Mrs N’s Notes ~ 20.9.20

• Mrs Nicolson
• September 20, 2020
• Nursery, Whole School
• 2
• 15

HOME SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

Please take time to look at the CLASS SECTION drop down menu on our school website.  There you will find information relevant to your child’s class; including PE days and your latest Home/School Partnership information.

Homework is starting this week.  Your child will be issued with a range of homework tasks that are intended to cover a three-week period.  You will be able to access this through our school website, the school Glow Teams area or the school app (Piota).  All pupils will also be given a workbook or red jotter that they can use at home when required.  Please take time to read the information issued with the homework jotter.  In light of continued restrictions these jotters SHOULD NOT RETURN TO SCHOOL.  Homework tasks can be completed in any way that suits your family; orally, on a device, on a whiteboard or on paper.  The tasks do not need to be returned to your child’s teacher.  If your child wants to share their learning with their teacher this can by done by sending a photo or a document by email or on Teams.  We intend to continue with a three-week grid, allowing you to plan your home-learning around other family activities.

PLAYGROUND CHANGES

As you know, we continue to review our safety arrangements through ongoing risk assessments. In light of recent advice from Public Health and NLC, we are looking at ways to limit the number of pupils in our playground areas at any one time.

Can I remind parents to arrange for your child to arrive to school as close to their start time as possible – this limits the numbers of children in the playground before school starts.

Staggered playtimes will continue as before, but now each class will have a designated area where they can play.  This keeps children working within the same class-bubble at all times.  Similarly, lunchtimes will be staggered further for the same reason.  Half of our classes will have lunch at 12.00pm, with the remainder eating at 12.30pm.  Lunchtime will last 45 minutes for all children as before.  Each class will have their own designated play-area at this time.

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS

I had an enquiry from a parent this week about school photographs.  At this time we are still not allowing visitors to school, unless it is an emergency or absolutely necessary to ensure learning provision.  For this reason, we will not be considering school photographs before Christmas.  We will continue to review the national and local COVID situation and we will look to rearrange the school photographer if the risk becomes less at some point.  I will keep you updated of this.

PARENT COUNCIL

As I announced last week, our Parent Council intend to hold their AGM tomorrow evening (Monday 21.9.20) via a video conference call.  If you would like to express an interest in joining our Parent Council, in any capacity, please telephone me at school and I will pass your information on to Cheryl Grant, PC Chair Person.

OFFICE STAFF CHANGES

As I told you at the beginning of term, Mrs Peat and Mrs Dunn from our office are both retiring this week.  Wednesday will be their last day working with the children.  We wish the ladies well as they start this new chapter of their lives.  I know you will join me when I say we are going to miss them terribly!

The recruitment process for new staff is underway, but our new clerical assistants will not be in place immediately.  I must therefore ask for your patience as I try to cover the office, whilst managing other school matters too.  We anticipate this will be a short term measure.

HOLIDAY REMINDER

Please remember school will be closed to pupils this Thursday (24.9.20) as it is an in-service training day for staff.

We also have our local September Weekend holiday on Friday 25th and Monday 28th September.  School and nursery therefore close at the usual times on Wednesday 23rd and reopen on Tuesday 29th.