🎉✨ Happy Holidays, Whiteside Families! ✨🎉

 

What a spectacular way to wrap up an incredible year! As we wish you a festive farewell for the holidays, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the joy, laughter, and warmth you've brought to our school community this week. Your kindness and generosity have truly made this season magical!

 

This week, our amazing Wolfpack dazzled us with "December 'Round the World," a spectacular musical extravaganza showcasing the incredible talents of our students! From the enchanting songs to the delightful costumes, the entire performance was a testament to the awesome spirit of Whiteside. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. LB, Ms. Johnson, our fantastic student leaders, and all the performers who made this event so unforgettable!

 

And the fun didn't stop there! We shared delicious treats, glided through Winter Wonderland at Minoru, celebrated student achievements with report cards, enjoyed a delightful staff luncheon, and snuggled up for PJ day. What a week!

 

As we embrace the holiday season, whether you’ll be lighting the menorah for Hanukkah, are getting ready for Christmas and Kwanzaa, or simply cherishing precious moments with loved ones, we hope you soak in all the magic this special time of year has to offer. Don't forget to explore the festive fun happening around Richmond! (Check out these links for some ideas: https://www.richmond.ca/culture/calendar/special-events/winterbreak.htm

https://www.visitrichmondbc.com/events/winter-in-the-village

 

May your winter break be filled with peace, laughter, cozy moments, and the enchantment of the holidays. Cherish the time with your loved ones and carry the festive spirit in your hearts.

 

Wishing you and your families a joyous winter break and a Happy New Year! We can't wait to welcome you back on Monday, January 8th!

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:

Jan. 6                First day back from winter break

Jan. 8                Saleema Noon parent session at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Jan. 9/10          Saleema Noon student sessions

Jan. 14              MDI begins for grade 5 students

Jan. 15              Gr. 7 teacher breakfast at McRoberts

Jan. 21              Hip Hop 101 performance

Jan. 21              Hannah Beach virtual parent session

Jan. 23              Spaced Out performance

Jan. 24              Gr. 7 Snowshoeing trip

Jan. 27              Pro-D day

Feb. 14             Pro-D day

Feb. 17             Family Day

Feb. 25             Hannah Beach virtual parent session

Feb. 26             Early dismissal for learning conferences

Feb. 26             Pink Shirt Day

Mar. 14            Last day before spring break

 

WHITESIDE INFORMATION AND EVENTS

Winter Break

Whiteside will be closed to celebrate the holidays from December 21 – January 3^rd. We return at 8:40 a.m. on January 6^th for a new year of learning.

 

Student Reports

Term 1 Reports will be available online on MyEd Parent Portal after school on Thursday, December 19^th.  Logins and temporary passwords have been sent out by district to all parents new to the district.  Please login before then.  (The first login must be done from a workstation, laptop, or computer. Do not use an iPad, tablet, or cell phone for this.) Elementary schools will be closed during winter break and will not be able to help you until January.  Previous users, who forgot their passwords, will need to click through the “I forgot my password” hyperlink on the login page to reset their passwords.  

More info available on the school website at: https://whiteside.sd38.bc.ca/parents/myed-parent-portal

 

Late French Immersion Webinar - January 13, 2025

The Richmond School District provides the Late French Immersion program beginning at Grade 6 at James Whiteside and John Diefenbaker Elementary schools. We invite families of current Grade 5 students to join us for a program information virtual meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6 p.m. This informative session will include the following topics: 

• Program Overview
• Student Experiences
• Registration Process
• Frequently Asked Questions

Please see attached flyer for more information.

 

Holiday Wish Fundraiser

Thank you for all your kind and generous donations. Thank you to all our parents for their help collecting and organizing our donations.

 

Saleema Noon’s Body Science – January, 2025

Saleema Noon's Body Science program provides age-appropriate sexual health education to empower children and promote open communication within families. The program covers topics like body changes, healthy relationships, and consent in a fun and engaging way. A parent information session will be held via Zoom on January 8th at 6:30 PM, followed by student sessions on January 9th and 10th. We encourage you to attend and learn more about this valuable program! Thank you to our wonderful PAC for providing this learning experience for our Wolfpack!

 

Félicitations! Brovo!

Congratulations to our amazing students in Gr. 6 and 7 French Immersion, Charles, Katya, Kaamil, and Emma, who won and placed in the Dites-le en video contest. Dites-le en video is a contest for students across Canada to showcase their French speaking and video making skills. Between October 7th and November 10th, 2024, students from across Canada were invited to submit videos in French on anything from their favorite hobbies to their takes on current events. All Canadian students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 were welcome to participate.   Submissions for Grades 6-12 were judged by volunteer judges from across Canada. Evaluations were based on French language & video abilities.

https://bc-yk.cpf.ca/en/dites-le-en-video-2024-winners/

 

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 next PAC meeting will be in January.

 

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 visitor parking spaces only: Do not park in the fire lane, drive-thru lane, or in staff parking areas. This can block traffic flow and create 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!

 

Kindergarten Registration

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2020, turning 5 in 2025. These children will begin kindergarten in September 2024. Online registration opens on November 1, 2024. Please visit our website  for more information about our online registration process, required documents, important dates, and FAQs.

http://www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten 

Families are encouraged to register any time during the Priority 1 registration period (November – January) for the best chance at attending their catchment school. All registration applications received any time during the Priority 1 registration period will receive placement decisions by February 2025. 

