Broadbridge Primary School Thursday 10th September 2020 Note 2
School Provision
| Day | Early Morning Club 8:00-8:45 a.m. | 2:00 – 3:00 Club |
| Mon 14th Sept-Fri 18th Sept | Spaces are now available for children in the Early Morning Club and 2:00-3:00 Club (P1 & P2 Pupils). Please contact the office to book a place. | |
COVID- 19 – A letter from the Chief Medical Officer and an Information Leaflet for Parents & Carers is attached regarding COVID -19. If your child is displaying COVID- 19 symptoms: A High Temperature or A New Continuous Cough or A Loss or Change to their sense of smell or taste, then you need to book a test. Please contact the school to say that your child is being tested and forward the test results once obtained. If, however, they are displaying other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they DO NOT NEED TESTED, they do not need to self-isolate and they can attend school if fit to do so. At school if your child starts to display any of the above symptoms, we will monitor them, which will include taking their temperature. We will always ask your child for permission to take their temperature and we will contact you to discuss the outcome. Please contact the school if you have any objections to the school taking your child’s temperature.
If a child tests positive within the school, we have to make contact with parents immediately to inform them of the measures that will be put in place by the school as advised by the Public Health Agency. Therefore, we would ask that the school has an up to date contact mobile number and an email address. Please forward this to info@broadbridgeprimaryschool.com stating your child’s name and class.
Google Classroom – Please make sure you are able to access the Google Classroom assigned to your child. If at any stage your child’s class is asked to self-isolate school work will be sent using this platform.
School Dinners – School Dinners will be available to all pupils as of Monday 14th September. Please pay for your dinner at the beginning of the week. For those paying for school dinner the price is £2.60 per day, £13.00 for the week. A copy of the new menu is attached.
Spare Change of Clothing – Primary 3 teachers have requested that Primary 3 pupils bring in a change of clothing (trousers, t-shirt, underwear and socks). Please place in a plastic bag with your child’s name, this will remain in school.
Change of Shoes – Please send in a change of footwear for children to change into at break time and lunch time preferably an old pair that they can leave at school. Pupils should be wearing black shoes at all other times.
Label Clothing – All clothing should be labelled clearly before your child wears the garments to school. Each year we are left with a ‘mountain’ of lost property that has went unclaimed. If all items are labelled clearly they can be quickly returned to their rightful owner.
Cycling/Walking to school – Well done to all pupils that cycle/walk on a daily basis. Children are reminded that they must stay on the footpaths at all times and only cross the road where it is safe to do so. Cyclists please wear a helmet, alert pedestrians that you are approaching and keep your two hands on the handle bars!!!!
Planned Giving – Thank you to those families that completed a ‘Planned Giving’ form for the school this week. Your contribution to ‘added extras’ is greatly appreciated. If you plan on completing this form, please do so and leave at the front office. If you have misplaced this form contact the school office and we will send out a replacement. Every £1 donated to the school is worth £1.25 as the school can claim back paid tax.
First Communion – Good luck to all the Primary 5 pupils that are making their First Communion on Saturday 12th September. Photographs will be taken outside before each ceremony Only parents/guardians and siblings may attend. The children have received a more detailed note.
| Time | Class |
| 10:00 a.m. | Miss Doherty’s/Mr Mc Closkey’s |
| 11:30 a.m. | Miss Cusack’s/Mrs Henry’s |
| 1:00 p.m. | Mrs Bradley’s/Mrs Mc Elhinney’s |
Click here for next four weeks’ lunch menu.
Broadbridge Primary School Thursday 3rd September 2020 Note 1
Please note this is the last weekly note that will be issued in paper format. The weekly note will be published on the school website each Thursday.
Please visit https://broadbridgeprimaryschool.com/
School Provision
| Day | Early Morning Club 8:00-8:45 a.m. | 2:00 – 3:00 Club |
| Mon 7th Sept –
Fri 11th Sept |
Spaces are now available for children in the Early Morning Club and 2:00 – 3:00 Club (P1 & P2 Pupils) | |
A very warm welcome back to everyone after a lengthy stay away. We are delighted to see the children back at school once more. This week has been challenging for everyone as we were unsure how the daily routine would work, we are making daily changes in school to ensure that the pupils and staff stay as safe as possible. We have met as a staff and discussed some changes that may be made to the arrival and departure of children to the school. Any changes made are in an attempt to make this daily routine run as smoothly as possible for us a school and you as a parent.
