Signal Hill Elementary

About

Signal Hill Elementary is located at 1410 Portage Rd, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L1. The school serves about 400 students and educates children from D’Arcy to Pemberton Meadows (about a 46 km radius from Pemberton). The school highlights celebrating the languages of Ucwalmicwts, English, French, and some sign language, emphasizing that language and culture support a broad worldview and collaboration. A stated school goal is to build growth mindset and increase student ownership through connection and student “voice and choice.”

At a Glance

School type: Public School (Sea to Sky)

Education language: Signal Hill Elementary describes celebrating the languages of Ucwalmicwts, English, French, and some sign language, and includes an Indigenous language and culture program in which every class participates. The school/district also offers a Late French Immersion program that provides an education equivalent to the English program while building proficiency in French, with instruction blended across some French and English classes (per ministry guidelines for French Immersion).

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-7

Phone: 604 894-6378

Email: kbrynjolfson@sd48.bc.ca

Principal: Krista Brynjolfson

Education Languages

Signal Hill Elementary describes celebrating the languages of Ucwalmicwts, English, French, and some sign language, and includes an Indigenous language and culture program in which every class participates. The school/district also offers a Late French Immersion program that provides an education equivalent to the English program while building proficiency in French, with instruction blended across some French and English classes (per ministry guidelines for French Immersion).

Programs and Services

Late French Immersion The school/district offers a Late French Immersion program designed to match the English program academically while developing French oral and written communication and cultural understanding. SD48 begins local Late French Immersion in Grade 5 and describes blending some French and English classes to support a pro-social, connected school environment. Indigenous language and culture program The school states that every class participates in a language and culture program taught by a trained language teacher and an elder from one of the St’at’imc communities, with support from the classroom teacher. The program is connected to learning about Indigenous language and culture and broader reconciliation-related learning (including age-appropriate learning about the history of Indian Residential Schools as part of BC curriculum focus). Student safety and health supports The school emphasizes pupil safety with school and bus rules, frequent reminders, and active supervision by staff and supervision aides. The school notes it has a qualified first aid attendant on staff and other staff with first aid training, and that sick or injured students are supported while families/emergency contacts are notified. Parent and family volunteering The school describes parent volunteer opportunities including classroom/library/computer lab support (as requested), helping with special events, assisting with sports days and field trips, fundraising, and supporting primary students (e.g., scribing stories). Regular volunteers working with children are required to complete a criminal record check; drivers for activities must provide insurance and a driver abstract.

School Culture and Expectations

The school’s stated goal focuses on explicitly teaching and practicing a growth mindset, creating opportunities for connection, and supporting student “voice and choice” so students take ownership of their learning. The school also explicitly states: “Diversity is a strength,” “Inclusion is a right,” and “Personalization is the way forward.” A Student Code of Conduct is posted on the site as a downloadable document, but the detailed contents were not included in the provided text.

Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here

For safety, the school states that students are required to stay at school for lunch unless a parent/guardian signs them out at the office. The school notes that school and bus rules are in place to help prevent injury, with staff supervision before school and after school until buses leave. No other drop-off/pick-up, parking, or walking/biking procedures were provided in the source text.