Happy Friday Whiteside Families!

 

We are enjoying a productive and engaging season of learning at Whiteside. We look forward to sharing your child’s progress during our Learning Conferences on February 28 and March 1, and on our next report card on March 9^th.

 

Many of our classes have started our winter buddy skating at Minoru. Thank you to our amazing parent volunteers for helping tie laces and snapping on helmets.

 

Pink Shirt Day is coming! It’s time to try on your favourite pink shirt as Whiteside prepares to recognize Pink Shirt Day. Pink Shirt Day is our opportunity to stand up to bullying and spread messages of kindness, empathy, and understanding. Thank you for your support!

 

Have a wonderful weekend with your family!

 

PRO-D DAY and FAMILY DAY WEEKEND

Whiteside will be closed on Friday, February 17^th for our district professional development day and on Monday, February 20^th for BC’s Family Day.

 

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 2023 theme for Black History Month is: “Ours to Tell”. You can learn more about Black History Month here, here, and here.

 

SPRING FAIR

Our awesome PAC is welcoming back our Spring Fair on May 25^th. Please save the date! So much work has already begun. If you would like to volunteer, make a donation to our silent auction, or are a vendor that could support our event, please email whiteside@sd38.bc.ca for more information. We look forward to sharing more throughout the spring.

 

BREAKFAST CLUB RETURNS

Students are welcome to join us in the gym for toast from 8:00 – 8:15 a.m. Play will begin at 8:15 a.m. Students are expected to bring their water bottles and stay in the gym until 8:35 a.m. There will not be early access to classrooms or the playground. We are excited to bring this back for our Wolfpack!

 

GRADE 6/7 CAMP UPDATE

Thank you to the grade 6/7 families that have already paid the second installment of our camp fee. Our second camp payment is now past due through SchoolCashOnline. We look forward to sharing more about camp soon.

 

WHITESIDE’S GOT TALENT

Ms. LB is bringing back our talent show! Tryouts are on February 23 and 24 at lunch in the music portable. Auditions cannot be rescheduled. Auditions and performances must be:

• Less than 2.5 minutes
• Performed in front of all auditioning students
• Accompanied with iPad or USB for songs or dances

 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and support as Whiteside’s BIG reconstruction continues.

 

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 2023 theme for Black History Month is: “Ours to Tell”. You can learn more about Black History Month here, here, and here.

 

FAMILY FUN DAY AT SOUTH ARM COMMUNITY CENTER

Family Fun Day 

Celebrate with the whole family from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Free to attend for all ages. No registration required.

 

Family Open Gym - Drop-In

Enjoy open gym activities for the whole family including preschool age play equipment on one half of the gym and giant lawn games on the other half.

10:00am – 12:00pm

All ages 

 

Family Art Zone - Drop-In

Experience new artistic mediums and create personalized scratch off art masterpieces and family finger puppets.

10:00am – 12:00pm

All ages

 

Family Board Game Play - Drop-In

Collaborate and challenge others playing traditional board games and building puzzles.

10:00am – 4:00pm

All ages

 

Family Games Room - Drop-In

Play ping pong, pool or foosball in the Games Room. No pass required.

10:00am – 4:00pm

5+ years

 

Family Story Time by Stories on Wheels - Drop-In

Listen to a variety of stories as told by STORIES on WHEELS in an original street theatre storytelling act. Tales are brought to life by a high-energy comic performer using beautifully illustrated picture cards displayed in a magnificent miniature wooden stage attached to the back of a bicycle.

12:15 – 1:00pm

3+ years

 

Family Taiko Drumming - Drop-In

Pick up sticks and bins and learn new skills in this introductory level program. Learn pieces with dynamic rhythms in a fun, energetic and creative environment. No admittance allowed after the first five minutes. Space is limited.

1:30 – 2:30pm

6+ years

 

Family Day - Zumba® - Drop-In

Share the fun in this fitness-like program that offers high-energy fun, creative dance steps and healthy exercises all set to family-friendly music. Space is limited.

3:00 – 4:00pm

6+ years

 

Family Badminton - Drop-In

3:00 – 5:00pm

6+ years

 

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 or park in staff parking spots; if you need to come into the school, please park in a parking space closer to South Arm Community Centre.  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.

 

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PARENT SURVEY

Each year the Ministry of Education asks parents, grade 4&7 students, and school staff to complete a learning survey. Please take a little time to visit  

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey/access.htm

to share your thoughts and ideas. Your opinions will help guide the future of education in BC. 

 

 

WOLFPACK BASKETBALL

Basketball is back at Whiteside! Mr. Pelletier is our girls’ team coach. Mme. Howells and Mr. McCuaig are coaching our Grade 7 boys’ team. Mme. Navin and Mr. Cameron are coaching our Grade 6 boys’ team. We hope to have more games scheduled soon. Thank you to our coaches and athletes for a great season!

Girls’ team practices are: Monday at lunch and Wednesday after school.

Gr. 7 boys’ team practices are: Tuesday after school and Wednesday at lunch.

Gr. 6 boys’ team practices are: Monday after school and Thursday at lunch.

Our game schedule:

Feb 13^th – Bridge boys vs Whiteside Gr. 6 Boys

Mar 2^nd – Woodward boys vs Whiteside Gr. 6 boys

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2018, turning 5 in 2023. These children will begin kindergarten in September 2023. Online registration opens on November 1^st, 2022. Please visit our website http://www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten for more information about our online registration process, required documents, important dates, and FAQs.

 

WEST COAST WEATHER AND OUTSIDE PLAY

• Please remember that all students will be going outside for recess and lunch, except in extreme weather conditions. 
• Physical activity has a positive impact on learning.
• If kids are well prepared to be outside in the rain, they really enjoy it. If they stay dry and warm there is a great deal of fun to be had in all kinds of weather. To be prepared to be outside in the rain it is important for your child to have appropriate clothing such as:
  • A rain jacket
  • Rubber boots
  • Rain pants
  • An umbrella
  • A rain hat or coat with a hood
  • *A change of clothes to be kept at school (sweatpants, underwear, socks, t-shirt, etc.)
  • When students use their change of clothes, please send another set to school for the next time.

 

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!

Coming Soon:

Feb. 17             Pro-D

Feb. 20             Family Day

Feb. 22             Pink Shirt Day

March 9            Talent Show

March 9            Report cards posted     

March 10          Last day before Spring Break

March 27          Whiteside re-opens

April 7              Good Friday – school closed

April 4-6           Striker Gr. 7 Bball tournament

April 10             Easter Monday – school closed

April 24-26        Gr. 6/7 camp

May 17             Welcome to Kindergarten

May 19             Pro-D

May 22             Victoria Day – school closed     

May 23             McRoberts Gr. 7 day

May 25             Spring Fair

June 13             K/1 and 6/7 Immunization

June 16             Sports Day

June 23             Gr 7 Farewell

June 29             Last day for students

 

 

We wish you all a wonderful weekend!

 

~Whiteside Elementary