Hi Whiteside families,

 

Thank you for joining us at our Family Reading Party. It was an amazing afternoon of reading and exploring. As our Wolfpack develops their reading comprehension skills, It is good to balance reading physical (paper) books and reading online. To support reading at home, here are some websites you can go to for free that will support your child with their reading, both fiction and non-fiction. 

• https://storylineonline.net  The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading high quality children's books to inspire a love of reading.  
• https://kids.nationalgeographic.com National Geographic Kids Kids can read non-fiction text too! 
• https://www.starfall.com/h/ Starfall This website is more appropriate for younger learners, K – 3. 
• https://www.timeforkids.com/ Time for Kids More non-fiction text. You can choose the appropriate grade for your child prior to reading an article.

 

***Correction from last week’s newsletter. Each week we share information from Canada’s Food Guide. We hope this information helps families and children make good choices about their nutrition. The Canada Food Guide recommends nuts and nut butter as a healthy snack option. However, Whiteside continues to be a nut-aware/nut-free school. We have many students with nut allergies that we must be aware of. I apologize the confusion.***

 

Thank you again for being a part of the vibrant Whiteside community. You make our school a truly special place.

 

The Richmond Board of Education acknowledges and thanks the First Peoples of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language group on whose traditional and unceded territories we teach, learn and live.

 

Coming Soon:

Feb. 9               Hot lunch - Sushi

Feb. 16             Pro-D day

Feb. 19             Family Day

Feb. 28             Pink Shirt Day

Feb. 28/29        Early dismissal for conferences

Mar. 14            Last day before Spring Break

April 2              Whiteside re-opens

May 1-3            Grade 6 Outdoor Education trip

May 17             Pro-D day

May 20             Victoria day

May 21             Gr. 7 Day at McRoberts

June 4              Gr. 7 rafting trip

June 27             Last day of school for students

 

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 2024 theme for Black History Month is: Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html

 

LUNAR NEW YEAR

Lunar New Year happens this year on Saturday, February 10, 2024. This year ushers in the year of the Dragon! 

 

WOLFWEAR IS BACK

Wolf Wear is now available for ordering online (until February 15^th)! 

https://urstore.ca/group/whiteside-wolves_531344 

Sample sizes are available outside the office for you or your child to try on.  Once ordered with URstore, you cannot amend your order.  Please make sure you order the correct size and colour.  When ordering, also make sure to indicate the Student's (not Parent's) Name in the Delivery Instructions section.

 

PARKING LOT SAFETY

During our darker winter months, 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. Please drive slowly through the drop-off area.

 

WHITESIDE BASKETBALL

Our Whiteside basketball season is about to start. Our coaches this year are Mme Howells, Mr. Lenz, Mr. McCuaig, and Mr. Pelletier. We encourage our grade 6 and 7 students to come out and join the fun. A permission form with more information was sent home this week. Please see the schedule below for our girls’ and grade 7 boys’ teams. Our grade 6 boys’ schedule is now available.

 

WOLFPACK BASKETBALL SCHEDULE - GIRLS		Home	Away
Thursday 01/25/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside (L)	Bridge
Thursday 02/01/2024	3:15 PM	Anderson	Whiteside
Thursday 02/08/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside	Lee
Tuesday 02/13/2024	3:15 PM	Bridge	Whiteside
Wednesday 02/21/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside	Anderson
Tuesday 02/27/2024	3:15 PM	Lee	Whiteside

 

