Redfish Elementary School

About

Redfish Elementary School is located at 265 Bryan Rd, Nelson, BC V1L 6M9. The school describes itself as a small rural K–7 school set between the West Arm of Kootenay Lake and Kokanee Glacier Park, about 23 km east of Nelson along Hwy 3A. Redfish serves about 110 students, with school goals centered on outdoor education, place-conscious learning, and learning through story-telling. The school also acknowledges, respects, and honours the First Nations in whose traditional territories the Kootenay Lake School District operates, and all Aboriginal people residing within SD8 boundaries.

At a Glance

School type: Public School (Kootenay Lake)

Education language: English

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-7

Phone: 250 229-4224

Email: mark.bonikowsky@sd8.bc.ca

Principal: Mark Bonikowsky

Programs and Services

Early learning (StrongStart BC) StrongStart BC is a free early learning program for children aged 0–5 and their parents/caregivers, offering play time, songs, stories, crafts, and more. Registration is required and can be completed online, with forms submitted to the Redfish front office or emailed to clerical. Family literacy / Parent-child program (PACT) Parent and Child Time (PACT) is a free drop-in program for parents/caregivers of children from birth to age 5, offering crafts, activities, circle time, snacks, and family fun. It is provided in collaboration with SD8 and Redfish Elementary by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL), with support from the Kootenay Lake Family Network (KLFN).

School Culture and Expectations

Redfish Elementary highlights a focus on outdoor education, place-conscious learning, and learning through story-telling. The school/district also includes a land acknowledgement recognizing the First Nations in whose traditional territories SD8 operates, and all Aboriginal people living within the district boundaries.

Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here

SD8 provides student busing and publishes a bus code of conduct focused on safe, respectful rides. Expectations include arriving at the stop at least five minutes early, following the driver’s seating and safety directions, staying seated while the bus is moving, and crossing the road only in front of the stopped bus on the driver’s signal (crossing behind the bus is not permitted). Students may bring small band instruments if safely stored in an approved case, and skateboards must be in a pre-approved bag; prohibited behaviours include smoking, profanity, and transporting alcohol/drugs. SD8 also notes online student bus registration is available through the district transportation page.

Enrollment

StrongStart BC registration is available online; registration forms can also be submitted to the Redfish front office or emailed to clerical.roe@sd8.bc.ca.