The Bear Broadcast May 9, 2025

Belonging, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, Safety

Principal’s Message

A big thank you to school council for surprising staff with coffee, tea, and snacks this morning in recognition of Teacher Appreciation week! Their thoughtfulness made everyone's day extra special!

This year our Humanities teachers have selected literature written by indigenous authors as part of our work on Truth and Reconciliation. This enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. The selection includes  ‘The Marrow Thieves’ (Cherie Dimaline), ‘Indian Horse’ (Richard Wagamese), ‘Petropaths’ (Drew Hayden Taylor), and ‘Monster’ (Dennis Saddleman). On Thursday, May 15th, English 20-2 students will visit the Whyte Museum to view ‘The Ancestors Are Talking’ exhibit of paintings by the Indigenous Seven to complement their work in literature comprehension. 

Grade 10 students have been conducting significant research in preparation for their participation in the Mock G7 Summit on Thursday, May 15th. They are representing the UK and Italy and will be conducting discussions and debate to further their own understanding of the impact of globalisation on economies and culture. The themes for the summit are:

• Preparing for jobs of the future in the global context.
• Working together for the environment.
• Building a more peaceful and secure world.

We wish them well in this endeavour as they work alongside other high school students in the Bow Valley. 

- Natasha Miles

Student Enrollment for 2025-2026

At this time of year, CRPS schools build student timetables for next year, work on staffing, and create student groups. We ask current Grade 9 - 11 parents to inform us if their child will NOT be attending BCHS next year. For students who will continue attending BCHS, there is no action needed.

Mental Health May at BCHS 

Our Student Wellness Committee has planned a month of mental health activities, learning, and fun for the month of May. This is a continuation of the Banff Mental Health and Awareness Week. 

On Wednesday, we will be joined by Katie Barton of the Town of Banff, who will be facilitating the first Wellness Wednesday mental health educational activity in the Den...with pizza! Students will be required to sign up by Tuesday.  The focus will be on having fun and generating conversations about mental health.  Please encourage students to participate! 

We will also be hosting a dance for mental health lunch intramural on Thursday, May 29th. 

Ms. Emily and Ms. Bekar are available to provide mental health support while at school. Please reach out if you or someone you know is struggling, or call/text or chat anytime by reaching out to KidsHelpPhone.ca or 1-800-668-6868. 

Parent Portal account

Please ensure you can log into Parent Portal. Look for the PowerSchool Parent Portal Quick
Link on our school website or click here. This is where you will access report cards, attendance
updates, and school fees. If you have trouble with your username or password, please contact
the school office.

School Fees 

Rugby and Badminton fees have been added. 

School fees payments are now overdue. You can pay your School Fees online through your
PowerSchool Parent Portal Account; the link is on the bchs.crps.ca webpage. Once you sign
in, under Navigation click Student Fees.

Payments can be made online by Credit Card (MasterCard & VISA).

If you wish to pay by Cheque, Cash, or Tap, you can do so through the BCHS Main Office.

In cases of financial hardship, please contact Renee Husdal for a Fee Waiver form at
403-762-4411, or email renee.husdal@crps.ca.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Renee Husdal.

BCHS Art Award Contest

Back again this year - this is open to BCHS students in all grades, regardless of whether they are enrolled in art classes or not. There are 2 categories: People’s Choice (most votes from students) and Staff Pick (most votes from staff members). 

Art work must have been made in the last 12 months either in class or on their own time. Submissions are due by Friday, May 16. Any medium (paint, pencil, sculpture, etc) made by hand is acceptable. Bring your artwork to the art room and see Madame Dafoe to fill out a submission form. Prizes include the winner’s name added to the school trophy and prepackaged art supplies. 

Board of Trustees Legacy Scholarship for Grade 11 and 12 Students

The CRPS Board of Trustees is proud to announce its new Board of Trustees Legacy Scholarship. This legacy initiative reflects the board’s commitment to inspiring students to thrive academically and personally. Designed to empower students at BCHS and CCHS, the scholarship encourages Alberta Education’s Student Competencies in grade 11 and 12. 

These competencies are:

• Criticial thinking and problem solving
• Creativity and innovation
• Communication and collaboration
• Cultural and Global Citizenship
• Personal Growth and well-being

With $5,000 in funding for 2024/25, each school will award scholarships of $1,250, $750, and $500 to support post-secondary education or apprenticeships. Deadline to submit an application is May 16, 2025. 

