Happy Family Literacy Week!

 

Today we celebrated Family Literacy Week by holding a school-wide flashlight reading activity. Our Wolfpack grabbed their blankies, stuffies, and favourite books while reading in their classroom or with their buddies. Shared reading is an excellent way to engage students in their reading.

 

Mr. McCuaig and Mme. Howells also organized a lights out lunch as part of their ongoing sustainability and environmental stewardship program at Whiteside. Thank you!

 

Thank you to our PAC and hot lunch team for another delicious hot lunch. We truly enjoy these special days. Our PAC, spring fair committee, and grade seven parent committee are currently planning amazing activities and events throughout the remainder of the school year. We hope you can join us in volunteering, organizing, or supporting these wonderful community events.

 

Family Literacy Week is happening right now! This year’s theme is “Make it count! Play * Sort * Measure.” Numeracy is everywhere. Number literacy is an important aspect of our learning world. Math talk helps your child connect math with daily activities. Children start using math the moment they start exploring the world. Sorting, counting and measuring are ways of playing with math. Talking about math with children helps build a positive attitude towards math.

 

The provincial Family Literacy Day is today! The theme for Literacy Day is “Celebrate your Heritage”. Canada is a great diverse country full of different cultures. Take time to explore and learn about your heritage. Celebrate what you’ve found and share your culture with others. There’s no better way to learn about your family, than together as a family.

 

Monday, January 30^th is a Pro-D Day. Whiteside will be closed for students.

 

Have a wonderful long weekend with your family!

 

WOLF WEAR IS BACK

Wolf Wear is back!  Order by February 10^th on SchoolCashOnline.  (If your child is not yet registered on SchoolCashOnline, please contact the office at whiteside@sd38.bc.ca for your child’s pupil number.)  Sample sizes are available outside the new office near the end of the long hallway. 

 

BREAKFAST CLUB RETURNS

On Friday, February 3^rd Whiteside welcomes back our beloved Breakfast Club. Students are welcome to join us in the gym for toast from 8:00 – 8:15 a.m. for toast. Play will begin at 8:15 a.m. Students are expected to bring their water bottles and stay in the gym until 8:40 a.m. There will not be early access to classrooms or the playground. We are excited to bring this back for our Wolfpack!

 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Please be mindful of driving in the east parking lot. This area is for staff, construction, and daycare vehicles only.

 

After our more recent move, the office is now on the west wing, very far from the ramp door.  Thank you in advance for your patience.  If you can, please come to the doors at the end of the long hallway and call the office at 604-668-6209.  (We have ordered and are waiting for a second intercom for that door.)Thank you for your patience answering the front door.

 

Classroom lineups may change over the next few months to accommodate new phases of construction. Please connect with your classroom teacher about these changes.

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Every February, people in Canada are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. The 2023 theme for Black History Month is: “Ours to Tell”. You can learn more about Black History Month here, here, and here.

 

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 or park in staff parking spots; if you need to come into the school, please park in a parking space closer to South Arm Community Centre.  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.

 

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PARENT SURVEY

Each year the Ministry of Education asks parents, grade 4&7 students, and school staff to complete a learning survey. Please take a little time to visit  

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey/access.htm

to share your thoughts and ideas. Your opinions will help guide the future of education in BC. 

 

 

WOLFPACK BASKETBALL

Basketball is back at Whiteside! Mr. Pelletier is our girls’ team coach. Mme. Howells and Mr. McCuaig are coaching our Grade 7 boys’ team. Mme. Navin and Mr. Cameron are coaching our Grade 6 boys’ team. Thank you to our coaches and athletes for a great start to our season!

Girls’ team practices are: Monday at lunch and Wednesday after school.

Gr. 7 boys’ team practices are: Tuesday after school and Wednesday at lunch.

Gr. 6 boys’ team practices are: Monday after school and Thursday at lunch.

Our game schedule:

Feb 2nd – Bridge Boys @ Whiteside Gr. 7 Boys

Feb 2nd – Whiteside Girls @ Bridge

Feb 9th - Whiteside Girls @ Maple Lane

Feb 9th - Maple Lane Boys @ Whiteside Gr. 7 Boys

Feb 13^th – Bridge boys vs Whiteside Gr. 6 Boys

Mar 2^nd – Woodward boys vs Whiteside Gr. 6 boys

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2018, turning 5 in 2023. These children will begin kindergarten in September 2023. Online registration opens on November 1^st, 2022. Please visit our website http://www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten for more information about our online registration process, required documents, important dates, and FAQs.

 

WEST COAST WEATHER AND OUTSIDE PLAY

• Please remember that all students will be going outside for recess and lunch, except in extreme weather conditions. 
• Physical activity has a positive impact on learning.
• If kids are well prepared to be outside in the rain, they really enjoy it. If they stay dry and warm there is a great deal of fun to be had in all kinds of weather. To be prepared to be outside in the rain it is important for your child to have appropriate clothing such as:
  • A rain jacket
  • Rubber boots
  • Rain pants
  • An umbrella
  • A rain hat or coat with a hood
  • *A change of clothes to be kept at school (sweatpants, underwear, socks, t-shirt, etc.)
  • When students use their change of clothes, please send another set to school for the next time.

 

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:

Jan. 30              Pro-D

Feb. 17             Pro-D

Feb. 20             Family Day

March 9            Report cards posted     

March 10          Last day before Spring Break

March 27          Whiteside re-opens

April 7              Good Friday – school closed

April 4-6           Striker Gr. 7 Bball tournament

April 10             Easter Monday – school closed

April 24-26        Gr. 6/7 camp

May 17             Welcome to Kindergarten

May 19             Pro-D

May 22             Victoria Day – school closed     

May 23             McRoberts Gr. 7 day

May 25             Spring Fair

June 13             K/1 and 6/7 Immunization

June 16             Sports Day

June 23             Gr 7 Farewell

June 29             Last day for students

 

 

We wish you all a wonderful weekend!

 

~Whiteside Elementary