Following on from Mr Roundtree’s weekly message, we have received some more information this morning about the LFD testing. Further information can be found here.
Author: Mrs Quirk
Period product scheme
In 2020, the government introduced a new scheme in which they provided period products to schools. You may not have seen much about it on the news at the time – other events have obviously taken precedence over the last 12 months!
The scheme is for all learners who need to access period products in their place of learning, in order to access education. It’s not a universal offer of free period products to young people, but includes learners who:
- have forgotten their products
- cannot afford products
- have started or come on their period unexpectedly
School now has a large supply of products, and we just wanted to make you aware that they are available, should your child need them. They just need to ask their teacher, or any other member of staff in school.
Covid-19 notification procedures during the Christmas break
If your child receives a positive Covid test result in the period Saturday 19 December to Thursday 24 December 2020, we need you to tell us.
So you can give us all the information we need, please use this form or scan the QR code below.
This means we’ll have the information to take the necessary actions, laid down by the Department for Education.
We’d prefer you to use the online form, but if the technology fails you, please contact school: moortownheadofschool@spherefederation.org.
If your child receives a positive test result after Thursday 24 December, you can tell us on the first day of the new term (Tuesday 05 January).
Relationships and Sex Education Policy
Thank you to those of you who recently responded to our recent consultation about our revised Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy. We’ve taken a good deal of the feedback on board, especially around the notion of consent.
As part of our Living and Learning subject, coming up soon will be some teaching and learning specifically around RSE. Please see the letter and final policy. If you’ve any questions, comments or concerns, please speak with Mr Roundtree or Mrs Weekes.
Parent / carer workshops
Normally in the Autumn term, we provide a range of workshops to help you support your child’s learning at home. This year, we’re happy to offer something similar via Zoom…
We’ve arranged six short Zoom sessions led by Sphere Federation leaders on a range of subject areas. Each session will last for just 30 minutes, but will provide a few top tips and guidance as to how to support your child at home. The invitation is open to all parents and carers across Sphere Federation, although we’ve indicated below if the session might be more appropriate for particular age ranges.
The sessions are as follows:
- Wednesday 18 November: Curriculum
- Monday 23 November: Reading (mainly for Key Stage 2)
- Wednesday 25 November: Phonics (mainly for Foundation 2 / Key Stage 1)
- **re-scheduled date (apologies)** Monday 07 December: EYFS (mainly for Foundation 2)
- Wednesday 02 December: Maths
- Wednesday 09 December: Times Tables
All six sessions start at 6pm. They should last around 20-25 minutes, plus there will be a questions and answer session at the end of around 5-10 minutes.
If you are interested in attending any of these Zoom workshops, please could you either send us a message on the School Gateway app or email us at moortownoffice@spherefederation.org. We will then email the Zoom joining details out to all those who have expressed an interest, prior to the session.
We look forward to welcoming you to our virtual workshops!
Home learning and other support (14 May 2020) – message 2
You’ll have heard the government’s plans to begin to phase in the opening of schools from, at the earliest, 01 June 2020. Given the level of planning that needs to be put in place to reduce the risk of infection to children and staff, we’d like to gather some information from you to help us to prepare to open school safely.
Please click here to complete the survey. Responses are required by 5pm, Sunday 17 May.
As mentioned in the email dated 14 May 2020, school will not look like it did when the children left in March. It’s possible that some of the following will apply:
- the school day isn’t a full day and/or the school week isn’t a full week
- the whole year group does not return together
- your child will be taught by a different teacher and in a different classroom
- the curriculum is reduced
- school dinners would be different
Parent / carer survey
At Moortown Primary, we’re always keen to hear your views. We hope that you let us know of any questions, comments and concerns (as well as causes for celebration!) whenever these crop up, but we like to gather your views in our annual survey, too.
We know that in the current situation, it might feel a bit strange to be asking you questions about learning when it’s you who’s currently teaching your child. You might also feel you’ve no time to respond. Because of this, we’ve tried to keep the survey short and simple this year:
- we’ve used only some of the questions that Ofsted asks
- all you need to do is click on the relevant response for each question
- there’s just one space for comments at the very end, only if you’d like to add anything or explain one of your answers
The survey should only take about five minutes, and you’ve plenty of time – the deadline is Friday 29 May 2020.
Although we can’t guarantee to meet the needs and wants of every parent / carer, we do assure you that if specific areas for improvement are highlighted by the responses from this survey, we aim to act on these.
We’re looking forward to receiving your responses.
Leeds emergency food provision and mental health support
Due to the rapidly evolving situation, for up to date information on where help and provisions can be accessed in the city, visit: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/leedsmic or https://leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/document/.
If you are finding it difficult to access food due to financial constraints, self-isolation or accessibility of food provision, then you are eligible for help. Leeds City Council are putting additional support in place to ensure everyone is able to access the food they need.
Finally, whether you’re a key worker or at home, you may be worried and anxious about the current situation. To support your mental health and well-being we would recommend: https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/
Open sessions
Our school is proud of the open sessions we have throughout the year that allow you to learn more about how to support your child. We want to continue with these as much as we can, whilst also paying due regard to government advice about coronavirus.
If there are sessions scheduled, please assume these are still happening. This includes and open session such as a Relax and Read or Stay and Play session in Early Years, and the Easter Year 3,4 production.
If you have any symptoms of the virus, you should not attend.
If you’ve been advised to self-isolate, you should not attend.
Obviously, it’s always your choice as to whether you attend these sorts of events. If you do attend, all we ask is that you follow as much of the advice about good hygiene as you can: wash your hands if this is available (come in early to do this), or use a hand sanitiser; also, make sure you cough or sneeze into a tissue.
More information from the NHS about the virus, including its symptoms, can be found here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
COVID-19 Update
Latest advice from the NHS is that you should call 111 if you’ve been to the following countries recently. If this applies to your child, please do also contact school to tell us.
Call 111 now if you’ve been:
- to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days
- to Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or “special care zone” areas in South Korea since 19 February
- to other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
- to other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
- in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
The link to the NHS page is: