E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Heidi from the Biosphere Institute was at BES working with Grade 5 students in science class. Students were learning about the digestive system of the Bison and the unique ways that animals gather and digest food. Did you know that the Bison has a little set of teeth at the tip of their mouth? These front teeth function solely to cut grasses as they use their long tongue to bring the food to their back set of teeth for chewing!

Art and Mental Health! Grade 7 students were exploring, talking about and expressing their ideas around positive relationships and sense of belonging with Arts Place and Right From The Start. Positive relationships and a strong sense of well being are underlying supports for a child's academic success at school.
 

Important Upcoming Dates

• Mar 24 - BES is recognizing Purple Day (Mar 26) - wear purple to show support for those living with or affected by epilepsy
• Apr 3 to Apr 14 - BES is closed for Spring Break

Purple Day
Did you know 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime? Purple day for epilepsy was created to raise awareness and show support for those living with and affected by this disease. Show your support on March 26 by wearing purple of any kind! Banff Elementary School will recognize Purple Day on Friday March 24 - wear purple to show your support. Check out this video to learn more about epilepsy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EElPknTQb4

Bus and Drop Off Zones
BES is revising bus safety protocols at pick up and drop off times. Our buses will now use the flashing red lights with the extended stop sign when loading and unloading students. Passing a school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop sign extended is punishable with a $567 fine plus the loss of 6 driving demerits in Alberta. Thank you for helping to keep all of our students safe.

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. Please also be respectful of the handicap zones. 

2023-2024 Lunch Program Needs You
Thank you to Susan and Chris for all their hard work setting up and maintaining the BES Lunch Program over the last few years, along with the weekly volunteers that deliver/pick up and serve the food. The Lunch Program, supported by School Council, requires a new team of volunteers to coordinate the program for the 2023-2024 school year. Please contact Susan Hughes at shughes2014@outlook.com for more information on Lunch Program volunteer opportunities.

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 March 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 and 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!