Dear Whiteside Families,

Welcome back! We hope you had an amazing summer filled with special moments with friends and family. Summer is the perfect time to recharge, and we can’t wait to see everyone refreshed and ready for an exciting new school year. We're so excited to welcome you and your children back next week. We’re eager to hear all about your summer adventures!

On Tuesday, September 3^rd (next week!), students entering grade 1-7 will attend from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.:

• We will meet as a school on our big grass field (south/back field).
• Returning students will be placed with their division from last year.
• New students will meet with a Resource teacher and be brought to their new group.
• We have some new teachers this year. Each one will have a sign indicating which division they are welcoming.
• At 10:00 a.m., our teachers will bring the students back to the field for dismissal. They will inform you about the regular entry and exit doors your child will use for the rest of the week.

If you arrive late on Tuesday, please check in at the office.

The purpose of our first week is to help students transition back into the school setting and to begin cultivating safe and caring relationships with their peers and teachers.

Wednesday, September 4^th will be the first full day for students in grade 1-7. Students can enter through their regular entry doors. Please ensure your children come to school dressed for the weather and with a water bottle, snack, and lunch. Students will be welcomed to their classes at 8:40 a.m. (instructional time begins at 8:45 a.m.). Students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Students will rotate through different classes with their friends throughout the first week. We try to settle into our class placements as soon as possible.

There is no need to bring school supplies to school. School supplies are distributed to each classroom at the beginning of the year and are included in your school fees.

Our breakfast and lunch program will not begin until after the first week. The provincial Feeding Futures School Program Fund, designed to assist schools in the development and enhancement of school meal programs and other nutritional supports for students will continue this year. If you would like to request support for your child at school, please reach out to our principal, Brett Cameron (bcameron@sd38.bc.ca). This is not a hot meal service designed to accommodate all children. Meal options and delivery may change from last year’s model. 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.

We encourage our families to walk or ride their bikes to school when possible. If you must drive to Whiteside, please remember to drive through our parking lot slowly and carefully. Please do not park in our drop off lane.

Please note that Kindergarten students are on their own gradual entry schedule, and for more information about these schedules please refer to our school website or our kindergarten email from earlier in the spring and summer.

Here is our bell schedule for the 2024-2025 school year:

8:40 a.m.          Students welcomed.

8:45 a.m.          Instructional time begins.

10:10 a.m.        Recess

11:50 p.m.        Lunch begins (students eat first)

12:10 p.m.        Students dismissed for supervised play outside.

12:42 p.m.        Afternoon instructional time begins.

2:45 p.m.          Dismissal

The school calendar is attached to this email. Mark your calendars!

• Sept. 19 – Terry Fox Run
• Sept. 19 – Meet the Teacher Night
• Sept. 20 – Non-Instructional Day (school closed)
• Sept. 27 – Orange Shirt Day Assembly
• Sept. 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (school closed)
• Oct. 9 – Individual photos
• Oct. 14 – Thanksgiving (school closed)
• Oct. 23 – Early Dismissal (students dismissed at 12:45)
• Oct. 25 – Provincial Pro-D (school closed)

If you have any questions please reach out to us at whiteside@sd38.bc.ca or 604-668-6209.