Hi Whiteside!

Thank you to all who attended our Terry Fox Run and Meet the Staff Night. Your support and enthusiasm made these events a huge success and a lot of fun!

Thank you to our PAC for a great first meeting of the year. We appreciate how much you support our school.

Next week, we host our Orange Shirt Day assembly to recognize and grow awareness of the intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools. Whiteside will also be closed for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30^th.  

A friendly reminder: We have a professional development day tomorrow on September 20^th. Whiteside will be closed.

Thank you for your ongoing support of learning at Whiteside.

We acknowledge and thank the First Peoples of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language group on whose traditional and unceded territories we teach, learn and live, and upon where the Musqueam people continue their traditions and cultural education.

 

Coming Events:

Sept. 20            Non-Instructional Day

Sept. 27            Orange Shirt Day assembly

Sept. 27            Hot lunch day

Sept. 30            National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (school closed)

Oct. 1               FSAs begin

Oct. 1               DARE begins

Oct. 9               Individual photos

Oct. 10             Emergency Thursday (Fire Drill)

Oct. 14             Thanksgiving (school closed)

Oct. 15/16        Outdoor Ed at Cheakamus

Oct. 17             Emergency Thursday (Earthquake Drill)

Oct. 18             Hot lunch (sushi)

Oct. 23             Learning Conferences (11:50 a.m. dismissal)

Oct. 24             Emergency Thursday (Hold and Secure)

Oct. 25             Provincial Pro-D

Nov. 1              Hot lunch (pizza)

Nov. 8              Remembrance Day assembly

Nov. 11             Remembrance Day (school closed)

Nov. 14             TCO2 for Gr. 4-7

Nov. 15             Hot lunch (Subway)

Nov. 25             Pro-D (school closed)

Nov. 29             Hot lunch (pizza)

Dec. 13             Hot lunch (White Spot)

 

WHITESIDE INFORMATION AND EVENTS

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

We appreciate parents dropping off and picking up students only at their exterior doors. The front of the school and our hallways are busy places before and after school as teachers and staff work diligently to prepare their teaching. Please be respectful of these spaces and times. We are happy to assist you should you need to meet with a teacher. To meet a teacher, please visit the main office and we will connect with the teacher for you (or greet at your exit door).

 

Bike and Scooter Safety

We see a lot of our Wolfpack riding and scooting to school every day. Way to go!

 

To be safe on the streets and paths, everyone must wear helmets when riding or scooting. Wearing a helmet is the law in B.C., and you could be fined for not wearing one or worse. Also, please do not ride or scoot in our drop off lane. Visit this link for more information about bike safety and see below for information about e-scooters.

 

Student Lunches

Lunch time is an important part of our school day. Please help us create a calm, healthy, and positive lunch routine for our Wolfpack.

 

Providing a prepacked lunch helps maintain a consistent routine, which is so important for your child’s well-being and learning. When lunches are bought and dropped off or when meals are cooked and brought to school, it can disrupt the flow of our day. These last-minute deliveries not only interrupt staff and students, but also cut into valuable learning time.

 

Moreover, when students are uncertain about when or if their lunch will arrive, it can cause unnecessary anxiety and distraction. A healthy, prepacked lunch ensures that your child can focus on what matters most during the school day—learning and enjoying their time with friends.

 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. By sending a nutritious lunch with your child each morning, you’re helping us create a more focused, calm, and productive environment for everyone.

 

PAC Updates

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. Please reach out to our PAC at whitesidepac@hotmail.com for more information and an invitation link for our next PAC meeting in October. Our next PAC meeting is at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15.

 

Outdoor Education – Grade 6 Camp

Our grade 6s will be going to Cheakamus near Squamish for their Outdoor Ed trip this fall. They will depart Whiteside early in the morning on October 15 and will return late in the afternoon on October 16. All camp forms are due now. Payment is due by October 1^st through SchoolCashOnline.

 

Grade 7 Farewell Hoodies! 

It's that time of year for our Grade 7's to order their Grade 7 farewell hoodies!  Please order on SchoolCashOnline, where you will select your child's preferences for size and style (the colour will be black). Sample sizes are available outside of the office. If you have any problems or concerns, please contact the office (whiteside@sd38.bc.ca).  Orders are due September 30^th.  No late orders.

 

Whiteside Fundraising

After a summer of collecting empty cans and bottles, you can help raise money for Whiteside. 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.

 

Student Package of Forms:

All forms were sent home last week.  The forms -- excluding the verification form (blue) -- are also on the school website in case you need to translate them.  Completed forms are due today. Please pay the school fees on SchoolCashOnline by Friday, September 27th. 