Dropping Children Off in the Morning – In an attempt to ease traffic congestion parents may drop children in the drop-off zone inside the school grounds PARENTS ARE ASKED NOT TO EXIT CARS. This is to ensure that the traffic flows freely for all. Only disabled badge holders and parents with young babies may enter the car-park to park.
Morning Drop Off
- Only Primary 1 and Primary 2 pupils may be walked to their external classroom door. No other adults may enter the school grounds unless they have business at the school office.
- All adults exiting the school must do so at Gate 1.
- Primary 1 2,3 and Miss Doherty’s Primary 4 pupils are to enter through Gate 2.
- Primary 4,5,6 and 7 pupils are to enter through Gate 3.
- The school will be open from 8:45 a.m. for all pupils.
- We would encourage as many pupils to walk/cycle to school as possible to minimise the traffic at the school. Alternatively, pupils should be dropped off at the far side of the ‘Blue Bridge’ and walk from there. We do not encourage anyone to drop off at the ‘Maxol’ as this is a place of business and not a drop off zone for our school.
- Gate 1 can only be used as an entrance for pupils using the ‘Blue Bridge’ as their drop off point.
- Parents dropping off inside the school grounds must not exit their cars.
- Early morning provision 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Afternoon Pick Up
- Adults should stand back from the gates and socially distance themselves from others. Please do not congregate in groups, adhere to the government guidance. Inform your child where you intend to be.
- Encourage older pupils to cycle/walk independently home.
- Primary 1 pupils will be picked up at 2:00 p.m. Miss Wade’s Class from Gate 1. Mrs Quinn’s class from Gate 3.
- PLEASE NOTE P1 Pupils may wait for an older sibling from P2 in the Master’s Hall and leave the school together at 2:15 p.m.
- Primary 2 pupils will be picked up at 2:15 p.m. Mrs Hueston’s from Gate 1. Mrs Tracey’s class from Gate 3.
- Primary 3 pupils use Gate 2 at 3:00 p.m.
- Primary 4 pupils use Gate 1 at 3:00 p.m.
- Primary 5 pupils use Gate 3 at 3:00 p.m.
- PLEASE NOTE P3, P4 & P5 Pupils may wait for an older sibling from P6/P7 in the Master’s Hall and leave the school together at 3:15 p.m.
- Primary 6 pupils use Gate 2 at 3:15 p.m.
- Primary 7 pupils use Gate 3 at 3:15 p.m.
- Children being picked up at the far side of the ‘Blue Bridge’ will use Gate 1. There will be a member of staff there to ensure that they are collected. If you are running late, your child will be returned to school and remain at the front office until collection.
- Kids Inn & Kids Cabin children will be collected at 2:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Please be aware of places of business i.e. Maxol & Maiden Detail Car Care and the residents in Coolafinney Meadows. Do not block their access and entrance routes. We would encourage as many parents as possible to wait at the far end of the “Blue bridge” but in particular parents of KS2 pupils. Children will be directed across the bridge. If parents are not there your child/ren will be returned to the school. This is a quicker exit route for those driving and reduces the traffic outside the school gates.
School Dinners – We have been sent a list of pupils that are entitled to free school meals by the Education Authority. There are many children that have been removed from last year’s list. It is important that parents reapply this year. If your child is not on this list unfortunately you are liable to pay until such time as we are informed by the department of your entitlement. The school dinners are currently priced at £2.60 per day, £13.00 for the week. We have forms in the office that must be completed ASAP or if you prefer this can be completed online. Please apply for free school meals if you feel that your child is entitled to them. The child does not even have to go to canteen. Each free school meal claimed and granted adds approximately £700 to the school budget. It also entitles the child to other benefits such as uniform grant, free music lessons and free entry for examinations. As a rough guide anyone earning less than £16,000 net a year is entitled to free school meals. At present canteen is only available to those availing of free school meals.
Peanut Free School – We have a number of pupils that have a severe allergy to nuts. Please do not pack any food products that contain traces of nuts in your child’s lunch box.
