Issue 19 - Friday 15th January 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Firstly I'd like to thank you all for your support over the past couple of weeks whilst dealing with this national lockdown. Although the media like to make out that schools are closed, you'll realise that they most certainly are not and school staff are working incredibly hard supporting and teaching children both at home and in school. We have received numerous positive comments from the school community over the past week about the school's response to this third lockdown and it really is appreciated.
Currently, we have close to 50% of our pupils being taught within school with the remaining pupils being taught at home. Although school is quieter than normal with the usual rules and routines in place, it has been fantastic to be able to regularly get all pupils accessing live lessons ensuring that everyone still feels part of the school and continuing with their learning.
Please be aware that we are here, as always, if you need any support and have a lovely weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
NEW!! ACCELERATED READER FOR CHILDREN IN YEARS 2 TO 6. PLEASE READ!
We have purchased a new reading programme called 'Accelerated Reader', where children read books on the computer and complete quizzes. The children will be using it at home and at school. Because it is brand new, we need everyone at home and at school to learn how to use it as the children will be expected to use it every week as part of their learning. So we're hosting an information meeting for all parents and/or children from years 2-6 via Zoom on Wednesday 20th January at 2.30pm. Please keep an eye on your emails for a zoom link!
FREE SCHOOL MEAL VOUCHERS
If your child is entitled to Free School Meals and they are learning from home the government voucher scheme is restarting from Monday 18th January. Please keep an eye on your emails for vouchers. Please note that the Free School Meal vouchers are only for those entitled and does not include those pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 that receive Universal Free School Meals (UFSM).
HOMELEARNING PARENT/CARER QUESTIONNAIRE - HOW'S IT GOING?
Following the national lockdown and the move to remote learning for many of our Parkfielders we'd like to know how it's going for those working from home.
Please complete the questionnaire on the following link as we're constantly reviewing our home learning offer and want to ensure it's the best it possibly can be for our pupils. You can complete one questionnaire per child if you wish.
HOMELEARNING EXPECTATIONS REMINDER
We do understand how difficult it can be to access lessons from home and complete any work set. All we ask from yourselves and your children is to do your best. We understand that not all children will be able to access all lessons but we do want children to have a go at completing any work set on Showbie. If you're finding that the work is too difficult, please message the class teacher or contact school and we'll see how we can better support your child.
In addition, if you are struggling to access lessons from home on a suitable device please contact the school office. We do have a limited number of laptops to help our families during the lockdown. Also if you're struggling with anything technical, Mr Haughton will be happy to support and you can email him directly here: homelearning@parkfieldprimary.com
For more information and links on our home learning you can visit our dedicated web page here: https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home-learning
HOMELEARNING - INTERNET ACCESS
If your child is accessing the internet via a mobile phone with a limited amount of data please let us know. Many phone providers are offering additional data to those at home during the lock down and school can contact the providers on your behalf for additional data for free.
HOMELEARNING - RECEPTION AND YEAR 1
Please note that those at home will receive a pack in the post with a few different reading materials in that will help better support your child access home learning. We understand that for our younger children it is more challenging to support them at home with just computer and this is our way of improving our home learning offer for those children. Those children in Year 2-6 will soon have access to our exciting new 'Accelerated Reader' which consists of a wide range of online books to read.
SCHOOL MEALS PROMOTION DAY - FABULOUS FAVOURITES DAY
Next Thursday 21st January we'll be offering all those pupils in school a FREE school meal. We're hoping to promote the fabulous meals on offer at the Parkfield. More information will be sent in an email next week.
WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
During this lockdown we want to bring the school community as much as possible. However, we're aware that too many zoom assemblies for those at home can be an added pressure. As a result, achievement assembly will be on a Friday at 2.30pm. There will be no Monday assembly. The assembly can be accessed on the links below and the link is also available on Showbie.
