Welcome Banting and Best School Families to the 2024-2025 school year! We would like to offer a warm welcome back to our returning families and a special welcome to our new families and students. We are very excited to welcome all students back for the first day of school on Thursday, August 29th, 2024. 

We hope that your summer has been a safe one, filled with fun activities and wonderful sunshine. 

Communication Methods 

Open, continuous communication is of utmost importance throughout the school year. We communicate primarily through SchoolMessenger emails which are also available on our website https://bantingandbest.cbe.ab.ca/. Please add us to your contacts to avoid our messages going into the junk folder. The school website news is updated weekly. Teachers will be sharing their forms of communication with you over the coming weeks. 

Don’t miss out on school messages! To ensure you receive important information from your child’s school and the Calgary Board of Education, please: Subscribe online to receive commercial electronic messages on school topics such as student fees, picture days, field trips and fun lunches. (The link will open into a separate website managed by SchoolMessenger, our mass communication tool.) 

Open House 

On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 27, teachers will be sending out their welcome letters and introductions. We are very excited to welcome students back. Please note that this year we will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, August 28 from 1:00-2:00pm. This is an opportunity for students and their families to come for a quick peek of their classroom and meet their teacher. 

First Day Procedure – Grades 1-3 

On the first day, teachers will be meeting their classes outside near the playground and students will enter with their new class through their assigned doors. It is most helpful for students and staff, for students to arrive on time. In the event of a late arrival, please go to the front main office for us to support your child in getting to their classes.  

Students who arrive on the bus will be supported by staff to find their teachers and classrooms. 

Only students and staff are permitted in the school classrooms and shared areas. Families, please be prepared to wave to your child as they enter the school. 

First Day Procedure - Kindergarten 

Kindergarten students have staggered entry for the first two days on August 29 and 30, 2024. Please meet on the compound by the doors directly across from the playground at your designated time. Kindergarten's first day as an entire AM or PM class will be Tuesday, September 3. Parents, please see your email for staggered entry times – these were sent in June. 

Class Lists 

Staff have made careful considerations and collaborated in thoughtful planning to create well balanced class lists. As such, classroom moves will only be occurring due to significant changes in registration. 

Arrival & Dismissal 

All students will enter and exit through their assigned doors. If students are late, they are to enter through the front door and check in with the Office. Soft entry is from 8:00-8:10am again this year. This means that students enter the school through their designated doors starting at 8:00 a.m. and head directly to their classroom. Their teacher will be there to welcome them. Supervision is not provided until 8:00 am. Students must be supervised by family before 8:00 am. Classroom instruction begins promptly at 8:10 a.m.  

We are working very hard to reduce the number of lates at the school as this not only impacts student work in the classroom but also creates large demands on the staff.  

Dismissal is at 2:50 pm and students will exit the school through their same assigned doors. 

If you need to pick up your child early from school, please check in at the front office. You will be required to sign your child out. 

Medication / Health Forms 

Health forms will be available through the online forms. If your child has a severe allergy and/or requires medication, please inform your child’s teachers and ensure the office has the necessary information and medication. All medication needs to be dropped off by an adult. The Student Health Plan paperwork is critical for us to be able to support your child. 

School Supplies 

What to bring: 

  • A backpack 
  • A personal labelled water bottle 
  • A packed lunch and snack. Please include all utensils your child may need. 
  • Labelled Running shoes (to be used indoors, appropriate for Physical Educational activities and kept at school) 
  • Labelled Outdoor clothing: be prepared for the changing weather throughout the day 
  • Please leave toys, trading cards and valuable items at home. 

All or your child’s classroom supplies such as pencils and notebooks, will be provided at school by their classroom teacher. The fee for school supplies will be uploaded to your MyCBE account in September. 

Breakfast Program 

We are thrilled to again offer a breakfast program this year. All students can access the healthy breakfast selections between 8:00-8:15 am. Students arriving after this point will not have access for that day.  

Lunch and Supplies  

If your child requires support such as lunch, a school backpack or other clothing items, please contact the school so we can support you with this.  

Bussing 

Please know that bussing decisions are not made at the school level. If your child will not be riding the bus at the end of the day, please contact the main office and the teacher to let them know ahead of time. If you are bringing your child on the first day of school and they are taking the bus home, please ensure they know what bus they are on. Students will be supported by school staff to ensure they successfully get on the bus for the ride home. 

Parents / Visitors / Volunteers 

For September, we will not have volunteers. This allows classrooms time to build community and settle in. Completing your registration and Police Check early will ensure you are ready for classroom volunteering opportunities when they become available. 

For any additional questions please contact the school and we will be happy to support you.

This is going to be an amazing year!

Warm regards,

Ms. Kim Durnford

This Week 

Wednesday, August 28  

  • Banting and Best Open House 
    • 1:00 –2:00 pm 
    • All families welcome to drop in 

Thursday,   

  • First Day of School 
    • Excited to see all smiling faces outside on the compound near the playground 
    • Monday to Thursday hours are 8:00 am –2:50 pm 

Friday, June 14th 

  • First Friday 
    • Friday hours are 8:00 am – 12:30 pm 

Upcoming 

  • September 3 
    • Labour Day (School closed) 
  • September 24 
    • Terry Fox Run 
  • September 26 
    • School Conferences 
      • details will be sent out in September