Issue 4 - 18th September 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
It's been a lovely few weeks back at school and our new routines and procedures are becoming the norm for many of our Parkfielders. I'd like to thank you all for your co-operation in ensuring a calm and ordered beggining and end of the day. I feel that the system we have in place ensures pupils are in class learning as soon as possible from 8.45am each morning. This is proving to be valuable learning time with reading groups, whole class teaching and small interventions taking place.
This week we saw democracy in action as class members voted for their school council and eco council representatives. Congratulations to all of the pupils that were elected to these roles. I'm certain you'll have a positive impact on the school for this academic year.
You may be aware that classes from schools around Rochdale have been sent home over the past few weeks because of children or staff testing positive. I hope it doesn't happen but if we get a positive case at Parkfield, the class bubble will be sent home. Although this will prove challenging the school have a system for home learning which includes the use of Showbie, Tapestry and video conferencing.
The guidance we're following at school in relation to coronavirus is often changing and as a result can be frustrating for parents. All I ask is to be patient with us and if you are in any doubt, contact the school office. The most recent guidance can be found on our covid-19 information page but the key message is: send your child to school if they're well enough to attend. However, if they're showing any of the three main symptoms of coronavirus (a new, continuous cough / a high temperature / a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell) the whole household must self isolate and your child must get tested. Your child will not need to get tested for coronavirus if they're not showing any of the three main symptoms.
Thank you for your continued support, stay safe and have a wonderful weekend,
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
RECEPTION PUPILS FULL TIME FROM MONDAY
Mrs Gooding, Mrs Jeffrey and Mrs Shepherson are looking forward to greeting our reception pupils at 8.45am on Monday morning for their first full week as Parkfielders. The last few weeks have given the staff in Early Years a fantastic opportunity to get to know the children and help settle them into the classroom. We're confident that their first week will be a success - it has been wonderful to see our youngest Parkfielders so positive as they 'bounce' into school!
SPONSORED READING EVENT
In addition to the hugely successful 'just giving' fundraising we completed before the summer we're asking for your support again with a sponsored reading event that will be taking place in a couple of weeks. Your child will be taking a sponsor form home with them today which will explain the event in further detail. This time, any funds raised will go towards books for the classroom libraries. Our class libraries are full of great books and this will allow us to make them even better and promote a love of reading even further. For every £1 we raise, Usbourne books will provide is with £1.60 worth of books. Any support, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.
LATE ARRIVALS - AFTER 9am
After reviewing our entrance procedures we've decided it would be safer and more effective if children that are late and arrive after 9am use the main entrance rather than walking around to their entrance. We do ask that parents refrain from coming into the school building and that children be dropped off at the main entrance where they will be greeted by a member of the office team.
As this increases the risk of spreading any infection we do ask that you do your very best to get your children onto school on time.
VIDEO LINK FOR PUPILS SELF ISOLATING
If your child has to self isolate for any reason and they are fit and well please get them to join the video conference taking place each morning with a member of staff at the school. The link has been emailed out to all parents and children can access the meeting at 9.30am each morning. The conversation with the member of staff will be around homelearning and if there is anything we can do as a school to support them.
Y2 TRIP TO ST. ANNE'S
It felt a little more normal this week when our Y2 pupils had a trip to the beach in sunny St. Anne's. The trip was linked to their Science topic they're currently learning in the classroom 'Beachcombers'. At Parkfield we like to provide all our pupils with these memorable moments that enhance the curriculum and the photos found on the link below certainly demonstrate how much fun they all had: https://photos.app.goo.gl/g9iu7XCaXtYG7vxf9
MEET THE TEACHER
Thanks to those parents and carers that were able to join the class teachers for this week's virtual meet the teacher events. Although we would have preferred to speak to you in the classrooms we hope the meetings gave you an opportunity to find out a little more about what your child will be doing this year and who their teacher is. If you were unable to make it to the event you can download the presentations here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/presentations-for-parents/
NO SHARING OF PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FROM TAPESTRY
A quick message for our Reception parents. For safeguarding purposes, please can we ask you not to share any of the photographs from Tapestry on social media.
LEARNING LOGS Y1-6
You can find links to resources to help your child complete learning log homework tasks for this half-term here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/2020/09/learning-log-resources-autumn-1-2020.html. Online Mathletics tasks are also set each week for children to complete for homework.
FACE COVERINGS TO BE WORN AT DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Thank you for adhering to the local guidelines and wearing face coverings whilst on the school grounds. This guidance is from Rochdale Local Authority and we are requesting that parents adhere to this as much as possible.
PE KITS
Children in Y1-6 have looked very smart this week when coming into school in their PE kits. Thank you for your support with this which has meant children haven't had to get changed in small classrooms/toilets or mistakenly worn someone else's uniform! For those that haven't been able to purchase a school hoody, wearing a school jumper is absolutely fine.
SCHOOL CURRICULUM https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home
If you would like to know what your child is learning this half term please visit our curriculum website. The site provides you with all the information you need to support your child at home. Parkfield staff have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to complete as it includes comprehensive information about what each class is learning each term across every subject. Our long term plans pages (https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/long-term-plans) have links to each classes half termly curriculum overview. We do hope you find the information useful.
Y5 ROBINWOOD RESIDENTIAL
We have been told that the residential planned later this term will now be re-arranged for the Spring term for our Y5 pupils. We hope that by then the government guidelines have changes and we're allowed overnight residentials. As soon as we know more information, we will let you know.
Y6 BLACKPOOL TRIP
The Y6 residential to Blackpool is planned for June 2021 and will go ahead as long as government guidelines allow it. A separate email will be sent with further information.
School Dinners
SCHOOL MENU
Our exciting, new school menu is now available. Although we've had to reduce the menu choice, due to covid, all children still have the opportunity for a quality hot meal each day. https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/dinner-menus.html .
Please note that school dinners have increased in price in line with local authority guidelines and will cost £2.30 per day or £11.50 per week.
Reminders
CORONAVIRUS INFO https://newsletters.parkfieldprimary.com/covid-19-information
A reminder that if anyone in your household displays symptoms of coronavirus, the whole household must self isolate and not come into school until that person has been tested and recieved a negative result. At school, self-isolation will not be classed as an absence and work will be provided for those that are at home. If you are unsure, please contact school.
For more information related to coronavirus, please visit our dedicated page. We will regularly update this page which includes information about self isolation, what happens if there's a positive test in the school community and our most upto date risk assessment.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
It feels a little less hectic each morning - thank you. A reminder that to help reduce congestion we are asking:
Those that are late must walk round to the door they usually enter and not the main entrance.
Only one parent/carer to enter the school grounds, where possible
Those that are happy for their child to walk onto the school site and wait on their own may do so (likely to be Y6 and 5 children)
PROSPECTIVE PARENT SIGN UP
Prospective parents can now apply for their child to join us in September 2021 by clicking here: http://rochdale.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/primary-admissions/Pages/apply-for-a-primary-school-place.aspx The application deadline is January 15th 2021.
HIGH SCHOOL SIGN UP
Y6 parents can also apply for a high school place by clicking here: http://rochdale.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/secondary-admissions/Pages/how-to-apply-for-a-secondary-school-place.aspx The application deadline is the 2nd November 2020.
HEALTHY SNACKS FOR KS2 CHILDREN
A reminder that children are welcome to bring in healthy snacks for morning break because we currently have no tuck shop up and running. Children in KS1 recieve free fruit and milk. There is also no toast available for KS1 and KS2 on a Friday.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
Unfortunately, children will not be able to bring in any sweets/cake to share with their classmates for their birthday. As an alternative, we would be extremely grateful if they want to donate a book to their class library.
BREAKFAST AND AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
A reminder that you must book onto Early Birds or Busy Bees as spaces are limited. Please contact the school office if you wish to book on. More information can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/before-and-after-school-club.html
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
NO USE OF THE CAR PARK BY PARENTS AND CARERS
To help keep everyone safe we're asking parents and carers to not use the car park when you're dropping off or picking up. This includes those that have children attending Early Birds and Busy Bees. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.