Newsletter 14.7.20
Date: 14th Jul 2020 @ 12:53pm
Newsletter 14th July 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
Arrangements for September 2020
Following the release of further guidance from the Government we have reviewed and modified our procedures and undertaken further risk assessments on numerous occasions during the last few months. We have now reviewed current legislation to enable us to open the school fully from 2nd September 2020
Please note that Government Legislation states that all children must return to school in September. We realise that this may be a worry for you as parents, but rest assured, my team and I have been working non-stop to ensure that we provide a learning environment which is as safe as possible.
Beginning and End of Each Day
As indicated by the Government, we intend to continue with staggered start and collection times, but to support you as parents we will be implementing the following timetable for drop off and collections, based on the first letter of your child’s surname. Where families have children with different surnames we suggest that you drop off and collect at the time allocated for the youngest child.
|
Children with surnames beginning with: |
Drop off time |
Collection time |
|
A - G |
8.40am |
3.00pm |
|
H-O |
8.55am |
3.15pm |
|
P-Z |
9.10am |
3.30pm |
Please note that we will continue with the current one-way system which has proved successful. Children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 will enter the site via from the Verdin Exchange car park using the pathway adjacent to Kiddicare. The children in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 will enter the site from the Verdin Car park using the ramp adjacent to the Verdin Centre.
Class Bases / Year Group Bubbles
From September, the children will be based in their dedicated classes for the majority of their time each week. Movement around school will be limited to staggered break and lunch times as well as toilet breaks. However, for some activities e.g. lunchtimes, the children may come together in their year group bubbles, but such times will be limited to minimise the mixing of children throughout the school.
Breakfast and After School Clubs
These will restart from the first day back in September, but to comply with the new guidance the following changes will apply:
Bookings must be made by lunchtime on a Friday for the following week by using the school payment system Eduspot. Please follow the link provided. A link will be distributed to families new to the school.
The children will be kept in the following groups to reduce the mixing of the designated bubbles in school.
-Nursery and Reception
-Year 1 and Year 2
-Year 3 and Year 4
-Year 5 and Year 6
Please note we will only be able to provide a selection of sandwiches for the children who attend the after school provision as opposed to hot meals.
We will continue to provide breakfast in the usual manner for the children who attend the breakfast provision.
Sadly, we have been forced to increase the cost of the provision. This is the first increase since we started the provision four years ago. Please note that this is a non-profit making aspect of school, but we need to be able to cover the increase in staffing costs. The rates from September will be as follows:
|
Wrap around Care |
Time |
Price |
Price for children whose parents are in receipt of Pupil Premium |
|
Breakfast Club |
7.50am - 8.50am |
£3.50 |
£1.50 |
|
|
8.20am - 8.50am |
£2.00 |
£1.00 |
|
After School Club |
3.15pm -5.50pm |
£8.00 |
£4.00 |
|
|
3.15pm – 4.30pm |
£4.50 |
£2.50 |
Snacks for the Kitchen
To comply with new regulations, we will not be selling morning snacks from September from the kitchen. However, children are able to bring in their own HEALTHY Snack for morning break. Please do not send chocolate or crisps.
Please note that we will continue to provide the free milk for the children in Early Years and KS1 from September, as well as the free fruit for snacks for the children in these year groups.
School Lunches
We will be returning to a more ‘normal’ school menu on our return in September. The cost of a meal will be £2.30. Menus for each week will be displayed on the school website.
For school meals, the children will be allocated a slot in the hall or theatre for hot meals. Children on sandwiches will be asked to eat them in their classrooms. However, this will all depend on the numbers of children opting for hot school meals or sandwiches.
Please note that children bringing their lunch into school should do so in an appropriate container, which can be taken home for washing at the end of each day.
Break times / Lunch Play
The children will be allocated a specific area to play with the children from their classes. This will ensure that minimal mixing of the year group bubble takes place.
Uniform
Please note that we want the children to return to school in full uniform from September. Please can I stress that black shoes must be worn and not trainers. For full requirements, please follow the link on the school website. This will also take you to the uniform supplier who will deliver items to your home.
Pencil Cases
Please note that we will be providing each child with their own pencil case and equipment for the start of the new year. This will reduce the need for them to bring in their own materials and will therefore reduce the risks associated with bringing items into school.
PE Uniform
Please can you equip your child with the required PE kit. This will be kept in a designated area and must be taken home each week for washing.
Preparation for September
To prepare your child for September, please ensure that he / she reads on a regular basis. If possible it would also be worth revisiting some of the learning which has been distributed throughout lockdown. Please also encourage your child to have a go at the Times Tables Rock Stars or Numbots programs as well.
Residential Visits
At the present moment in time we are not permitted to run Residential Visits during the Autumn Term. However, I have provisionally booked visits for the pupils in Y1 –Year 6 from January onwards. We will therefore send letters out for these in the Autumn, but rest assured, if these visits cannot take place due to Covid-19, then a full refund will be provided.
Correspondence / E Forms
During the Lockdown we have started to send all correspondence and permission forms via email. As we have made this step we intend to continue doing so from September. For each letter / form sent, we will send a corresponding text to alert you to the fact. This will be a safer means of communicating with you.
And finally
Please note that the school will be closed over the summer holiday to allow the staff time to recharge following the past few months. As indicated in my previous letter this has been a very challenging time for all school staff, who have worked tirelessly through holidays to ensure that we have maintained a provision for Key Worker Children and more recently to welcome back children in the other year groups.
I would like to thank you all for your support during this difficult time. With your support we have been able to overcome a number of barriers and have been able to operate in a safe manner. We look forward to welcoming your children back for the Autumn Term. In the meantime, enjoy the summer break and stay safe!
Yours sincerely.
Kind regards
Mark Joule
Head teacher