Hi Whiteside families!

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible women in our community who nurture and support our learners as they blossom into remarkable people.

Thank you to our PAC for a delicious Friday afternoon treat. We appreciate these yummy surprises! We also enjoyed the beautiful music from Ms. LB and her honour band this afternoon. What a great way to end the week.

Thankfully, our Whiteside Wolfpack will enjoy a special event, treat, or experience each week until the end of the year. Please continue to read your child’s planner, our newsletters, and our website for updated information.

Please remember that Friday, May 17 is our final pro-d day for the year. Monday, May 20^th is Victoria Day. Whiteside will be closed to students on both days.

Thank you for all your care and support. You make Whiteside a special community to learn, teach, and play.

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:

 

May 13             Speed Control concert (Thank you PAC)

May 16             Family Teams picnic reading

May 16             Krispy Kreme delivery

May 17             Pro-D day

May 20             Victoria day

May 22             Welcome to K event

May 24             Ian Maskin concert

May 24             Hot Lunch (Chipotle)

May 27             Track Meet

May 31             Family Teams event

June 4              Gr. 7 rafting trip

June 7              Family Teams event

June 14             Sports Day

June 21             Grade 7 farewell celebration

June 27             Last day of school for students

 

WHITESIDE INFORMATION AND EVENTS

Notice Of Late Return 2024-2025

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 4, 2024. Please return the form to the school principal by June 21, 2024.

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 11, 2024, 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, 2024, 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).

 

Sharing Fridge

The sharing fridge is now stocked with a variety of healthy snacks for our students to enjoy.  We teach and encourage our students to take what they need and when they need it.  We kindly remind families that this is not to replace sending your child to school with a packed lunch and snack but for students who are still hungry after finishing their lunch, forgot their lunch at home or do not have access to fruits and veggies.

 

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, May 21^st at 6:45 p.m.! Please reach out to our PAC at whitesidepac@hotmail.com for more information.

 

Whiteside Fundraising

To help support new learning 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.

 

DISTRICT INFORMATION AND UPDATES

 

Just B4 Preschool

Registration for September 2024 opens soon!  Children born in 2020 may apply may apply

Our preschool program is specifically designed for 4-year old children (born in 2020) to attend Just B4 with the hope of inspiring and supporting the creation of rich, joyful early childhood spaces. Our approach is emergent, play-based and focuses on children’s natural inquiries.

 

AI Supports for Parents/Caregivers and Students

New resources are available for the education sector to support local considerations and decision-making regarding the use of AI tools in K-12 schools in BC. The Digital literacy and the use of AI in education: supports for British Columbia schools web page (link) now includes three student posters and a two-page informational sheet for parents and caregivers.

 

Student And Family Affordability Fund

The provincial government recently announced a renewal of one-time funds for the Student and Family Affordability Fund. This fund is designed to assist families who require financial assistance with school-related costs in the following areas:

• school and course fees.
• school supplies and course materials.
• field trips.
• school-related extracurricular opportunities. 
• clothing and footwear required for sports and school activities. 

Please reach out to our principal, Brett Cameron, (whiteside@sd38.bc.ca) if you need assistance.  As always, all requests will be treated with dignity and your privacy will be respected. We want to work with our families to ensure that our students, your children, have everything they need to be successful at school. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can help.

 

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.

 

THE MORE YOU KNOW…

Healthy Eating Habits

As a parent, these tips help create healthy habits at home:

• Set regular meal and snack times that work for the whole family. Share mealtimes and eat with your children.
• Offer a balance and variety of foods from all food groups at mealtimes. 
• Offer food in ways they can manage easily. For example, cut into pieces, or mash food to prevent choking in younger children.
• Help your children learn to use a spoon or cup so they can eat independently.
• Include your child in age-appropriate food preparation and table setting.
• Avoid using dessert as a bribe. Serve healthy dessert choices, such as a fruit cup or yogurt.
• Show your child how you read labels to help you choose foods when shopping.
• Avoiding fast food restaurants shows your children the importance of enjoying mealtime as a family, while eating healthy home cooked meals.

 

Whiteside Reading Information of The Week

Read about it, talk about it, and think about it! Find ways for your child to build understanding, the ultimate goal of learning how to read. The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

• Support and encourage the learning process
• Learning to read can be a difficult process for some children. It’s important to create a safe environment in your home where children feel like they can make mistakes and learn from them. Show your support in all reading activities your child takes on. Help them sound out words they may not know, and reassure them if they make mistakes. Building up confidence can be a key factor in establishing a positive relationship with reading. The more confident a child is in his or her reading ability, the more likely they are to build up a lifelong love of reading.

 

 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EVENTS:

FamilySmart Support in Richmond

FamilySmart is not just about families. Whether you are a youth, young adult, family member or service provider, YOU MATTER to FamilySmart. Our experiences with each other impact mental health outcomes of young people.

We are Together-Centred and it means that your experience, expertise, and contributions are acknowledged, respected and valued. You are all seen, and treated, as assets.

FamilySmart comes along-side young people and families to provide support, navigation assistance and information and then invites them and professionals to come-alongside each other to learn with and from each other to enhance the quality of experiences and services for child and youth mental health.

Please see attachments for more information.

 

Bike To School Week

Bike to School Week is an annual celebration where students of all ages are encouraged to bike, roll, or walk to school. This year Bike to School Week takes place June 3-7, 2024. Over 140 schools participate in a typical year across Metro Vancouver. HUB Cycling offers support such as resources and event ideas, prizes and packages to make ride tracking easy. 

 

Have a great weekend!

 ~Whiteside Elementary