E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

BES Cubs helping to celebrate the opening of the Nancy Pauw pedestrian bridge!
Students from grades 4 to 8 were the first children from the community to cross the new bridge. Thanks to the Town of Banff for including us in this great celebration and to Bylaw and RCMP for getting us there and back safely.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Sept 9 - Full Day Friday 8:30 - 3:02 Grades 1 - 8 (No Kindergarten classes)
• Sept 14 - Picture Day
• Sept 14 - Open House 3:15 - 4:30 pm
• Sept 16 - PD Friday 12:00 pm Dismissal Grades 1 - 8 (No Kindergarten classes)

BES Open House
You are invited to visit your child’s classroom, meet their teacher and other staff on Wednesday September 14, 2022 from 3:15 - 4:30 pm. Children will be dismissed at 3:02 pm and you can return with your child(ren) after 3:15 pm. From 3:15 to 4:00 pm you can visit your child’s classroom and tour the school. Then join us on the Elk field at 4:00 pm for a meet and greet with all the staff. Hope to see you there.

2022-2023 Annual 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 update information and 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. We ask that you complete this form by September 14. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.

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

Lunch Program - Volunteers Needed
The Lunch program will be starting up in the fall. Please watch for more details or join the first School Council meeting on Wednesday September 21 to learn more. To run this program we are in need of volunteers. We need help serving food and we also need a semi tech-savvy person to work with the MunchaLunch online ordering system. This requires about 3 hours of work per lunch session - training will be provided. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Susan Hughes at shughes2004@outlook.com.

School Council
School Council is a liaison group between parents/guardians, teachers, administration, community and School Board to encourage communication, involvement and cooperation with the goal of maximizing individual student learning and enhancing school life. As a parent or a guardian with a child in the school, you are considered a member of School Council. We welcome all parents to join our Council meetings to learn, observe, and have a voice. School Council generally meets the third Wednesday of each month at 3:30 pm. Whether you can join for one meeting, or every meeting, for 30 minutes or the full hour and a half, your involvement is welcome. The first meeting of this school year is on Wednesday September 21 at 3:30 pm at BES. 

Before School Care
Before School Care is being offered at no cost to families in need of childcare from 7:45 - 8:15 am to enable parents to get to work on time - registration is required each year. Please click here to register your child. Students who arrive after 8:15 am do not need to register for the Before School Care Program as they can then make their way to their classrooms.

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 an annual 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. 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
Right From the Start has been busy visiting classrooms this week to re-introduce our program and welcome new students! We look forward to meeting many of you at the BES Open House. For more 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 information.