Dear Mums and Dads,

Here is some key information to keep you up to date with our current situation.

We have a number of families and staff self-isolating for a variety of reasons.

These are very challenging times for us all and I ask that above all else to remember kindness. We need to be kind to ourselves, our family and to all those in our community. These situations can bring out the worst in humanity but also the best; let us in the Colebourne community work together to care and support one another as best we can.

Many of the children in school today have shown signs of being anxious about the current situation and it is important we give them age appropriate information and do what we can to reassure them and keep as positive as possible e.g. “Well, if we do have to stay at home we get to spend more time together doing these fun activities.”

We are facing some staffing challenges and we have contingency plans in place to mitigate the effect of this and do what we can to remain open but this may change from day to day. Please assume that we are open unless you hear from us via text.

DO I NEED TO SELF ISOLATE?

If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

The full guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

If your child has any of the specific conditions set out here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults you need to make a decision as to whether to send your child to school. Please get in touch if you want to discuss anything.

HOW TO LET SCHOOL KNOW MY CHILD IS ABSENT?

If your child is not going to be in school as a result of this advice or for any other reason please email this new mailbox: absence@colebourne.bham.sch.uk You do not need to phone the office; we will call you back if we need further information.

Please give the following details in the email:

Name of child:                                  Class:                    Reason for Absence:

WILL SCHOOL CLOSE?

We will follow the advice given by the government.
However, in the case of significant staff shortage the following measures may be in place and we ask for you to prepare for this.

Option 1: Close school for all pupils

Option 2: Close school for certain classes/year groups (on a rota basis)

Option 3: Remain open only for those identified in one of the following categories:

  • No suitable childcare available e.g. parents working
  • Any child who the school identifies should attend due to specific needs
    (these parents will be contacted in due course to inform them they should attend as long as they are not already self-isolating)

During any school closure we will try to ensure that we keep in touch and keep you informed.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT LEARNING WHILE SELF ISOLATING OR IF SCHOOL IS CLOSED?

A member of staff will aim to get in touch via Class Dojo to let you know what activities need to be completed from the home learning pack or what other things you could be doing. If you cannot access Class Dojo please ask a friend who has to show you or get in touch with school.

If we do close to all children, home learning will become even more important.

PLEASE NOTE: Staff may be caring for children, loved ones or be ill themselves. The main responsibility for learning at home will be with you as the parent and there is lots you can do including learning times tables, spellings, reading, science experiment, writing, art and craft.

To help with this we have:

  • updated the school website student area with some links to activities and websites
  • added further ideas and resources to an online resource area including some great websites – HOME LEARNING RESOURCES – this will be updated continually so please keep checking back.

Plus if there is a whole school closures for a lengthy period:

    • A daily home activity text every morning
  • Pupils complete some of their home learning packs
    (staff messages to guide which units / learning to complete)

 

I would also encourage parents to share home learning ideas and activities.

FAMILIES WHO MAY NEED SOME EXTRA HELP

If we do have to close and you feel you may need some extra help with anything including food, key items such as nappies etc. please get in touch with us. You can email our family support worker Trevina Edwards, t.edwards@colebourne.bham.sch.uk

We are looking at a variety of options to continue to provide packed lunches/school food to those who are eligible for free school meals and anyone else who may find it difficult to pay for or provide food for their family. We will let you know in due course how you will be able to access this provision.

I wish you all well and as always please continue to ask any questions.

Mr. Guest

Coronavirus Update – 17th March 2020 – 5.30pm