G W Carlson Elementary

About

G.W. Carlson Elementary is located at 5617–51st Street, Box 810, Fort Nelson, BC V0C 1R0. The school serves Grades K–4 and enrolls about 130 students. The school emphasizes a friendly, welcoming, positive learning environment and a belief in the unlimited potential of students by respecting and developing their unique learning styles and interests. The principal’s message highlights a whole-school “family” approach focused on recognizing individuals, learning safely from mistakes, positive interactions, and honouring everyone’s contributions.

At a Glance

School type: Public School (Fort Nelson)

Education language: English

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-4

Phone: 250 774-6941

Email: skenney@sd81.bc.ca

Principal: Shirley Kenney

Programs and Services

StrongStart (early learning, ages 0–5) G.W. Carlson Elementary is a location for StrongStart, a free early learning program for children ages 0–5 accompanied by a parent/caregiver, facilitated by a qualified Early Childhood Educator. Activities include art and creative play, story time and songs, music and movement, and hands-on exploration with peers. Ready, Set, Learn (early learning events, ages 3–5) The district’s Ready, Set, Learn sessions are play-based early learning events for children ages 3–5 (not yet in Kindergarten), offering hands-on activities, songs, story time, and active play, while also helping families learn how to support early learning at home. Student support / special education (district Inclusive Education services) School District 81 provides student services to support diverse learning needs, including Learning Assistance programs in each school and counsellor access for in-town schools. The district also describes processes for identification and assessment of learning problems (with referrals to a registered psychologist as needed), hospital/homebound instruction for students unable to attend school, and access to a Speech-Language Pathologist for testing and remediation.

School Culture and Expectations

The school describes itself as building a friendly, welcoming, positive learning environment. In the principal’s message, the school community emphasizes recognizing and respecting individual learning needs, being safe to make mistakes and learn from them, focusing on positive interactions, and honouring each person’s contribution. The site also links families to a School Handbook and a Code of Conduct, and provides an anonymous online reporting tool for bullying and harassment.

Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here

School bus service is provided for in-town and out-of-town students. In winter, the district supports winter bussing for all students in the school’s catchment area. The school notes that updates on bus cancellations will be posted on the district website.

Enrollment

The school site includes a “Registration” section and directs families to “School Registration” to learn how to register a child at a Fort Nelson school (including forms, steps, and important details). For StrongStart registration, forms are available at G.W. Carlson Elementary (or J.S. Clark Elementary), and families are asked to bring the child’s birth certificate when registering.