E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Spotlight on Mountain Weather
What a beautiful and magical time of year with the arrival of more snow!  With the snow comes the cold and we are experiencing ‘extreme’ cold temperatures and wind chill in the mountains. Students should be wearing toques, mitts, and a winter coat to school and home every day. It’s also a lot warmer if you put on a pair of snow pants and maybe even a scarf! Another good idea is to make sure your child has these items in their backpack because mountain weather can change quickly.  

Important Upcoming Dates

• Dec 9 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes) Afternoon Staff Professional Development (PD)
• Dec 14 and 15 - Banff Holiday Concert at the Jenny Belzberg Theatre at the Banff Centre 6:00 pm
• Dec 21 - BES Carolling Assembly 2:00 pm
• Dec 23 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
• Dec 26 to Jan 6 - Winter Break 

“Give What you Can, if You Can” Holiday Campaign / Supports
As the heart of the community, Banff Elementary School is always looking for ways to support our families and our community.  As we are aware that community supports are limited this year, BES is working to support as many of our families as we can this holiday season. From now until December 16, we are starting a “Give What you Can, if You Can” Campaign. We are looking for the following donations which can be dropped off at the BES office.

• Grocery gift cards ($25 denominations)
• Non-perishable food items (bring to the holiday concert, or the school)
• New, unwrapped family Board games (e.g. Uno, Snakes and Ladders, etc.)
• Monetary donations (cash, cheque made out to Banff Elementary School)

Could You Use Support this Holiday Season?
If you or someone you know may benefit from additional support this holiday season, please let us know by filling out this (confidential) form by December 14 BES Holiday Support Request Form. Support is not guaranteed, and is dependent upon donations received. 
For a list of community supports available this holiday season, please click here.

Banff Holiday Concert at the Banff Centre - Volunteers Needed
The 2022 Banff Holiday Concert is back on after a 4 year hiatus to the brand new Jenny Belzberg Theatre at the Banff Centre! With seating limitations and a smaller organizing committee, the format of our show has changed slightly. Please click here for all the details from Mrs. G. As well, please refer to the email sent home by your child(ren)’s homeroom teacher for those classes that are performing. Volunteers are still needed. Please click here to sign up.

CRPS 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration
CRPS Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year opens on Wednesday November 30 at 5:00 pm. Please visit crps.ca for more information. Registration is online only.

Parent Session: Suicide Awareness for Caregivers (CANCELED)
December 13th (Canceled) - watch for a rescheduled date.

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 Now Due
Banff Elementary School fees are available on PowerSchool Parent Portal and are now due. 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 payment has not been made at this time.

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
Ms. Jenniex is now sending home monthly updates for each classroom! To check out what other classes are doing, or to read prior months' updates, go here: BES RFTS Monthly Updates. For information on Right from the Start at Banff Elementary School or to contact me directly, please email 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 December 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.