Hi Whiteside Families!

 

As December nears, excitement builds throughout our community. We look forward to sharing wonderful learning opportunities and fun experiences with our Wolfpack!

 

We look forward to our skating trips to the Winter Wonderland at Minoru, field trips, presentations, hot lunch, our school musical and our band concerts.

 

Thank you to our amazing families for building an awesome learning community with us!

 

We hope you enjoy a super weekend with your families!

 

HOLIDAY WISH FUNDRAISER

The Holiday Season is the time of year to celebrate with loved ones. We would like to ensure that all Whiteside families have the chance to partake in this special time of year. To support families in need, the Holiday Wish Committee and the Whiteside PAC are working together to fundraise for families who need support during this special time of year, and we couldn’t do this without your support.

If you would like to help:

• Please see the attached flyer, or,
• Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A9AC29A1F8CF8-45900992-holi, or,
• Donate during our coin drive: November 27 – December 1, or,
• Donate online: https://schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/68196/125/False/True, or,
• Purchase a gift card through the PAC gift card program.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

 

We need parent help collecting and organizing our donations on November 30, December 1, 4, and 5 between 8:25 – 8:45 a.m. and 2:40 – 3:00 p.m. If you can volunteer for one, or more, of these times, please email our principal, Brett Cameron, at bcameron@sd38.bc.ca.

 

SCHOOL MESSENGER – SMS/TEXT MESSAGING OPT-IN

Parent/Caregivers received an email from the district on November 15^th,requesting they opt-in to a new SMS/text messaging communication feature.  This is being implemented to improve the ability for the district/school to deliver time-sensitive information to you, including emergency notifications. To opt-in, please send a text message with a Y or YES to 978338, before November 30^th.

Once you have opted in, you should receive a confirmation text message from School Messenger.

 

MOVIE NIGHT – DECEMBER 1 – SUPER MARIO BROTHERS

Doors open at 6:15 pm; Film 6:30 - 8:15 pm Whiteside School Gym $5 per child (at the door only) Chips and juice box are included with a child’s ticket. Everyone is welcome including your friends. Bring your blankets and pillows! Children 10 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children Grade 5 and up must be signed in and out by a guardian. Additional refreshments are available for purchase at our snack window during intermission. No outside food please.

 

PAC MEETINGS

PAC are amazing resources for our entire school community. A strong PAC bonds our school community with our families. PAC is an excellent way for our families to connect directly with the action at our school as well as develop relationships within the parent community. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, January 16^th at 6:30 p.m.! Please reach out to our PAC at whitesidepac@hotmail.com for more information

 

HOT LUNCH DAYS

We have one more delicious hot lunch day coming. Please remember to send your children to school with a recess snack and water bottle.

White Spot – Friday, December 5

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome Kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2019, turning 5 in 2024. These children will begin Kindergarten in September 2024. Please visit our website www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten for more information about our online registration process, required documents, important dates, and FAQs.

We encourage families to complete their registration within the Priority 1 registration window, which spans from November to January, to maximize their chances of securing a spot at their catchment school. All registration applications received any time during the Priority 1 registration period will receive placement decisions by February 2, 2024.

 

Videos detailing Kindergarten registration have been made available on our District website, providing new parents with guidance on the registration process, English Language Learner (ELL) assessments, and District Program Options (Early French Immersion and Montessori). These videos are available in English and Mandarin. Please view the videos at www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten.

 

 

Thank you and please share this information with your friends and family who have Kindergarten aged children!

 

FEEDING FUTURES

Recently, the provincial government announced a new Feeding Futures School Program Fund, designed to assist schools in the development and enhancement of school meal programs and other nutritional supports for students.

If you would like to request support for your child at school, please reach out to our principal, Brett Cameron (bcameron@sd38.bc.ca). We are gathering information and look to provide ongoing support wherever possible. Implementation plans are underway, and we want to ensure families are aware, and as always, able to reach out if they require support. All requests will be treated with dignity and your privacy will be respected. We want to work with families to ensure that your children have everything they need to be successful at school. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can help.

 

HEALTHY EATING HABITS

Make mealtime the focus

Focus on spending time together.

Try not to focus on how much your kids are eating. Let your kids decide how much they eat.

Put away toys and screens during mealtime. Without these distractions, you and your family can enjoy eating and talking with each other. Ask each family member about their day.

You can also use food as a conversation starter. You can talk about:

• how food is grown
• how foods can impact your overall health
• the role food plays in culture and food traditions

Learn more at:

https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/tips-for-healthy-eating/parents-and-children/

 

 

CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT

If your child is arriving late to school, please check in at the office through the front entrance.

If your child needs to leave school early, please sign your child out at the office and wait at the front entrance for them.

 

WEST COAST RECESS

During recess and lunchtime breaks, students are expected to be outside at all times this year.  Students are strongly encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather. You may also send a change of clothes to school just in case your child gets wet. Playing outside will ensure our students get some fresh air and exercise to enliven their day.

 

SCHOOL VISITORS

In the interest of safety, everyone entering the school must check in at the office. Classrooms are busy learning places, and we try not to interrupt them during instructional time.  If you need to see your child, leave them a message, or drop off a lunch, our office staff will happily take care of that for you.  As well, it is difficult at the end or beginning of the school day for our office staff to have in-depth discussions with parents.  Making appointments either by phone or in person is preferable. Thank you for your support!

 

PARKING LOT SAFETY

With days getting shorter and the weather becoming darker and drearier, it is important to remind both drivers and pedestrians to keep traffic safety in mind and remain alert during their commutes. Our east parking lot is closed to parent drivers. Please use the South Arm lot or our drop off lane. Students and families use the crosswalks in front of the school all day. Please be mindful of pedestrians and other cars when driving in front of our school. When using the drop off lane, please continue to pull forward to allow more space behind you, but do not block or park on the zebra crosswalks. Blocking crosswalks creates danger for pedestrians trying to cross to our school. Please drive slowly through the drop-off area.

 

Coming Soon:

 

Dec. 1               Movie night

Dec. 7               Grade 6/7 immunizations

Dec. 12             Winter Concert – 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 15             Hot lunch

Dec. 19             Winter musical – 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 21             Winter Wonderland skating

Dec. 21             Reports published

Dec. 22             Last day before Winter Break

Jan. 8                Whiteside re-opens

Jan. 15-19         Jess Dance workshops

Jan. 29              Pro-D day

Feb. 16             Pro-D day

Feb. 19             Family Day

Feb. 28/29        Early dismissal for conferences

Mar. 14            Last day before Spring Break

April 2              Whiteside re-opens

May 17             Pro-D day

May 20             Victoria day

June 27             Last day of school for students

 

Have a great weekend!

 ~Whiteside Elementary