Issue 22 - Friday 5th February 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of another week of teaching and learning throughout this lockdown, I'd like to start by thanking again all the families at home that are persevering with homelearning. The work being produced by our Parkfielders at home has been of an incredibly high standard and that is a result of your support at this difficult time. The Prime Minister has announced March the 8th as an important date that he wants to start getting children back into school and when further details are available I’ll update you on our school plans. I want all our children back in school as soon as possible, but obviously only when it is safe to do so. For now, please continue with the hard work at home - it really is appreciated.
This week has seen a number of classes get out of the classroom and visit the local area. With a significant amount of time being spent in front of screens at the moment we see this as vital to promote the mental health and wellbeing of children in the school. It has also been a pleasure to see and I hope that it continues, many of our families at home going for a walk during the school day.
Thankfully, with fewer children in school we have seen the number of suspected and actual cases of coronavirus reduce within the school community. However, I would like you to continue to be vigilant and carry on adhering to the rules in place which help keep us all safe. These included remaining at home if your child is poorly and getting a coronavirus test if they are showing signs of any of the three main symptoms. At all times, please keep school informed of any change in your circumstances.
Have a wonderful weeked and thanks for your continued support,
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
myON ONLINE READING SCHEME
Since being introduced a few weeks ago children in Year 2-6 have completed a total of 102 hours of reading with a wonderful 662 books read. This is an incredible start to the scheme and we hope more and more children log on over the next few weeks to make sure these numbers continue to rise. Following each book, children are able to answer comprehension questions on the book to demonstrate their understanding. Please continue to promote the use of myON and Accelerated Reader to your child which can be accessed via the school home page.
SAFER INTERNET WEEK
Next Tuesday 9th February is National Safer Internet Day. This year it feels more important than ever to promote safety on the internet, with more children accessing the internet on a daily basis. than ever before. You can access a wide range of resources on our school webpage here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/e-safety.html and the official site has a wide range of resources https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2021
The following link also features a presentation that our Technology Team presented to pupils last year: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/files/internet-safety-day-2020.pdf
NO LIVE LESSONS - 11th FEBRUARY
Unfortunately, next Thursday there will be no live lessons across the school. However, all work will be set and can be submitted via Showbie (Y1-6) or Tapestry (Reception).
FACE MASK REMINDER
Thank you to those that are wearing face masks on the school yard. A reminder that a face mask must be worn by anyone entering the site unless exempt.
THANK YOU
To those parents that were able to send in bags full of clothes earlier on this week. The money made will be added to our school fund which is being used to purchase a variety of items for the pupils at school.
HOMELEARNING EXPECTATIONS REMINDER
For those at home 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 (or Tapestry). 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
WORLD BOOK DAY - THURSDAY 4th MARCH
Advanced warning that World Book Day is on the way and it is a much loved day for our children to look forward to. We want to create an exciting and memorable experience for our home and school learners by doing the following....
* Dressing Up: we would like our children to have the opportunity to dress up this year whether at home or at school. They can dress up as a book character, in any fancy dress, or just in their own clothes (non-uniform).
* Lessons: the timetable for the lessons will be different for that day and will be off the usual timetable. New Zoom links and timings will be uploaded on to Showbie etc for that specific day, nearer to the time. There will be a plethora of fun learning offered, such as: live book readings from a range of teachers, creative book making, creative writing, book cover art and illustrations.
We look forward to an amazing day!
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 lockdown we are looking at all children that are accessing live lessons, either at home or in school. The percentages below give an average of those accessing every lesson over the week.
This week's Whole School Learning 91.6%
Reception: 97.3%
Year 1: 94%
Year 2: 96%
Year 3: 82%%
Year 4: 94%
Year 5: 88.6%
Year 6: 89.3%
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
PARENTS EVENING
At this time of the year we usually host a parents evening for all pupils. Given the current circumstances we have decided to postpone it until a later date when we feel it will be more beneficial. However, if you do have any concerns that you'd like to discuss with the classteacher, please contact the school and to arrange a call back.
ACCELERATED READER and myON FOR CHILDREN IN YEARS 2 TO 6.
Last week we launched our brand new reading initiative to all pupils via a zoom meeting. Many of our pupils have now been able to login, complete an initial assessment, read some books and complete quizzes. We understand that it will be more difficult for those that remain at home and you may have some difficulties. If so, please email homelearning@parkfieldprimary.com and we'll do our best to help.
FREE SCHOOL MEAL VOUCHERS
If your child is entitled to Free School Meals and they are learning from home please keep an eye on your emails for vouchers. Next week you will reciev two weeks worth of 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).
STAFF LATERAL FLOW DEVICE (LFD) TESTING
You may have seen in the news over the past week that school staff across the country will soon start completing weekly rapid result testing for coronavirus. Many members of Parkfield staff will begin the process next week which is in place to identify those that are asymptomatic. Staff will complete the tests twice a week and the ultimate aim is to break any transmission of the virus.
CORONAVIRUS POSITIVE TESTS
Please let school know if your child tests positive for coronavirus even if they are working from home. School is keeping a record of all positive cases, even if it doesn't directly impact on the day to day running of the school.
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.
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.
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
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.