Happy Friday Whiteside! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

  

From pickleball to piccolos, Whiteside has been abuzz with engaging learning opportunities for our Wolfpack.

 

Thank you to Coach Luciano for his pickleball and tennis lessons. Thank you to our track team for organizing and running our track attacks.

 

And a big THANK YOU to Ms. LB for her hard work leading the Richmond Honour Band. Next week Honour Band tours Richmond sharing their musical talents at local elementary schools, a concert at Gateway Theatre, and then a final performance at Whiteside on Friday afternoon.

 

Our Wolfpack is also working hard on their academics during this final term and spring reading and writing assessments are just around the corner.

 

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:

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 20             Grade 7 Day at McRoberts

May 20             PAC meeting at 7 p.m.(online)

May 21             Welcome to Kindergarten

May 26             Track Meet at Minoru

June 13             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

 

Personal Items at School

There has been an increase in students bringing personal items (toys, stuffies, Pokemon cards, video games, etc.) to school. Unfortunately, when these items come to school there is a chance they can get dirty, lost, or broken. We strongly recommend keeping all personal items at home.

 

Keeping Our Community Clean

There has also been an increase in litter and refuse around our school and local community. We ask for your support in keeping our community clean. These are some ways you can help:

• Reuse reusable snack and lunch containers instead of single-use plastic bags, wrappers, and foil.
• Resuse reusable drink containers too.
• Send “boomerang” lunches – all uneaten food and packaging can be returned home.
• Talk with your children and lead by example:
  • Reinforce proper sorting of waste at home (recycling and compost)
  • Pick up in the park – help pickup litter around South Arm

Thank you for your help!

 

Track Update

Our students are having fun and working hard during their track attack stations this month. Our track meet is scheduled for May 26^th at Minoru. Permission forms and information were sent home earlier. Please ensure you have these forms returned to school by May 12^th. Thank you!

 

Term 2 Student Learning Updates (Report Cards)

Term 2 Reports were published online on the  MyEd Parent Portal  on Thursday, April 29^th.  Please take some time to read your child’s report and continue the conversation about their learning at home. More info is available on the school website at: https://whiteside.sd38.bc.ca/parents/myed-parent-portal

 

Team and Group Photos

Edge Imaging has now uploaded your additional group photos online and digital downloads are now available for purchase. An email with links and information was sent home on May 1^st.

 

PAC Update

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.  Our next PAC meeting will be online on May 20^th at 7:00 p.m. 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.

 

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 participated in their culmination of weekly exercise by joining in the 2024 Vancouver Mini SunRun. Thank you to Mme Lai, Mme David-Harel, and all our parents for supporting Run Club.

 

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.

 

Spring Weather:

Spring weather in Richmond can be unpredictable and we play outside every day. Please ensure your child is dressed in layers and ready for the rain. We encourage our Wildcats to keep a spare change of clothes and shoes at school just in case they get wet.

 

DISTRICT INFORMATION AND UPDATES

National Child and Youth Mental Health Day

Please check out the information from Family Smart about their upcoming event on May 7th

commemorating National Child and Youth Mental Health Day. 

Family Smart Website Link

May 7 National Child and Youth Mental Health day LINK.

 

City of Richmond - Public Works Open House (May 10)

You are invited to join the Public Works Open House showcasing the variety of services in maintaining our infrastructure.  

At this fun-filled event, families and especially kids can participate in activities and visit booths about:

• Water Services, Flood Protection, Sanitary Sewers
• Engineering, Roads and Construction Services
• Environmental Programs, Parks, Recreation and Culture
• Fleet Operations and Emergency Services

Enjoy live music and entertainment, The “Kidstruction” child-friendly play area, meet Richmond Fire-Rescue and other community partners on-site, and much more! Plus, lunch and snacks are available for purchase from food trucks.

Come meet the people who keep Richmond one of Canada's safest and most livable communities!

Date: Saturday, May 10

Time: 11 am - 3 pm

 

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…

Making predictions when reading strengthens reading comprehension. When reading with your child at home try this quick activity:

"What Happens Next in One Sentence?"

At a natural pause point in the story (like before turning a page, before a character makes a decision, or when a new event is about to unfold), simply ask your child:

"Okay, what do you think will happen next in just one sentence?"

Encourage them to make a quick guess based on what they've heard and seen so far. After they share their prediction, continue reading to see if they were right!

Why it works:

• Quick and Easy: It doesn't disrupt the flow of reading for long.
• Focuses Prediction: It specifically asks for a prediction.
• Concise: The one-sentence limit helps them focus their thinking.
• Engaging: It creates anticipation and makes them active participants in the story.

You can even follow up with a quick "Why do you think that?" to encourage them to connect their prediction to the story's details.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

~Whiteside Elementary