Hi Whiteside families!  

Thank you all for joining us at our Meet the Teacher night. It was a great evening to see our community join together to celebrate learning, celebrate our new school, and enjoy a delicious burger. A BIG thank you to our PAC for their generosity, support, and hard work.

This week, we watched wonderful performances and presentations from Mr. McCuaig’s class, Mme. Dennill’s class, and Mme. Kunc’s class at our Orange Shirt Day assembly. We also learned all about the exciting sport, Aussie Rules Football. TONIGHT is the AFL Grand Final between Collingwood and Brisbane. You can watch it on TSN at 9pm. https://www.tsn.ca/2018-australian-rules-football-on-tsn-1.1021693

Have a great weekend!

 

Every Child Matters Flag Initiative and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. September 2023

As a school and district, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and compassionate environment for all our students, families, and staff.  As we approach September 30, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we wanted to share with you a few important events that are taking place in our school and district. 

On September 22, 2023, our entire district staff engaged in a day of learning about Indigenous History, First Peoples Principles of Learning, and our collective role in reconciliation. Please note, this is a Non-Instructional Day and schools will not be in session. 

Additionally, in honour of the children lost and the generations impacted by residential schools, we will be displaying the orange “Every Child Matters” flag in our school.  We are fortunate to have been gifted this flag through the fundraising efforts of the Student Social Justice Committee at Hugh Boyd Secondary.  This student led committee worked hard to raise funds to provide each school in our district with an “Every Child Matters” flag as part of their action towards Truth and Reconciliation.  The flag serves as a collective dedication to learning, understanding, healing and reconciliation

Finally, a reminder that the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation occurs each year on September 30^th.  As this occurs on Saturday this year, the statutory day will be on Monday, October 2, 2023, and therefore school will not be in session on this day. We attached a resource to our website that families can use to spark conversation and learn more.

CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT

If your child is arriving late to school, please check in at the office through the front entrance.

If your child needs to leave school early, please sign your child out at the office and wait at the front entrance for them.

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 next meeting is on Tuesday, October 17 at 6:45 p.m.! Please reach out to our PAC at whitesidepac@hotmail.com for more information

WEST COAST RECESS

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!

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. Our east parking lot is closed to parent drivers. Please use the South Arm lot or our drop off lane. Students and families use the crosswalks in front of the school all day. Please be mindful of pedestrians and other cars when driving in front of our school. When using the drop off lane, please continue to pull forward to allow more space behind you, but do not block or park on the zebra crosswalks. Blocking crosswalks creates danger for pedestrians trying to cross to our school.

 

Coming Soon:

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. 24             Jamie Oliviero presentation

Oct. 30             Hot lunch

Oct. 31             HUB Cycling begins for intermediate.

Oct. 31             Halloween costume parade

Nov. 10             Remembrance Day Assembly

Nov. 10             Hot lunch

Nov. 11             Remembrance Day

Nov. 13             Remembrance Day observed – school closed.

Nov. 20             Pro-D Day (school closed)

Nov. 24             Hot lunch

Dec. 7               Grade 6/7 immunizations

Dec. 12             Winter Concert – 6 p.m.

Dec. 15             Hot lunch

Dec. 19             Winter musical – 6 p.m.

Dec. 21             Reports published.

Dec. 22             Last day before Winter Break

 

Have a great weekend!

 ~Whiteside Elementary