Hi Whiteside families!

 

It was an exciting week of learning at Whiteside. Our students, teachers, and staff have settled into their classes and are enjoying their new classmates, teachers, and routines.

 

We hope you share in exciting conversations about your child’s learning at home this weekend.

 

Please remember that Whiteside will be closed on Monday, September 19^th (observance of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral) and Friday, September 23^rd (professional development day).

 

We hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with your families! Enjoy the final moments of summer!

 

STUDENT POSSESSIONS AT SCHOOL

Children often like to share their prized possessions with their friends at school. We love the enthusiasm; however, school is a busy, messy place. We recommend that children keep their stuffies, toys, videogames, cards, and trinkets at home. We don’t want them to go missing, break, or become filthy. Also, we encourage parents to return items that may come home that are unfamiliar or unknown. Some students recently lost their Pokémon collection. We have talked with our classes and hope that these binders and boxes of cards can be returned to school and their proud collectors. Please let us know if you have any information.

 

HOT LUNCH – OCTOBER 7^th

Our first Hot Lunch Day of the 2022-23 school year will be pizza from Yummy Slice Pizza. Please order online by going to the school website https://whiteside.sd38.bc.ca/ and clicking on the link under the MunchaLunch icon, or visit https://munchalunch.com/login. Please submit your order before September 30^th. (more information attached)

 

MEET THE STAFF NIGHT

We welcome our families to join us on Thursday, September 22^nd at 5:00 p.m. for Meet the Staff night. This is a great opportunity for our families, teachers, and staff to get to know each other a little better. We will have an open house from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. We encourage our students to show you around their new class and introduce you to their new teacher.

 

At 5:30 p.m., we will come together in our park for staff introductions and a community mingle.

 

Formal learning conferences are held in November to discuss specific learning goals. Teachers will not be able to discuss student progress during Meet the Staff night. If you would like a conversation with your teacher prior to November, please reach out to them to schedule an appointment.

 

TERRY FOX RUN

In 1980, Terry Fox set the bar high for himself when he started his Marathon of Hope, saying, “Nobody is ever going to call me a quitter.” Our school is proudly taking part in this year's Terry Fox School Run to continue Terry's legacy. Our Terry Fox Run will be held at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 22^nd. We encourage families to join us in our park to cheer on our Wolfpack. Please support our school's fundraising efforts to raise much-needed funds for cancer research.  Please share and donate to our school’s fundraising efforts at: https://schools.terryfox.ca/11926. Thank you!

 

STUDENT PACKAGE OF FORMS:

A package of permission forms and information forms was sent home to be filled out and returned to your child’s teacher.  It is important that we have up-to-date information, including contact numbers and appropriate medical information. During the year if anything changes, please let Ms. Huh know in the office as soon as possible.

 

PARKING LOT SAFETY

Please help keep our students safe by using the drop off zone for picking up and dropping off students only.  Please do not leave your car unattended in the drop off zone; if you need to come into the school, please park in a designated parking space.  When walking to school, please use the designated paths south and adjacent to the driveway as you enter the school grounds. Please follow arrows to keep our students safe and keep our parking lot accident free.

 

Please remember the east parking lot is for school and construction staff only. Please do not park or drop off children in this area.

 

“IN” DAYS AND “OUT” DAYS:

During recess and lunchtime breaks, students are expected to be outside at all times this year.  Students are strongly encouraged 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.

 

SCHOOL VISITORS

In the interest of safety, everyone entering the school must check in at the office. Classrooms are busy learning places and we try not to interrupt them during instructional time.  If you need to see your child, leave them a message, or drop off a lunch, our office staff will happily take care of that for you.  As well, it is difficult at the end or beginning of the school day for our office staff to have in-depth discussions with parents.  Making appointments either by phone or in person is preferable. Thank you for your support!

 

STRONGSTART

StrongStart BC is a free early learning program for all children aged 0 to 5. Children attend StrongStart with their parent/caregiver. StrongStart Facilitators are ECE-trained school district employees. We are excited to welcome families to our six centres. The StrongStart educators will lead a variety of learning activities designed to support children on their learning path before they enter school. Parents and caregivers attending a StrongStart BC Centre will enjoy play activities, circle time and a snack! Programs go outside when possible, so please dress for the weather and for playtime! (please see attachment for more information)

 

 

Coming Soon:

Sept. 19           School closed

Sept. 22           Terry Fox Run

Sept. 22           Meet the Staff (5:00 p.m.)

Sept. 23           Pro-D Day – school closed

Sept. 29           Orange Shirt Day assembly

Sept. 30            National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Oct. 10              Thanksgiving Day (School Closed)

Oct. 14              Individual photos

Oct. 21            Pro-D Day (school closed)

Nov. 8/9          Learning Conferences (1:45 p.m. dismissal)

Nov. 10            Remembrance Day Assembly

Nov. 11             Remembrance Day

Nov. 21            Pro-D Day (school closed)

 

Have a great weekend!

 

~Whiteside Elementary