See the full details: 2021 - 2025 Board of Trustee Legacy Scholarship

CRPS Annual Calendar 2025-2026

At the March CRPS public board meeting the 2025-2026 calendar was approved. It can be found on the CRPS website HERE. Also on the same link, you will find the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 calendars that the Board has approved in principle. 

Wellness Weekly Tip

Looking for parenting support in our community?

The Family Connections Center is hosting a discussion series covering a wide range of topics including parental burnout, preventing substance abuse, navigating family dynamics, and more.  These free courses are taking place at the Banff Public Library from 5-6:30pm and dinner is included. To register or learn more visit: Parent Support Group: Banff Series. 

The next session on Protecting against substance abuse will be held on Tuesday, May 27.

Extra Curricular News 

Athletics

Rugby:

Practices:

• Girls practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6pm at Sundance Park field
• JR & SR Boys practice on Thursday, May 15 from 5-7pm at Sundance Park field

Games:

• • Monday, May 12th - JR Boys play at West Island College 
  • Tuesday, May 13th - Girls play at the CRU 
  • Tuesday, May 13th - SR Boys play at the CRU
  • May 16th & 17th - Girls Zone Championships at CRU
  • May 16th & 17th - SR Boys Zone Championships at CRU

The Week Ahead

Monday, May 12th, 2025

Tuesday, May 13th, 2025

• SAIT Introduction to Cooking session #10 - the last session
• Green Team/High Hopes meeting at lunch room 208
• Teacher support at lunch

Wednesday, May 14th, 2025

• Wellness Wednesday activity at lunch
• Student Council meeting at lunch
• Teacher support at lunch

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

• Grad meeting at lunch
• Teacher support at lunch
• Mock G7 summit - Grade 10s to CCHS
• English 20-2 students to Whyte museum in block C

Friday, May 16th, 2025

• No school for students - enjoy the long weekend!
• Teacher professional development all day

Upcoming Dates

• May 19th - Victoria Day - no school
• May 20th - 9A field trip to Kananaskis Village
• May 21st - CRPS Public Board meeting
• May 22nd - 9B field trip to Kananaskis Village
• May 23rd - Valedictorian application deadline
• May 28th - Science 10 & 14 to Columbia Icefields
• May 29th - Grade 9 English Language Arts PAT exam Part A
• May 30th - Half Day Friday blocks A & B
• June 2nd - School Council meeting 4:15pm
• June 5th - Wim WE canoeing 10A am and 10B pm
• June 6th - Half day Friday C and D Block
• June 9th - Valedictorian presentations
• June 11th - English 30 Part A diploma exam
• June 12th - Social Studies 30 Part A diploma exam
• June 12th - Grade 9 English Language Arts PAT exam Part B
• June 13th - Grade 9 Math Part A exam
• June 13th - Last day of classes
• June 13th - Final assembly
• June 16th - 27th - Exam week
• June 26th - Graduation Ceremony
• June 27th - Last day of school

News

Bow Valley Settlement Services Information and May newsletter click here.

Follow the link to view the highlights in The Brief from the April CRPS Public School Board Meeting.

Wellness Counsellors

Ms. Emily and Ms. Bekar are available to provide mental health support while at school. Please reach out if you or someone you know is struggling, or call/text or chat anytime by reaching out to KidsHelpPhone.ca or 1-800-668-6868.

BCHS Bear Tools

• Parent Portal: provides daily updates on your child's marks and attendance, school fees, and more. 
• myPass: official Alberta Education transcript of marks for grades 10-12
• 2024/2025 Student / Parent Handbook contains important information and dates.
• 2024 - 2025 School Calendar
• Archived newsletters
• BCHS Events Calendar
• International student host families wanted - apply here

• Volunteers: need a criminal or vulnerable RCMP check yearly. Contact the office for more information.
• School Fees: course fees are now overdue. Basketball fees have been added.
  • School fees can be paid online through PowerSchool Parent Portal.
  • In cases of financial hardship, please email Renee Husdal or call 403-762-4411.

Bear Celebrations

If you have a BCHS Celebration that you would like to share with our community, please email natasha.miles@crps.ca