What an amazing week at Whiteside!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Pink Shirt Day together. It was inspiring to see our classrooms come together with performances, videos, and songs to spread kindness and celebrate inclusivity. We learned so much about being an ally and standing up for what's right.

We also want to express our sincere gratitude for your active participation in our Learning Conferences. These conversations were valuable opportunities to connect with you and learn more about your child's growth and achievements.

A big thank you to everyone who supported our Book Fair! Ms. Tsougrianis and Ms. Kawas are so grateful for the incredible support from our parent volunteers and the generosity of our community.

Our Wolfpack basketball teams are wrapping up a fantastic season! We're cheering on our Grade 6/7 boys' team and our Grade 6/7 girls' team as they compete in the annual Strikers tournament at McRoberts on March 3^rd and 4^th. Go Wolfpack!

Spring Break is just around the corner! We're looking forward to the last few weeks of learning and creating wonderful memories in the classroom before the break. We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 

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:

Mar. 3/4           Strikers Basketball tournament at McRoberts

Mar. 7              Hot lunch

Mar. 14            Whiteside’s St. Patrick’s Day – wear green

Mar. 14            Whiteside’s Got Talent

Mar. 14            Last day before spring break

Mar. 31            First day back from spring break

April 16            French movie night with CPF

April 18            Good Friday (school closed)

April 21            Easter Monday (school closed)

April 29             Term 2 report cards posted on MyEd

May 16             Pro-D day (school closed)

May 19             Victoria Day (school closed)

June 6              Sports Day

June 20             Gr. 7 Farewell assembly

June 26             Last day of school

June 26             Final report cards posted on MyEd

 

WHITESIDE INFORMATION AND EVENTS

Spring Fair Team Volunteers Needed

Our PAC is looking for 6 volunteers to lead our Spring Fair team this year. We need 6 keen parents or family members who can help organize and lead our 2025 Spring Fair. If you are interested in helping plan this year’s fair, please email our PAC (whitesidepac@hotmail.com).

 

Whiteside Basketball

McRoberts’ Strikers tournament is coming on March 3^rd and 4^th from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Please see our attached game schedule.

 

Whiteside’s Got Talent

Ms. LB and Ms. Johnson are hosting our annual talent show at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14. We look forward to showcasing the amazing talents and abilities of our Wolfpack.

 

Grade 7 Farewell Planning

This week, grade 7 parents met to discuss and begin planning our grade 7 farewell celebration. If you are interested in joining the planning team, we would love your ideas and support. Please email our principal, Brett Cameron, at bcameron@sd38.bc.ca if you can join our team.

 

Run Club Updates! 

Come join us and practice Mondays and Thursdays at 8:10 am.  We will meet in the gym, do some stretching and then run some laps inside OR outside (weather permitting).  

The Run Club’s goal over the next couple of months is to prepare for the SunRype Youth Team Mini Sun Run 2.5 km Challenge at the Vancouver Sun Run on Saturday, April 27^th, 2025.  If your child (and/or yourself) are interested in participating, come join the Whiteside Wolves.  We will need a minimum of 14 individuals (7 must be students) to create a team.  

Team Name: Whiteside Wolves

Team Access Code: FSQSBH

Link to JOIN OUR SUNRYPE YOUTH TEAM: team member registration

IMPORTANT:  Youths under 18 will be $35 + tax/fees.  Adults, over 19, are $45 + tax/fees.  Cost includes a cotton t-shirt and an invitation to all the fun festivities that day.  If you register between February 8^th to March 14^th, prices increase.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email slai@sd38.bc.ca.  

Let’s go Wolves! 

 

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 on Tuesday, April 15 online at 7:00 p.m.

 

Optional Student Accident Insurance

Families can choose to purchase an optional student accident insurance plan for their children through the “InsureMyKids®” program, underwritten by Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada. The “InsureMyKids®” accident insurance program offers protection against the potentially high costs of any injury resulting from unexpected accidents and is especially valuable for families who: 

• Do not have medical or dental plans.
• Have limited plans, as it may help supplement health and dental benefits.
• Have active children who enjoy sports and outdoor activities. 

 The insurance agreement will be between the family and Old Republic Canada and will be effective on the date the enrollment application and payment are received by the insurance carrier. To purchase a student accident insurance plan, families can visit www.insuremykids.com, or speak with an Old Republic Canada customer service representative at 1-800-463-5437.

 The program coverage typically includes: 

• A full year (365 days from date of purchase), 24 hours a day, whether at school or at home. 
• Expenses such as ambulance, physiotherapy, private tutoring, counselling, and much more that are limited or not covered by private or group insurance plans, or provincial health plans. 
• Injury related dental treatment as the result of an accident. 
• Out-of-province or country emergency medical expenses (platinum plan only).

