Sunday July 18th 2021
RE: Bubble closure for Years 1 and 2 (Tigers, Foxes and Rabbits)
Dear Parents/Carers,
Firstly, I would like to say thank you for your help and understanding as we work together to keep all children and adults as safe as possible.
We have had multiple positive test results meaning that staff and children in Key Stage 1 are highly likely to have been a close contact with someone who has Coronavirus.
We are on the very last day when schools are asked to take on the responsibility of advising children’s parents of what to do. (I have to say this responsibility has weighed heavy and I shall not miss it.)
It is very important that we follow the government guidance to keep you all as safe as possible.
If your child is in the Foxes class, they must self-isolate until Tuesday 27th July. This is ten full days after the first symptoms were diagnosed.
They must not play with other children or leave their house. They can play in their own garden but should not mix with other households. (This means you should not invite others to your house during this period.)
If they have a brother or sister who attends a school or nursery setting, they are able to continue going to school unless anyone in your house becomes unwell with Covid-19 symptoms.
If your child is in the Rabbits’ class or the Tigers’ class, then I strongly advise you to be really cautious. I cannot say for certain that your child has or has not been a close contact. It would be safest for you to act as if they have been close to someone who has had the virus and watch closely for any symptoms. This latest variant is much like hayfever or a cold as adults and children have had runny eyes and noses. Some of them have also been sick, especially in the beginning, when they first become unwell.
Lateral flow tests are not always showing the positive result that the PCR test later shows so please be very cautious and help us to keep as many people safe as possible.
If your child or anyone in your house, develops symptoms, then everyone in your household must then isolate and the child or family member should take a PCR test. This can be done at the drive through. Please ring 119 to arrange this.
If the test result is negative, the original isolation period must continue until the 27th of July. If the test result is positive, then the isolation period restarts from the day the symptoms began. This is for everyone in the household.
If your child is entitled to benefits related free school meals, we will be contacting you tomorrow about how we will manage this through meal vouchers.
Your child will be allocated a laptop if they do not have one to use at home. Please send a symptom free adult to school to collect this on Monday. Your child must log on at home at 9.30am and 1.30pm every day so that the adults can teach your child as they did in the last lockdown. They will expect to see every child in each session. The laptops need to be returned to school on Friday afternoon please, by someone who is not isolating. All children should stay at home.
Please know that not all adults will be able to be present at the TEAMs chats as they are resting and recovering from the virus. The staff who are well will maintain the learning for all classes so please be patient and understanding with them as they do this. They will try to make this last week of ‘school’ enjoyable but we are all absolutely saddened that they have missed their last few days of school.
We must carry out home visits to families where we have had no daily contact to make sure that everyone is safe and well.
Logging onto the Teams lessons is the best way to support your child.
If your child is poorly, please ring school to let us know so that we know why they are not accessing their classes and of course, please notify us if anyone in your household tests positive.
I am so sorry for the inconvenience and stress that this will naturally cause you all. I sincerely hope that you all stay safe and well. We look forward to welcoming your children back into school on the 2nd of September. This is not the ending that we wanted for your child but we will try our best to remain upbeat and positive and give them some fun online in their last few days.
Please ring school tomorrow if you would like to chat this all through with myself or a member of the team.
Sincere best wishes and thanks,
Sarah Clarke