E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

Ice Sculptures -  Outdoor Pursuits and Habits of Mind
Grade 7 students embarked on a new Outdoor Pursuits initiative over the course of the last week…Ice sculpting!
Phase 1: Make an Ice Block.
Thanks to the construction class at BCHS for building the wooden forms that the Grade 7’s packed tight with snow using shovels, their stomping feet and even the help from their teachers!

Phase Two: Students sculpted their design using household tools and exploring how these tools can help with various aspects of ice sculpting. Saws, trowels, chisels, spoons, and beyond were used during the sculpting process and groups were challenged to work together to make design and sculpting decisions. 

Phase Three: Finishing Touches
Students spent their final day adding details to their ice sculptures and literally polishing up their finished products with a spray bottle of water to add that smooth icy shine!

A few of the finished sculptures! You can head down behind the Fenland hockey rinks to get a closer look at these amazing sculptures that gave students a chance to engage in real life design, problem solving, persistence, creative process - the Habits of Mind!!

Thank you to Peter Poole and Chris Braisby for the inspiration and bringing this idea to BES. A big BES bear hug to the continued amazing funding from the Pauw Foundation for making this dream possible in Outdoor Pursuits. Thank you to our guests from the Board of Trustees and Pauw Foundation who came to check out and celebrate this incredible student project. Lastly, thanks to Lars Backman for documenting this journey and creating a future video to share with the school community!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Apr 3 to Apr 14 - BES is closed for Spring Break 
• Apr 19 - School Council meeting 3:30 pm at BES
• Apr 19 - CRPS Public Board Meeting 7:00 pm Canmore Board Office

2023-2024 Exciting Changes at BES
As students leave on a well-deserved Spring Break, we would like to inform you of some exciting changes that will benefit Banff Elementary School students next year. Please click here for a letter from our principal, Craig Kestle, with all the details.

BES Open House Grades K-8 Students & Families
Save the date April 27, 2023 3:15 - 4:15 pm for the BES Open House. Watch for further details after Spring Break.

2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration
Please follow this link to view important information regarding 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration. Don’t delay, register today!

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 April Monthly Overview. 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. Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!