Please refer to the following documents which you can post on your school’s website for the families’ information: 

• InsureMyKids® Brochure
• Website content

 

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!

 

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

Public Safety Canada presents: Understanding & Guiding Youth in Online Gaming

Sécurité publique Canada présente : Comprendre et guider les jeunes dans les jeux en ligne

Public Safety Canada is hosting a webinar series on the unique aspects of online gaming, highlighting the benefits and the potential risks for children. This event is facilitated by GamerSafer, a safety tech company dedicated to protecting players and gaming communities from digital risks and harms. This event is designed to share expert insights and actionable strategies among parents, caregivers, educators, and civil society to gain a deeper understanding of online gaming, learn how to engage positively with youth on digital safety, and explore ways to protect children from exploitation and abuse in online gaming environments.

Sécurité publique Canada organise une série de webinaires sur les aspects uniques des jeux en ligne, soulignant les avantages et les risques potentiels pour les enfants. Cet événement est animé par GamerSafer, une entreprise de technologie de sécurité qui se consacre à la protection des joueurs et des communautés de jeux contre les risques et les préjudices numériques. Cet événement a pour but de partager les points de vue d'experts et des stratégies concrètes avec les parents, les gardien.nes, les éducateurs et les éducatrices ainsi que la société civile afin de mieux comprendre les jeux en ligne, d'apprendre comment interagir positivement avec les jeunes sur la sécurité numérique et d'explorer les moyens de protéger les enfants contre l'exploitation et les abus sexuels dans les environnements de jeux en ligne.

Register here

 

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

• Apr. 8th: Cybersafe from Exploitation (Exploitation Education Institute)

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

 

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…

Experiencing activities outside the home as a family offers a wealth of educational benefits for everyone involved!

For Kids:

• Real-world learning: Trips to museums, parks, historical sites, or cultural events bring lessons to life and provide context for what kids learn in the classroom.
• Social skills: Navigating new environments, interacting with people, and following rules in different settings helps develop social skills and awareness.
• Curiosity and exploration: New experiences spark curiosity, encourage questions, and foster a love of exploration and learning.
• Language development: Talking about experiences, describing observations, and listening to explanations expands vocabulary and communication skills.
• Physical development: Many activities involve physical activity, promoting healthy habits and gross motor skills.

For the Whole Family:

• Bonding and connection: Shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds.
• Communication and cooperation: Working together, making decisions, and navigating new situations as a family enhances communication and problem-solving skills.
• Exposure to new perspectives: Experiencing different cultures, environments, and ideas broadens perspectives and promotes understanding and empathy.
• Stress reduction: Spending time together in engaging activities can reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Making the Most of Family Outings:

• Involve kids in the planning: Let them help choose activities and research destinations.
• Encourage questions and discussions: Talk about what you're seeing and experiencing.
• Connect it to learning: Relate the experience to things they're learning in school or at home.
• Be present and engaged: Put away phones and distractions and focus on enjoying the experience together.

Family outings are not just fun adventures; they are valuable learning opportunities that enrich everyone's lives and create lasting memories.

Richmond offers plenty of opportunities to get out and explore:

• The World of Kidtropolis: A mini-town with scaled-down buildings for imaginative play.
• Jolly Bubble: A newly opened indoor play space for kids aged 14 and under, featuring themed play zones, ball pits, and slides.
• Speeders Richmond: A go-karting spot with dual-level tracks, laser tag, arcade games, and mini-golf.
• Splitsville Riverport: A bowling attraction with 10-pin and five-pin bowling, an arcade, and a restaurant.
• Watermania: A swimming pool complex with waterslides and a wave pool.
• 365 Fundays: A jungle-themed indoor attraction with ball pits, arcade games, climbing frames, and a laser tag area.
• Richmond Olympic Experience: Located at the Richmond Olympic Oval, featuring exhibits and hands-on activities for sports fans.
• Clip 'n Climb: An attraction with 25 climbing walls and 75 challenges.
• Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment: A public playground with a climbing wall, hill slide, grass maze, and treehouse.
• Richmond Nature Park: Features walking trails and a Nature House with interactive exhibits.
• Larry Berg Flight Path Park: A park for airplane-loving kids with seats resembling paper planes.
• Steveston Tram: A heritage attraction where children can climb aboard a vintage tram.
• National Historic Sites: Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site and Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, offering hands-on exhibits and a boardwalk complex.
• Biking Excursions: Richmond has over 80 km of cycling routes, with bike rentals available in Steveston.

To find more information, including addresses, hours, and specific events, you can vist https://www.visitrichmondbc.com/blogs/activities-attractions/family-fun-activities-in-richmond-bc/.

Have a fun-filled weekend!

 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND EVENTS:

• N/A this month

~Whiteside Elementary