Issue 36 - Wednesday 19th August 2020

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you're all enjoying the Summer holidays and have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with friends and loved ones, despite the difficult circumstances. As we approach September, your thoughts are going to be around preparations for returning to school. We are still expecting to open to all pupils on Thursday 3rd September and I understand for many pupils this will be their first time in school since March. I do hope the information below, which includes our latest Covid-19 risk assessment and addendment, answers any questions and helps alleviate any anxiety about returning.

Stay safe, enjoy the rest of the holidays and the staff and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you on the morning of Thursday 3rd September.

Mr Kemp

SCHOOL RE-OPENING

School re-opens to all pupils in Y1-6 at 8.45am on Thursday 3rd September.

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION INFORMATION

The DfE have provided parents with a range of information for children returning to school. It can be found on this link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-in-the-autumn-term

NEW RECEPTION PUPILS

Pupils in Reception will attend Parkfield for the first two weeks and two days for either the morning or afternoon. The morning group will attend between 9 and 11am with the afternoon group attending between 1 and 3pm. All reception pupils will begin full time from Monday 21st September.

BREAKFAST AND AFTERSCHOOL CLUB

For those booked in, breakfast club starts on Thursday 3rd September from 7.30am. After school club will also begin the first day back until the usual 5.30pm. Please note that there have been slight increases in the cost for this provision. For the forseeable, both clubs will take place in the school hall. Spaces for both clubs are limited but can be booked by contacting office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk.

ENTERING THE SCHOOL SITE

We are not staggering the start and finish times of the school day like many other schools. Alternatively, you will be directed into a particular area of the playground to stand whilst dropping off and picking up. This will help everyone socially distance and keep staff and pupils safe.

COVID-19 RE-OPENING PLANS

Detailed re-opening plans were shared with all before we finished for the summer and can be found here: https://newsletters.parkfieldprimary.com/issue-34-september-2020-opening-plans. A more detailed addendum to the risk assessment has also been completed and can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.

VIDEO FOR PUPILS

If your child is a little anxious or unsure about returning in September, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership have produced a lovely 3 minute video explaining what school will be like in September. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/ruoq7hK-e34

PE KIT

From September, children in Y1-6 will have to come to school in their outdoor PE kit on the day they have their PE lesson. As a result, we have altered our uniform policy for outdoor PE kit. The new policy can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/uniform.html. We have teamed up with an online company so that you can purchase the outdoor PE kit (with or without a logo) and this can be purchased from here: https://iconsports.co.uk/parkfield-primary-school. However, you may purchase unbranded PE kit from other retailers. We have made these changes as we do not want you to be purchasing expensive branded sports clothing.

The outdoor PE kit from September will consist of: Royal Blue Hoody (with our without zip), Black Tracksuit bottoms, Plain white T-Shirt (with or without the school logo) and trainers.

PE lessons will start on Monday 7th September and classes will have PE on the following days:

      • Monday: Year 3 and 4

      • Tuesday: Year 5 and 6

      • Thursday: Year 1 and 2

Please note: Reception do not require an outdoor PE kit.

REMINDER: INSET DATE CHANGES

Friday 11th September and Friday 9th October 2020 are now going to be school INSET days where the school will be closed to all pupils. As a result school will now be open on Monday 19th and 20th July 2021 for pupils. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. If the changes to the summer dates impact on any holiday plans already made please contact the school office.

DATES FOR THE DIARY 2020-21

An updated list of events and holiday dates can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/calendar-inc-holiday-lists.html

LIBRARY REVAMP

A huge thanks to all that contributed to our justgiving page before the Summer holidays. We raised over £2500 and it will be spent on new library books for our revamped library area. We will send out more information and photographs in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have attempted to answer many of the frequently asked questions we are being asked. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk

What risk assessment has taken place to ensure children are safe coming back to school?

A comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out to ensure that all pupils and staff are as safe as possible. The risk assessment, which has been approved by the LA and PHE can be found at the bottom of this page. An addendum is also available below which describes some of the additional measures for a full reopening in place for September.

Can you guarantee that my child will not catch coronavirus?

No. The measures we have put in place are to reduce the risk. We cannot eliminate the risk.

Will they be able to bring in a lunch bag?

Yes. These are allowed as children won’t be sharing the contents of their packed lunch.

Will my child have access to the water fountains?

No. However, children will be provided with a school water bottle that they must return with each day. Please be assured that if your child forgets their water bottle we will be able to provide them with a drink.

What will my child be able to bring into school in September?

They will be able to bring in usual items such as bags, coats, books, PE kits. No toys or stationary will be allowed.

Will I be fined if I don’t send my child to school in September?

Possibly. The government have said all children must attend school from September. However, there are particular cases where it would be acceptable for children to stay off school. If you have concerns, please contact the school.

What will happen if the member of staff in my child’s bubble is poorly?

If it is not coronavirus related symptoms, we will now be able to cover the class like we usually would with a member of Parkfield staff or a supply teacher.

What will happen if my child has to self-isolate?

We will provide children at home with an education which will be similar to what their classmates will receive in class. We will be working on this over the Autumn term and will provide more details in future.

Who will be allowed into the school building?

We will be reducing the number of people coming into school by having only essential services come in – such as social services, speech and language therapists and workmen. Unfortauntely, parents will not be able to come into school unless a meeting has been pre-arranged. All communication will be via phone, email or video conferencing.

