Hi Whiteside families!

 

Thank you for your kindness and support as we settled into our classes this week. Our halls are filled with excitement and our classrooms are filled with joy and possibilities. As a school, we are excited to teach your children this year and appreciate your connection to their learning.

 

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm during our Terry Fox run. This event not only raises awareness and fundraising for cancer research, but also connects us as a community. Thank you to our PAC for their delicious post-run snacks.

 

We have a great fall coming for our Wolfpack. We are looking forward to hosting our Meet the Staff BBQ on September 26. We also are excited for our first hot lunch day (thank you!). We also welcome back Jack, our Aussie Rules Football coach, for a week of Aussie Rules football. Throughout September, Whiteside will honour the Truth and Reconciliation Act and Orange Shirt Day in a variety of classroom and school wide activities and lessons, including our Orange Shirt Day assembly on September 29^th.

 

We hope our Wolfpack community has a great weekend and enjoys the final moments of summer together.

 

RAISING DIGITALLY RESPONSIBLE YOUTH

Safer Schools Together has published a parent guide for Raising Digitally Responsible Youth. The guide was designed to help introduce parents and caregivers to leading social media platforms, video games, and relevant trends that are either being used already or have the potential to be used by their children, and includes tips, how-to's and definitions. If you have questions about your child's online safety, please connect with your classroom teacher.

 

STUDENT PACKAGE OF FORMS:

This week, we sent home a package of permission forms and information forms to be filled out and returned to your child’s teacher.  It is important that we have up-to-date information, including contact numbers and appropriate medical information. During the year if anything changes, please let Ms. Huh know in the office as soon as possible.

  

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAY and the NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Just a reminder that school will be closed for our first non-instructional day of the year on Friday, September 22^nd. Whiteside will also be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, October 2^nd. Our Orange Shirt Day assembly will be held on Friday, September 29^th.

 

PAC MEETINGS

PAC are amazing resources for our entire school community. A strong PAC bonds our school community with our families. PAC is an excellent way for our families to connect directly with the action at our school as well as develop relationships within the parent community. Our first meeting is on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.! Please reach out to our PAC at whitesidepac@hotmail.com for more information

 

SCHOOL FEES

Every year we collect $33 for our school fees which includes all basic supplies for our students for the year. There is an additional Cooking and Craft fee ($22) for students in our Kindergarten and K/1 classes only.

 

There is an additional $7 fee for school planners. Planners are an excellent way for grade one to seven students (grade 1-7 only), staff, and children to communicate school assignments and upcoming events. We encourage our students and their families to review their planner regularly.

 

There may also be additional costs for educational field trips during the year. Teachers and staff will be sharing a list of potential field trips and their associated cost shortly. Please use CashOnline to make your payment early. Please contact the office if you have questions about our school fees or need assistance in paying.

 

“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.

 

TERRY FOX RUN

Thank you for your support! Our Terry Fox run was a big success. We love having our parents, families, and community come out to watch our run. A BIG thank you to our PAC for providing our delicious, post-run snack!

 

This year, Whiteside is so proud and excited to participate in the Terry Fox School Run on Friday, September 15^th. To date, our school has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research! Terry never quit on his dream of a world without cancer, and neither will we. This year, our goal is $1000 and you can donate in support of cancer research https://schools.terryfox.ca/32913/donate while building fantastic school spirit! Thank you for supporting our school in the fight against cancer and showing your no-quit attitude in honour of Terry! #terryfoxschoolrun @terryfoxfoundation

 

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!

 

PARKING LOT SAFETY

With school starting up, it is important to remind both drivers and pedestrians to keep traffic safety in mind and remain alert during their commutes.

Here are some tips for drivers, pedestrians, and parents from ICBC to make travelling to and from school safe for everyone.

 

Drivers 

Stick to the Speed Limit
A 30 km/h speed limit is in effect in school zones from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every school day, unless otherwise posted. In playground zones, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect every day from dawn to dusk.

Scan Crosswalks and Intersections from Left to Right as You Approach
Watch for pedestrians waiting to cross, especially during school hours.

Leave Your Phone Alone
Distraction is the leading factor for drivers in crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Notice if Other Drivers are Slowing Down or Stopping
If a vehicle is stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding to a pedestrian, so proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.

Give Yourself Enough Stopping Distance
You need more time to stop when you're driving fast. At a slower speed, motorists have better chance to react when children or others are crossing the road. This could be the difference that saves a life.

Watch for School Buses
When their lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop.

 

Pedestrians 

Cross Only at Marked or Controlled Crosswalks
Do not jaywalk or cross when it isn’t your turn.

Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street
Ensure it is safe to cross from both directions of traffic before setting foot on the crosswalk.

Make Eye Contact with Drivers Approaching the Crosswalk
Be certain they see you and that they’ve committed to slowing down to a stop.

Double-Check Lights and Signals are Working at Controlled Crosswalks
Make sure that the flashing traffic lights are operational and haven’t timed out before crossing.

Wait Until the Crossing Guard Says It’s Safe to Cross
If your school has a crossing guard, follow their instructions before crossing – they will make sure it’s safe before guiding you across.

 

Parents 

Let Your Child Enter and Exit Your Car on the Side Closest to the Sidewalk
It’s safest to drop off and pick up as close to the sidewalk as possible. Do not allow your child to cross mid-block.

Before Starting Your Car, Check for Small Children Hidden from Your View
Walk around your car and always look carefully for pedestrians when backing up.

 

Coming Soon:

 

Sept. 21            Hot lunch day

Sept. 22            Non-instructional Day – school closed

Sept. 25-29       Aussie Rules Football week

Sept. 26            Meet the Staff night

Sept. 29            Orange Shirt Day assembly

Sept. 30            National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Oct. 2               National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (observed) school closed

Oct. 9               Thanksgiving Day – school closed

Oct. 13             Individual photos

Oct. 18/19        Learning Conferences (1:45 p.m. dismissal)

Oct. 20             Pro-D Day (school closed)

Oct. 31             HUB Cycling begins for grade 6-7

Oct. 31             Halloween costume parade

Nov. 10             Remembrance Day Assembly

Nov. 11             Remembrance Day

Nov. 13             Remembrance Day observed – school closed

Nov. 20             Pro-D Day (school closed)

 

Have a great weekend!

 ~Whiteside Elementary