COVID-19 Update April 21 #6

Kia ora whānau

With the change to Level 3 and school being open from Wednesday April 29 for those who need it, please find below how this is being managed at Russell Street School and what you need to do.

Key Messages

Beyond what the Prime Minster communicated with with everyone yesterday, the Ministry of Education has provided the first instalment of advice for schools. There is more to come in this space, especially clear guidance on managing the health and safety of students and staff while at school. In the meantime, the key messages continues:

• Stay home. If you are not at work, school, exercising or getting essentials, then you must be at home, the same as at Level 4.
• Work and learn from home if you can. We still want the vast majority of people working from home, and children and young people learning from home.
• At-risk students and staff should also stay at home, and they will be supported to do so. Early learning centres and schools will physically be open for up to Year 10 for families that need them.

And;

• “The expectations on parents and caregivers that keeping children at home and continuing distance learning is the first priority.”

Key Messages from School

1. We will have a reduced capacity to look after children due to a number of staff either with underlying medical conditions or their home bubble includes elderly at risk family members.
2. Those children attending school will be engaging in the same learning in Seesaw that children at home will be completing. There will not be a different learning programme in place at school.
3. Please note that Kelly Club will not be operating during Level 3. We do not have the capacity to provide any before or after school care.
4. The school grounds remained closed for everyone at all times.

Do your children NEED to attend school during Level 3?

If you need your child/children to be at school for all or part of the day or week during Level 3, you MUST complete the form at the bottom of this post. Any other communication to school staff, both current and previous will not be taken into account.

For those who can continue to look after their children at home…

• Learning will continue as it currently is, via activities in Seesaw. Please continue to communicate with your child’s teacher any questions you have or any support you require.
• Please email Troy if you would like to borrow a school device and we will do our very best to arrange this for you.

For those whose children will be coming to school, read on…

The steps put in place before Lockdown will still be place.

1. Physical distancing at all times. This includes bubbles of 10 learners maximum.
2. Hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser in every classroom and across school.
3. No drinking fountains operating, children need a named drink bottle.
4. Sick staff and children should not attend school and will be sent home if they show any symptoms.
5. Disinfecting and cleaning surfaces daily.

Beyond those actions, there are likely to be many more. These are likely to include the following steps or similar.

• Staggered start and end of the school day for different bubbles of children.
• Staggered morning tea and lunch times for different bubbles of children.
• Restricted access to school for everyone except staff and students.
• Handover at school gate to child’s bubble teacher.
• Sign in on arrival by nominated parent/caregiver/whānau member for pick-up/drop-off.
• School office only open for phone and email communication.

Information will continue to be shared with you as it comes to hand. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work through these uncertain times.

Ngā mihi nui
Nick

Yes, this is the form you must complete if you NEED your child to return to school!

(Please access the form via the SchoolStream app under the Leadership Pānui category)