
Welcome Back Activities 2025/26
In late August and into September, schools within Canadian Rockies Public Schools have a variety of activities planned to welcome students and their families back-to-school. Further information on these events will be released by schools in the fall. Circle these dates in your calendar!
Alpenglow School
Steeped in Connection and Conversation
On the morning of Sept. 3, parents at Alpenglow School will ease into the school year over tea and conversation on the Kindy Deck. From 8 to 8:45 a.m., the Alpenglow Community Education Society (ACES) will host its annual Welcome Back Tea, a relaxed, parent-focused event designed to strengthen community connections and highlight ways families can support the school’s unique, Waldorf-inspired approach. The gathering offers a quiet moment to build relationships, share stories, and step into the new season with a renewed sense of togetherness.
Where Learning Begins – Alpenglow Open House
Alpenglow School kicks off the school year with its annual Meet the Teacher and Open House on Sept. 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The evening begins in the school’s outdoor amphitheatre with a short welcome from staff before students lead parents through their classrooms and learning spaces. This relaxed, connection-focused evening offers an early glimpse into the rhythms and relationships that shape Alpenglow’s unique educational approach. A School Council meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m., providing a chance for parents to stay engaged and informed.
Banff Community High School
BCHS Kicks Off School Year with Orientation Day
Banff Community High School (BCHS) launches the year with Orientation Day on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Held in the school gym, students will receive their timetables, meet their teachers, get locker assignments, and have school photos taken. Grade 9 attends from 8:30–9:45 a.m., Grade 10 from 10–11:15 a.m., Grade 11 from 12:30–1:30 p.m., and Grade 12 from 1:45–2:45 p.m. Parents are welcome to attend alongside students during their assigned sessions. Orientation sets the stage for a smooth transition into the school year, with regular classes beginning the following day on Aug. 27.
Sizzling Start to the School Year
BCHS’ Grade 12 students are firing up the grill and the school spirit at a back-to-school BBQ for students and staff on Aug. 29. From 11:43 a.m. to 12:43 p.m., the courtyard will come alive with good food, warm welcomes, and a celebration of community to kick off the 2025/26 school year. This student-led tradition sets the tone for connection and leadership, as seniors step up to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and part of something bigger. It’s not just a lunch, it’s the first taste of a year filled with belonging, joy, and shared purpose.
Banff Elementary School
New Faces, Familiar Smiles
Banff Elementary School (BES) will open the 2025/26 school year with a vibrant Welcome Back Assembly on Aug. 27 at 9 a.m. in the school gym. Students, families and staff will gather to celebrate new beginnings, reconnect as a learning community and meet newly joined educators. This annual tradition sets the tone for a year of connection, belonging and growth - hallmarks of BES’ caring culture. The event promises joyful energy, heartfelt welcomes and a strong start to another year of inspiring hearts and minds.
Back to School, Forward Together
BES will open its doors on Sept.11 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. for a community-wide Open House celebrating the start of a new school year. Students, staff, and families will reconnect in classrooms alive with curiosity and anticipation. This drop-in event offers an opportunity to meet teachers, explore learning spaces, and witness the welcoming spirit that defines the BES community. With laughter in the halls and learning on the horizon, the event marks more than a return, it’s a reminder of the relationships that shape every student’s success. At BES, the new school year starts here, together.
Canmore Collegiate High School
Gearing Up at CCHS
Canmore Collegiate High School (CCHS) students will launch the 2025/26 school year on Aug. 26 with a one-hour orientation tailored by grade. Students will receive timetables, secure lockers, confirm tech access, and locate classrooms during gym-based start-up sessions. Grade 12 arrives at 9:30 a.m., Grade 11 at 10:30, Grade 10 at noon. Grade 9 students from CRPS feeder schools begin at 1 p.m. with a full orientation to their new high school setting. All students will have photos taken before departing for the day. Full classes begin Aug. 27 at 8:25 a.m.
Charting the Year Ahead at CCHS
CCHS opens its doors on Sept. 4 for its annual Parent Info Night and Meet the Teacher event from 5 to 7 p.m. Teachers will be in classrooms for drop-in conversations. Grade 9 students and new families are encouraged to attend a theatre session from 5 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a school tour. Grade 10 and 11 families meet in the theatre from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Grade 12 families tour from 5 to 6 p.m., then gather for a graduation info session and handbook review from 6 to 7 p.m.
Elizabeth Rummel School
New Beginnings, Exciting Opportunities and Memorable Moments
ERS is excited to welcome students and families to a new school year filled with curiosity, creativity and memorable moments! As we begin this exciting journey together, here are a few upcoming dates to share:
ERS Open House - Wednesday, September 10 - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
A drop-in event for parents to meet your child's teacher and visit their classroom.
School Photo Day - Tuesday, September 16
Terry Fox Run - Thursday, September 25
Exshaw School
Grilled Goodwill in the Heart of the Valley
Exshaw School is firing up the grill and opening its doors for a spirited Back to School BBQ and Meet the Staff evening on Sept. 11 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This annual gathering kicks off the school year with smoky flavour, fresh energy, and strong community ties. Families will connect face-to-face with the educators shaping their children’s learning journeys, while kids share a plate and a laugh with classmates, old and new. It’s a small-town tradition with big-hearted impact - where relationship-building comes first and every hello over hamburgers sets the tone for a connected school year ahead.
Lawrence Grassi Middle School
Strike a Pose at LGMS
Lawrence Grassi Middle School (LGMS) will be all smiles on Aug. 28 as students step into the spotlight for Picture Day. From first-period bedhead to last-bell touchups, this all-day event captures the essence of youth and the start of a new school year. More than portraits, these moments become lasting keepsakes for families and the community. Cameras will be rolling, spirits will be high, and the hallways will echo with laughter and last-minute hair fixes. It’s a snapshot of student life worth noticing and a picture where confidence, style, and back-to-school energy collide in full colour.
LGMS Rallies to Kick Off a New Year of Connection
LGMS students will gather on Aug. 29 from 10:25 to 11:05 a.m. for their Welcome Back Assembly, a spirited launch to the 2025/26 school year. More than just a schedule item, the assembly sets the tone for community-building and connection across all grades. With students and staff coming together as one, the event fosters a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond the first week. It’s a brief but powerful moment that speaks volumes about the school’s commitment to culture, care, and community.
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