Friday Achievement Assembly at 2.30pm https://zoom.us/j/98045625355?pwd=SW9vVStTNFc4N1NhRDliNWxMY1Z0dz09
ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNOR
We have had four nominations for the vacant parent governor position. Each parent is allowed to vote once for the governor of their choice. Please vote for who you would like to be the parent governor by clicking on the below link before 5pm today (Friday 15th January 2021).
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE PARENT GOVERNOR
POSITIVE TESTS - SICKNESS
Please be aware that a number of children that have tested positive across the school community have only had vomiting as a symptom. Our policy is that children need to stay off school for 48 hours after being sick but we will make you aware about the experiences we've had and check with you that your child hasn't had any of the other three main symptoms of coronavirus which would require you to get the tested.
CORONAVIRUS
A reminder that our Covid-19 information page is being regularly updated and includes an up to date risk assessment. If you're unsure about the guidelines that are to be followed, the information will be on this page.
Blended Learning
During this period of laockdown we are looking at all children that are accessing live lessons, either at home or in school. The percentages below given a average of those accessing learning over the week.
This week's Whole School Learning 91%
Reception: 94.4%
Year 1: 98%
Year 2: 88%
Year 3: 89.3%
Year 4: 92%
Year 5: 89.3%
Year 6: 84.6%
School Dinners
Dinners cost £2.30 per day or £11.50 per week.
Our menus during lockdown will be as follows:
Week 1
Monday Fish & chips
Tuesday Sausage & mash
Wednesday Omelette, herby diced potatoes
Thursday Pie of the day & accompaniments
Friday Panini & sauté potatoes
Week 2
Monday Fish goujons & potatoes noisettes
Tuesday Sausage rolls & waffles
Wednesday Pizza & chips
Thursday Quorn dippers & herby diced potatoes
Friday Cheese burger & wedges
Available daily: jacket potatoes with a selection of fillings. Seasonal vegetables on offer daily, assorted desserts & a drink.
Early Birds and Busy Bees
Spaces are still available during this lockdown period. Please contact the school office to book a place.
7.30am - 8.45am = £2.50, 8.15am - 8.45am = £1.50, 3.15 - 5.30pm = £8.00
https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/before-and-after-school-club.html
REMINDERS from previous Newsletters
KS2 SATS
Following the announcement of the national lockdown, the government also announced that all KS2 SATS will be cancelled. Similar to last year, teacher assessment will be used and this information will be passed onto high schools. Mr Barnes will use a range of assessments throughout the remainder of the school year to assess the children and determine what level they're working at. For school, this is something we've always done and teacher assessments do usually match vey closely to what children actually achieve on the KS2 SATS so please don't worry about this change.
PE LESSONS
PE will continue for those pupils in school on their usual days and they can continue to come to school in their PE kits. For those at home, Mrs Banks has produced a range of resources to help keep children fit and active and they are available on Showbie and Tapestry.
CURRICULUM WEBSITE
Please visit the curriculum section of our website to find out about the learning that will be taking place in your child's class this next half term. https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/long-term-plans
PSHE CURRICULUM
At Parkfield we have always taught Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) but from this September 2020 the relationships and health aspect of the subject is compulsory for all schools to deliver. We have produced a 5 minute video (see below or on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDsmjgr9LzU ) to explain the changes to the curriculum and welcome any comments or questions by completing the following online form: https://forms.gle/74cPzL3VmG2EAvbF9
PE LESSONS
Please ensure your child comes to school dressed in their full outdoor PE kit.
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. More information can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/uniform.html
Safeguarding
Mrs Whalen is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Miss Steele (Deputy DSL). If you have any concerns about the needs or welfare of a pupil, please don't hesitate to contact the school. We all share a responsibility to our pupils safety and wellbeing.
As a school our promise is: We will listen, we will support and we will take action.
Health and Safety
Unfortunately, Parents and Carers are not allowed to drop off and pick up from the school car park at any time.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
parental guide among us.pdf