Return to School Monday 8^th March 2021

Dear Parents,

As you will be aware the government has outlined the road map to recovery following the most recent lockdown. This begins with the reopening of schools on Monday March 8^th 2021. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the children back to school next week but just wanted to remind you of a few important things before we do.

The start and end times of the day remain the same as they did before Christmas. Doors will open in the morning between 8.30am and 8.55am for families to drop children off, children will go straight to class. Nursery, Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 will come through the main entrance. Years 3 & 6 the right hand doors on Durban Road and Years 4 & 5 the left hand doors.

At the end of the day Years 1, 2, 3 & 4 will finish at 3.15pm and Nursery, Reception, Years 5 & 6 will finish at 3.30pm. The same one way system will be in place and we would ask that anybody collecting a child wears a face covering (unless exempt) and socially distances themselves from other adults and families.

School lunches will return to the same schedule as before Christmas with a two week rota offer of hot meals. If your child is not in a year group that can have a hot meal then we would ask that you provide them with a packed lunch (NO NUTS in the lunches provided). All children entitled to a free school meal or universal free school meal will have a Sandwich option provided in the weeks when hot meals are not an option.

Children should bring in to school all of the work they have been doing during lockdown. This work should be put in a plastic bag, clearly marked with the child’s name. The work will be stored in a box before the teachers review the learning and feedback to children.

The guidance remains the same regarding children and families who have symptoms of COVID-19. If anyone within the household displays symptoms then the whole family must begin isolation and the person with symptoms must get a test.

You must inform school if a child or family member displays symptoms. DO NOT send your child to school if anybody in the house is symptomatic.

If the child or family member receives a positive COVID-19 result then the whole family must isolate for 10 days. The 10-day period starts from the day after the first person in the house became ill.

The symptoms of COVID-19 remain the same:

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

However, Sandwell Public Health team have identified some additional symptoms that families should be mindful of and seek advice about getting a test if anyone displays the wider symptoms. These wider symptoms include headaches, aches and pains, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, stomach ache and feeling tired for no apparent reason. If a person experiences these wider symptoms (and there is no other obvious cause) then they can choose to have a test if they wish.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

We understand that some families may feel a little anxious about the return to school, this is understandable following the most recent lockdown. We can only reassure parents by saying that we have followed all of the government guidance regarding children attending school and will continue to do so. We all play a part in ensuring we minimise the risk of spreading the virus. If anyone has any symptoms at all then the most important thing to do is isolate the whole family immediately and get a test.