WElcome back to school september 2020

Guidance and information for parents and children

contentsWelcome back…….Letter from Headteacher page 3

….Local Authority statement page 4

When will my child return to school? page 5

Is it safe for my child to return to school? page 7● Risk Assessments● Social distancing

What will school be like? page 10● Uniform / Books and equipment● Break times / Lunch times● Lessons / PE

Which entrances should we use? page 14- Nursery page 16- Reception page 17- Year 1 / 2 page 18- Year 3, 4, 5, 6 page 19

Contact page 20

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Welcome back!I am so pleased that we are able to reopen school fully in September. Whilst we have remained open to key workers since March 20th and to all pupils on a limited basis since 29th June we have not been

operating as usual.

Following Local Authority Guidance and approved Risk Assessments we are optimistic that all pupils from Nursery to Year 6 will be invited back to school by 7th September.

There will be some changes to school. In this newsletter I have tried to answer all of your queries and give you as much information as possible regarding September. There are likely to be changes

over the next few weeks. I will keep you updated if these affect you.

Meanwhile, enjoy the summer break and I really look forward to seeing you in September.Take care,

Mrs Roome x3

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Following long discussions, the local authority has determined that schools across Merthyr Tydfil will begin re-opening for pupils on 7th September. School staff and local authority officers will spend the time from 1st September to 4th September ensuring that schools are ready for pupils to return and the appropriate safety measures are in place with regards to social distancing both within the classrooms, within the school canteen and outside the school building. We appreciate your patience and understand that you and your children are excited to return to school but am sure you also understand the need for the local authority in conjunction with headteachers to ensure that robust measures are taken to ensure schools open safely.

1.When will my child return

to school?

Dates for September★ Week 1 (01.09.20 - 04.09.20) - Planning and Preparation

- Approving Risk Assessments

- Signage, furniture, timetabling

★ Week 2 (07.09.20 - 11.09.20) - Staggered return★ New nursery pupils will stagger their start and resume usual practise

(i.e. increase hours gradually when suitable).

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Kirsty Williams announced on 9th July a “plan to open in September with 100% of pupils physically present on school sites, subject to a continuing, steady decline in the presence of COVID-19 in the community.” Operational guidance for schools and settings from the autumn term, Welsh Government

2.Is it safe for my child to

return to school?7

Risk AssessmentA Risk Assessment (RA) for full return to school will be approved by the Local Authority and Governing Body.

The RA will indicate what measures can be carried out to minimise risks. It cannot eliminate all risks.

Safety at schoolSocial DistancingIt is not possible to maintain social distancing measures in classes of 30.

All efforts should be made however to social distance from all adults as much as possible. We will therefore minimise the amount of adults entering school site.

School will also implement ’Preventative measures’.

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“Taking into account the improved situation we now find ourselves in, the balance of risk is now overwhelmingly in favour of children returning to school” Operational guidance for schools and settings from the autumn term, Welsh Government

Preventative measuresPrevention● Minimise contact between groups /

classes - therefore no whole school events such as assemblies, whole school breaks.

● Clean hands frequently● Tissues - catch it, bin it, kill it.● Frequent and deep cleans of

frequently touched surfaces● Adults to use PPE when intimate care is

needed (e.g. toileting, first aid).● Where possible ensure appropriate

ventilation

Response to any infection● Engage with the Test, Trace, Protect

strategy ● Ensure those who are unwell with COVID-19

symptoms, or living with someone who does, do not attend school

● Any child/adult displaying symptoms during the day will be placed in the Isolation room until they are collected. They will be supervised and cared for at all times.

● Those displaying symptoms should follow Public Health guidance.

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3.What will school be

like?

What will my child need?School Uniform

All children will be expected to wear school uniform each day.

Red or white polo top, red cardigan, jumper or hoodie, grey trousers or skirt, black shoes or trainers.

School bags and equipment

School bags containing lunch, water bottles, pencil cases, reading books.

These will stay with pupils under their desks or in designated boxes.

Coats

At present cloakrooms will not be in use. Coats will be kept in pupils bags if dry.

This decision is subject to review.

Home-School Agreement - all parents must ensure they access the link and agree this BEFORE 1st September.

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Break times and lunch times➢ All children should bring their own

snacks and water bottles (no flavoured water / fizzy drinks unless medical).

➢ All children should bring a packed lunch unless ordering a ‘Grab and Go’ meal.

➢ Grab and Go meals can be ordered using the ParentPay app. These will be provided to those pupils that have ordered them (please order at least 24hrs in advance)

➢ All lunches will be eaten in pupils’ classroom. This is subject to review

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Lessons and the CurriculumWe will aim to return to ‘normal teaching’ as soon as possible.

