E-NEWS Spotlight on Learning

May the Fourth Be With You!!
BES students celebrating ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ or Star Wars Day. Students voluntarily dressed up as their favorite character or wore their favorite Star Wars t-shirt or socks. Some brought along their droid friends and even baby Yoda made an appearance at BES today! Students use the Force everyday at school to persist in their learning by facing and working through challenges, by deepening their understanding and application of knowledge and skills, and finding balance in their school work and play lives. May the Force Be With You!
  

Important Upcoming Dates

• May 5 - 12:00 pm dismissal for Gr 1 - 8 (no Kindergarten classes)
• May 12 - Student Spirit Club organized Beach Day - wear your favourite summer clothes
• May 17 - BES Council Meeting 3:30 pm at BES

Next Year School Planning
Please help us in our planning for the 2023-2024 school year by letting us know if you intend for your child to continue with Banff Elementary School (or Banff Community High School if your child is currently in Grade 8) by completing this Intent Form by May 5.


Disaster Readiness Day in Banff
Sunday May 7, 12:00-4:00 pm Banff Train Station - Large Parking Lot
Families in Banff are invited to a showcase of large emergency vehicles, heavy equipment, trucks, helicopters and rescue tools and the crews who keep the Bow Valley safe during a major emergency. See how agencies are prepared to deal with disasters – wildfire, flooding, severe storms, wild animal attack – and more.
Children and adults will enjoy demonstrations and access to emergency vehicles, while learning how locals can take steps to be prepared for emergencies. Participating agencies include: Banff Fire Rescue, STARS Air Ambulance, Alpine Helicopters, Canmore Fire Rescue, Banff RCMP and K-Division Bomb Techs, Canada Task Force 2, Search and Rescue Alberta, Banff EMS, Parks Canada Wildlife Safety, Emergency Management and Fire/Vegetation Crew, Roam Transit’s e-bus, ATCO, FortisAlberta, AltaLink, and others. For more information, visit banff.ca/EmergencyTick Season
It is tick season in Alberta and with this nice weather our students are spending more time learning and playing outside. Please click here for more information from Alberta Health on how to avoid and check for ticks.

Lunch Program Volunteers NEEDED
Volunteers to serve lunch on Thursdays are needed for the remainder of this school year. Please contact Susan Hughes at shughes2014@outlook.com for more information.


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