Hi Whiteside Families!

What a fantastic week! A massive thank you to our families for supporting our students—whether on the basketball court, during field trips, or by joining PAC meetings. We love seeing our community come together.

To keep the learning alive, we encourage you to bridge the gap between school and home. A simple conversation about what your child found most interesting today reinforces that their learning matters—both in the classroom and in the living room!

Have a wonderful weekend!

~ Whiteside Elementary 

The Richmond Board of Education acknowledges and thanks the First Peoples of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language group on whose traditional and unceded territories we teach, learn and live.

Wolf Pack Student Corner:

Gaga Ball Pit Comes to Whiteside:

For the past few days, the new Gagaball pit has been a great and fun addition to our school. Since the Gagaball pit is a new addition to our school, it has attracted a large crowd of students during recess, lunch, after school, and even during school time! Students stand and eagerly wait to play Gagaball. Students cheer each other on like ardent baseball fans. We are looking forward to playing more Gagaballs in the coming weeks. Thank you, Whiteside PAC, for adding the Gagaball pit to our school." - Edison and Chester (Mr. McCuaig’s class)

Coming Events at Whiteside:

January 27 – Basketball Games (Bridge at Whiteside Boys; Whiteside Girls at Bridge)

January 28 – PAC Hot Lunch (Yummy Slice)

January 29 – Gr. 7 parent night at McRoberts from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

January 29 – Family Literacy Night from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Whiteside

January 30 – Grade 7 snowshoeing field trip at Mt. Seymour (8:00 a.m. departure)

February 4 – Kind Mind Dance

February 6 – PAC Frozen Yogurt Day

February 12 – PAC Hot Lunch (Sushi Lovers)

February 13 – Pro-D Day (school closed)

February 16 – Family Day (school closed)

February 20 - Spirit Day: Crazy hair day (can also be hats and hair accessories)

February 23/24 – Festival Franco at the Richmond Oval (Intermediate EFI and Core French)

February 25 – Pink Shirt Day

February 25 – Early dismissal at 11:50 a.m. – Learning Conferences (learning update #3)

February 27 – PAC Hot Lunch – Yummy Slice

March 3/4 - McRoberts Basketball Jamboree

March 13 – PAC Hot Lunch

March 13 – Talent Show

March 13 – Last day before spring break

March 30 – First day back after spring break

WHITESIDE INFORMATION AND EVENTS

Free Richmond Sockeye Tickets

The Richmond Sockeye hockey team has provided Whiteside with a limited number of free tickets to an upcoming game (tickets are valid at any home game). Please visit our office to pick up tickets for you and your family. Tickets are available for immediate family members and only available while supplies last.

Valentine’s Day Cookie Sales

Our amazing PAC is pre-selling cookies ($3), cookie pops ($5), hot chocolate ($2), and cookie decorating kits ($20) on February 12^th at 2:30 p.m. from the concession window. Order on Munch-a-Lunch by February 6^th. 

Hot Lunch: Yummy Slice – January 28

Our next delicious hot lunch is Yummy Slice on Wednesday, January 28. Thanks, PAC!

Grade 7 Parent Night at McRoberts

On January 29th, McRoberts will host our Grade 7 Parent Information Night from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at McRoberts in the Old Gym.  This evening is for parents who have students registered to attend McRoberts in September 2026. 

PAC Update – Spring Fair Postponed

We are sad to postpone our Spring Fair again this year. Organizing and hosting Spring Fair requires a large committee of parent volunteers to plan and run the event. We are hopeful that we can bring together more volunteers next year.

Events like hot lunches, movie nights and Spring Fair rely on the generosity and hard work of our PAC. We encourage our parents and families to join a PAC meeting or, if you are interested in taking on a role on the PAC, please let Mr. Cameron or Ms. Lai know. The elections will be held during the June AGM. If you would like to know what PAC does, come join one of our remaining monthly meetings. Before the school year ends there are a few more activities happening (hot lunches, after school treat sales, sports day concession) that we can always use some help with. 

Thank you for your support!

Whiteside PAC

Whiteside Basketball

Our Whiteside basketball season is underway. Our coaches this year are Mme Howells, Mr. Lenz, and Mr. Cameron. We encourage our grade 6 and 7 students to come out and join the fun. Permission forms were sent home this week and practices have already started. Game schedule:

January 27: Bridge (girls at Bridge; boys at Whiteside)

February 3: Lee (boys at Lee; girls at Whiteside)

February 10: Bridge (boys at Bridge; girls at Whiteside)

February 24: DeBeck (boys at DeBeck)

Black History Month

Every February, people in Canada are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. The 2026 theme for Black History Month is: 30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionariess.

 https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html

Volunteer Driver Update: New Safety Protocols

To ensure the safety for our students, all volunteer drivers are now required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC) before driving for field trips.

If you plan to drive this year, please visit the office to:

1. Pick up the new Driver Authorization Form.
2. Get the Access Code to complete your free online CRC.

Checklist for Drivers: Please ensure the office has copies of your: ☑ CRC Submission Confirmation ☑ Driver’s License ☑ Vehicle Insurance ☑ Signed Authorization Form

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe!

Stay Informed with SchoolMessenger Text Alerts (Opt-In)

Our District uses SchoolMessenger to share important school and district updates, including weather closures, emergency notifications, reminders, and time-sensitive announcements.

All families with a current cell phone number in our MyEdBC database will receive a text message from SchoolMessenger (Text #: 978338) in February 2026. To start receiving text alerts, you will need to opt in.

