April 2025 Newsletter
Click here for the 2024-25 ERS Calendar
Click here for the 2024-25 Learning Calendar
Click here for the ERS Kindergarten calendar
APRIL EVENTS
SCHOOL PARKING
A reminder to everyone for drop off/pick up at school - even if it is just for a few minutes please do not park or stop in front of any hydrants or driveways, or in designated no parking zones or crosswalks as these can all impede the safe movement of pedestrians, and other vehicles. We want all visitors, staff, students, as well as our Cougar Creek neighbours, to be safe when coming and going from ERS.
EARTH DAY
ERS students will be celebrating Earth Day on Friday April 11th. We would love to see as many students as can, dressed in Blue/Green! Students will be going outside that day to help pick up garbage and we ask you please send your child with "magic mittens" to help keep their hands clean. Weather permitting we will also be having a school-wide outdoor picnic on the field!
Join in with your little learner by watching this short video Thank you, Earth that we will be sharing with all students on April 11th.
BUILDING ERS & LGMS CONNECTIONS
As part of our mission to build bridges and create connections between students and schools, Elizabeth Rummel School and Lawrence Grassi School are making those connections now. Our hope is that by making more connections, students will be excited and confident going to LGMS when they transition into Grade 5. So far the Grade 4 students have met with the Grade 7's, the Grade 3 students have connected with the Grade 6's, and in late April the Grade 2 students will be collaborating with the Grade 5's. The activities are cross curricular and students partner up with someone from a different grade. This is proving to be a great way to build relationships early as we prepare our students for the journey to middle school and beyond.
Further to our work on school connections, please join LGMS for a Middle School open house on May 1st from 6pm until 7pm. All are welcome to join! During the course of the evening there will be a parent presentation for the incoming Alpenglow parents from 6 until 6:15pm and ERS parents from 6:30 until 6:45pm. Families are also invited to circulate through the school to get a sense of what it means to be a Trailblazer and the many offerings of LGMS.
KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS
In March, Knowledge Keepers Tracey Stevens and Cassandra Poucette joined our music teacher Grace Gadon and shared how traditional drums were made and how songs were learned. They also shared their knowledge trees and traditional mountain names in Iyetha.
SHARED VISION OF LEARNING
We believe that exemplary teachers consistently design and assess to ensure that all learners develop, create and find joy in learning. As responsive designers and assessors of learning, we:
- collaborate to use evidence of learning gathered through products, performances, observations and conversations to respond to learner needs and inform instructional decisions.
- are responsive in our approach to facilitate the development of learners who improve from specific and timely feedback and experiences that build confidence.
- design differentiated tasks that provide opportunities to practice such competencies as critical and creative thinking, problem solving and innovation.
- foster deep understanding, through multiple perspectives and experience, communicating ideas, questions and understandings in order to transfer learning.
With the guidance of Mrs. Gadon and Mrs. Skwara, eight grade 3 and 4 students have taken on the task of putting CRPS’s Shared Vision of Learning into "kid-friendly" language that allows all of our students to understand our beliefs about all types of learning and see how they are highlighted around our school.
This student committee will continue with this work over the next few weeks and we will share their final version with all students and families once it has been completed. We can’t wait to read what they’ve come up with!
GRADE 4 BUDDIES
As part of their Science unit, Ms. Breen's Grade 4's were tasked with designing a way to showcase a non-contact force to Kindergarten students, all while making it seem like magic by disguising the science behind it (then they revealed "It's not magic, it's Science!").
Throughout the year, they’ve been focusing on improving reading fluency, so the Grade 4 students selected books centered on themes of kindness and perseverance, practiced with a partner, and then shared these stories with the Kindergarten students.
KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Mme. Sander’s Kindergarten class finished off their healthy eating and healthy habits unit with drawing and making brochettes des fruits!
As the letter Q often depends on U to spell words, they were joined in Kindergarten matrimony. To celebrate this great occasion we had a ceremony, followed by a dance and party. Q will always have U for such words as quack, quick and quiet but has to be understanding when U is needed for words like up, umbrella and underwear!
LES ÉTUDIANTS CRÉENT DES MACHINE SIMPLES
From Mme. Mckenzie's Grade 3 class - levers, pulleys, wheel and axle, and ramps.
WHAT'S HOT AT THE LIBRARY
2024 TERRY FOX SCHOOL RUN DAY
The results of our 2024 Terry Fox School Run are in and we rocked it! ERS successfully raised $1,510.00 for cancer research. We are so proud of our school community’s efforts, kindness and compassion! You are true Terry Foxers! For more information please visit the Terry Fox Foundation
RIGHT FROM THE HeART
Right from the HeART is a collaborative art project funded by the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation and supported by artsPlace and Right from the Start! Grade 3 students at ERS are enjoying five weekly sessions (March 5-April 9) with artist Lisa Young that connect sketching, drawing, viewing and painting mountains and trees with mindfulness. In the first session students engaged with Knowledge Keepers to gain Indigenous understandings of the mountains and trees that we see every day around us. Students' artwork will be displayed around the school in April. Come and see it!
Like and follow Elizabeth Rummel School on facebook for updates, advisories and to see what our amazing students are up to!
Like and follow ERS Parent Council on facebook to stay current on council activities, events and announcements engaging parents with their child's education!
EXTRA CLOTHES!
ERS is asking for all students to keep a change of clothes in their backpacks at all times. With the warmer weather comes puddles and mud, and we are unable to provide all students with a change of clothes, meaning parents may have to bring new clothes to the school during the day.
We would also appreciate any donations you can share of indoor and outdoor clothing to add to our closet – we gladly accept clean items in good condition (no rips, tears or worn knees) for all sized kiddos.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
Did you know that CRPS Transportation provides Bus Status updates, both on their website and in an app that you can download onto your phone? Never miss an update again!
- Click here to see website bus updates: Bus Updates
- Click here to download the app for your Apple phone: Bus Status 4
- Click here to download the app for your Android phone: Bus Status 4
VOLUNTEERING
Elizabeth Rummel School loves and greatly appreciates all of our volunteers! We require all volunteers who help in the school or on field trips to complete a Criminal Record Check through the RCMP. The Criminal Record checks expire one year from the issue date. Prior to volunteering, please email your legal name to the school office at ers.info@crps.ca or to your child’s teacher, to request an RCMP Fee Waiver Letter and we will email it to you. Or pop into the office and we can print it for you. *Please note it can take up to a week to get the check back from the RCMP*
CANADIAN ROCKIES PUBLIC SCHOOL
Please follow CRPS on Facebook, Follow/Tag us on X 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.
Homestay families needed in Banff, Canmore or Exshaw for international high school students (Grade 10-12) from Feb-June 2025
Do you have a spare bedroom and space to share Canmore with an international student? Become a host family for our International Student Program! Remuneration is provided. Follow this link to find out more!
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.
More information about Settlement Services and a calendar of events is available at: https://www.banff.ca/settlement Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSBV.CCBV/
SWIS Upcoming Events:
Click Here for the online events calendar and registration page
Click here for the April SWIS Newsletter
The Family Connection Centre is dedicated to building connected and resilient children, youth, and families through strength-based programming. All programs and services are free, and we welcome referrals from community partners and organizations for any parenting-related challenges or concerns. As a central hub for families, we provide a safe space to land when you’re unsure of what you need.
Individual and Family Supports
The Family Connection Centre provides one-on-one support through our dedicated Family Support Workers. This free service is available to all Bow Valley families either virtually or in person. Our team works with families to identify needs, set goals, and build capacity.
For more information & Registration details on upcoming workshops, please click this link: Click this link