Specific Coronavirus Information

Parkfield school is committed to keeping both children and staff members safe now they have returned to school. We would like to inform you about what our school will be doing and what we ask of you as parents or carers if your child or any member of your household shows symptoms of coronavirus (COVID19).

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID19) are a recent start of any of the following

· A new continuous cough

· A high temperature (feel hot to touch on the chest or back

· A loss or change in your normal sense of taste or smell

A well child/young person feels 100% well, seems themselves and not displaying any changes in behaviour or their daily routines. .

An unwell child could be a possible case of COVID19. Other symptoms that have been linked to COVID are vomiting, diarrhoea, sleeping more than usual, agitated, cold, headaches - anything that may indicate they are not feeling themselves.

Please DO NOT send your child into school if:

· They are unwell in any way

· Anyone in the household is unwell, awaiting testing or their result, or has been tested positive.

What happens if a child/young person or member of staff becomes unwell at school?

As soon as the school is made aware, the child, young person or staff member will be sent home and advised to isolate until the result of the COVID test is known. The school will arrange any necessary cleaning.

How do I get a test for my child?

If your child is displaying symptoms of coronavirus, your school will give you details of how to book a test at the local walk-in testing site which is located at the Rochdale Town hall car park.

A test can also be booked on the NHS website using the link below which provides you options for either a drive-through test, for which you or someone you live with must have a car to get to a regional test site or you can request for a home testing kit for yourself and anyone else you live with who has coronavirus symptoms. There is an identity check for home test kits.

https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test

Please ensure you inform the school when you have the test result, whether positive or negative.

What happens if a child, young person or staff member at the school has symptoms?

If anyone in school becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste of smell (anosmia), they must be sent home and book a test.

· The person should isolate for a minimum of 7 days, or until the test

· Members of their household should self-isolate for 14 days. The 14 days is the time it takes for symptoms to show if you have been infected.

If a child is awaiting collection, they should be moved, if possible, to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door, depending on the age of the child and with appropriate adult supervision if required. Ideally, a window should be opened for ventilation. If it is not possible to isolate them, move them to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people. The rest of the bubble need not be sent home unless the child or adult has a positive test result returned.

What happens if a child, young person or staff member at the school tests positive?

Guidance states that:-

Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, the rest of their class or group within their childcare or education setting should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. The other household members of that wider class or group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms. Therefore, children/staff in their bubble need to be sent home only if the child/adult has a positive test result.

· The person should isolate for a minimum of 7 days, or until the test

· Members of their household should self-isolate for 14 days. The 14 days is the time it takes for symptoms to show if you have been infected.

· The rest of their bubble/class/group within their school (children and adults) will be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days (and offered testing if symptoms develop).

· The other household members who live with the contacts in the bubble/class/group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms

If my child tests positive, do I need to tell people they have been in contact with? Yes. You need to log onto the NHS Test and Trace portal https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk/ and share details of all their close contacts. All close contacts (household, school related or any other close contacts) will receive a letter, a phone call or a text to advise them to self-isolate. Please also ensure that the School Head has been informed.

What happens if my child tests negative?

Your child can return to school when they are 48 hours symptom free. Household members can end their isolation straight away following the negative test, unless someone else in the household is waiting for the result of their test.

What do I need to do if either myself or my child has been in ‘contact’ with somebody who has tested positive

A ‘contact’ is a person who has been close to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) anytime from 2 days before the person was symptomatic up to 7 days from onset of symptoms (this is when they are infectious to others).

For example, a contact can be:

· People who spend significant time in the same household as a person who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)

· Close personal relationships/partners

· A person who has had face-to-face contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), including: being coughed on, having a face-to-face conversation within one metre, or having skin-to-skin physical contact, or any contact within one metre for one minute or longer

· A person who has been within 2 metres of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) for more than 15 minutes

· A person who has travelled in a small vehicle with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or in a large vehicle or plane near someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)

In a schools/setting context, all children/staff in the classroom ‘bubble’ will be classed as a close contact and others will be assessed on a case by case basis. If you or your child falls into one of the categories above of a contact, they must self-isolate at home because you are at risk of developing symptoms in the next 14 days and could spread the virus to others before the symptoms begin. If you have concerns for your health, contact your GP or NHS 111 online. In an emergency, contact 999.

What happens if somebody in the wider school community tests positive?

If a member of the wider school community (e.g. a parent/carer, a member of our cleaning staff, a governor) tests positive, they should let the school know immediately to identify if the confirmed case attended the setting in the 48 hours before the onset of their symptoms (or the date of the test). No further action is required in the school/setting if the person did not attend during that time when they could have been infectious. Contact tracing will take place with the person testing positive to understand the other types of contact the individual may have had both in school and out of school.

We would like reiterate ways to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease and the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:

· Maintain physical distancing and to stay 2 metres from apart from others (except family members)

· Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gathering

· Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

· Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

· Wash your hands as soon as you get home

· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

· Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

· Keep your hands away from your face (eyes, nose and mouth)

Risk Assesment Addendum - COVID - 19 (September 2020)

Parkfield Coronavirus Recovery Risk Assessment September 2020 Addendum.pdf

Risk Assesment - COVID - 19 (June 2020)

Parkfield Coronavirus Recovery Risk Assessment May 2020 FINAL - webversion.pdf

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