August Restart Letter 1 Update

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your patience as we share with you our plans for return over the next few days.

With the guidance from Peter Weir we have had to make some changes to our plans that had originally been shared at the end of July.

Changes

Pupils are not in split groups but will attend class five days per week.

They will stay with their whole class bubble and have limited contact with other classes.

VERY IMPORTANT

Due to children returning to school five days a week some start dates will change. Peter Weir has asked that schools can return children as soon as possible. The changes are as follows:

This date is your child’s first day at school.

They will be expected to attend every day after that.

Class	Date	Time
P7	Monday 24^th August	9am – 12pm
P5 and P6	Tuesday 25^th August	9am – 12pm
P4 and P3	Wednesday 26^th August	9am – 12pm
P2	Thursday 27^th August	Staggered Drop Off and Pick Up Begins
P1 and Nursery	See existing information as outlined in Nursery and P1 packs and letters

No Change

Times to Drop Off and Pick Up

A staggered start is essential to ensure everyone arrives safely with appropriate distancing for adults dropping off children. This will be in place for both types of restart (Blended Learning or otherwise) at the start of Term 1.

There will also be clearly marked doors for pupils to enter and exit from. These will be marked on the school building and around the school site.

P1 - P3

Enter via classroom doors in playground

P4 - P5

Enter via classroom doors at grassy area beside assembly hall (Close to Radnor Street with the climbing frame)

P6 - P7

Enter via main reception door

Children must go straight to class and there will be no opportunity to stand and chat.

Class	Entry Time	Exit Time	Notes
Nursery P1	Our new Nursery & P1 pupils 2020 have their own separate start dates and times. These have been communicated to parents and other information will be sent by Nursery / P1 staff.		All pupils should bring a disposable plastic bag of essential items as stated by teachers in June and their coat and lunch bag. DO NOT BRING SCHOOLBAGS PLEASE. Siblings can arrive at the time of the youngest child in the family if needed. Please try to keep exit times as they are stated, but if you have a difficulty with this please notify the older child’s class teacher who will, of course, try to help you.
P2	8.30am – 8.45am	1.30pm
P3 P4	8.45am – 9.00am	1.45pm
P5 P6 P7	9am – 9.10am	2.00pm

Parents are requested to adhere strictly to these times to ensure the safety of all in the Nettlefield family.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PLEASE READ FULLY!

There will be clearly marked one way systems in place for entering and leaving the school site. Parents can enter the school site via Lawnmount or Cherryville Street but should exit via Radnor Street. Staff will be on site to direct you appropriately.

Parents will be able to contact the school office by telephone or usual email address. School will only be open to parents for collection of pupils who are ill. If you require an appointment with school please contact the school office and we will accommodate through a range of other options.

Pupils will be required to stay in their protective bubbles throughout the school day.

Snack and paid canteen meals will not be immediately available for purchase in Term 1.

Pupils are to bring their own snack for breaktime and packed lunch to school. This must be prepared safely at home. Please remember that Nettlefield is a Nut free school (including hazelnut chocolate spreads) and encourage your child to eat healthily. We also ask that families instruct children to eat a small item for break and leave the rest for lunch.

Free School Meals as Packed Lunches will be available from 1^st September 2020. Children on Free School Meals must bring a packed lunch for the first week.

At present, no physical money will be taken by school as we are setting up our new School Money system. We will share how to do this with families in September.

No school bags are to be brought from home. Items as shared on the list in school reports should be brought in a plastic/paper bag which will not be returned home. It is important to keep stationery supplies at home for homework etc.

All pupils should wear full school uniform including ties (available from the school office). PE Kits will not be required in the early stages of Term 1.

Due to the risk of infection spread and to ensure the best hygiene, long hair is to be tied back and no jewellery (including earrings) should be worn. This is absolutely non-negotiable to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Jewellery will be sent safely home to families and asked not to be returned to school.

At present children under the age of 13 are not required to wear a mask or face covering but at Nettlefield we recognise that some families may feel safer with their child wearing one. We are currently reviewing our policy regarding face coverings but would also note that responsible use on the part of the children is essential.

Please contact help@nettlefield.co.uk if you plan to be out of Northern Ireland for any reason between August and the start of school. Should you be away for the start of term, it is also vital that we are aware.

Children should not attend school:

if vomiting during the night / morning
have diarrhoea in the night / morning
when taking antibiotics
have a temperature
with a headache
with stomach pains
with severe cold symptoms, runny nose, persistent cough
with eye infections

ESSENTIAL: If your child becomes unwell while at school with Coronavirus symptoms their siblings in our school and nursery will also be expected to go home. We would also advise that you contact any other schools your children attend to inform them.

If a child is sent to school unwell, all the children and staff are at risk from infection.

A child who is not fit cannot benefit from the education provided.

As families can appreciate, we will not be opening our Breakfast Club or running any After School Activities as pupils from various bubbles cannot be mixed.

As previously stated we will continue to share key safety messages for pupils throughout August and will continue to update and amend advice as soon as anything changes. School can be contacted on the usual help@nettlefield.co.uk address.

Our school office re opens Friday 21^st August 2020 at 9am

Kind Regards

Mr McLean

Principal