J Alfred Laird Elementary

About

J. Alfred Laird Elementary School is located at 1202 13th Ave., Invermere, BC V0A 1K4. The school serves Grade 4–7 students in the Invermere, BC catchment area. J. Alfred Laird describes its mission as nurturing each student’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth in collaboration with families and the community, and its vision as creating a safe, dynamic learning environment that builds curiosity, confidence, and compassion.

At a Glance

School type: Public School (Rocky Mountain)

Education language: Students receive Core French instruction in Grades 5–7. The school also offers an Intensive French program (by application) for Grades 6–7 students in the Windermere Zone, with Grade 6 receiving 60% of instruction in French and Grade 7 receiving 20% in French.

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: 4-7

Phone: 250 342-6232

Email: terriann.hayes@sd6.bc.ca

Principal: Terri Hayes

Education Languages

Students receive Core French instruction in Grades 5–7. The school also offers an Intensive French program (by application) for Grades 6–7 students in the Windermere Zone, with Grade 6 receiving 60% of instruction in French and Grade 7 receiving 20% in French.

Programs and Services

Student support / well-being services The school offers counselling to support social-emotional well-being, including one-on-one and small-group counselling, classroom programs, and help connecting families with community resources (available on-site Wednesdays and Fridays). A full-time Youth Care Support Worker supports students with peer relationships, social-emotional understanding, problem solving, self-esteem, and wellness needs, including one-on-one support, in-class support, group support, and lunch/after-school programming. Indigenous education supports Indigenous Education services are available to students who identify as having Indigenous ancestry, including daily check-ins, academic and social-emotional support, communication with parents, and cultural activities. The Indigenous Education staff member also supports school staff in infusing local Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing across the curriculum. Food / lunch The PAC runs a Healthy Lunch (hot lunch) program in partnership with local restaurants and caterers, with a goal of ensuring every child who wants a lunch can get one; families are encouraged to contact the school if finances are a barrier. French language learning All students in Grades 5–7 receive Core French. The school also offers an application-based Intensive French program for Grades 6–7 (capacity 28 students; lottery and waitlist if oversubscribed).

School Culture and Expectations

The school’s stated values emphasize Community (a safe, welcoming, joyful place), Caring (for self, others, school, family, community, and the earth), Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (valuing, respecting, and supporting every person), and Responsibility (ownership of words, actions, work habits, and learning). The school’s vision also highlights maintaining a safe and dynamic learning environment that supports personal growth, curiosity, confidence, and compassion.

Enrollment

The school’s Intensive French program is application-based and limited to 28 students per year; if applications exceed capacity, placements are determined by a blind lottery and remaining students are waitlisted. For district Intensive French registration details (including Windermere Zone information), families are directed to Rocky Mountain School District’s Intensive French pages and FAQs.