Dear Banff Trail School Families,
Each year, schools are asked to create a Digital Citizenship Plan and an Admirable Use Policy that is reflective of the students at our school. These documents serve to guide staff and students in working safely and productively with technologies. In our elementary school context, technology use is limited and targeted, and varies by grade-level. If you are interested in how technology is leveraged in your child’s classroom, your best bet, as always, is to connect with your child’s teacher for a more personalized understanding. As a school, though, we want to ensure that students are caring and respectful when online, and that when they are using technologies (whether online or offline), it is for a specific, targeted, academic purpose. Expectations for student behaviours when using technologies is explored in classrooms, but also laid out in the documents above, which I believe could serve as an important starting point for discussions at home about ‘being online’ (when you feel it is appropriate to have those discussions with your child). I would especially note the Admirable Use Policy, which details in student-friendly language some of the important parameters that can guide responsible online citizenship.
The extent to which you allow your children to access technologies at home is a personal, parental decision that is undoubtedly a difficult one for each family; we all want our children to be safe, respectful and proficient in their online experiences, balanced with the importance of learning in the non-digital world (such as via face-to-face social time, family time, hands-on learning time, playing sports, engaging in music lessons, caring for pets, or exploring the outdoors). Just as learning is complex and multi-faceted, though, I encourage all parents to chat with their children about what ‘staying safe and respectful online’ looks like, as an aspect of their learning journey.
For your consideration:
School Conferences: Our fall school conferences will happen on November 26 and 27. More information about registering for the conferences with your child’s teacher will be forthcoming. During November Parent-Teacher Conferences, Mme Sophie will have a French Display set up in the foyer. We encourage you to stop by to meet her and learn more about our Intensive French Program. She will also have a variety of resources available to help support your children in French Immersion.
Lost & Found: While attending the Learning Conferences, please have a look at the Lost & Found items, which will be on display. Any remaining items will be donated to the Women in Need Society (WINS) after school on Thursday, December 10th, 2026.
Arriving late: A reminder that students should come to the main entrance doors when arriving late to school, especially as the weather turns. For example, if they come to the compound doors and no one is there to let them in, please remind them that they should go to the main entrance doors by the office. We understand that sometimes students must be late, and we appreciate limiting these occasions to rare instances, so that their academics and integration into class routines are not impacted.
Residencies: A big thank you to the many families who donate time and/or funds to our school; fundraising efforts by our School Council allow us to provide all families with residencies at no extra charge. Our next residency is with Alien Inline for all students (K-5), running from November 17 to December 2.
Theme/Spirit Day: Our next school spirit day will take place on Wednesday, November 25th, and will focus upon a favourite of both staff and students: Sports Team/Club Day! Students are encouraged to proudly display their support of any team or teams, whether they be teams on which they participate personally, or teams that they support (such as Calgary Flames, Calgary Roughnecks, Calgary Wild, etc.). Looking forward to it!
Remembrance Day: As we prepare to observe Remembrance Day next week, I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the members of our school community who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as those who have served in the past. Your dedication to safeguarding the freedoms we enjoy is sincerely appreciated, and we are grateful for your service to Canada.
Upcoming Dates:
November 11,12,13: Fall Break, including on Remembrance Day--School Closed.
November 17-December 2: Alien Inline Residency, K-5
Wednesday, November 18: School Council, 6:30pm
November 26, 27: Learning Conferences (no school for students Nov 27)
Tuesday, December 8: Photo Retakes, Class Photos
Thursday, December 10: Lost & Found items donated to charity after school
Friday, December 18: Final day of classes
December 19 to January 3 (inclusive): Winter Break
Monday, January 4: School resumes
Have a wonderful weekend together,
Ryan Turner
Principal, Banff Trail School