E-NEWS & Principal's Post

Principal’s Post
"A Single Seed" continues to shine in our community! This inspiring project was recently featured by Global News and Mountain FM, giving our students even more opportunities to share the meaningful message behind the song’s lyrics. You can watch the Global News segment here and hopefully you heard the segment on Mountain FM. Well done, BES – we're so proud of the creativity and heart you’ve put into this powerful initiative!

Your Voice Matters!
Canadian Rockies Public Schools is launching its annual Parent Satisfaction Survey, open between May 22 and June 30, 2025. Parents can access the survey through the CRPS public website under "About Us / Satisfaction Survey." Your feedback is essential. This survey will establish a baseline for measuring the division’s progress toward achieving the goals and outcomes of its new 2025 – 2029 Education Plan. It contains 46 questions and takes no more than 15 minutes to complete. To ensure consistent and meaningful input, parents are asked to complete the survey from the perspective of their oldest child currently attending a CRPS school. The survey must be accessed using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge. All responses are confidential and anonymous. Thank you for helping us shape a strong future for every learner.

School Council Meeting on Thursday, June 5 at 3:20pm
We will be hosting our next School Council meeting on June 5th at 3:20pm in the BES staff room. All parents are welcome to join and hear about the amazing things happening at BES.  We will also have a short presentation about our Homestay program - CRPS is recruiting homestay families. If you would like to know more about this program, please be sure to join us!

Sunset Sandwich RIngers Are Performing Next Thursday!
Our very own Sunset Sandwich Ringers (Handbell Club) have been invited to participate in a special event hosted by the Town of Banff on Thursday, June 5. It is a free event called "Senior's Got Talent" and will take place in the new Okâch-Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi pavilion building in Sundance Park from 4:30-6:00 PM. We will be performing A Single Seed with a special guest appearance by Heather Jean Jordan, our Poet Laureate who helped write it! Come on out and support local students, seniors and our Poet Laureate! Hope to see you there!

Homestay families needed in Banff, Canmore or Exshaw for International High School students (Grade 10-12)
Do you have a spare bedroom? Become a host family for our International Student Program! CRPS is in need of host families for the 2025-26 school year.  Remuneration is provided. Please follow this link to find out more!


Spotlight on Learning
Grade 3 Spotlight

In Grade 3, students are diving into the fascinating world of Earth and living systems! They are exploring geological processes by creating their own fossils using shells and natural materials, fostering a hands-on understanding of how fossils form over time. Additionally, the excitement continues as they incubate chicken eggs, observing the miracle of life firsthand. This engaging blend of science and creativity helps them connect with nature and understand the interdependence of living organisms and their environments.

Grade 7 Spotlight

Grade 7 students are incredibly fortunate to enrich their learning through meaningful experiences like Kindergarten Reading Buddies and tennis lessons. These opportunities not only build leadership, empathy, and communication skills but also promote active, healthy lifestyles. By engaging with younger students and developing new physical skills, students are fostering curiosity, compassion, and a love of lifelong learning.


Important Upcoming Dates

• May 30 - Get Out cancelled by the Town of Banff
• June 4 - Bike Bus and Take 5
• June 5 - School Council Meeting 3:20 pm in the BES staff room

Banff Bike Bus
Join the Banff Bike Bus! We’re thrilled to announce a fun new event in partnership with the Town of Banff – the Banff Bike Bus on June 4, 2025! The Bike Bus is a group ride to school, supported by volunteers and parents. It promotes eco-friendly transportation, community building, and a safe, fun way to start the day. Students can join the Bike Bus at designated stops along a pre-planned route. The route map and pick-up times will be shared with all registered participants.
Important: All participants must register in advance. Once registered, you’ll receive safety guidelines, route maps, and waiver forms.
Register in person, online (Register here), or by phone at 403-762-1251.
Want to Volunteer?
We’re looking for parents to help supervise and ride along with our students. If you’re interested, please email Christine.LaRocque@banff.ca to sign up.

