Dear Parents and Carers,

Further to our announcement that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the Year 4 bubble, we need to update you with the following information. We have carried out a full risk assessment having spoken to Public Health and Local Authority advisors.

The children in the Year 4 bubble, who were in school on Friday 15th January, have been identified as a close contact and must therefore self-isolate for 10 days, from Friday 15^th January. This means their last day of self-isolation will be Monday 25^th January they can return to school on Tuesday 26^th January. They will be provided with online work during this time.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature and/or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia). If your child, or anyone in your household, develops these symptoms, your whole household must remain at home and not go to work, school or public areas. You should arrange testing for the person who has developed symptoms. When the result is known further advice will be available.

Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via the NHS website:

nhs.uk/coronavirus

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

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

• 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

Any siblings should attend school as normal. If there are any issues with your child accessing work during their self isolation, please ring school and speak to myself.

We appreciate your support at this very difficult and challenging time for everyone.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Further to our announcement that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the Nursery, we need to update you with the following information. We have carried out a full risk assessment having spoken to Public Health and Local Authority advisors.

If your child was attending Nursery on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th January, please read the following information:

The children in the Nursery bubble have been identified as in close contact and must therefore self-isolate for 10 days, from Friday 15^th January. This means their last day of self-isolation will be Monday 25^th January, they can return to school on Tuesday 26^th January.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature and/or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia). If your child, or anyone in your household, develops these symptoms, your whole household must remain at home and not go to work, school or public areas. You should arrange testing for the person who has developed symptoms. When the result is known further advice will be available.

Testing can be arranged by calling 119 or via the NHS website:

nhs.uk/coronavirus

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

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

• 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

Any siblings should attend school as normal. If there are any issues with your child accessing work during their self isolation, please ring school and speak to myself.

We appreciate your support at this very difficult and challenging time for everyone.

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I hope this finds you all well and staying safe, it’s been far too cold to venture out today anyway!

Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve put in with your children to support their remote learning this week. This is very much a home/school effort to support the children during this uncertain and challenging time.

We have had over 100 children accessing support in school this week, at various times. Nursery is fully open, in line with Government guidance.

From Monday, the parent/carer of a child entitled to a means tested Free School Meal, will  again begin to receive shopping vouchers. Once again, the Government has chosen to use Edenred, so lets hope this runs more smoothly than it did last time. The vouchers from Edenred, will run until February half term.

If you need help with your child’s remote learning, general advice on where to turn for other support, or if you are in need of a food parcel, please contact us at school on 4564977 or contact myself – dtodd@ashley.s-tyneside.sch.uk

Take care and remember, we are here to listen and support where we can.

Mrs Todd

January can be a difficulty month without the current concerns around lockdown and Covid 19. You may feel isolated from family and friends, be worried about your health, your children’s health or just life in general.

Your local health visitors and school nurses are here to offer you any support you may need around feeling low, anxious or depressed. We are still visiting you and your family at home during this time. You can contact us on:

Health Visitors: 0191 2831508
School Nurses: 0191 2832189

Here are some useful online sites which can also help:

https://www.nhs/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness
htpps://www.mind.org.uk
htpps://www.southtynesidelifecyclementalhealth.nhs.uk
htpps://www.southtynesideccg.nhs.uk – Healthy Minds Team- School age children
htpps://www.kooth.com – School age children over 11 years old

Remember you are not alone!

I hope this update finds you all well and looking after each other, within your family home.

Thank you to everyone at home who has now taken on the role of ‘teacher’ for your child’s home learning. We have seen some excellent work going on this week!

The teachers and support staff have been working really hard to support both pupils and parents with online work etc and we have made it very clear that there are staff in school to help and offer support if this is needed. If the teachers have had no contact from you or your child, depending on the age group, then we will be ringing to ask how we can support with home learning. If we are still not able to contact you, we will make a home visit.

It’s a good idea to have a similar timetable to school for your child. For example, getting up and ready to start their work at normal school time, breaks, lunchtime and then finishing when school does. Some parents have already reported back that this is working really well for them.

The teachers are working in school on a rota and therefore can not always respond immediately to messages during the working day, though I know they have been trying very hard to do this! Please also be mindful of the time you contact your teachers too.

At the moment, school is providing packed lunches to those who have requested them and are eligible for free school meals, via means testing. Please contact the office staff at

info@ashley.s-tyneside.sch.uk

if this is something you require. We are also able to signpost parents for food parcels or other help and support.

We would love to receive some photos of your child working at home, this can be any activity, not just sitting at the table writing. Please send your photos to either the class teacher or dtodd@ashley.s-tyneside.sch  and we will create a new montage with them on the school website.

Take care and stay safe.

Mrs Todd