Hi Whiteside families!

 

We enjoyed another wonderful week of learning at Whiteside.

We welcomed our newest Wolves to Whiteside at our Welcome to Kindergarten event this week. These amazing kids cut, coloured, explored, and played with our student leaders, new friends, and future teachers. We are so excited to them again in September.

We also welcomed Ian Maksin (https://www.youtube.com/c/ianmaksin) to Whiteside today. We are fortunate to hear his beautiful music and wonderful stories. Music is a big part of our community and connecting with Mr. Maksin shows us the amazing life that music can bring.

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 27             Track Meet

May 31             Family Teams event

June 3              Crepe Day

June 4              Gr. 7 rafting trip

June 7              Family Teams event

June 7               Movie Night

June 14             Sports Day and Hot Lunch

June 21             Grade 7 farewell celebration

June 27             Last day of school for students

 

WHITESIDE INFORMATION AND EVENTS

Track Meet – Monday, May 27

Our Wolfpack take to the track at Minoru to run, jump, and throw. This week, forms were sent home to share inofmration about the track meet and to gather feedback from you about how your children will arrive and leave the track meet. Please let us know if your information changed. Other important info:

• All students must check in with our teachers at the ten to receive their event tags and jerseys.
• Parking is unavailable at Minoru
• Please carpool or use the tennis court parking lots.
• The senior centre and recreation centre are closed to the public.
• Our homebase will be on the northwest corner of the track (like last year).
• Dress for success – please dress for the weather (layers and sun protection).
• Bring a water bottle, snacks, lunch, hat, sunscreen, and a non-digital item to have fun with (cards, book, colouring, etc.).
• We discourage bringing digital devices. There are many people that come and go during the track meet and we do not want devices to go missing.
• Students must check-out with a teacher and return their jersey before leaving with their family.
• Students are representing their family, themselves, and their school. We expect responsible and respectful behaviour at the meet.

 

Movie Night – June 7  

Bring a friend, blanket, and pillow to join us for our final movie night on June 7. Entry is free and pizza/concession can be purchased before the movie on Munch-a-Lunch. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Movie begins at 6:30 p.m.

 

Hot Lunch – June 14

Celebrate Sports Day with Triple O’s on June 14. Orders and full payments must be received on munch-a-lunch by no later than Friday, June 7th.  Please ensure that you have fully paid for your children's order by this date, or their order(s) will be cancelled.

 

Class Placements

Please see the attached letter with information regarding class placements for 2024-2025.

 

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

Our PAC will hold their AGM next month. We encourage all parents to attend this meeting and ponder joining our PAC executive. Our PAC is a great group of parents that care for our school and students. 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 our AGM on Tuesday, June 18^th at 6:30 p.m.!  We hope to see parents out to join our PAC next year. 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

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

Picky eaters?

• Don’t stress too much if your child refuses a food product or meal. Refrain from giving them something else in between meals just so that they eat. They will eat better at the next meal.
• Don’t worry too much if your child doesn’t seem to be eating enough. If their weight and size is on track, they are probably getting what they need. Just make sure to offer your child a variety of foods from all food groups to make sure they are getting the right nutrients. Your child’s doctor will monitor their growth at regular appointments and will let you know if there are any problems.
• Children’s appetites change from day-to-day, or even from meal to meal. Because they have small stomachs, children need to eat small amounts often throughout the day. Children know how much food they need and will eat the amount that their body needs.

 

Whiteside Reading Information of The Week

Read regularly

Little and often is the best approach with young readers. Try setting aside 10 or 15 minutes of reading time each day. For some children, especially very young readers, four or five minutes of reading may be sufficient. This short time together should be enjoyable for you both.

Get comfortable

Find somewhere free from distractions. Giving your child your complete attention will help them learn how to focus and enjoy reading. Asking your child where they would like to read also helps. They may want to curl up on the floor or lounge on your lap in an armchair. Make the choice of where to read part of the reading for pleasure experience.

Be positive

While your child is reading, try not to interrupt them if they get things wrong. Let them finish a sentence or paragraph and then go back over anything you think is important.

 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EVENTS:

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