E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

“Sharing our Similarities, Celebrating our Differences” 
Grade 7 and 8 classes collaborated to create this amazing piece of artwork celebrating diversity and inclusion within BES and outside in our world. The mural is hanging in the Cub’s Cave and families are welcome to view this at the upcoming Parent/Teacher/Student conferences!

Our Grade 4s demonstrated ingenuity while designing and building their cardboard arcade games.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Oct 30 - P/T/S Conference booking system closes at 11:55 pm
• Oct 31 - Halloween Parade 1:15 pm Grades K - 8. 
• Oct 31 - School fees are due (How to Make a Payment on PowerSchool Parent Portal)

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
November 2 Evening conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm - regular classes during the day 
November 3 Evening conferences 5:00 - 8:00 pm - regular classes during the day
November 4 Morning conferences 8:30 - 11:45 am and P.D. in the afternoon no school for students

For our Fall P/T/S Conferences, you will have a choice of a virtual meeting or an in-person meeting. Please note there are two schedules: one for Grades K-7 to book a 15 minute conference with their homeroom teacher and one for Grade 8 to book a 10 minute conference with both Grade 8 teachers at the same time. Please ensure to select the correct schedule when making your booking. Appointments for parents and students to meet with teachers can be booked online at https://banff.schoolappointments.com. You will need to create a new account, even if you have used this system in the past, by clicking the REGISTER tab on the menu bar. This system is open and appointments can be booked until Sunday October 30 11:55 pm. After October 30 the online booking system will be closed - parents will be required to email their child's homeroom teacher directly to change or cancel an appointment. For an appointment with our Principal, Craig Kestle, please email him directly at craig.kestle@crps.ca. You can also make appointments with our School and Family Wellness Worker, Ashley Butenschon, by emailing her at ashley.butenschon@crps.ca. Please click here for School Appointments - Parent Instructions. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.

Halloween Parade
Monday October 31 at 1:15 pm Grades K to 8 students will parade around the school wearing their costumes. Your child is invited to bring an easy-to-wear-not-too-scary-non-offensive costume that they can change into on their own for the afternoon. Please do not bring accessories (weapons, badges, walkie-talkies, wands, etc). Students will be given time to change into their costumes at the end of lunch break. Kindergarten students can wear their costumes all day. Families are welcome.

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. If you would like to walk your child to the school, parking is available in the Train Station Parking Lot with a walkway beside the Banff Daycare. Please also be respectful of the handicap zones.

2022-2023 Caribou Kids Season Ski Pass Program
Banff school students will enjoy free skiing again this winter. Now in its 16th year, Banff Lodging Co and Banff Mount Norquay are happy to offer the Caribou Kids Season Pass program for students enrolled at Banff schools. Please click here for more information and the registration form. All payments and inquiries should be directed to Banff Mount Norquay.

Lost & Found
Many items are starting to accumulate in our Lost & Found; including several jackets. Please ensure to have your child check for lost items, or please stop by the school to have a look.

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 are Due
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.