E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Welcoming our new Kindies to BES.

Grade 7’s & 8’s eating in the den together.

Greetings families,
From the first day of school on our new field reconnecting as a community to welcoming our Kindergarten students this morning, it has been a joyful week at BES. Thank you to all of the students, staff and families for welcoming me into the ‘heart of this community’, my first week at BES has been memorable and special.
I look forward to the year ahead! 
Mr. Kestle,
Principal

Important Upcoming Dates

• Sept 2 - Half Day 12:00 pm dismissal Grades 1 - 8 (No Kindergarten classes)
• Sept 5 - School Closed for Labour Day
• Sept 9 - Full Day Friday 8:30 - 3:02 Grades 1 - 8 (No Kindergarten classes)

2022-2023 Demographic Update
Thank you to those who have already completed the 2022-2023 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.

Parking and Drop Off Zones
If you drive your child(ren) to school, please take a close look at the map below regarding the recommended traffic flow and drop-off/pick-up Kiss & Go locations. Squirrel St between Moose St and Elk St is closed to all traffic except buses from 8:00-8:40 am and 2:45-3:15 pm. When the barricades are in place, please do not drive around them. Kiss & Go zones are designed to safely pick up and drop off students. There are two Kiss & Go zones; Elk Street and Big Horn Street. Please use these as intended; kiss your child good-bye and move along! Drivers, please do not leave your vehicle parked or idling in this area for any amount of time. Please also be respectful of the handicap zones. 

We need your help! If you are going by and see the barricades should be out (8:00am or 2:45pm) or be returned back to the fence (8:40 am or 3:15 pm), please feel comfortable moving as needed. This would be greatly appreciated! 

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, August 30 and registration is required each year. It is available between 7:45 - 8:15am. Please click here to register your child. Regular supervision on the fields starts at 8:15am. Students who arrive at 8:15 do not need to register for the Before School Care Program.

Picture Day
Individual picture day is on Wednesday September 14, 2022.

News from the Office
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 Vulnerable Sector Check through the RCMP and sign a Confidentiality Contract as per Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ Administrative Procedure 490 - School Volunteers and FOIPP. 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 Vulnerable Sector Checks can be completed by the RCMP within 24 hours. Please click here for more information on volunteering opportunities.

School Fees
School fees are not yet finalized; however they will start to appear on Parent Portal as we work on the fees. Payment options and details will be provided when invoiced.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar

School and Family Wellness Worker
Ashley Butenschon is here to help support families and students with their social and emotional well-being. Please contact her at 403-762-4465 ext 6089. 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! Right from the Start is looking forward to another year of connecting with you and your children. For information on Right from the Start at Banff Elementary School, please contact megan.jenniex@crps.ca!

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 September Newsletter. More information about Settlement Services and a calendar of events is available at: www.banff.ca/settlement or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/settlement.services.in.the.bow.valley.

You can also check out our School Announcements here (this is updated frequently) for more information. Please like us on Facebook for news and reminders.

Please follow CRPS on Facebook, and Follow/Tag us on Twitter, so you can stay up-to-date on all CRPS school related issues, updates and informa