotlight on Learning
Grade 2 Spotlight

Grade 2 students have been exploring the exciting world of life cycles. This week, they participated in an engaging relay activity where they worked in teams to correctly arrange the stages of various life cycles. This hands-on experience not only reinforced their understanding of the concepts but also fostered collaboration and teamwork among classmates, all while having a blast!

As part of our learning journey, we have been closely observing and studying the chicken life cycle. Each day, excitement fills the room as we patiently await the hatching of our little chicks.

Grade 6 Spotlight

Grade 6 had the opportunity to practice our growth mindset as we learned lacrosse alongside Coach Pierre. We are grateful for the partnership we have with the Town of Banff in providing the equipment and facility and to Pierre who kindly gave his time to teach us! This initiative aligns with CRPS’ Shared Vision of Learning, fostering collaboration among educators to enhance instructional excellence.

Important Upcoming Dates

• June 5 - School Council AGM 3:20 pm
• June 6 - Staff Professional Learning - 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
• Jun 9 - National Indigenous Day Assembly at BES 1:30 pm in the gym
• June 17 - CRPS Board Meeting 7:00 pm at the Central Board Office in Canmore

Lost & Found
With the extreme variety of weather lately, our Lost & Found is filling up with clothing items worn to school in the chilly mornings and sometimes not needed in the sunny afternoons! Please make sure to check the Lost & Found shelves/bins in the hallway outside the Den/Gym. If you are looking for anything small/precious (such as jewelry, earpods, glasses, keys) please check Mrs. McKenna’s desk in the office. All items left unclaimed will be donated at the end of June.

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! CRPS is in need of host families for the 2025-26 school year.  Remuneration is provided. Please follow this link to find out more!


2025-2026 School Supplies
BES and Bow Valley Basics are working together to offer you great savings and convenience for purchasing your child’s school supplies! This is an optional program designed to save parents time and money over the summer. Bulk purchasing means we get excellent discounts and these savings are passed directly onto you – this is not a fundraiser. Please click here for more information and the 2025-2026 school supplies lists.

2025-2026 Bus Registration
For the 2025-2026 school year, students who will be taking Canadian Rockies Public School (CRPS) bus transportation must complete an online registration form. A registration form is required for each student intending to ride the school bus in the 2025-26 school year. Failure to complete the form indicates your child(ren) will not need bus service next school year. To access the 2025-2026 School bus registration form, please follow the link to sign in to your parent portal account. Once signed in, you will click on School Engage to access the Bus Registration form. Please complete the registration form by June 11, 2025 in order to receive your bus pass before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. If you require further information or have any questions regarding Transportation Registration please follow the link Transportation Registration and Info or email crpstransportation@crps.ca.

Grade 8 Farewell
We are excited to invite our Grade 8 friends and families to our Grade 8 Farewell Ceremony on June 25 at 1:15 pm in the BES Gym. The event will feature an awards ceremony, the distribution of certificates, musical performances, and a special memories slideshow to celebrate our students' journey. Following the ceremony, we invite you to join us for a reception with light refreshments in the Den. We look forward to celebrating this joyful and memorable occasion with you!

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. 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.

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
Ms. Jenniex with Right from the Start visits all classrooms at BES. 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 programming 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.