Hi Whiteside!

 

As Thanksgiving approaches, we're feeling extra grateful for our wonderful families! Your support, whether through volunteering, attending events, or simply encouraging your child's learning at home, makes a huge difference.

We are thankful for working together to make our school a warm and welcoming place where every child can thrive.

Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving filled with joy, laughter, and delicious food!

 

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:

Oct. 14             Thanksgiving (school closed)

Oct. 15/16        Outdoor Ed at Cheakamus

Oct. 17             Emergency Thursday (Earthquake Drill)

Oct. 18             Hot lunch (sushi)

Oct. 22             Cross-Country Fun Run at Garry Pt.

Oct. 22             PAC meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 22             DARE

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

Oct. 24             Emergency Thursday (Hold and Secure)

Oct. 25             Provincial Pro-D (no school)

Oct. 29             PAC Halloween Party

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

Outdoor Education – Grade 6 Camp

Our grade 6s will be going to Cheakamus near Squamish for their Outdoor Ed trip next week! Remember to follow your packing list this weekend and arrive at Whiteside by 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

 

Parking Lot Safety: A Friendly Reminder

Drop-off and pick-up times can get hectic! Let's work together to keep our parking lot safe for everyone. Please remember these important points:

• Drive slowly and cautiously: Children can be unpredictable, so always be alert and watch for pedestrians.
• Use designated parking spaces only: Do not park in the fire lane or drive-thru lane, as this blocks traffic flow and creates hazards.
• Hold your child's hand: Always supervise young children and hold their hands when walking through the parking lot.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Look for moving vehicles and be mindful of blind spots when backing up.

Thank you for your cooperation in making our school a safe place for all!

 

Run Club:

Whiteside Run Club practices have been a wonderful opportunity of our students and families to get moving in the mornings.  If interested, come join us at the back of the school in our courtyard at 8:15 a.m. each morning until October 22. We will do some early morning stretching.  Then, we will follow our warmup with some walking, jogging or running on our paved track.  If raining, we will open our gym for some stretching and light jogging.  

If interested in the district Cross Country Fun Run on Tuesday, October 22^ndafterschool at Garry Point please visit the office for permission forms and information.

 

Bonus Running Opportunity:

Halloween Fun Run hosted by Kajaks Track and Field Club

Join other local elementary runners for a fun Cross-Country Run on Wednesday, October 16^th at Garry Point Park.

Run 1.6km and leap over hay bales. When you cross the finish line you will be rewarded with CANDY!!! This is just a fun run, in preparation for the District Cross Country meet the following week so no ribbons will be awarded.

Time:

Grades 3 and 4 students: 3:15pm

Grades 5, 6, and 7 students: 3:30pm

No registration needed… just show up ready to run.

Stay after your race and cheer on the high school runners as they race at the Richmond Championship Cross Country meet.

 

PAC Halloween Party – Save the date!

Our amazing PAC is planning their annual Halloween party and dance. Our gym will transform into a spoooky party at 5:30 p.m. with games, treats, a costume contest, and more family fun. At 6:30 p.m., we will clear the floor for a haunted dance party until 7:30 p.m.

We are looking for high school volunteers to help run our games and stations. Please email whitesidepac@hotmail.com if you have a high school aged child that would like to earn some volunteer hours.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

 

Hot Lunches

Please see the attached Hot Lunch Newsletter for upcoming hot lunch days. Ordering is open on Munch-a-Lunch.

 

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 future PAC meetings. Our October PAC meeting will be on Teams. Childminding will be provided. Our next PAC meeting is at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22. A link will be sent closer to our meeting.

 

DARE:

Students in grade 5 and 6 are now participating in the DARE program with the Richmond RCMP. The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program equips students with the knowledge and skills to make safe and responsible choices, helping them avoid involvement with drugs, alcohol, and risky behaviors. Through engaging lessons and discussions, the program empowers children to build confidence and make positive decisions that will benefit them throughout their lives.

 

FSAs for Grade 4 and 7:

Students in grade 4 and 7 are now completing the Foundation Skills Assessment. The Foundational Skills Assessments (FSAs) help us understand your child's progress in key areas like reading, writing, and math, providing insight into their learning. These assessments allow both teachers and parents to identify strengths and areas where additional support may be needed, ensuring each student reaches their full potential. This assessment is one of many that provides information about student learning at Whiteside and throughout the province.

 

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.

 

West Coast Recess:

During recess and lunchtime breaks, students are expected to always be outside this year.  Students are reminded 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.

 

Game of Apps:
The majority of students today do not know whether Technology is a career that is suited for them. We’ve met many who, after one or two years of post-secondary schooling in a Tech-oriented program, decide that this is not for them. We’ve also met many who graduated with a non-Tech oriented degree, only to go back to school afterwards in order to pursue a career in Tech.