WOLFPACK BASKETBALL SCHEDULE – GR.7 BOYS		Home	Away
Wednesday 01/24/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside (40) - W	Bridge (32)
Wednesday 01/31/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside (40) - W	Anderson (9)
Wednesday 02/07/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside	Lee
Monday 02/12/2024	3:15 PM	Bridge	Whiteside
Wednesday 02/21/2024	3:15 PM	Anderson	Whiteside
Monday 02/26/2024	3:15 PM	Lee	Whiteside
WOLFPACK BASKETBALL SCHEDULE – GR.6 BOYS		Home	Away
Tuesday 02/06/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside	Maple Lane
Thursday 02/08/2024	3:15 PM	Maple Lane	Whiteside
Monday 02/12/2024	3:15 PM	McKinney	Whiteside
Wednesday 02/21/2024	3:15 PM	Errington	Whiteside
Tuesday 03/05/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside	Errington
Thursday 03/07/2024	3:15 PM	Whiteside	McKinney

 

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Gr. 4/7 PARENT SURVEY

Each year the Ministry of Education asks parents of grade 4&7 students, and school staff to complete a learning survey. If you have a child in grade 4or 7, 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. 

 

HEALTHY EATING HABITS

Ideas for healthy snacks

Try these snack ideas at home:

• green leafy salad with orange sections and almonds
• lower fat yogurt topped with frozen berries
• lower fat cheese and whole grain crackers with cherry tomatoes
• sliced cucumber and red pepper with hummus or lower fat yogurt dip
• whole grain crackers topped with lower fat cottage cheese and peach slices
• whole grain English muffin topped with apple slices and melted lower fat cheese
• whole grain cereal with fruit slices and milk or unsweetened fortified plant-based beverage

Learn more at:

https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/tips-for-healthy-eating/parents-and-children/

 

SUMMER LEARNING

Visit https://whiteside.sd38.bc.ca/news/2024/01/summer-learning-2024-general-info for more information about Richmond’s summer learning programs.

 

OUTDOOR EDUCATION FUNDRAISING

To help lower the cost of our annual intermediate outdoor education experiences, Whiteside has partnered with Return-It Depot to fundraise.  Return your cans and bottles to our local Return It depot (Unit 110 - 11020 Horseshoe Way), go to the Express area, type in our number 604-668-6419, affix the label to your bag, drop, and go.

 

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, February 13^th at 6:30 p.m.! Please reach out to our PAC at whitesidepac@hotmail.com for more information.

 

SNOW DAYS 

When it snows in our community, our school will remain open if possible. No direct announcement will be made saying that schools will be open. Closures, due to snow, will be announced via the SD38 Twitter account, school, and district websites, and on the radio at CKNW AM 980, News AM 1130, CBC AM 690, Fairchild AM 1470, CHQM FM 103.5. Closures will be announced as early as possible prior to the start of the regular school day. 

 

SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

The City of Richmond Community Bylaws have noted their officers have observed an increase in drivers stopping their vehicles on marked crosswalks during pick-up and drop-off times. Vehicles stopped on marked crosswalks create challenges for pedestrians to cross safely, cause sightline obstructions, and make it difficult for drivers of oncoming vehicles to see them, posing a significant safety risk — especially during this time of year with less daylight. Bylaw enforcement officers may be issuing tickets for vehicles stopping on marked crosswalks.

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome Kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2019, turning 5 in 2024. These children will begin Kindergarten in September 2024. Please visit our website www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten for more information about our online registration process, required documents, important dates, and FAQs.

Videos detailing Kindergarten registration have been made available on our District website, providing new parents with guidance on the registration process, English Language Learner (ELL) assessments, and District Program Options (Early French Immersion and Montessori). These videos are available in English and Mandarin. Please view the videos at www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten.

Thank you and please share this information with your friends and family who have Kindergarten aged children!

 

FEEDING FUTURES

Recently, the provincial government announced a new Feeding Futures School Program Fund, designed to assist schools in the development and enhancement of school meal programs and other nutritional supports for students. If you would like to request support for your child at school, please reach out to our principal, Brett Cameron (bcameron@sd38.bc.ca). We currently provide breakfast and lunch options for students daily. All requests will be treated with dignity and your privacy will be respected. We want to work with families to ensure that your children have everything they need to be successful at school. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can help.

 

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.

 

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!

  

Have a great weekend!

 ~Whiteside Elementary