Hi Whiteside families!

 

What a Sports Day! Thank you for the support during our annual Sports Day! Events like these flourish at Whiteside because of our amazing community. We look forward to celebrating our community more next week with our year end and grade seven assemblies.

 

Construction is also wrapping up their year. As our final phase near completion, we expect more trades and workers on site. We apologize for the extra busyness around the front of the school.

 

We look forward to sharing exciting year-end experiences and events with you over the next few weeks.

 

We hope our community enjoys an amazing weekend!

 

YEAR END EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

June is a busy time of year. There is much to do and a lot of fun to have. Please continue to check in with your children and teachers for current information and expectations.

• Remember to check our last and found.
• PAC AGM – June 20
• Year end assembly - June 21
• Gr. 7 assembly – June 23

 

GRANDE MARCHÉ

On Wednesday, June 20, our intermediate students will be displaying and selling their items at our Grande Marché in the gym and on the field. We are excited to see the amazing products that were designed, constructed and marketed by our amazing Wolf Pack. Students should bring some extra money to school on Wednesday, if they would like to buy products from our junior inventors and salespeople. Products will be less than $5.

 

GRADE 7 CELEBRATION

We look forward to celebrating our grade sevens at our year end celebration at 9:30 a.m. on June 23^rd. 

 

REACH TO TEACH ART INSTALLATION

This spring 15 grade seven students joined grade seven students from McKinney Elementary to create a public art installation. They spend four sessions working together around a common theme at the Arts Conservatory in Steveston. The art installation will be on display at the Ironwood Public Library next week. We thank the Arts Conservatory, our students, and our teachers for their dedication to this project.

 

SUMMER FUN

As we look towards the summer, here are some summer ideas to help your children have a fun, memorable summer:

• Please visit https://www.richmond.ca/parks-recreation/about/sports/summerpass.htm for the City of Richmond Swim, Skate and Golf Summer Pass
• Schedule fun – What family activity is on your bucket list? Mark something fun on the calendar, share with your kids, and look forward to the fun together.
• But don’t overschedule! – Routines are important, but children need summer to unwind, relax, and enjoy unstructured time.
• Spend time together – Run through a sprinkler. Ride your bikes to get a Slurpee. Find small ways to connect with each other.
• Try something new – encourage your children to find a new hobby, activity, instrument, type of book, or sport. Summer is a great time to experiment with new things.
• Limit screen time – Screens are often the default to cure boredom. Encourage other ways to enjoy summer vacation.
• Consistency is good – Freedom during the summer is great but kids still need some routines. Bedtimes, meals, chores, family expectations should still be consistent through the summer.
• Have fun!

 

NOTICE OF LATE RETURN 2023-2024

The attached form must be completed for any student(s) who anticipate a delayed return to school in September and will not be in attendance by 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Please return the form to the school principal by June 23, 2023.

 

Please note that student absences at the start of the school year result in missed opportunities for valuable social connections, instructional time, and establishment of routines and expectations. The reason for a late return to school should only be for extenuating circumstances.

 

Please be advised that any student not in attendance before end of the school day on September 14, 2023, will not be guaranteed a placement at École Élémentaire James Whiteside Elementary School. This may result in a placement at another school upon return.

 

In the event of an unforeseen critical family circumstance occurring after July 1, 2023, that causes an unexpected late return to the school, the parent must advise the school as soon as possible by email (whiteside@sd38.bc.ca).

 

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.

 

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:

June 21             Year end assembly

June 23             Gr 7 Farewell

June 27             Intermediate pool day

June 29             Last day for students

 

 

We wish you all a wonderful weekend!

 

~Whiteside Elementary