E-NEWS & Principal's Post

October 5th is World Teachers' Day. This is a special time dedicated to recognizing the invaluable role our teachers play in shaping the lives of our students and the future of our community. Every day, our dedicated educators go above and beyond, fostering curiosity, offering encouragement, and building a foundation for lifelong learning. Their passion, commitment, and hard work truly make a difference in our school. Please join me in acknowledging and celebrating the extraordinary commitment of our amazing teaching staff. Thank you for all you do BES Teachers!

Thank you to our families who donated to our Terry Fox Run. We raised over $840 this year for the Terry Fox Foundation. You can still donate to the Terry Fox Run at BES Terry Fox Run Fundraising Page.

Labour Relations Updates
As we head into next week and the uncertainty with job action in the province, please be sure to check your emails and the CRPS website for up to date information. You can find the updates here:  CRPS Labour Relations Updates
*At this time, we expect the school will be closed to students on Monday.

Check out this incredible rainbow that Ms Wilkinson’s class photographed during a recent Nature Explorers activity!


Spotlight on Learning
Music Spotlight
We have been busy and having so much fun in music class so far this year. We have done lots of singing, movement and practice keeping a steady beat in most grades. A highlight was the grade 5s and 6s using “jump bands” to practice keeping a steady beat with their bodies by jumping in time to music with different tempos. The students got creative and came up with their own ways to show they can keep a steady beat. The grade 5s also had the opportunity to learn about the history and significance of indigenous hoop dancing and give it a try themselves. 

Another highlight has been working with the grade 4s to choreograph movement and singing to a song from the Muppets Movie. The students have been working together on dancing, singing, tapping and even acting out a short drama skit to create a musical number that they are really proud of and eager to perform. (Performance details coming soon!) 

One last highlight to mention is that our grade 8 students are doing a great job learning two band pieces that we will be performing at the Vic Lewis Band Festival in Canmore at the beginning of November. This will be a great opportunity for them to perform and receive some constructive feedback from professional musicians.

French Spotlight
We have had a wonderful start to the year in French! Grade 4s have been learning about les saisons and les couleurs. The beautiful Fall colours have offered a great opportunity for taking our learning outside and finding les arc-en-ciel in nature! Grade 5s and Grade 7s have been learning about l'école- school supplies, subject areas, areas in the school, numbers, and Grade 6s have been diving into les sentiments. They thoroughly enjoyed a hide-and-seek emotional treasure hunt in the classroom! Grade 8s have been learning about les vêtements and have been focusing on vocabulary acquisition, reading short paragraphs, writing short (but complete) sentences, and conjugating verbs! Our goal in French is to create meaningful learning both in the classroom and outdoors. Students have a variety of ways to show their learning (writing, drawing, speaking), and work towards mastery through practice and repetition. 

Grade 8 Spotlight
This past week, our Grade 8s were fortunate to partner with the Elbow River Watershed and spend a full day exploring the Bow River, from upstream of Banff to downstream of Canmore. The experience was directly connected to our Science curriculum on water systems, as students investigated how human activity, landforms, and infrastructure impact the health of our watershed both locally and farther downstream. Throughout the day, students became scientists in the field: testing pH, oxygen levels, turbidity, nitrate and phosphate concentrations, and sampling invertebrates at two different river sites. Comparing the two locations allowed them to critically analyze how natural and human factors influence water quality. With clipboards, test kits, and nets in hand, students were engaged in hands-on learning from start to finish, walking away with new knowledge, mostly dry feet, and a deepened appreciation for our watershed. This learning experience reflects the CRPS Shared Vision of Learning in action. Students were empowered as critical and creative thinkers as they analyzed scientific data and drew connections to real-world environmental issues. They practiced collaboration and problem solving while working in teams to collect and compare evidence from the field. By engaging directly with our local ecosystem, students developed global awareness and an understanding of their role as responsible citizens who care for the land and water that sustain our communities. Most importantly, this field study highlighted how diverse, experiential opportunities and connections to nature enhance learning beyond the classroom. Our partnership with the Elbow River Watershed provided authentic, inquiry-driven experiences that inspired curiosity and stretched our students’ thinking, an excellent example of how CRPS is committed to Inspiring Hearts & Minds.

2025-2026 Caribou Kids Norquay Ski Pass

2025-26 will be Banff Mount Norquay’s 100th anniversary and will also mark the 19th winter in a row where Banff School kids can ski for free. Banff Caribou Properties and Banff Mount Norquay are happy to once again offer the Caribou Kids Season Pass program for students enrolled at Banff schools. Banff Caribou Properties, in partnership with Banff Mount Norquay, will purchase a Norquay season pass for all students at both Banff Elementary School and Banff Community High School. Please click here for more information including the booking link.

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
SSBV provides Permanent Residents of Canada, Refugees, and Foreign Workers
transitioning to permanent residency with the support they need to settle in the Bow
Valley. All services are free and confidential. 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!