Spare Change of Clothing – Primary 1 and 2 pupils all require a change of clothing (trousers, t-shirt, underwear and socks) to be sent in. Please place in a plastic bag with your child’s name and leave on their coat hook.
Change of Shoes – Please send in a change of footwear for children to change into at break time and lunch time preferably an old pair that they can leave at school. Pupils should be wearing black shoes at all other times.
Consent Forms – Some pupils have received consent forms to be filled out. It covers several aspects of our curriculum and ways to share and celebrate your child’s learning and successes. It will help us to maintain your child’s health and wellbeing as well as giving us permission to include them in every aspect of school life. We will only ever ask you to fill out one of these consent forms in your child’s schooling, so it is important that you read it carefully. We would be grateful if you could read the information, sign each section and return the completed form to your child’s class teacher by Tuesday 8th September.
Planned Giving – Please find attached a ‘Planned Giving’ form. Thanks to all the families that already contribute on a monthly basis to the additional running costs of the school. We use this source of income to provide valuable resources and extra classroom assistants within our school to the benefit of all pupils. ‘Planned Giving’ is a charitable contribution that the school can claim tax back on, providing it is deemed as a donation/gift to the school and not as a payment for a service provided. We would encourage families to continue to contribute £5, £10+ monthly in the ‘Planned Giving’ scheme as your contribution helps towards the shortfall in our ever decreasing budget! Anyone wishing to sign up please complete the attached form or call into the school office for further information. Your help is greatly appreciated.
First Communion – The First Communion for Primary 5 pupils will take place on Saturday 12th September.
| Time | Class |
| 10:00 a.m. | Miss Doherty’s/Mr Mc Closkey’s |
| 11:30 a.m. | Miss Cusack’s/Mrs Henry’s |
| 1:00 p.m. | Mrs Bradley’s/Mrs Mc Elhinney’s |
Only parents/guardians and siblings may attend. The children will get a more detailed note.
Finally! Please ensure that all contact details are correct at the school office. If in doubt ring the school office to confirm what we have on our system.
In line with the guidance provided to the school by EA, the new arrangements for the Morning Club from September will be as follows:
• Children should enter the school via their assigned gate (families should enter through the gate assigned to the eldest child). No adults should enter the school grounds.
• Children should make their way to the pupil entrance door and into the Master’s Hall.
• Children will be seated in class bubbles in the Master’s Hall.
• Children are encouraged to bring a book to read during their time in the Morning Club. Additionally, teachers will leave resources in the Hall for children to use during this time. It will not be possible for children to access the computer suite.
• Forms will be issued for each month and must be completed and returned in the envelope provided together with any payment due to the school office.
As restrictions ease parents will be notified of any changes.
Many thanks for your co-operation,
Daniel McLaughlin
Principal
To assist your child restarting on Tuesday 1st September and support them in knowing the new arrangements, teachers will meet the children for a short period of time on Thursday 27th August. This will give them the opportunity to find out where their entrance gate is and the route they must take to their classroom. The teachers will also discuss the new arrangements for the school day. This session is optional and will take no more than 30 minutes. If you feel that your child will benefit from this, see the details below. Please arrive and collect your child promptly. No uniform required.
Primary 6 meet at Gate 3 9:30 a.m. pick up 10:00 a.m. Gate 2
Primary 5 meet at Gate 3 10:15 a.m. pick up 10:45 a.m. Gate 3
Primary 4 Miss Cusack meet at Gate 3 11:15 a.m. pick up 11:45 a.m. Gate 1
Primary 4 Miss Doherty meet at Gate 2 11:15 a.m. pick up 11:45 a.m. Gate 1
Primary 3 meet at Gate 3 12:30 p.m. pick up 1:00 p.m. Gate 2
Primary 2 Mrs Tracey meet at Gate 2 1:15 p.m. pick up 1:45 p.m. Gate 3
Primary 2 Mrs Hueston meet at Gate 2 1:15 p.m. pick up 1:45 p.m. Gate 1
Thursday 13th August 2020
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I hope you and your family are well and have had an enjoyable summer to date. My apologies in the delay of relaying information to parents. However, we have only been issued with guidance this morning on the ‘New School Day’ from the Department of Education. Our school will reopen on Monday 24th August for Primary 7 pupils. Primary 1 pupils will have their induction from Wednesday 26th August onward. There will be a full school return on Tuesday 1st September. To do this safely for all pupils, staff and parents please read the following guidance, this must be adhered to strictly for the safety of the whole school community.