How to opt in:

1. Watch for a text from SchoolMessenger (Text #: 978338).
2. Reply with “Y” to 978338.
3. You will receive a confirmation message letting you know you’re successfully subscribed.

 Want alerts on more than one device? To receive text alerts on multiple phones, each phone number must opt in separately by replying “Y” to 978338.

Reporting Reminder

In December your child’s first formal learning update (report card) was posted on the MyEdBC parent poral. Please remember to sign in and see your child’s learning progress. More information about accessing MyEdBC can be found: https://sd38.bc.ca/news/2025-12-09/myed-parent-portal-instructions-access

Grade 7 Snowshoeing

On January 30, our grade sevens are trekking to the top of Mt. Seymour for a day of tubing and snowshoeing. We are excited to provide this opportunity to our most senior members of the Wolfpack. Please ensure that they have appropriate clothing and footwear for this experience. Grade 7 students need to be at school on Friday, January 30 by 7:30 a.m. They will return to Whiteside at approximately 4:00 p.m. (traffic dependent).

Student Learning Survey 2025/2026

The Provincial Student Learning Survey is unique in its scope, size and usefulness to schools. It gathers information from parents/guardians/caregivers, teachers, and students on topics related to school environment, safety, and achievement. The information is used for planning in individual schools and provides a district and provincial perspective.

This winter, the Student Learning Survey will be administered to students in grades 4 and 7, their parents/guardians/caregivers, and all school staff. We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to participate in this survey, as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The surveys contain standard questions for the province – in addition, questions from the school and/or district that focus on local conditions or issues may be included.

The survey can be completed electronically and can be accessed on the Internet at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/student-learning-survey. Any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection can be used, and access to the e-survey is simple and secure. The survey can be accessed through the link and by clicking on Take the Survey. On the login page, click on the Parents icon, and then select the school district and school name where your child attends school. Provincial, District and School Reports for previous years can be viewed at the same site under the Results section.

The e-survey site will be open until May 2, 2025.

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!

Universal Hot Lunch Pilot

Utilizing Feeding Futures as well as National School Food Program funding, the Richmond School District has been piloting a universal hot lunch program at selected elementary and secondary schools. Our next Universal Hot Lunch will be in February. Orders for our February Universal Hot Lunch will open soon at Munch-a-Lunch.

Mini Sun Run 2026!

Last year, Whiteside had a group of students and parents enter the SunRype Youth Team Mini Sun Run 2.5 km Challenge at the Vancouver Sun Run.  It was an exhilarating time for all of us, and we are now looking to our next challenge!  We are hoping to participate in the 2026 Vancouver Sun Run on Sunday, April 19^th in Vancouver.  We invite you to join our Whiteside Wolves Team and do the 2.5 km or 10 km Youth Team Challenge.

Friends and family can also join the fun!

Team Name: Whiteside Wolves

Team Access Code: PRPGFA

Link to JOIN OUR YOUTH TEAM: team member registration.  Enter the “Youth Team Challenge – 10 km or Mini Sun Run 2.5 km”. 

On that day, students will need to be accompanied by an adult.  If your child enters the Mini Sun Run, entry includes one adult escort. If your child enters the 10 km Youth Team Challenge, they will need to be running with an adult family member.  Both child and adult will need to register individually.   

Run club will start training for the Sun Run in February 2026, but students do not have to be a part of our Whiteside Run Club to participate in the run.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email slai@sd38.bc.ca.

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 online at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19.

Wolf Wear Wednesdays

To show our school spirit, we invite our students, staff and community to wear their favourite Wolf gear every Wednesday

Kindergarten Registration

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2021, turning 5 in 2026. These children will begin kindergarten in September 2026. Online registration opened on November 1, 2025. 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.

Food Security and School Affordability Support

Please reach out to our principal, Brett Cameron (bcameron@sd38.bc.ca), if you require financial assistance for school-related costs.  As always, all requests will be treated with dignity, and your privacy will be respected. We want to work with families to ensure that students have everything they need to be successful at school. Do not hesitate to reach out if we can help.

Whiteside Fundraising – Return It

Help raise funds for our school by recycling at home! 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.

DISTRICT INFORMATION AND UPDATES

Allergy Alert: 

All families should be aware that Whiteside School has many students with severe, life-threatening food allergies. Some classrooms may be designated nut free to protect the health of these students. Please help us limit the nut products entering our school overall, as the impact on a student can happen anywhere in the school. If possible, please do not send food to school containing nuts. 

THE MORE YOU KNOW…

Family Literacy Week: Unlocking Learning Together

This week, we are celebrating Family Literacy Week! While we often think of "literacy" as just reading a book, it is actually so much more. Family literacy is about how we use language to connect, play, and explore the world together. Whether it’s following a recipe, singing a song, playing a board game, or reading a street sign, you are building your child’s brain and vocabulary every single time you interact with words and sounds together.

3 Simple Tips for Busy Parents You don't need extra time to build literacy—just a new perspective on the time you already have.

• Read the World, Not Just Books:
  • Try this: When driving or walking, play "I Spy" with letters or signs. Ask your child to find the letter "S" or read the stop sign.
• Talk About the "How":
  • Try this: Narrate your daily tasks. "I am cracking the egg into the bowl so we can mix it." Hearing the process helps children understand sequencing and instructions.
• Play with Sounds:
  • Try this: Change the lyrics to a favorite song or play a rhyming game while brushing teeth (e.g., "What rhymes with cat? Bat! Mat!"). This builds phonological awareness, which is a key stepping stone to reading.

The Goal: The goal isn't to have a perfect reading lesson; it's to have fun with language. When children associate words with connection and joy, they become lifelong learners.

~Whiteside Elementary