Instead of in person information evenings this year, we have posted short videos that provide our new parents with information about the registration process, English Language Learner (ELL) assessments, and District Program Options – Early French Immersion and Montessori. These videos are available in English and Mandarin. Please view the videos at http://www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten.

 

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.

 

DISTRICT INFORMATION AND UPDATES

Parent Education Sessions | School District No. 38 (Richmond)

The Richmond School District is excited to offer the following parent education sessions during the 2024/25 school year:

Social Media Awareness, Digital Citizenship, and Cyberbullying

• Jan. 21st: Cellphones: What’s Healthy, What’s Not, and What We Can Do to Support Our Kids (Hannah Beach)
• Feb. 25th:  Reclaiming Play: Revitalizing Childhood to Combat Anxiety and Aggression (Hannah Beach)
• Apr. 8th: Cybersafe from Exploitation (Exploitation Education Institute)

https://sd38.bc.ca/news/2024-10-16/parent-education-sessions

 

MDI

The middle years development instrument (mdi) is coming to your school in January/mid-March!

The Richmond School District has partnered with the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) at the University of British Columbia to measure and promote children’s social and emotional development, health, well-being, and assets through the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI). The Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) is a self-report questionnaire that asks children in middle childhood about their thoughts, feelings and experiences. The MDI is the first survey of its kind to gather information about the lives of children both in school, in the home and in the community, from their own perspective. The survey questions align with the BC Ministry of Education’s K-12 curriculum, which includes a focus on promoting children’s personal and social competencies.

Grade 5 and 8 students are invited to complete the MDI during class time between:

January 14th and March 14th, 2025.

For more information and to view the questionnaires: https://earlylearning.ubc.ca/monitoring-system/mdi/mdi-overview/

Parent FAQs: https://earlylearning.ubc.ca/monitoring-system/mdi/parent-caregiver-info/

If you don’t want your child to participate, please contact your child’s teacher, fill out the withdrawal form at the end of the parent/guardian informed passive consent letter, or contact the MDI project staff at mdi@help.ubc.ca.

 

Online Public Open House – Long-Range Facilities Plan – January 14, 2025

 The district is hosting an Online Public Open House on January 14, 2025 from 6 to 8 p.m. This virtual event will provide community members with the opportunity to learn about the 2025 Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) and offer input to help shape the district’s long-term facilities strategy.

 

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

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

The provincial government continues to fund the 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…

Winter break is a great opportunity to rest, relax, and reconnect with your family. This time can be busy with holiday events and family gatherings. Remember to slow down and allow time for your family to recharge.

Cozy Activities at Home:

• Holiday Movie Marathon: Snuggle up on the couch with hot cocoa and enjoy some classic holiday films.
• Family Game Night: Gather around the table for a fun-filled game night with your favorite board games or card games.
• Holiday Baking: Bake delicious cookies, gingerbread houses, or other festive treats together.
• Creative Crafts: Make homemade ornaments, decorations, or gifts for loved ones.
• Read holiday stories: Curl up with a stack of festive books and enjoy the magic of storytelling.
• Build a snowman or snow fort: (If there's snow!) Bundle up and head outside for some winter fun in your backyard.

Bonus Ideas:

• Go snowshoeing – Cypress, Seymour, and Grouse Mountain all provide opportunities to explore the mountains and forests in the snow.
• Explore a rainforest – The UBC endowment lands are just across the river and provide a serene backdrop for your family to hike through.
• Brave the beach – Beaches line our beautiful cities and the opportunity to build sandcastles and frolic in the sand are still available. Bundle up and put on a muddy buddy to play at the beach.

No matter how you choose to spend your winter break, we hope it's filled with joy, laughter, and quality time with loved ones!

 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EVENTS:

'Tis the Season in Richmond (and around Metro Vancouver)!

Winter has arrived, and Richmond is brimming with festive cheer! From dazzling light displays to cozy winter markets and enchanting holiday events, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Gather your family and friends and create lasting memories this season with these local gems:

Light Up Your Holidays:

• Steveston Village Christmas Lights: Stroll through the charming streets of Steveston, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations. Don't miss the magical boat parade!
• Lights at Lafarge: Be mesmerized by the dazzling display of lights at Lafarge Lake, complete with festive music and holiday cheer.
• Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Festive Fun for All:

• Richmond Christmas Fundraiser Craft Fair: Discover unique gifts and support local artisans at this festive craft fair.
• Vancouver Christmas Market: Take a short trip to Vancouver and immerse yourselves in the sights, sounds, and flavors of a traditional German Christmas market.
• Menorah Lightings: Check for public Menorah lightings at the Richmond Cultural Centre, local synagogues (like Beth Tikvah Synagogue or Temple Sholom), or community centres. These often include music, treats, and family-friendly activities.
• CP Holiday Train: Catch the festive CP Holiday Train as it makes its way through Richmond, bringing holiday cheer and live music.

Winter Wonderland Adventures:

• Skating at Minoru Park: Glide across the ice at the outdoor rink in Minoru Park, surrounded by festive lights and holiday music.
• Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden: (Short trip to Vancouver) Wander through a breathtaking display of over one million lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Cozy Up Indoors:

• Christmas movies at the Richmond Public Library: Enjoy classic holiday films with the family at your local library branch. The Richmond Public Library often hosts Hanukkah-themed story times and craft sessions for children.
• Festive baking classes: Learn to create delicious holiday treats at a local baking class.

Giving Back:

• Volunteer at a local charity: Spread holiday cheer by volunteering your time at a local food bank or shelter.

Embrace the spirit of the season and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones!

 

 ~Whiteside Elementary