E-NEWS

The Principal’s Podcast
No podcast this week as the Principal and the whole staff are beaming with joy and pride after an amazing concert night!
From music class to rehearsal, the handbell club to the two great shows last night, the entire school community - students, staff and families would like to thank our Music teacher, Ms. Kowalewski for continuing to bring the love of music to BES! Also, thank you to Ms. Emro for hosting the hand bell club and Ms. Jenniex for her support with the ‘Give What You Can, If You Can’ holiday fundraising campaign!

Important Upcoming Dates

• Dec 15 - Staff PD pm - students dismissed at 12:05 pm (no Kindergarten classes)
• Dec 20 - Holiday & Carolling Assembly 2:00 pm BES Gym
• Dec 20 - School Council Meeting 3:30 pm BES
• Dec 22 12:05 pm to Jan 7 - Winter Break - School Closed

Holiday & Carolling Assembly
Wednesday December 20 2:00 pm BES students will be singing and the Handbell Club will be performing. Families are welcome to attend, however we are limited by the Alberta Fire Code Occupant Load in the gym.

Give What You Can, If You Can Holiday Campaign/Supports
As the heart of the community, Banff Elementary School is always looking for ways to support our families and our community. As we are aware that community support is limited this year, BES is working to support as many of our families as we can this holiday season. From now until December 15th, we are holding a “Give What You Can, if You Can” Campaign. We are looking for donations of:

• Grocery gift cards 
• Monetary donations (cash, cheque made out to Banff Elementary School)
• New, unwrapped family board games (e.g. Uno, Snakes and Ladders, etc.)

Donations can be dropped off at the BES main office.

Holiday Baking Fundraiser
BES Grade 8 students Holiday Baking pick up dates are December 14 3:00 - 4:00 pm and December 15 10:30 - 11:30 am in the main foyer.

Holiday Spirit Week Dec 18-22
BES Grade 7/8 Student Council would like to invite all students, staff, and volunteers to participate in our Holiday Spirit Week from December 18th to 22nd, 2023. Please choose a couple of days or go all out and participate for the entire week. This is a great way to build school spirit and community before we all enjoy the December break. Student Council will also be leading and judging the annual Classroom Door Holiday Decorating Contest, helping with the Give What You Can, If You Can Holiday Campaign and hosting our in-school Holiday Assembly.  A huge thank you to School Council for providing funding to support these student-led initiatives.

• Monday, December 18 - Cozy Winter Footwear - Wear your warm and cozy slippers or festive socks!
• Tuesday, December 19 - Winter Wonderland - Wear blue and white... maybe even some sparkles and snowflakes! 
• Wednesday, December 20 - Holiday Cheer Headwear - Wear your antlers, elf hat or Santa hat!
• Thursday, December 21 -  Candy Cane and Peppermint Day - Wear red, white and green in your best stripes, plaids, checkers and polka dots!  
• Friday, December 22 - Pajama Day (morning only)

Lost & Found
The Lost and Found at BES is growing and growing. Please have your child take a look or come stop by the school. Any remaining items on December 22 will be donated.

2023-2024 Caribou Kids Season Ski Pass Program
Banff school students will enjoy free skiing again this winter. Now in its 17th year, Banff Lodging Co and Banff Mount Norquay are happy to offer the Caribou Kids Season Pass program for students enrolled at Banff schools. Please click here for more information and the registration form. All payments and inquiries should be directed to Banff Mount Norquay.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2023-2024 Learning Calendars.

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 a 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.

Before School Care
Juggling work and family can be challenging. Banff Elementary School would like to support families by offering before school care. This program starts at 7:45 am and students will play in the gym until 8:15 am - students please enter through the Den doors off of the Elk playground. This is a free service for BES families and registration is required - please click here.

School and Family Wellness Worker
Deanne Arada, our new School and Family Wellness Worker, 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
Interested in what’s going on at BES with Right from the Start? Ms. Jenniex has monthly newsletters for every grade! You can check them out here, BES RFTS Monthly Newsletter 23/24. Ms. Jenniex can also be contacted at Megan.jenniex@crps.ca if you have any questions or want to learn more about the program!

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.

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 Town of Banff Family Connections Specialist 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 403-762-1268 by January 5, 2024.

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 December Newsletter. More information about Settlement Services and a calendar of events is available at: www.banff.ca/settlement or follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSBV.CCBV/.

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, Follow/Tag us on Twitter and on Instagram 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!