Dear Banff Trail School Families,
I hope that you and your family have spent a summer full of outdoor wonder, and are cherishing these final few days before sending your little one(s) off to school! If your child is in Kindergarten (and for some in Grade 1), I can imagine that this is a bittersweet time, as you send them off on their first few steps in their more formal schooling. Each year, I seem to repeat to colleagues, that we see many more tears from the parents than we do from the children :)
Regardless of your child's grade, if you are new to Banff Trail School, a big welcome to you. If your child has not yet visited the school grounds, I would encourage you to do so with them in these final few days before entry, so that your child can see where they will be learning, play on the compound or on the play structure, etc. Building some familiarity before entry can go a long way in building some level of comfort and excitement for your child. If your child is entering Kindergarten, ensuring that they can put on/take off their shoes and coat will also set them up for early success. I hope, and believe, that you will find our relatively small school community a caring, loving place to learn, whether in chatting with the teachers, meeting new parents, or watching your child develop new friendships. A priority that I have in our school is doing our utmost to provide quality learning experiences in a safe and caring environment.
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By Tuesday evening, you should receive a welcome message from your child's new teacher, with some introductory information. This would include first-day processes and entry, some class routines and expectations, and the teacher's contact information. Very important: Please ensure that both the teacher and your child are aware of how they are getting home, both on this first day (which can be 'different', on this special first day, than what will be the norm moving forward), and for future days. Key to a strong educational experience for your child will be good communication between the home and school throughout the entire school year.
We are all very excited to begin the learning here at Banff Trail School, and we can't wait to welcome everyone in person on Thursday, August 31st. School begins at 7:58am, and outdoor supervision commences at 7:43am. Our office is open to help as of Monday, August 28th, during our regular school hours of 7:58am to 2:30pm. If you have moved over the summer out of our catchment, please let us know as soon as possible, so that we can adjust class lists accordingly.
A few upcoming dates:
Thursday, August 31st: First Day of School
Friday, September 1: Reminder--early dismissal at 12:00pm. No School for PM Kindergarten students.
Monday, September 4th: School Closed (Labour Day)
Friday, September 9: Reminder-early dismissal at 12:00pm. No School for AM Kindergarten students.
Tuesday, September 12th: Photo Day
September 21, 22: School Conferences
Thursday, September 28th: Banff Trail School's Orange Shirt Day
Friday, September 29th: School Closed (In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)
Warmest Regards,
Ryan Turner
Principal, Banff Trail School