E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

100 days old! It is hard to believe that we celebrated the 100th day of the 2022-2023 school year on Monday of this week. Ms Cherrett’s and Ms Dobie’s Grade One classes truly dressed up for the occasion. Students spent the day dreaming, sharing and writing about what they and their world might look and feel like when they reach one hundred. They also celebrated the day by bringing in 100 objects from home to count and compare sizes while also seeing how 100 steps can get them around the school!  

 
Important Upcoming Dates

• Feb 10 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes) 
• Feb 15 - School Council Meeting at BES 2:30 pm
• Feb 15 - Parent Upstander Session at BES 3:30 pm
• Feb 15 - CRPS Public Board Meeting at Central Board Office Canmore 5:00 pm Agenda Link
• Feb 17 - Pink Shirt Day - Assembly 1:00 pm
• Feb 20 - 24 - Family Day/School Closure/Teacher Convention - no classes for students

Eggs Farmers Rocks & Rings
On Wednesday February 15 the Banff Elementary School gymnasium will be turned into an iceless curling rink. Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings presented by Curling Canada is an interactive physical education program featuring a variety of drills, relays and team-building activities that introduce students to the sport of curling with a focus on fun. The national celebration for the sport of curling will be held in Banff during February with some of our students curling in the street curling game. Please click here for more information on the celebrations taking place in Banff

Parent Upstander Session
Join Right from the Start for an upcoming parent session on being an "upstander" and how to support our young people in being an upstander! An upstander, or an engaged bystander, is someone who recognizes actions, attitudes, and beliefs that normalize violence (and/or bullying) and stands up or speaks up against them. This session is a follow-up to the upstander conversation with Grades 7 and 8, however, parents of any aged child(ren) are welcome to join!
Banff: February 15th, 2023 at 3:30 pm-4:30 pm at Banff Elementary School
Canmore: February 16th, 2023 at 5:30-6:30 at Lawrence Grassi Middle School
Food and beverages will be provided. The workshop is FREE but you must register so we know how much food to provide and if you require childcare. Please email mary.weighell@crps. if you have any questions. Registration link: https://forms.gle/qbjnBKPXaWStTFbB9

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 February 15 2:30 pm.

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.

Pink Shirt Day
Banff Elementary School will be recognizing Pink Shirt Day on Friday February 17 - assembly at 1:00 pm. Please wear pink to raise awareness about bullying prevention and healthy relationships.  

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 Overdue
Banff Elementary School fees are available on PowerSchool Parent Portal and are now overdue. 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 February 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!