Newsletter - w/c 02/03/2020
Dear parent/carer,
Please find below the weekly newsletter containing important information.
World Book Day - Thursday 5th March 2020
Your child is invited to dress up as a character from a favourite book on Thursday 5th March 2020 for World Book Day. There will be prizes on the day for those children with the most creative outfits!
Wraparound Care
At present, Wraparound Care is fully booked up to the Easter Holidays. We cannot safely accept any more children into Wraparound Care.
Parents/carers will be able to book their child's places at Wraparound Care for next half term (20/04/20-22/05/20) on Friday 3rd April 2020 from 3:00pm. For fairness, we have to operate on a first come, first served basis so we hope this advance notice will allow those parents/carers who rely on the service to make the necessary arrangements so they may be able to use the SchoolGateway app to make their booking at that time. Please be aware, to secure your booking, you will need to pay in advance for the half term ahead.
For your reference, parents/carers will be able to make bookings for the final half term of this year (01/06/20-16/07/20 as there won't be any Wraparound Care on 17/07/20) on Friday 22nd May 2020 at 4:30pm.
If you would prefer more definite after-school childcare for your child, click here to search for an Ofsted-registered childminder in your local area.
Personal Social Health Education - Parent/Carer Meetings
In our school, children have regular Personal Social Health Education lessons. In Summer 2 (which is the half term that starts after the May half term and finishes at the Summer Holidays) the children across the school will be learning about aspects of sex and relationships that are deemed to be age-appropriate.
We know that for many of our families, lessons about sex and relationships fill them with worry which is why we would like to invite parents/carers into school ahead of that time to find out what their children will be learning. Please see below for the dates and times for the meetings that will be run by Mr Short:
18/03/20 - 9:00-9:45am – Year Reception / Year 1 parents/carers
25/03/20 - 9:00-9:45am - Year 2 parents/carers
22/04/20 - 9:00-9:45am - Year 3 parents/carers
06/05/20 - 9:00-9:45am - Year 4 parents/carers
07/05/20 - 9:00-9:45am - Years 5/6 parents/carers [Please note, if you are a parent/carer of a child currently in Year 6 and you came to Mr Short's meeting last year, it will be a repeat of that meeting so you can make the choice whether or not to attend]
If you can't make the meeting for your child's year group, do not worry, as after the meeting has occurred, we will e-mail out the information shared in that meetings so that you'll know what your child will be learning about.
Parents and Carers' Evening - Thursday 12th March 2020, 3:30-9:00pm
Please click here to book an appointment to meet with your child's class teacher on Thursday 12th March 2020. It is very important that an adult attends for every child so teachers may share children's successes as well as express any concerns about learning or behaviour so we may work together to get the best out of every child in our school.
If you have difficulty making an appointment, the administrative assistants in the school office can help you. Please be aware that the early appointments (i.e. 3:30-4:30pm) tend to get booked up fast!
The appointments for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are held in the children's classrooms. The appointments for Years 3-6 are held in the main hall. You will find your child's English and maths books outside their classroom or in the dining hall for children in Years 3-6.
Please note that if your child is in Birch class you will not need to book online; Ms Buck will arrange these appointments with you.
Please also note that it is not necessary to bring your child to Parents and Carers' Evening. If you do make the choice to bring your child/ren and any younger brothers/sisters, please ensure they behave well and do not disturb the other appointments taking place.
Reception - Mother's Day story session
Dear mums & grandmas,
The children would like to invite you to join us in class for a story and a special surprise that they will be preparing over the next few weeks. There will be two sessions available on Friday 20th March (9am and 2:30pm). I am sure that there will be a lot of interest in the sessions so please could you speak to Miss Ertac or me to sign yourself up.
Thank you,
Miss Benson
Vacancy - Teaching Assistant
We are looking to appoint a teaching assistant to work in Reception. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in applying, please click here.
Weekly Attendance
The whole-school attendance for the week beginning 24th February is 96.5% which is above the national average of 96%.
1st - YR Sycamore 98.9%
2nd - Y3 Oak 98.7%
3rd - Y3 Pear 98.4%
4th - Y4 Hawthorn 98.3%
5th - Y5 Cedar 98.2%
6th - Y2 Walnut 98.1%
7th - Y1 Chestnut 98.0%
7th - Y5 Mulberry 98.0%
8th - Y2 Beech 97.0%
9th - SEN Birch 96.8%
10th - YR Willow 94.1%
11th - Y1 Ash 93.7%
12th - Y4 Cherry 93.2%
12th - Y6 Elm 93.2%
13th - Y6 Apple 92.3%
Thank you to those parents/carers who bring their children to school every day, and who avoid taking term-time holidays. Please note, if your child has 15 unauthorised absences, which includes arriving late to school, you are likely to receive a fixed penalty notice from the local authority.
Coronavirus Statement for parents
As you will be aware, there has been a lot of information in the news about returning trips to Italy over half term in light of the recent measures put in place by the Italian Authorities on Coronavirus.
We would like to assure you that there is no cause for concern, none of the school trips run by Hertfordshire schools were within the towns which the Italian Authorities have put on quarantine measures and Hertfordshire residents remain at low risk.
If people have returned from these areas and develop flu like symptoms, they should stay at home, avoid contact with other people and call NHS111.
Taking basic hygiene precautions remains the best way to reduce the chances of spreading any virus: sneeze or cough into a tissue, bin it, wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you’ve just washed your hands. Using a normal detergent to clean the surfaces people touch regularly like door handles and lift buttons is also sensible.
Please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus for the most up to date advice.
Unwanted Bikes & Scooters
The children are enjoying being active on their bikes and scooters at playtimes but some children are not able to take part as they don’t not have one at school. Although the children are very good at sharing, we would be delighted if anyone could donate any unwanted bikes or scooters so that all children can take part. Please speak to Karen Lloyd (Safeguarding Coordinator) if you would like help with collection. Thanks
Trip/photo Money
Just a quick reminder to parents that all trip/photo money should be sent in to school in an envelope marked with your child’s name, class and what the money is for. This is just to make sure that money doesn’t get lost between the classroom and the office. Thank you.
Dinner Money
Just a quick reminder that dinner money needs to be paid in advance on a Monday. Our preferred method of payment is on School Gateway. There are two options you can either pay £2.60 for a single meal or a weekly cost of £13.00 for five meals. If you are unable to pay on the School Gateway, please come into the office with the correct money in an envelope.
If you receive a dinner debt letter, please make sure this is cleared straight away to avoid your child having to bring in a packed lunch until the debt is cleared. Unpaid dinner debts could result in the cost of the school dinner charge being increased in the future which would be unfair for those parents/carers who always pay on time.
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Yours sincerely,
The School Office Team
Hurst Drive Primary School
01992 624099