Whiteside Newsletter #24 - March 3, 2023
Hi Whiteside Families!
It was a snowy and fun week at Whiteside! Thank you for joining us at Whiteside this week to discuss your child’s learning. We appreciate the opportunities learning conferences provide to highlight areas of growth and the next steps needed in your child’s learning. Your support, feedback, and support are greatly appreciated.
Have a wonderful weekend with your family!
WHITESIDE’S GOT TALENT
Ms. LB and Ms. Johnson host our annual talent show at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 9. We look forward to showcasing the amazing talents and abilities of our Wolfpack.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
With a heavy heart, Whiteside says farewell to our beloved music portable. After Spring Break, Ms. LB will move into a newly renovated portable. To accommodate this move, Ms. LB will host her music and band classes in the gym this week.
BREAKFAST CLUB
Breakfast Club is cancelled this week to accommodate our music program’s temporary move to the gym.
WOLFPACK BASKETBALL
Basketball practices will also be cancelled next week. Our girls’ team and our grade 7 boys’ team will return to practicing after Spring Break to prepare for the Strikers tournament at McRoberts.
COMMUNICATING STUDENT LEARNING
Report cards will be posted on the MyEdBC parent portal on Thursday, March 9. We look forward to sharing more about your child’s learning in their term 2 reports.
(https://myeducation.gov.bc.ca/aspen/logon.do)
SPRING FAIR
Our awesome PAC is welcoming back our Spring Fair on May 25th. Please save the date! So much work has already begun. If you would like to volunteer, donate to our silent auction, or are a vendor that could support our event, please email whiteside@sd38.bc.ca for more information. We look forward to sharing more throughout the spring.
GRADE 7 PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our grade 7 parent team is looking for other parents to help plan, prepare, organize, and help with our year end grade 7 celebration. If you are interested in helping us, make this day special for our grade 7s, please email bcameron@sd38.bc.ca. Thank you!
SUMMER LEARNING 2023
Our summer learning catalog is available for viewing. You can view it on our site or the Continuing Education site. More information will come in April.
FRENCH FESTIVAL and CONCOURS
This year the Richmond School District is hosting a first ever French Family Cultural Celebration on April 3 at McRoberts. This event is open to everyone at Whiteside, regardless of age, background, or language proficiency. Activities include a French chef workshop with a take-away recipe and treat, French concert and performance for children, various performances in French by our students, and food trucks. We welcome you to come and celebrate with us, meet new people, and learn about French culture. Admission is free, so bring your friends and family. RSVP here.
REAP – Richmond Education Assistant Program
Registration is open for our Full Time REAP 2023
Do you enjoy supporting children and youth with disabilities and diverse abilities? Are you compassionate? Are you a life-long learner? Are you a team player? Are you passionate about inclusive learning communities?
Richmond Education Assistant Program (REAP) is rigorous, intense, and rewarding. It is designed by the Richmond School District to prepare adults who have the passion to work with children and youth with disabilities and diverse abilities as an Education Assistant. Full Time REAP 2023 will start in July 2023 and end in November 2023.For more information please visit www.RichmondCE.ca or phone 604.668.6123 for more information. Registration Closes April 7, 2023
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.
CITY OF RICHMOND NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Approximately every 5 years the City of Richmond conducts a community-wide study to gather the perspectives of residents on current programs and services delivered in all Community Services areas - parks, recreation, arts, culture, heritage, and library. The findings and recommendations that result from this project will inform the planning and delivery of future facilities, programs, and services.
Between February 16 to March 12, 2023, the public is invited to share their thoughts on Community Services facilities, programs, and services through a 10-minute survey by telephone or online. They may also visit www.LetsTalkRichmond.ca/NeedsAssessment for project details and contact information.
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 is open now. 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:
March 27 Whiteside re-opens
April 3 Concours/French Festival
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