Newsletter 5th November 2020
Article 29
Education must develop every child's personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child's respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.
Welcome back, we hope that you all had a well-deserved half term break. This is an update and a reminder for all parents/carers as we are now in a National Lockdown again from today.
Safety and Wellbeing
As you are aware, England has been placed into lockdown for the second time from today Thursday 5th November 2020 for a period of 4 weeks. Fortunately, schools will be remaining open and so routines and procedures will remain as they are at present - we received an update from the DfE last night and have reviewed our current procedures. There are no changes affecting primary schools currently - should there be any changes, we will keep you informed via the School Life App.
However, we are extremely aware that within our school community, there will be those who are worried about safety. Cases in Dudley are increasing rapidly - throughout the pandemic, safety and wellbeing has been our priority and we need your support to keep everyone feeling as safe and secure as possible.
Thank you to all those parents who are wearing masks when dropping off and collecting children - this is appreciated by families and staff. We would encourage all parents to wear masks as this is a particularly busy time when there are large numbers of parents and children in a restricted area. Staff may choose to wear masks when greeting/dismissing children too.
We have spent a considerable amount of time and energy following the guidance to minimise the risks for children and parents. We need to look after staff wellbeing too and your co-operation with the following is appreciated.
We need you to help us by:
- Adhering to staggered times and entrances/exits. Please follow social distancing, one way systems and keep your children with you at all times
- Only one adult to bring/collect children to and from school
- Leaving the area by the school as soon as your child has been dropped off or collected to minimise the number of parents
- Sending forms into school in a sealed envelope. These can either come into school with your child via their class, or be posted in the postbox outside the conservatory entrance or can be placed on the table outside the main school entrance - if you cannot see anyone in the office then please phone the office to let them know that you are outside
- Only coming to the school office in exceptional circumstances. We are trying to restrict items coming into school, however, we have had an increasing number of forgotten coats, lunchboxes, water bottles, fruit etc. brought to the school office this week.
- If you need to bring any item to the office or you are collecting uniform etc. please maintain a safe distance. Items should be placed on the blue table outside the conservatory door - if you then stand 2 metres away from the table, staff will place items on the table and then move away to protect all concerned
- If you need to communicate with your child's class teacher, please write a note in your child's planner and the teacher will communicate with you via the telephone.
A Reminder of what my child should bring to school.
- School uniform should be worn. Winter uniform Years 1 - Year 6, shirt/ties. School shoes must be worn - not trainers. We advise all pupils to bring a jumper/cardigan, regardless of the weather, as rooms will be ventilated at all times.
- Children should only bring a filled water bottle (not squash - see healthy tuck policy on the website). This needs to be named please so that children can easily recognise their own bottle and do not touch or drink out of bottles belonging to other children.
- KS2 pupils should NOT bring large backpacks. There is insufficient room in cloakrooms to store bags, and this is often the thing pupils moan about most. Children need a small bag to carry items to and from school, so a drawstring bag like a P.E. bag would be much more suitable; KS1 should only bring their red book bag to school
- P.E. kits
- Year 6 children should not bring mobile phones to school (this will be reviewed throughout the autumn term)
- Children should bring a small clear labelled 'sandwich bag' with their own labelled pack of tissues, small hand gel/sanitiser for their own use. Year R - 6.
- Children in KS2 should also bring a piece of fruit for break, if they have not paid for the fruit scheme (No crisps or chocolate please.)
- Children should not bring any money to school, as all lunches will be paid for online. There is nothing to purchase in school.
Please help us to keep everybody safe by following our guidance.
Keep safe everyone.
Mrs Miller
Headteacher
