Dear Banff Trail School Families,
It feels very strange for me to be sending out a simultaneous ‘hello and goodbye for now’, but felt it important nonetheless to send a quick message to the school community, just before we break for the summer. I very much missed the day to day energy during my absence, and was so excited to be able to come back just in time to do some final year-end (and school startup!) work, as well as to wish all staff and students a safe, rejuvenating summer break. I could not have asked for a better replacement than Mr. Petrowitsch, whose wealth of experience and dedication to effectively managing Banff Trail School was so important and appreciated, in ways both seen and unseen. He spoke to me about how special our community is, noting the positivity of all the families he met, the high level of achievement throughout the grades, and the energy that we sustain in the building (such as via the many initiatives we always have going on at the school—musicals, residencies, reading programs, and much more). I have an admittedly biased lens, but feel strongly that Banff Trail School is a one of a kind place of learning, in the best of ways, in our city.
As I recommend regularly, I encourage you to celebrate with your child the great accomplishments that they have made this year. Whether your child has gained maturity in their dedication to school work, nurtured new friendships, worked through some personal or academic challenges, showed strong gains in a particular subject area (reading, math, speaking in French, etc), this is a great time to show your child how excited you are for their growth. This will of course help to show them that you are their greatest cheerleader, and will continue to be there for them, in good times and tough times.
Summer is also a time for different learning to occur. This can be a moment for families to rekindle family cooking times, reconnect with nature, engage in sports that are easier to enjoy in the warmer months, and learn more about our city, province, country, or world. Whether you have plans for some fun movie nights, local or distant travel, family gatherings, or meetups with family friends, I wish everyone the perfect balance of activity, socialization, and rest.
For your consideration:
2025-26 School Year: A reminder that we do not check email or phone messages over the summer break; our office opens again on Thursday, August 28th, 2025 to help with any inquiries. School resumes for all students on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.
Home Reading/Library Books: We have some missing Home Reading and Library Books; if you happen to come across any school books over the summer, please make a note to return them to the school on the first couple days of school, so that we can have them ready for other students to enjoy.
Lost & Found: All remaining lost and found items have been donated to Women in Need Society (WINS). As you prepare your child to return to school in the fall, we encourage you to label their clothing with their name, so that there is a better chance it can be reunited with them during the year.
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, August 28: Office staffed to help with inquiries
Monday, September 1: Labour Day, School Closed
Tuesday, September 2: School Resumes for all students
Friday, September 26: School Conferences (after noon dismissal), 1pm-4pm.
Monday, September 29: School Conferences, 8am-1pm; no school for students
Tuesday, September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, School Closed
For all families who are moving on to new schools in the fall, we hope that your time at Banff Trail School has been positive, and wish you all the best in your future school. Thank you for the part you’ve played in making Banff Trail School a great place to learn!
For all families who are returning to Banff Trail School in the fall, we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. Note that you should receive an email from your ‘next year’ teacher by Thursday, August 28th, 2025, by 6:00pm. If you have not heard from anyone by that point, please connect with us at banfftrail@cbe.ab.ca.
Have a wonderful summer, and I look forward to connecting with many of you again in the fall,
Ryan Turner
Principal, Banff Trail School