 

Non-Instructional Day and The National Day For Truth And Reconciliation

Just a reminder that school will be closed for our first non-instructional day of the year on Friday, September 20^th. Whiteside will also be closed in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30^th. Our Orange Shirt Day assembly will be held on Friday, September 27^th.

   

School Fees

Every year we collect $33 for our school fees which includes all basic supplies for our students for the year. There is an additional Cooking and Craft fee ($22) for students in our Kindergarten and K/1 classes only.

There is an additional $7 fee for school planners. Planners are an excellent way for grade one to seven students (grade 1-7 only), staff, and children to communicate school assignments and upcoming events. We encourage our students and their families to review their planner regularly.

There may also be additional costs for educational field trips during the year. Teachers and staff will be sharing a list of potential field trips and their associated cost shortly. Please use SchoolCashOnline to make your payment early. Please contact the office if you have questions about our school fees or need assistance in paying.

 

West Coast Recess:

During recess and lunchtime breaks, students are expected to always be outside 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! 

 

DISTRICT INFORMATION AND UPDATES

Nut Awareness

Nut products can cause severe and life-threatening allergic reactions. To help us maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff, we ask that you refrain from bringing any items containing nuts to school. While we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment, the district is committed to taking reasonable steps to minimize the risk of accidental exposure to life-threatening allergens. 

 

Digital Devices in Schools

In January 2024, the Ministry of Education and Child Care mandated all school boards in British Columbia to update their Codes of Conduct to include restrictions on students’ personal digital device use. 

On June 19, 2024, the Richmond Board of Education passed a motion to update Policy 105: District Code of Conduct effective July 1, 2024. The updated policy will:

• Restrict students’ use of personal digital devices at school, including during instructional time or learning related activities, to promote online safety and a focused learning environment, unless use is permitted by supervising staff. 
• Support the acceptable use of student personal digital devices for accessibility and accommodation needs, medical and health needs, and to support equity of learning outcomes. 

In conjunction with the updates to Policy 105, the district developed Policy 104-G (A): Acceptable Use of Personal Digital Devices. The key components of these administrative guidelines are as follows:

Elementary Schools (K-7):

• Students should not have personal digital devices in their possession during the school day unless permission is granted by the supervising staff for educational purposes. This includes during recess and lunch or while outside on the playground or on school property.
• It is recommended that students do not bring personal digital devices to school.

The district values the collaborative partnership among students, parents and staff. Moving forward, schools will engage with their communities to facilitate this transition. Should you have any inquiries or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school principal. 

Resources: 

• Media Smarts – Canada’s Centre for Digital Media Literacy:
  • https://mediasmarts.ca 
• Common Sense – Family Engagement Resources
  • https://www.commonsense.org/education/toolkit/family-engagement-resources
• ERASE – Expect Respect and a Safe Education:
  • https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase

 

 

All About Literacy: Information for Parents and Caregivers

The Ministry of Education and Child Care released a new Ministry resource for parents and caregivers this past summer to support early literacy at home.  

This guide outlines early literacy as what children learn about reading and writing before they can fully read and write. The guide targets suggestions for learners before starting school and in the early grades (kindergarten to Grade 3). This brief guide provides parents and caregivers with: 

Helpful tips to build a child’s early literacy skills at home.

• An explanation of how teachers support early literacy in school. 
• Steps parents and caregivers can take if they think their child needs extra support. 

 

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…

Restorative Justice

What is restorative practice?

Restorative practice is a way of working with conflict that puts the focus on repairing the harm that has been done. It is an approach to conflict resolution that includes all parties involved. Restorative practice (sometimes referred to as restorative justice) is often an approach to conflict resolution that we use at school. We will share more information about restorative practice in future newsletters.

 

Electric Kick Scooters

Electric kick scooters are battery-powered devices with a motor and two to four wheels, a platform for standing and handlebars for steering.

Starting April 5, 2024, a new pilot project is underway to test electric kick scooter use in participating B.C. communities. The Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project Regulation sets rules for the pilot project. Each participating community can also set certain rules, such as where you may use an electric kick scooter (e.g. multi-use paths). The B.C. government is using the results of these pilot projects to determine if and how electric kick scooters should be authorized for permanent use in the province.

Operating your electric kick scooter safely: know the rules

Participating communities may have bylaws setting criteria for electric kick scooter use. Check with your municipality to understand what rules apply in your community.

Road rules for electric kick scooters

50 km/h or less

If the road has a speed limit of 50 km/h or less, you must use a designated cycling lane if one is available or stay as far right as practicable unless directed elsewhere by a traffic control device.

