E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Grade 4s and 8s collaborating, learning and creating acrostic poems together! Mentorship is an important aspect of the Grade 8 program at BES. Our student leaders help guide their younger peers in building positive relationships and a strong sense of community within the school while working together and supporting each other’s learning.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Jan 20 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes) Afternoon Staff Professional Development (PD)
• Jan 20 - Ordering will begin for Session 2 of the Lunch Program - Session 2 will run from February 2 to June 15 so don’t miss your chance to order lunch - deadline January 27
• Jan 25 - School Council Meeting 3:30 pm at BES (rescheduled from January 18)
• Jan 25 - CRPS Public Board Meeting 7:00 pm Central Board Office, Canmore Agenda Link 

Lunch Program
School Council’s Lunch Program will continue on Thursdays. Session two will run from February 2 - June 15. 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, Aardvark Pizza and the Fairmont Banff Springs will carefully prepare lunches for our children. Thank you to these local vendors for their continued support for this very important program!  
The MunchaLunch ordering system will open tomorrow (Jan 20) and the order deadline for the entire lunch session is Friday January 27. Once the system is closed we cannot add additional orders. To place an order CLICK HERE TO LOGIN or REGISTER. 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. 
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.

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 next meeting is Wednesday January 25, 2023 (rescheduled from January 18).

Town of Banff Rainbows Program
Do you have a child who is experiencing grief due to divorce, separation, death or other loss? The Rainbows program is free and provides support to children and youth, in Kindergarten to Grade 8 - connecting with a trained Rainbows facilitator and other peers in a small, intimate group setting. Confidentiality and safety of all participants is priority. If you feel your child could benefit from Rainbows, or have questions about this program, please contact familyconnections@banff.ca or call 403-762-1229 by February 10.
           

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar

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.

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 January 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 or follow BES on Instagram @banffelementaryschool for news and reminders.

Canadian Rockies Public Schools
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.

Do you have a spare bedroom? Become a host family for our International Student Program! We are looking for 5 or 10 month commitments (and for temporary host families over April Spring Break, 2023). Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!