E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Learning about the past to recognize the present and its path to the future!
Students working with Stoney Nakoda Elders and Knowledge Keepers to learn about the unique history and development of Banff and the Bow Valley from an indigenous perspective. Renewing and strengthening relationships between people and land. 

Important Upcoming Dates

• Oct 7 - Order deadline for the Lunch Program
• Oct 7 - School photo order deadline to take advantage of free shipping
• Oct 7 - PD 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
• Oct 10 - Thanksgiving Day - School Closed
• Oct 19 - CRPS Public Board Meeting 7:00 pm at Canmore Board Office

Lunch Program
School Council is thrilled to announce that our Lunch Program will run again on Thursdays - our first lunch will be served on October 13. This is a purely volunteer run program and provides the opportunity for parents to buy nutritious and appetizing lunches for their children at a low cost. Volunteers are needed - please sign up at time of ordering or contact Susan Hughes at shughes2014@outlook.com. All funds raised go directly back to support Banff Elementary School programs such as Nature Explorers and Outdoor Pursuits (swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, curling, etc). The Old Spaghetti Factory, Rimrock Resort, Subway, Patty's Pantry, Wild Flour and Aardvark Pizza will carefully prepare lunches for our children. Thank you to these local vendors for their continued support for this very important program!  
This lunch session will run from October 13 - January 26 on Thursdays. The MunchaLunch ordering system is now open and the order deadline for the entire lunch session is Friday October 7, 2022. Once the system is closed we cannot add additional orders. You will need to create a new account even if you used this system in the past. The MunchaLunch system offers a secure credit card payment option. Once you have placed your order please click on the PAY NOW button and make your credit card payment. Unpaid orders will not be processed. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER/ORDER
An automated reminder email will be sent to you from the MunchaLunch system on Wednesdays if you ordered lunch for the next day. Please remember to send your child(ren) with additional healthy snacks, a container with a lid and cutlery. No plates or cutlery will be available. Please click here for more information.

Picture Day Proofs & Ordering
Picture Day proofs have been sent home for those students that had their pictures taken on September 14. We are requesting that families place their picture orders online at mylifetouch.ca. There are more choices and savings online, and this reduces paper handling. Place your orders by October 7, 2022 to take advantage of free shipping. Picture retakes will be on November 2, 2022. Students that missed picture day can also have their picture taken this day. 

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
Banff Elementary School fees are now available on PowerSchool Parent Portal. Debit or credit card payments can be made online through your Parent Portal https://powerschool.crps.ca/public/. As per Canadian Rockies School Division’s Administrative Procedure 503, payment for school fees is due 30 days after invoicing. Please contact the school office to make payment arrangements if unable to pay by October 31, 2022.

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
Happy October, BES families! Right from the Start is slowly rolling out programs in all classes. Please watch for information from your child's teacher on their specific program! 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 October 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. Please click here for the CRPS Board Meeting Calendar, Agendas and Highlights.