We believe the primary reason for this costly dilemma (time- and money-wise) is the students’ lack of exposure to what it truly means to work in Technology, especially in the primary and secondary school ages. Being good at computer games does not necessarily translate to being suited to work in Tech. Conversely, not liking math or physics does not automatically equate to not being suited to work in Tech.

WHAT WE DO

We are a non-profit and our mission is to prepare youth for 21st century careers. We help bridge the gap by:
- Teaching coding and technology in an applied environment where students see how coding directly translates to real-world products and activities (mobile apps, music, writing stories, AI, etc.).
- Demonstrating that different skillsets, interests and personalities are required to build successful technology products—we achieve this by having students work in projects that emulate real-world scenarios. Students must exercise critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and collaboration, time management, empathy, communication, presentation skills, and more.
- All our instructors and mentors are professionals working in the Tech industry—students ask many questions about career paths, course selections, etc. and many can see themselves following in the footsteps of their mentors. Many of our past students still keep in touch with us!

Our programs are all online/hybrid and we would like to invite students from James Whiteside Elementary to participate this season.

DETAILS

There is a registration fee ($368 for Intro to Programming) to help cover our costs. We have kept the fees the same for the past 5 years.
SD38 will provide a $100 subsidy for the first 50 SD38 students who register (conditions apply, see below).

In addition, there is an early bird discount if registration is completed by October 7. We also have a budget for students/families who might find the fee prohibitive. In the past 7 years, we have never turned a student away due to the costs and have always found a way to make it work.

As in previous years, we have a strong focus on inviting female and non-tech oriented students. The Tech industry truly needs more variety in backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints (especially with the recent advancements around AI and Machine Learning).

We have a limited number of devices (iPads and MacBook Airs) that we can provide free of charge to students/families who do not have access to appropriate devices for the duration of the program.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS
This season, we continue offering the following year-long program:
- Intro to Programming, levels 1 & 2, grades 6-9, 19 weeks
In addition, we’ve also added 6 short 4-week courses that students may take either in conjunction with one of the above programs (for those keen to expand their coding experiences) or instead of the year-long programs (for those who are unable to commit the time or have scheduling
conflicts). These shorter modules introduces various aspects of coding within the context of a wide range of interests, including:
- Composing your own song
- Writing your own story
- Creating memes
- Get started with Machine Learning
Promo video: https://goa.fyi/promo
Intro to Programming poster: https://goa.fyi/rwKRt56
4-Week Courses poster: https://goa.fyi/xohWznA

MORE INFORMATION
You may find more information on our website, gameofapps.org.

 

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. 

 

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…

When drop offs are hard: helping kids feel safe (Dr. Hannah Beach)

Drop-offs can be tough: Acknowledge that separation anxiety is normal and drop-offs can be difficult for both children and parents.

Your demeanor matters: Children are highly attuned to their parents' emotions, so project confidence and calm even if you're feeling anxious.

Validate feelings: Don't dismiss your child's feelings. Acknowledge and validate their emotions, letting them know it's okay to feel sad or scared.

Create a goodbye ritual: A consistent routine provides a sense of predictability and security.

Offer a transitional object: A special item from home can provide comfort and connection.

Empower your child: Give them small ways to feel in control, like choosing a sticker for their hand or a book for the teacher to read.

Stay connected: Find ways to maintain a sense of connection throughout the day, like notes in their lunchbox or a "kissing hand" (a kiss on their hand that they can press to their cheek when they miss you).

Communicate with teachers: Share information about your child's needs and collaborate with teachers to create a supportive environment.

(https://hannahbeach.ca/when-drop-offs-are-hard-helping-kids-feel-safe/)

 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EVENTS:

Early Learning Caregiver Information Sessions and Family Events 2024/25 

These are our free Early Learning virtual Caregiver Information Sessions and in-person Early Learning Family Events offered for the 2024/25 school year for families with children aged 0-5.

Caregiver Information Sessions

Join us for a series of virtual Caregiver Information Sessions designed specifically for parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5. These sessions aim to provide valuable insights, practical tips, and supportive resources to help you navigate the early years of parenting in the areas of supporting literacy, numeracy, the importance of play and in preparing for kindergarten. Our district's Early Learning Program is committed to supporting you in creating nurturing and enriching environments for your child’s growth and development. The first virtual session, Early Literacy at Home, is on October 17, 2024 at 6 p.m. 

Registration is now open! See attachment for more information.

Early Learning Family Events - Mark your calendars!

The district welcomes your family to the Early Learning for Families (ELFF) events. Join us for fun and engaging learning experiences and an exciting roster of performers all while meeting new friends and building home-to-school connections. It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions all about Early Learning. 

 

2024/25 Grade 5 Active! Pass

The City of Richmond has launched the 2024/25 Grade 5 Active! Pass (https://richmond.ca/parks-recreation/about/sports/grade5.htm) that offers a pass for FREE admission to drop-in swimming, skating, pitch and putt golf and other community centre activities. Please share the digital card provided below to Grade 5 students and families.

 

Have a great Thanksgiving!

 

 ~Whiteside Elementary