School Update 30th May 2020

Dear Parents / Carers, 
 
Well, what a busy and unprecedented time this has been. 

I would like to start by thanking all my staff who have been working so hard during the past nine weeks to support our children and families. Reacting proactively and professionally to the continual updates and moving goal posts! They’ve made weekly phone calls, set daily work for home learning, checked and answered emails every day on the new email we set up for extra communication during this time (we have loved receiving photos of your children, and hearing what they’ve been up to so we can share our experiences on our class blogs).

School has remained open throughout the whole time for vulnerable children and those of key workers, including Easter and half-term.

Through the support of Sainsbury's in Stroud, we were able to set up a ‘food bag system’ for all our children that receive free school meals, this was above and beyond the government provision, and we are grateful to Sainsbury’s for helping us make that possible. However, pushing a trolley loaded with tins of soup, amongst other provisions, did receive many strange looks! 
 
Thank you so much for your patience and support – it means a lot to us to know we are working together at this difficult time. 

Starting to reopen schools from 1st June 

We had final confirmation only last Thursday (28th) that as part of their lockdown exit strategy, primary schools will go ahead and begin to reopen nationally.

Our staff have worked incredibly hard to work out the best way to do this, to keep our staff, children and their families safe and, just as importantly, happy. Pages and pages of risk assessments have been written, furniture has been moved around, and we’ve got through rolls and rolls of sticky tape! Every parent/carer of a child in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 received a phone call from their class teacher to ask if they wanted to send their child in from the 1st June. Those that said yes have all been sent a letter with detailed guidance, tailored to each year group. This information will also be made available to all parents in due course.

As well as welcoming back Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children we will also continue to set work for home-learning for all year groups, still make weekly phone calls, and continue to support our vulnerable and key workers families. 

Plans we have in place for the children coming back will be under constant review, and as more children wish to return these plans will need to change, ‘bubbles’ re-organised, risk assessments updated etc. For this reason please provide us with one week’s notice if you would like your child to return to school. More details will follow early next week.
 
Please bear with us as we reopen the school. We are sure that there will still be unanswered questions (although we do try really hard to think of everything!) so if you have any questions please email us at stroudvalley@stroudvalley.gloucs.sch.uk or office@stroudvalley.gloucs.sch.uk or ask during your weekly phone calls. We will also keep you updated through our weekly newsletter which will be emailed out and available on the school website as usual.

We look forward to seeing our children and their families very soon, it’s not the same here without you!

Wishing you all well.

Miss Sleep 

Parents who have a child returning in Reception click here.

Parents who have a child returning in Year one click here.

Parents who have a child returning in Year six click here.

A book has been specially written for children about Coronavirus click here to download.  It explains all about the virus and why we have gone into lockdown.  

For support, advice and recommendations about 'surviving' at home during lockdown please follow the link below to a really helpful local publication 'Families'   https://issuu.com/familiesonline/docs/gloucester  we hope you find it helpful.

With families using more apps to communicate during lock down we would like to draw your attention to the following information about the apps Zoom and House Party. Your child may be using these (either with, or without you) so we would encourage you to read these informative posters and discuss them with your child.  Zoom  House Party

Due to the on-going nature of the current situation we know many families are struggling to cope with the additional pressures of social distancing and spending long periods of time in their homes with children and young people. The Family Information Service advice line  provide some practical parenting support to parents click here to find out how to contact them and what suport they can offer you.

What we’ll continue doing whilst your child is at home

Please visit your child’s class page.  On the class page there is a HOMEWORK tab.  Every Monday by 9am there will be new activities posted for your child to complete on a daily / weekly basis.  Please continue to send us your photographs and messages as we love hearing from you.  stroudvalley@stroudvalley.gloucs.sch.uk

Please click HERE for a list of websites that contain learning materials for your child to explore whilst learning from home. These are general resources for all children in school. 

Below is a new online resource to support parents, carers and teachers. This resource brings together a range of free and easy to access online activities and learning for children of all ages, and is clearly grouped into subjects and topics, such as English and Maths. 

https://www.integra.co.uk/home-learning/

We have set up an email address which will be checked frequently by Miss Sleep and Miss Heague and we will aim to reply as soon as possible. 

stroudvalley@stroudvalley.gloucs.sch.uk

COVID-19 and social distancing: a polite reminder.

With the school closed to all but vulnerable children and those of key workers, it is extremely important to stress the need for social distancing to help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).  

Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough

Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible

Work from home, where possible. 

Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs

Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media

Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic.

We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible.