Issue 7 - 8th October 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
If you're wondering why the letter is a day early it's because school is closed tomorrow due to staff training. The whole school staff are being trained in our new approach to teaching phonics and since our initial training day last month I am pleased to say that the impact has already been incredibly positive. I am sure over the next few months you will see at home the rapid progression children are making with their reading and phonics work.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cautious approach you are taking when your children are feeling poorly. We've had many pupils tested over the past month with symptoms similar to those of Coronavirus and thankfully, so far, we've had no positive cases within the school. However, I do realise that with the number of cases rising in the Middleton area it's a case of 'when' and not 'if'. Please continue to self isolate if someone in the household is showing symptoms and get them tested. If you have any more questions about corona virus please visit the Covid-19 information page. We will continue with our measures at school to keep everyone safe and welcome your support.
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your continued support,
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
INSET DAY REMINDER - TOMORROW - FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER - SCHOOL CLOSED
The 2nd day of our whole school phonics training takes place 9th October. As a result, school will be closed to all pupils.
VIRTUAL PARENTS' EVENING
We will not be able to host a Parents' Evening as usual this autumn due to COVID restrictions. As an alternative, we're opting for Zoom video calls that will take place between 3.30pm and 7.00pm on Wednesday 14th October.
Meeting times and instructions on how to join the meeting with your child's class teacher will be emailed to all before Monday 12th October.
The meeting will last approximately 5 minutes and will focus on how well your child has settled into their new class and the expectations for this academic year. Due to the tight schedule for each teacher, if a longer conversation is needed a meeting for a future date can be organised.
If you haven't yet signed up for a parents evening slot, please click below.
CORONAVIRUS RULES REMINDER
If someone in your household is being tested for Coronavirus then THE WHOLE HOUSEHOLD, including your child(ren) MUST self-isolate while you are waiting for the test results. Even if your child is not showing any symptoms they cannot come into school until the member of the household has a negative result. If their result is positive then this also means that the WHOLE HOUSEHOLD must self isolate and your child cannot return to school immediately. It is very important that you do not send your child into school while you wait for Corona virus test results.
SCHOOL PLACES AVAILABLE
For anyone who might be interested: Our school is almost full but we have a few spare places in Y4. Contact the school office for more details. There is a process with Rochdale LA to follow, but we can help.
READING SPONSORSHIP
A huge thank you to those that have sent sponsorship money in for the reading event. I will update you next week with the total amount raised that will be spent on books for the classroom libraries.
PROSPECTIVE PARENTS - VIRTUAL OPEN DAY
If you are or know of any prospective parents for September 2021 please share the following link with them: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/admissions.html
LEARNING LOGS
A reminder that learning logs are due in the 19th October. The tasks set by each class teacher will support what your children have been learning in the classroom.
HOME LEARNING
A reminder that if your child is self isolating at home, and are well, they must login to Showbie and access work on a daily basis. The work set will be similar to what is being completed in school. Lots of the work being set will be links to video lessons that have been produced by Oak National Academy. The children can take a photograph of any work completed and upload it to Showbie for their teacher to look at.
For safeguarding purposes, if a child that is self isolating hasn't been online and completed work for a couple of days, we will contact you to see if you require any support.
PE KITS
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
WELCOME MR O'KEEFE
We have a new member of the Parkfield team joining us next week. Mr O'Keefe will be working alongside Mr Henson keeping the school running and looking fabulous.
School Dinners
Our exciting, new school menu can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/dinner-menus.html
Dinners cost £2.30 per day or £11.50 per week.
Early Birds and Busy Bees
A limited number of spaces are still available. 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
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.
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.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
A reminder that to help reduce congestion we are asking:
Parents and children to stand in allocated areas
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.
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.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
