Hi Whiteside Families! Happy Diwali! Have a fun and festive Diwali!

 

Today, Whiteside observed Remembrance Day at our annual assembly. Our community came together to perform and present, demonstrating our heartfelt gratitude for the courageous Canadian servicemen and women who protect and serve our nation. We encourage you to spend quality time with your loved ones to pay tribute to this significant day and the sacrifices endured by our armed forces and their families. Please note that Whiteside will be closed on Monday, November 13th, in commemoration of Remembrance Day.Top of Form

 

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Whether you are honouring Remembrance Day, celebrating Diwali, both, or just being with your family, we hope you enjoy a peaceful and rejuvenating long weekend.

 

WHITESIDE FAMILY PHOTO NIGHT

This year, Whiteside PAC has teamed up with Ara Photography for our Family Photo Night Fundraiser. We

have been able to secure two nights, Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16, for an indoor photoshoot at Whiteside.

For just $35, your family will receive one 15-minute session and one edited digital 8x10 photo. The entire

sitting fee will be donated to the Whiteside PAC. At the photo session, your family will receive up to 5 poses with 2 backdrops and props.

*You will be contacted directly by the photographer to choose additional digital images AFTER the photo

session. Please do not include payment for additional photos. *

• Option 1: $20 Includes one digital photo of choice (2 pictures in total including the free image)
• Option 2: $50 Includes up to 3 additional digital photos of your choice (up to 4 photos in total, including the free image)
• Option 3: $80 Includes ALL digital photos taken during the photo shoot (5 or more photos)

Appointment times will be on a first come, first serve basis. The $35 sitting fee must be included with the

booking form to secure your appointment. Please fill out the booking form, detach it, and return it along with ONLY the sitting fee to the school, no later than November 7th. Please make cheques payable

to “James Whiteside Elementary PAC”. If you have any questions, please contact Sandeep at 1bhullar.sandeep@gmail.com. Please note that we may not be able to fit everyone into this year’s schedule.

 

HOLD AND SECURE DRILL

Next week we will hold a Hold and Secure drill. A hold and secure (lockout) order is used when it is necessary to secure a school from an emergency occurring outside the school. The exterior doors are locked and monitored to allow students and staff to enter but otherwise the doors remain locked. Once inside, no one leaves the building. Conducting drills on a regular basis helps ensure that all personnel know their roles and can carry them out effectively. Our Hold and Secure drill will take place on Friday, November 17. You know your child best and if you feel your child would benefit from some reassurance, please have a brief conversation with him or her before the drill. If you have any questions about the drill, please call Mr. Cameron or Mme. Navin at the school.

 

HOT LUNCH DAYS

We have two Hot Lunch Days open for ordering! 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. All orders and full payment must be received no later than Friday November 17th, 2023.

Yummy Slice – Friday, November 24

White Spot – Friday, December 5

 

HOLIDAY WISH FUNDRAISER

The Holiday Season is the time of year to celebrate with loved ones. We would like to ensure that all Whiteside families have the chance to partake in this special time of year. To support families in need, the Holiday Wish Committee and the Whiteside PAC are working together to fundraise for families who need support during this special time of year, and we couldn’t do this without your support.

If you would like to help:

• Please see the attached flyer, or,
• Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A9AC29A1F8CF8-45900992-holi, or,
• Donate during our coin drive: November 27 – December 1, or,
• Donate online: https://schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/68196/125/False/True, or,
• Purchase a gift card through the PAC gift card program.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome Kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2019, turning 5 in 2024. These children will begin Kindergarten in September 2024. Online registration opens on November 1, 2023. Please visit our website www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten for more information about our online registration process, required documents, important dates, and FAQs.

We encourage families to complete their registration within the Priority 1 registration window, which spans from November to January, to maximize their chances of securing a spot at their catchment school. All registration applications received any time during the Priority 1 registration period will receive placement decisions by February 2, 2024.

 

Videos detailing Kindergarten registration have been made available on our District website, providing new parents with guidance on 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 www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten.

 

Finally, there will be a Kindergarten Information Evening for parents of students with disabilities and diverse abilities on Zoom held on November 8th from 6:30 – 7:30pm. A link to the Zoom is available on our District website www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten.

 

Thank you and please share this information with your friends and family who have Kindergarten aged children!

 

 

FEEDING FUTURES

Recently, the provincial government announced a new 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 are gathering information and look to provide ongoing support wherever possible. Implementation plans are underway, and we want to ensure families are aware, and as always, able to reach out if they require support. 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.

 

COMMUNITY LED COLLABORATION PROJECT WITH INCLUSION BC

We are working with some community partners, including Inclusion BC, on a Community Led Conversation Project for Richmond next week (November 15-18, 2023). The project leaders want to hear from families with children and youth with disabilities or support needs. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

 

CHILDCARE STRATEGY INPUT

The City of Richmond is developing a 10-year Childcare Strategy and is seeking input from Richmond residents, parents, guardians, caregivers, and childcare providers.

• The strategy will provide a framework to ensure high-quality, accessible, and affordable childcare options continue to be available in Richmond.
• Visit https://www.letstalkrichmond.ca/childcare2023 for more information and to share your input via an online survey. This engagement opportunity is open until Sunday, November 26, 2023

If you are not a parent, the survey will skip you to the end and you can fill out some general questions about how childcare in Richmond can be improved. Your perspective and knowledge will be a valuable contribution in helping to create a set of priorities and actions for childcare in Richmond.

 

CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT

If your child is arriving late to school, please check in at the office through the front entrance.

If your child needs to leave school early, please sign your child out at the office and wait at the front entrance for them.

 

PAC MEETINGS

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. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, November 21 at 6:45 p.m.! Please reach out to our PAC at whitesidepac@hotmail.com for more information

 

WEST COAST RECESS

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!

 

PARKING LOT SAFETY

With days getting shorter and the weather becoming darker and drearier, it is important to remind both drivers and pedestrians to keep traffic safety in mind and remain alert during their commutes. Our east parking lot is closed to parent drivers. Please use the South Arm lot or our drop off lane. Students and families use the crosswalks in front of the school all day. Please be mindful of pedestrians and other cars when driving in front of our school. When using the drop off lane, please continue to pull forward to allow more space behind you, but do not block or park on the zebra crosswalks. Blocking crosswalks creates danger for pedestrians trying to cross to our school. Please drive slowly through the drop-off area.

 

Coming Soon:

 

Nov. 10             Remembrance Day Assembly

Nov. 10             Hot lunch

Nov. 11             Remembrance Day

Nov. 13             Remembrance Day observed – school closed.

Nov. 15/16       PAC Family Photo nights

Nov. 16             Photo re-take day

Nov. 20             Pro-D Day (school closed)

Nov. 24             Hot lunch

Dec. 7               Grade 6/7 immunizations

Dec. 12             Winter Concert – 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 15             Hot lunch

Dec. 19             Winter musical – 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 21             Reports published.

Dec. 22             Last day before Winter Break

 

Have a great weekend!

 ~Whiteside Elementary