Above 50 km/h

If the road has a speed limit above 50 km/h, you can only use an electric kick scooter in a designated cycling lane.

Signs and signals

You must obey any signs or other traffic control devices indicating where electric kick scooters may or may not be used.

What types of electric kick scooters are allowed?

An electric kick scooter must meet certain requirements or it may be illegal and result in a violation ticket and fine from police.

Make sure any device you are thinking of buying or renting has all of the following:

Handlebars for steering with a platform in the middle for standing (cannot have a seat/sitting surface or enclosure)

One or two front wheels and one or two rear wheels (no more than 430mm in diameter) placed along a longitudinal axis

One or more electric motors powered by batteries, with a continuous power output rating not exceeding 500 watts.

Weight not exceeding 45 kg, including motors and batteries.

Maximum speed capability of 25 km/h on a clean, paved and level surface.

A braking system that can stop the device travelling at maximum speed within 7.5 meters. The motor must also stop when the accelerator is released or brakes applied.

A bell or horn that must be sounded when passing pedestrians and other road users.

Front and rear lights that must be turned on between sunset and sunrise (lights may also be worn by the operator).

Safety rules you must follow:

You must obey provincial rules when operating an electric kick scooter. Participating communities may also set rules where you can ride an electric kick scooter. Check with your municipality to understand what rules apply to you.

Must be 16 or older: a person under 16 cannot ride an electric kick scooter, nor can their parent or guardian knowingly permit it.

Safety helmet required: you must always wear an approved safety helmet whenever riding an electric kick scooter.

Sidewalk and crosswalk use: you cannot ride an electric kick scooter on sidewalks or in crosswalks, except if a sign or traffic control device allows electric kick scooters on sidewalks or in crosswalks.

Use bell or horn when approaching or passing: you must sound a bell or horn whenever approaching or passing a pedestrian, cyclist or person using another device.

Single use: you must not carry any passengers, tow people or devices.

Ride single file: you must not ride beside another person operating a cycle or electric kick scooter, except to pass.

Use turn signals: you must indicate whenever you are turning by using standard hand signals or lighted turn signals if your device has them.

“Hook” left turns: to turn left at an intersection, you must pass straight through an intersection staying as far right as practicable then stop and turn left 90-degrees, before proceeding forward as directed by any traffic signals, signs or other traffic control devices. If a hook turn is unsafe or impracticable, you can always dismount and walk through an intersection like a pedestrian.

Do not use while impaired or distracted: it is illegal to operate an electric kick scooter while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or when using a cellphone or other electronic device.

 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EVENTS:

City of Richmond – Active Recreation & Sport Fund

Active Recreation & Sport Fund – for residents 18 and under, funding is provided for children and youth to participate in active recreation programs and sports where financial barriers impact inclusion (see digital card attached).

 

YMCA Fall Generation Health Program - A Free Healthy Lifestyle Program

Generation Health is a FREE 10-week healthy lifestyle program for children and their families, delivered through YMCA BC and in partnership with the Childhood Healthy Living Foundation. Program participants will meet virtually or in-person to learn about healthy eating, physical activity, goal setting, body image, self-esteem and more!  

There are four program days to choose from: starting in October, Tuesdays in-person at the Tong Louie YMCA from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays virtually from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This program requires prior registration through these details: phone 1-888-650-3141 or send an e-mail to generationhealth@bc.ymca.ca (link).

Families who join this program receive a complimentary membership to the YMCA. 

 

Youth Representative for Richmond’s Intercultural Advisory Committee

The City of Richmond’s Intercultural Advisory Committee (RIAC) is seeking a youth representative for the 2025 appointment term. If you know any district youths passionate about advancing cultural diversity, equity and inclusion, and topics such as anti-racism, interculturalism, and language accessibility, please share the following information with them for consideration. This position requires a completion of an application and is open to youth or young adults aged 13-24 at the time of application. See below for details:

The committee meets monthly nine times a year, with breaks in July, August and December.

More information on the application process can be found at www.richmond.ca/advisory (link). Interested youth are invited to submit an application (link) and resume to the attention of the City Clerk’s Office to cityclerk@richmond.ca (link) no later than Friday, September 27, 2024. Please indicate that you are applying for the youth representative role in your application.

 

City of Richmond – Gang Prevention Information Sessions

Gang Prevention Information Sessions – in partnership with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC, Richmond RCMP, and Touchstone Family Association, these free sessions are designed for parents, guardians and caregivers. Registration is required (see digital card and PDF attached).

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 ~Whiteside Elementary