We recognise that there will be a need to focus on many pupils’ wellbeing. This may determine some changes in priorities for teaching.

In addition to this, we will need to assess any ‘gaps’ in learning that may need to be addressed due to school closure.

It is our intention to follow a whole school topic ‘Heroes’ when we return in September. There will be an additional focus on literacy and numeracy skills.

Will lessons return to normal?

PEOn children’s PE days they will be asked to wear their joggers and trainers to school.

Parents’ Evening

There is unlikely to be face-to-face parents’ evening in the autumn term. We will however aim to send out a summary overview of your child’s targets during early autumn term. You are also able to contact teachers via email.

Homework

All homework will now be electronic and through Seesaw. It is an expectation that all parents / children access this. Please advise if this is not possible.

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Which entrances do we use?

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One-way systemSince school reopened 29th June a one-way system has been implemented. PInk arrows indicate entry and blue arrows indicate exit.

There is NO walk-way between schools.

Foundation Phase entrance is Bridge Street.

Key Stage 2 entrance is Archer Street.

Year groups will have staggered start and finish times to limit the amount of pupils in the yard at one time.

All Foundation Phase pupils will receive their entitlement of 21 hrs and Key Stage 2 23.5 hrs per week.

Will there still be a one way system when entering and leaving school?

ParentsIt is essential we minimising the amount of adults and children in the school grounds at any one time. In order to do this we ask that Year 4, 5 and 6 children are dropped off and collected outside school gates.

Parents NOT CONSENTING to their child in Year 4, 5 or 6 being dismissed at school gates should inform school.

Parents wishing to make contact with school school do so via email or telephone (see last page for details).

VisitorsNo visitors should enter school premises unless agreed in advance. All contact should be made via telephone or email.

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“Where possible, schools should consider staggered starts or adjusting start and finish times to keep groups apart as they arrive and leave school. Staggered start and finish times should not reduce the amount of overall teaching time” Operational guidance for schools and settings from the autumn term, Welsh Government

Foundation phase one-way entryNursery ClassEnter yard through BRIDGE STREET

Follow PINK ARROWS and access drop off point on new side gate leading to Nursery area (this is a new entry gate which will be signposted).

Exit - please follow BLUE ARROWS but be mindful of others leaving - WAIT if necessary

EXIT - Gate leading to car-park on Troedyrhiw Square

Times

Full-time Nursery hours are:

9.30 - 2.30pm

Part-time hours (new starters)

Am: 10.00 - 11.45

Pm: 12.45 - 2.30

Please note we will aim for part-time nursery pupils to increase their hours as soon as possible.16

Foundation phase one-way entryReception ClassEnter yard through BRIDGE STREET

Follow PINK ARROWS and access drop off point on new side gate leading to Nursery area (this is a new entry gate which will be signposted).

Exit - please follow BLUE ARROWS but be mindful of others leaving - WAIT if necessary

EXIT - Gate leading to car-park on Troedyrhiw Square

Times

Reception Class hours are:

9.20 - 3.20

Please note : Reception Class will use a new entry gate. This will be signposted

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Foundation phase one-way entryYear 1 and 2 classEnter yard through BRIDGE STREET

Follow PINK ARROWS and wait for children to be collected by main entrance of Foundation Phase.

Exit - please follow BLUE ARROWS but be mindful of others leaving - WAIT if necessary

EXIT - Gate leading to car-park on Troedyrhiw Square

Times

Year 1 Class hours are:

9.10 - 3.10

Year 2 Class hours are:

9.00 - 3.00

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Key Stage 2 one-way entryAll Key Stage 2 pupils should enter school using Archer Street.

There is no entry via the Foundation Phase yard.

Follow PINK ARROWS when entering. Year 5 / 6 children should lie in near the top entrance of the building.

Year 3 / 4 pupils should follow the arrows to their line up area.

Parents of Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils are asked not to enter the school grounds unless essential.

To EXIT please follow the BLUE ARROWS but be mindful of others leaving - WAIT if necessary

Please do not drive down and park in Archer Street as this will cause congestion for pedestrians.

Times

Year 3 Class hours are:

9.15 - 3.30

Year 4 Class hours are:

9.05 - 3.20

Year 5 Class hours are:

8.55 - 3.10

Year 6 Class hours are:

8.45 - 3.00

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CONTACT USIf you have any queries during the summer break please do not hesitate to contact school. I will be responding to

emails throughout the break.

Telephone01685 351819

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@CPSTroedyrhiw

office@troedyrhiw.merthyr.sch.uk

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THANKS!Thank you all again for your support.

Take care and keep safeMrs Roome x