E-NEWS & Principal's Post

We are excited to see students and families at our Open House today! The Open House is a fantastic opportunity to check out your child’s classroom and meet their teacher. Your student can walk you through their daily routines and show you around the classroom and school.  Please be sure to drop by the Den to check in with the Town of Banff, the Banff Public Library and our Right From The Start team!

We will be hosting our Terry Fox Run/Walk on Friday September 19. Our assembly will be at 9:30 am in the BES gym and will then head out for our run/walk. Our students in Gr. 1 - 3 will do their run/walk on the Elk Field while our grade 4 - 8 classes will run along the river on the pathways. Please join us for this wonderful event! We encourage everyone to donate a Toonie for Terry! You can donate here: Terry Fox School Run - Banff Elementary School Fundraising Page: https://schools.terryfox.ca/BanffElementary

A few reminders about bicycle safety from the Town of Banff
Town of Banff Municipal Enforcement Officers will be focusing on bicycle safety for the month of September. A few of the areas of focus include:

Intersection Safety – Bicycles and e-bikes are considered vehicles when on a public road and are required to comply with traffic laws the same as a motor vehicle. This includes the requirement to stop at stop signs and red lights .

Protect yourself – People under 18 years old are required by law to wear a certified bicycle helmet while riding a bicycle, and everyone is required to wear a helmet when riding an e-bike. It is recommended that all people riding a bicycle wear a certified bicycle helmet – set a great example for kids and protect your brain!

Riding on the sidewalk – Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is allowed for children under 12 years of age and younger, and anyone who is accompanying them. Everyone else is not allowed to ride on the sidewalk.

Share the trail – Bicyclists and pedal electric bicycles are required to yield the right-of way to pedestrians on multi-use pathways in Banff.

Riders of bicycles and electric bikes who contravene provisions of the Traffic Safety Act or the Town of Banff Traffic Bylaw may be subject to the same fines as drivers of motor vehicles if found committing an offence.

Although vehicles have a much greater risk of causing serious bodily harm or death when drivers don’t obey traffic laws, people who ride bicycles, e-bikes, scooters and skateboard can also cause damage, traffic collisions and injury.

It’s good to remember that the Town-wide speed limit is 30 km/h for everyone on the road, or slower if required by conditions or safety. 

Spotlight on Learning
Grade 6 Spotlight

Grade 6 applied scientific method outdoors through conducting field studies around Banff during Nature Explorers with Lynx, and in the classroom with controlled experiments. This supported our belief that diversity in experiences and connection in nature enhance learning beyond the classroom. 


Grade 2 Spotlight

Building Our Community

In Grade 2, we've been learning what it means to be caring and understanding using our "CUBS Code." We've been putting these ideas into practice by creating a "caring chain" and a "walking path," which help us remember to be kind to everyone. These projects show us how our actions are connected and how we can all help make our classroom and school a welcoming place.

Exploring the World of Sound

In Science, we're becoming experts on sound! We've discovered that sound is all around us, from the sounds of nature like a bird's chirp to sounds made by people, like a car's horn. We're learning that sound is made by vibration, and we've been experimenting with how different pitches are made—some vibrations are fast and make high sounds, while others are slow and make low sounds. We're also learning about how sound travels, and it's been a fun adventure to see how it moves through the air.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Sep 19 - Terry Fox School Run - Banff Elementary School Fundraising Page: https://schools.terryfox.ca/BanffElementary
• Sep 19 - Staff Professional Learning 12:05 pm dismissal for Grades 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
• Sep 20 - Girls in Aviation Day
• Sep 24 - School Council Meeting 3:30 pm
• Sep 29 - Orange Shirt Day
• Sep 30 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - School Closed

Girls in Aviation Day

Girls in Aviation Day is taking place on Saturday September 20th at the Red Deer Regional Airport. This international event celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and aims to introduce young girls to the diverse and exciting world of aviation. With over 190 events held globally and more than 33,000 participants, it’s a fantastic way to inspire future careers in aviation and aerospace.

Event Highlights:

• Designed for girls aged 8–17, with tailored content for elementary, middle, and high school students.
• Meet female role models in aviation, including pilots, engineers, and industry professionals.
• Explore aviation through interactive STEM activities, tours, flying clubs, schools, and more.
• Enjoy swag, giveaways, and a barbecue.

Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 20th
• Location: Scottsville Hangar, Red Deer Regional Airport
• Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• More info & registration: www.girlsinaviationalberta.com

While the event is focused on encouraging young women to explore aviation, all students are welcome to attend and participate. If your daughter is interested in this program, please email bes.info@crps.ca by the end of the day on Friday September 12 to let us know. CRPS is looking to see how many students may be interested in attending.

2025-2026 Annual Demographic Update/Permissions & Consents
Thank you to those who have already completed the online 2025-2026 Annual Demographic Update. If you have not already completed the update, please log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and click on SchoolEngage on the left side bar at the bottom. Once you have signed in to your SchoolEngage account, click on the bell at the top right hand corner. You will see the incomplete forms in blue. This is the place to give permission for walking field trips, which start immediately including the Terry Fox Run, along with permission for Grades 7 & 8 students only to leave the school grounds at lunch. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

2025-2026 Annual Demographic Update/Permissions & Consents
Thank you to those who have already completed the online 2025-2026 Annual Demographic Update. If you have not already completed the update, please log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and click on SchoolEngage on the left side bar at the bottom. Once you have signed in to your SchoolEngage account, click on the bell at the top right hand corner. You will see the incomplete forms in blue. This is the place to give permission for walking field trips, which start immediately, along with permission for Grades 7 & 8 students only to leave the school grounds at lunch. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

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 2 and registration is required each year. It is available between 7:45 - 8:15 am. Please click here to request before school care during the 2025-2026 school year. You will be contacted to confirm your registration in this program. Students who arrive at 8:15 do not need to register for the Before School Care Program. 

Mountain Readers
The Mountain Reader volunteer program at Banff Elementary School started back in 2009 and continues to encourage and support student literacy while fostering community connection. Each volunteer visits a BES classroom once a week for an hour to read one-on-one or in small groups with students. The program feedback from students, teachers, and volunteers is overwhelmingly positive with many volunteers returning year after year to cheer on young readers. Please click here if you would like more information. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the Mountain Readers who give their time to this terrific program, especially Kristen McCutcheon who has been the volunteer coordinator for the past 8 years.

We are looking for a new parent volunteer (or two) to train with the current coordinator of the Mountain Reader program over the next year and eventually take over this volunteer position. This involves monitoring the mountain reader email inbox, communicating with potential volunteers and with BES to get RCMP checks, and organizing the class schedule. When a new volunteer starts, you would also meet them at BES for a brief orientation and introduction to the teacher. If you would like more information, please contact Kristen at mountainreaders@gmail.com.

Circle of Support: Family Changes Group
Circle of Support provides free support for children and youth who are experiencing changes in their family such as divorce, separation, death, or other loss. In this group, participants will learn about feelings including grief and gain a sense of belonging through peer support. This group can be valuable even if you are not currently seeing a shift in your child’s emotions or behaviour. Circle of Support is offered in partnership with the Canadian Rockies Public Schools and the Town of Banff and Town of Canmore. For more information or to register, please email katie.barton@banff.ca.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 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 Fees
For the fourth year, the CRPS board has decided not to charge lunchroom supervision fees for the 2025-2026 school year, reflecting our division's commitment to easing family financial pressures. Complimentary course fees (Grade 7 & 8) and incidental fees will be added to your Parent Portal account as required.

School and Family Wellness Worker
Emily Nicholson, our 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
Hello BES families! I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Right from the Start (RFTS) Coordinator here at BES. My name is Michelle Masniak, and I’m thrilled to be working with all of you and your children this year. I will be visiting classrooms starting next week, supporting teachers and students as part of the Right from the Start program. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at michelle.masniak@crps.ca. Stay tuned for regular updates and news from your child’s homeroom teacher throughout the year, where you’ll learn more about what we’re up to in RFTS!

Town of Banff Children & Youth Programs
The Out-of-School Club (OSC) is a licensed childcare program offering care for school aged children, September to June. 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 details and how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids.

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.

Do you have a spare bedroom? Become a host family for our International Student Program! We are looking for 5 or 10 month commitments. Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!