Hi Whiteside Families!

 

We hope you are enjoying a sunny October. We had another great week of learning at Whiteside. Our Wolfpack had big smiles for our photo day and our volleyball has been enjoying some practice time at McRoberts. Each classroom is working on building community, improving literacy and numeracy skills, and strengthening friendships. Thank you for your ongoing support of learning at Whiteside.

 

Please remember that our school will be closed for the provincial pro-d day on Friday, October 21^st.

 

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with your families!

 

HOT LUNCH – OCTOBER 28^th

Our second Hot Lunch Day of the 2022-23 school year will be Subway. Please order online by going to the school website https://whiteside.sd38.bc.ca/ and clicking on the link under the MunchaLunch icon, or visit https://munchalunch.com/login. Please submit your order before October 20^th. Hot lunch will only be ordered and provided to families that have paid for their order.  (more information attached)

 

FAMILY PHOTO NIGHT

Save the date! Our amazing PAC is organizing family photo nights on November 15 and 16. Please see the attachment for more information.

 

EARTHQUAKE DRILL

At 10:20 a.m. on October 20^th, Whiteside will participate in ShakeOut BC by holding our first earthquake and evacuation drill. We encourage our families to visit https://www.shakeoutbc.ca/ or HERE for more information about earthquake safety.

 

“Trick or Treat” Others with Respect

Halloween can be fun.  However, we need to be aware that celebrating Halloween needs to be fun for ALL and not at the expense of equity seeking groups.  Halloween offers an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about costume choices with colleagues and students and requires consideration.  In doing so, it is important to keep in mind that we need to be sensitive to groups that have been marginalized through mimicry and cultural appropriation during Halloween and other ‘dress up’ events.  A few things to keep in mind: It’s good to keep in mind that the following are NOT Costumes:

RACE (black face/brown face)

CULTURE (Indigenous regalia/dreadlocks)

RELIGIOUS FAITH (religious figures/gods/saints/gurus/hijab)

GENDER (gender switching for humour or to mock)

TRAUMA (hangman’s noose/weapons)

 

PARKING LOT SAFETY

Please help keep our students safe by using the drop off zone for picking up and dropping off students only.  Please do not leave your car unattended in the drop off zone; if you need to come into the school, please park in a designated parking space.  When walking to school, please use the designated paths south and adjacent to the driveway as you enter the school grounds. Please follow arrows to keep our students safe and keep our parking lot accident free.

 

Please remember the east parking lot is for school and construction staff only. Please do not park or drop off children in this area.

 

“IN” DAYS AND “OUT” DAYS:

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!

 

 

Coming Soon:

Oct. 10            Thanksgiving Day (School Closed)

Oct. 14            Individual photos

Oct. 21            Pro-D Day (school closed)

Oct. 28            Hot Lunch (Subway)

Nov. 8/9          Learning Conferences (1:45 p.m. dismissal)

Nov. 10            Remembrance Day Assembly

Nov. 11            Remembrance Day

Nov. 21            Pro-D Day (school closed)

Dec. 6              Band concert 1:30/7:00 pm

Dec. 13            Musical performance 1:30/7:00 pm

Dec. 15            Report cards posted online

Dec. 16            Last day before Winter Break

 

Have a great weekend!

 

~Whiteside Elementary