Morning Drop Off
- Only Primary 1 and Primary 2 pupils may be walked to their external classroom door. No other adults may enter the school grounds unless they have business at the school office.
- Follow the directions for entering the school all adults exiting the school must do so at Gate 1.
- Primary 1 2,3 and Miss Doherty’s Primary 4 pupils are to enter through Gate 2.
- Primary 4,5,6 and 7 pupils are to enter through Gate 3.
- All pupils are to make their way around the exterior of the school and enter the school at their classroom outdoor entrance.
- Pupils must sanitize their hands on entering the school building at the stations provided or use their own personal product.
- The school will be open from 8:45 a.m. for all pupils.
- We would encourage as many pupils to walk/cycle to school as possible to minimise the traffic at the school. Alternatively, pupils should be dropped off at the far side of the ‘Blue Bridge’ and walk from there. We do not encourage anyone to drop off at the ‘Maxol’ as this is a place of business and not a drop off zone for our school.
- Gate 1 can only be used as an entrance for pupils using the ‘Blue Bridge’ as their drop off point.
- Parents dropping off inside the school grounds must not exit their cars.
- Early morning provision 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. We may be able to facilitate this in a limited capacity. You must contact the school office to book a place from 24th August onward, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
School Day
- Pupils must wear a full clean school uniform.
- Children should bring a coat to school for outdoor play and break time.
- School bags & pencil cases are not needed at present.
- Please provide footwear for outside play that can remain in school for the foreseeable future.
- Break times and lunch times will be staggered throughout the day.
- The school canteen will only be available for pupils on Free School Meals.
- Lunch should be brought to school in a lunch box, all packaging should be returned home. Food waste can be disposed of at school.
- Children will be encouraged to wash and sanitize their hands on a regular basis throughout the day.
Afternoon Pick Up
- Adults should stand back from the gates and socially distance themselves from others. Please do not congregate in groups, adhere to the government guidance.
- Inform your child where you intend to be for pick up.
- Encourage older pupils to cycle/walk independently home.
- Primary 1 pupils will be picked up at 2:00 p.m. Miss Wade’s Class from Gate 1. Mrs Quinn’s class from Gate 3.
- Primary 2 pupils will be picked up at 2:15 p.m. Mrs Hueston’s from Gate 1. Mrs Tracey’s class from Gate 3.
- Primary 3 pupils use Gate 2 at 3:00 p.m.
- Primary 4 pupils use Gate 1 at 3:00 p.m.
- Primary 5 pupils use Gate 3 at 3:00 p.m.
- Primary 6 pupils use Gate 2 at 3:15 p.m.
- Primary 7 pupils use Gate 3 at 3:15 p.m.
- Children being picked up at the far side of the ‘Blue Bridge’ will use Gate 1. There will be a member of staff there to ensure that they are collected. If you are running late, your child will be returned to school and remain at the front office until collection.
There will be no 2:00 -3:00 club, no after school club nor will there be extra-curricular activities at present.
Your child at school.
- IF YOUR CHILD IS DISPLAYING ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS THEY MUST NOT ATTEND SCHOOL.
- Before the restart talk to your child about the importance of washing and sanitising hands on a regular basis.
- We will be trying to minimise the touching of hard surfaces therefore where possible doors will remain open during the day.
- Your child must remain in the ‘Bubble’ of their own class, unfortunately they cannot mix with pupils from other classes.
- If they complain at school of feeling unwell their temperature will be taken and parents will be contacted immediately.
- It is important that all contact details are amended at the school office if there has been changes to telephone numbers, home address etc. during the summer months.
- A more detailed guidance for parents is available on the Department of Education website. education-ni.gov.uk
- Parents are advised to check their child’s Google Classroom as updates will be posted there.
I hope that this helps in some way towards planning for the restart to school. Please be assured of our commitment to your child’s safety and education. As restrictions ease, parents will be notified of any changes. Take care and enjoy the rest of the holidays.
Yours Faithfully
Daniel McLaughlin