Happy Spring Break Whiteside!

Thank you for all the support for and participation in your children’s learning this season. When we return, a great season of learning awaits our Wolfpack. Days will be longer. The weather will be warmer. There will be plenty of exciting learning opportunities and experiences coming too.

We hope that you will find time to unplug, relax, and rest during the break. However, there is plenty going on to help fill your days with exercise, learning, and adventure.

• Spring Break in Richmond
• Check out what our libraries have to offer.
• Explore the Steveston Tram
• Or visit the Britannia Shipyards
• Explore the woods, experience new animals and learn about Surrey Parks during the Drop in Spring Break: Intro the Woods event at Museum of Surrey
• Buckle up for Survival of the Slowest at the Vancouver Aquarium
• Travel back in time at the Burnaby Museum
• Go for a bike ride along Richmond’s recreational trails.
• Plan family games – board games, family Olympics, backyard obstacle courses.
• Book time for your family at the Oval or the Minoru pool
• Read together.
• Go on a neighbourhood scavenger hunt.
• Cook together.
• Create a kitchen science lab.

 Thank you for all your care and support. You make Whiteside a special community to learn, teach, and play.

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. 31            First day back from spring break

April 7              Track Attack begins

April 10            Festival Culturel Francophone at McRoberts (please RSVP – see attached poster)

April 14            Pickleball classes begin

April 15            Class photos

April 15             PAC meeting at 7 p.m. online

April 16            French movie night with CPF

April 18            Good Friday (school closed)

April 21            Easter Monday (school closed)

April 29            BC Lions presentation

April 29            Term 2 report cards posted on MyEd

May 16             Non-Instructional Day (school closed)

May 19             Victoria Day (school closed)

May 21             Welcome to Kindergarten

May 23             PAC Spring Fair

May 26             Track Meet at Minoru

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 Break

Please remember that Whiteside will be closed from March 15 – March 30. We welcome back our Wolfpack on Monday, March 31.

 

Important Measles and Pertussis Vaccine Information for Families

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) would like to remind you to get your vaccinations updated. Measles is on the rise globally and pertussis (whooping cough) is making a comeback locally. Please check your family’s vaccination records and update your vaccinations as needed. Please see the attached letter for more information.

 

Whiteside’s Got Talent

Congratulations and thank you to our amazing performers, Ms. LB and Ms. Johnson for an afternoon filled with beautiful songs, awesome dancing, and incredible talent.

 

Fesitval Culturel Francophone

The Richmond School District is excited to host its third annual Festival Culturel Francophone on April 10 at McRoberts Secondary. This event is open to everyone, regardless of age, background, or French language proficiency. Join us to celebrate, connect with others, and explore la francophonie! Admission is free, so be sure to bring your friends and family along. Please see the attached poster and RSVP.

 

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).

 

Grade 7 Farewell Planning

Grade 7 parents have 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.

 

Pickleball After School Camp

Coach Nash, from Tennis XL, will visit Whiteside this spring to provide in-school pickleball lessons to our Wolves. Tennis XL Agency Inc is a leading provider of children's in-school and after- school programs and we are EXCITED to be at your school in April to teach our Pickleball Program. This year, we are offering our PICKLEBALL AFTER-SCHOOL Camp for 10 days.   We will embark on an adventure with our camp using all the skills we learn in the In-School Program. 

Registration Form:  Please click on this link 

Camp Dates:

Apr-04/28/2025-Mon:

Apr-04/29/2025-Tue:

Apr-04/30/2025-Wed:

May-05/01/2025-Thu:

May-05/02/2025-Fri:

May-05/05/2025-Mon:

May-05/06/2025-Tue:

May-05/07/2025-Wed:

May-05/08/2025-Thu:

May-05/09/2025-Fri: 

Time/ Location:

3:00-4:00/ Whiteside Gymnasium

Cost: $165.00 and includes all equipment required.  Purchasing a Picklepaddle is an option but not a requirement. See what others are thinking about our program.  We look forward to having a BLAST on the courts next month. 

 

Movie Night - National Canadian Film Day - April 16, 2025

Movie: Katak: Le Brave Béluga (Katak: The Brave Beluga)
*movie will be played in French with English subtitles*
When: Wednesday April 16, 2025 for National Canadian Film Day
Where:  École Élémentaire James Whiteside Elementary School gym  (9282 Williams Road , Richmond BC )
Time: Doors open at 5:30 pm, movie starts at 6:00 pm
Who:  All ages (children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult)
Admission: free 

Register here to guarantee admission as we anticipate this will be a popular after school event.

Pre-Order Special Pricing:

$5 Pizza Combo (1 pizza slice, 1 bag of chips, 1 drink) 

$3 per pizza slice

Additional pizza slices & snacks will be available for purchase on site. 

CPF membership is now FREE (To sign up go to: https://cpf.ca/en/join-cpf/)

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.

 

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

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 Spring Break!

 

~Whiteside Elementary