Hello Whiteside families,

Today we recognized Remembrance Day at Whiteside. Our community came together to watch and share presentations while respectfully showing appreciation for the brave Canadians in uniform that serve and defend our country. We hope you find time with your family to honour this day and the sacrifices made by our armed forces and their families. Whiteside will be closed in recognition of Remembrance Day on Friday, November 11^th.

We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with you this week to discuss your children’s learning. We look forward to sharing their learning with you throughout the year. We also welcome informal conversations as needed. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with your families!

FAMILY PHOTO NIGHT

It’s just around the corner! Please remember your family photo appointment on November 15, 16 and 17. Our photographer will be set up in the gym. Please use the gym doors on the north side for entry and exit. There will not be access to the main school. Thank you, PAC!

WHITESIDE VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR

It’s here! Our school’s Scholastic Virtual Book Fair began on Monday and will run until November 20^th! Experience the joy of a Book Fair online by joining us!

https://virtualbookfairs.scholastic.ca/pages/5188384

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

During the year, elementary schools practice and prepare for emergencies that we hope to never experience. This year we already held evacuation drills that prepare us to leave the school safely during an emergency. We will also conduct a hold and secure drill soon. More information will be provided about that drill soon. Please see the attached document for more information about emergency preparedness in the Richmond School District.

MyEDBC PARENT PORTAL

The MyEDBC Parent Portal is our provinicial program to share report cards, attendance, and other educational information about our students.To ensure that all parents have access to the MyEDBC parent portal, you may receive an email with instructions to sign up. If you already have access, you may ignore these messages. If you are new to Whiteside or MyEDBC, please review these letters and messages.

VOLLEYBALL SEASON

Mr. Quan and Ms. Kinsey and our intermediate students started our new volleyball season with practices on our field and at McRoberts. Our upcoming games are:

Nov. 15 at Maple Lane

Nov. 29 at Bridge

We look forward to inviting you to our home games soon! Go Wolfpack!

HOT LUNCH – November 25^th

Thank you for our delicious TCBY day this week! Our next hot lunch is on November 25^th. Hot lunch will only be ordered and provided to families that have paid for their order. Please ensure you have completed your order. An order form is attached to our newsletter.

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:

Nov. 7-20        Virtual Book Fair

Nov. 11            Remembrance Day (school closed)

Nov. 14            Photo Retake Day

Nov. 15            PAC Meeting

Nov. 15            Volleyball game at Maple Lane

Nov. 15/16      Family Photo Night

Nov. 21            Pro-D Day (school closed)

Nov. 25            Hot Lunch (pizza)

Nov. 29            Volleyball game at Bridge

Nov. 30            Kindergarten hearing and dental screen

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

We wish you all the best this weekend!

~Whiteside Elementary