***After the Banff Bike Bus, please join Right from the Start on the Elk Field at BES for a "Take 5"! Take 5 extra minutes in your morning to connect with your child(ren) before starting your busy days. Free coffee, tea and light snacks will be available from 8:15-8:45 am. 

Save the Date! Grade 8 Farewell
We are excited to share that we will be hosting our Grade 8 Farewell on Wednesday June 25 at 1:15pm. More information to come soon!

Lost & Found
With the extreme variety of weather lately, our Lost & Found is filling up with clothing items worn to school in the chilly mornings and sometimes not needed in the sunny afternoons! Please make sure to check the Lost & Found shelves/bins in the hallway outside the Den/Gym. If you are looking for anything small/precious (such as jewelry, earpods, glasses, keys) please check Mrs. McKenna’s desk in the office. All items left unclaimed will be donated at the end of June.

2025-26 Bus Registration
For the 2025-2026 school year, students who will be taking Canadian Rockies Public School (CRPS) bus transportation must complete an online registration form. This ensures our system has accurate, up-to-date student information in our system. Please note: a registration form is required for each student intending to ride the school bus in the 2025-26 school year.  Failure to complete the form indicates your child(ren) will not need bus service next school year.

To access the 2025-2026 School bus registration form, please follow the link to sign in to your parent portal account. Once signed in, you will click on School Engage to access the Bus Registration form. Please complete the registration form by June 11, 2025 in order to receive your bus pass before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. 

If you require further information regarding Transportation Registration please follow the link Transportation Registration and Info.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out directly to the transportation department at crpstransportation@crps.ca. We would be happy to assist you!

2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is open for children that will be turning 5 by December 31, 2025. Please register your child as soon as possible to help us with our 2025-2026 school year planning and to receive important information on the upcoming Spring Into Kindergarten visit in May. Please click here to register.

2025-2026 BES Intent Form
Please help us with our planning for the 2025-2026 school year by letting us know if you intend for your child(ren) to continue with Banff Elementary School (or Banff Community High School if your child is currently in Grade 8) or if your child will not be attending BES or BCHS. Please complete a separate form for each child. Please note: children already attending Banff Elementary School do not need to submit a new registration for the next school year, even if your child is in Grade 8 and going to BCHS, but we ask that you please click here to complete the intent form.

Important Dates
Please click here to view the BES Community Calendar and click here for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 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 Criminal Record Check through the RCMP and sign a Confidentiality Contract as per Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ Administrative Procedure 490 - School Volunteers and FOIPP. RCMP checks expire one year from the issue date. 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 Criminal Record Checks can be completed by the RCMP within 24 hours. Please click here for more information on volunteering opportunities.

School and Family Wellness Worker
Emily Nicholson, 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
Ms. Jenniex with Right from the Start visits all classrooms at BES. If you have any questions about Right from the Start, please feel free to reach out to megan.jenniex@crps.ca. Watch for RFTS newsletter updates from your child(ren)’s homeroom teachers throughout the year to see what is happening with RFTS!

Before School Care
Before School Care is being offered at no cost to families in need of childcare before school to enable parents to get to work on time. It is available between 7:45 - 8:15 am. Registration is required each year - please click here to register your child. Students who arrive at 8:15 do not need to register for the Before School Care Program.

Out of School Club
The Town of Banff Out of School Club (OSC) is a licensed childcare program offering care for school aged children during the school year. 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 more details, program calendars, and information on how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids.

Town of Banff Summer Fun Day Camp Registration
This popular summer program is not just about childcare for school-aged children, but creating experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Summer Fun runs Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. (includes lunch hour supervision)  from Wednesday, July 2 – Friday, August 22. We are open for all children going into grades 1-6. There is no programming offered on weekends and Statutory Holidays. For more details, program calendars, Specialty Camps, Youth Camps, and information on how to register, visit www.banff.ca/kids. Summer Fun registration opens to all Banff Residents on April 2 at 8:30am, and April 30 at 8:30am for Non-Residents.

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 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.