F W Howay Elementary

About

F.W. Howay Elementary School is located at 91 Courtney Crescent, New Westminster, BC V3L 4M1. The school serves Kindergarten to Grade 5 students and describes itself as a small community school at the heart of the neighbourhood (opened in 1961). It emphasizes best practices in reading, writing, and numeracy, along with a deep empathetic response to students. The school’s goal is a safe, kind, responsible, and respectful learning environment where everyone feels welcome and accepted.

At a Glance

School type: Public School (New Westminster)

Education language: The school offers support for English Language Learners (ELL) to help students develop the language skills needed for success in Canadian schools and society. The district also offers Early and Late French Immersion (by application) at some schools, though this page does not state that French Immersion is offered specifically at F.W. Howay.

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-5

Phone: 604 517-6020

Email: nyoung@sd40.bc.ca

Principal: Nadia Young

Education Languages

The school offers support for English Language Learners (ELL) to help students develop the language skills needed for success in Canadian schools and society. The district also offers Early and Late French Immersion (by application) at some schools, though this page does not state that French Immersion is offered specifically at F.W. Howay.

Programs and Services

Indigenous Education The school offers an Indigenous Education program that supports the academic and social success of Indigenous students and provides cultural experiences for students. An Indigenous Support Worker supports Indigenous learners and shares Indigenous culture in the school. Early Learning The school offers Ready, Set, Learn for four-year-olds and Welcome to Kindergarten, which shares suggestions to help families prepare children for Kindergarten. Student support / inclusive education / newcomer support The school strives to be inclusive, with a continuum of services to support student learning through school-based and district-based staff. Services noted include English Language Learners (ELL) support and the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Program for immigrants, refugees, and other eligible clients. Family and community partnerships The school aims to build community partnerships to offer programs and services that promote student and family well-being. Library The school highlights its library as a student resource (books, computers, and more).

School Culture and Expectations

The school’s Code of Conduct focuses on creating a culture of safety, kindness, responsibility, and respect, with values such as honesty, integrity, acceptance, and tolerance. The code references alignment with the BC Human Rights Code and states the school prohibits discrimination on protected grounds. The school emphasizes restorative (rather than punitive) responses where possible. The school also restricts student use of personal digital devices during the school day (“bell-to-bell”), with exceptions when needed for inclusion and documented through an IEP/LSP or health/medical need.

Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here

The school encourages active transportation (walking and biking) to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian safety, and notes that bike racks are available at the main entrance. Families are asked to use crosswalks, avoid blocking driveways/crosswalks, and note there is no parking or stopping in the city laneway behind the school. Parking lots are for staff use only from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and families are asked not to use the school lot for drop-off/pick-up during those hours. Parent/visitor parking is directed to Cumberland Street and Courtney Crescent; families are also asked not to use the Lutheran Church parking lot behind the school. The school notes supervision is not provided after the dismissal bell.

Enrollment

For catchment information, the school directs families to contact the Central Registration Department for district-wide catchment details.