Newsletter - 5th June 2020

Dear Families,
 
I do hope you are all keeping well.   

Returning to School
 We are ready for Y6, Y1 and Early Years children to come back to school on Monday. The school does look quite different with desks placed 2 meters apart, tape on the floor to remind us to be socially distanced and lots of new signage. We know this can be quite alarming for children and parents which is why we have sent details about this and photographs to all the children who will be returning. ​

 have a stock of PPE (gloves, aprons, face masks, face shields) which will be used to administer first aid, if we need to clean up any bodily fluids or if we need to work closely with children. All of these measures are in place to keep everyone safe.
 
Please know that the staff have been, and will continue to do all they can to reassure children and help them get used to the changes. The children who have been attending, and their parents, have got used to this ‘new normal.’
We ask that you keep to the days you have agreed as we have planned groups according to demand. We have limited spaces and staffing and really don’t want to have to turn anyone away who is relying on this provision. If you need to make a change, please email me.
tpenny@chagford-primary.devon.sch.uk
 
Learning at Home
 
For those of you at home, please do keep up the great work you are doing.
Some parents have said that they are beginning to struggle with motivation at home. This is understandable as the novelty of being at home may well be wearing off. If you have not done so already, I suggest you introduce a timetable to help with routines.  Here is an example of one being used by a family:
 
8.30 – Up and dressed for breakfast
9.00 – Exercise (yoga, keep fit workout)
9.30 – Learning time
10.30 – Creative play (Lego, drawing, games)
11.00 – Learning time
12.00 -  Jobs in the house and garden
12.30 – Lunch
1.00 – Reading
1.30-  Learning time and then free time on the computer
2.30 – Walk the dog (with mum!)
3.30 – TV time
4.30 - Dinner
5.00 – TV, reading, play and relaxing
Sensible bed time!
 
Of course you need to make it work for your circumstances, and some days you might go off timetable completely.  Don’t forget to make sure jobs are included in the routine, children need responsibilities and it’s not all down to you!
 
Please be aware that from next week as we have more children in school, all of our staff are now supervising groups so have less time for emails and phone calls. They will all have time each week for their planning, preparation and assessment duties (what we call PPA) but there is a lot to do in this time. Please bear with us as we get used to this new system.
 
Many of you are asking when Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 will be able to come back to school. I really do not know! At the moment we are almost at capacity with the distancing rules and staffing needed to facilitate this. As soon as we are able to accommodate more children we will let you know.
 
 
Miss Penny’s Weekly Family Challenge - Joyful June from Action for Happiness
 
This time it’s a monthly challenge – and we have 4 days to catch up on!
A small action every day can really help us all keep positive. You don’t have to limit this to one a day, and of course you can repeat them!
 

 
See https://www.actionforhappiness.org/joyful-june for a clearer copy.
 
 
 
 
 
Congratulations!
Just before half term, Emily B became a big sister! Congratulations to Fiona and Andy. Baby Amber was born a little earlier than expected. All are doing well!
 
 
 
I hope you all have a lovely weekend. As I have said before, please avoid crowded places such as the popular beaches. Now we are allowed more freedom, there are a lot more people out and about making it harder to socially distance.  Please make sensible choices, particularly of you are sending your children to school. Thank you.
 
 
Keep safe everyone,
 
All the very best
Tara Penny
Head of School