Happy Friday Whiteside!

  

Well, spring has officially sprung! We're budding with excitement to share some news with you this week.

 

Hopefully, you're not feeling too sap-py after the long weekend and are ready to grow with us into the warmer weather. Get ready for some blooming good updates inside!

 

Thank you to our PAC for another delicious hot lunch.

 

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:

April 27            2.5 Mini Sun Run (Vancouver)

April 29            BC Lions presentation

April 29            Term 2 report cards posted on MyEd

May 7               Gr. 7 and jazz band performance at Gateway (evening)

May 15             Krispy Kreme delivery

May 16             Non-Instructional Day (school closed)

May 19             Victoria Day (school closed)

May 21             Welcome to Kindergarten

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

 

Term 2 Student Learning Updates (Report Cards)

 

Term 2 Reports will be published next week (April 29).  Logins and temporary passwords were sent out to all parents by District earlier this year.  Please login before then.  (The first login must be done from a workstation, laptop, or computer. Do not use an iPad, tablet, or cell phone for this.) Previous users, who forgot their passwords, will need to click through the “I forgot my password” hyperlink on the login page to reset their passwords.  If you do not remember your login, contact the office at whiteside@sd38.bc.ca with your child’s full name and Division number.

More info is available on the school website at: https://whiteside.sd38.bc.ca/parents/myed-parent-portal

 

PAC Update – Spring Fair Postponed

We were all sad to have made the decision to postpone Spring Fair until next year. There was a lot of planning work that went into it and that progress can be brought forward into the next year. Thank you to those that stepped forward to help. We need more volunteers to get an early start on it for next year, please email the team at WhitesidePAC@hotmail.com.

 

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

 

Krispy Kreme Fundraiser For Grade 7 Farewell
Help support our grade seven farewell celebration. Our grade seven parent team is selling Krispy Kreme donuts for $18 per dozen. Order on School Cash Online by May 8th for May 15th delivery.

 

Wolfpack Pickleball

Coach Luciano from Tennis XL is back at Whiteside on April 28 and 30 to finish teaching our Wolves tennis and pickleball skills. We welcome him and are excited for the opportunity to learn a new sport!

 

Summer Learning – French Immersion

French Immersion (for students currently in French Immersion only) Students will practise and enrich their knowledge of the French language and culture through games and activities. (This course is for students who have completed at least one year of the French Immersion Program.) Registration is already open.

 

Mitchell Elementary School - New Site

Three week program (July 7-25) 

Grade ½ at 9am-11:45 a.m.

Grade ¾ at 12:15-2:45 p.m.

 

Boyd Secondary Site (for elementary summer students) 

Four week program  (July 7-August 1)

Grade 2/3 at 8:30 a.m.

Grade 4/6 at 10:55 a.m.

 

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, May 20 online at 7:00 p.m.

 

Strategic Plan Open Houses in April 2025

The Richmond School District is hosting a series of open houses in April to engage parents and caregivers in the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan process. These sessions will provide an opportunity to learn more about the plan, ask questions, and share feedback that will help shape the district’s priorities for the next five years.

 Upcoming Open Houses

• April 28, 2025  |  6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Online session (Click here to register)

For more details and ongoing updates on the strategic planning process, please visit sd38.bc.ca/strategicplan.

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.

 

Run Club Updates! 

Our Run Club is off to the Mini SunRun this weekend. Thank you to Mme Lai, Mme David-Harel, and all our parents for supporting Run Club. We look forward to a great running experience on Sunday!

 

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

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…

This is one way to support reading comprehension at home:

• Talk About the Book During and After Reading (even briefly):

• During: Pause at natural stopping points (end of a page or chapter) and ask a quick, open-ended question like, "What do you think might happen next?" or "How do you think that character is feeling right now?" This encourages active thinking and prediction.
• After: Briefly discuss the main idea, a favorite part, or a character's actions. Even a 2-minute conversation can solidify understanding. You could ask, "What was the most important thing that happened in this part?" or "Tell me one thing that surprised you."

 

Have a great weekend!

 

~Whiteside Elementary