With deep gratitude and respect, we are honoured to be learning and unlearning on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm Elementary was gifted a Musqueam name that means “the sun rising over the horizon”. It enrolls over 320 students in 14 divisions, from kindergarten to grade 7. The school is a newer build and one of two mass-timber seismically safe schools built in Canada. There is a new playground where students can sign out equipment for play during recess and lunch.  The open-concept and wood tones provide a warm and welcoming environment for students and staff. The roof is covered with an array of solar panels that provide more than enough energy for our school.  

The community is culturally diverse, and families represent a wide range of cultural and linguistic groups. Parents are supportive and actively involved in the school through the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) hosting many community events and fun fundraising ventures that support extracurricular needs within the school. The YMCA provides before and after school care onsite. Teachers work to enrich the experience of students beyond the classroom to include a range of field studies and student leadership groups. Older students have leadership and service opportunities as members of student council, library and lunchtime monitors. We have a gorgeous gym, and students have opportunities to compete in cross-country running, pickle ball, basketball, and track and field.  

We have implemented various programs and initiatives to enhance students’ learning experience. An Artist in Residence program provides opportunities for students to explore the importance of the watershed in our community through art, in a partnership with the City of Vancouver Parks Board. Staff is attentive to the social and emotional needs of students, and we are fortunate to be situated close to regional parks which allows us to utilize community resources like the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), local parks, and outdoor spaces. We foster active engagement from parents and families, creating a multigenerational and multicultural environment. We value and celebrate the diverse home cultures of our students.  

We emphasize socially responsible global citizenship through activities such as the Terry Fox run, Orange and Pink Shirt Days, food bank contributions, and the clothing drive for the Reaching Home Program. Environmental stewardship is also a priority with programs like the BC Vegetable and Fruit Nutrition + Milk Program, a bike to school initiative, and stewardship of the street rainwater filtration basins at each corner of the school city block. We are fortunate to have many Indigenous art pieces within our school and welcome Knowledge Keepers to share their teachings with students and staff.

Students are known for their artistic talents, good manners, and respect for each other and school property. We promote inclusivity and collaboration by creating a supportive and inclusive environment. We celebrate student learning through open houses and portfolios, and we acknowledge and appreciate the diverse celebrations that reflect students' heritages.