Newsletter – 8 June 2020

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Covid -19 Update – moving to Level 1

This Wednesday night we move from level 2 to level 1

What does alert level 1 look like?

Our Prime Minister today indicated that life in level 1 will be back to normal, with essentially all restrictions lifted, apart from border controls. Under alert level 1, Covid-1 considered contained in New Zealand, according to the Government’s Unite against Covid website.

The disease is still uncontrolled overseas, and “isolated household transmission could be occurring in New Zealand”, the website says.

Covid19.govt.nz: The Government’s official Covid-19 advisory website

In level 1 people and businesses should be “vigilant” and prepared to quickly move into higher alert levels.

What does Level 1 look like in our school?

1. There are no specific public health requirements.
2. We will not require physical distancing, as there are no restrictions on personal movement at so all students, children and staff continue to be safe to go to school / early learning, and all students must attend school.
3. We are no longer required to keep a contact tracing register but will continue with the usual practice of having a visitor and an attendance register
4. We will have an app on the walls at entry points so you can track your own movements.
5. We will continue to regularly disinfect surfaces; ensure all children wash and dry hands, cough and sneeze into elbow etc.
6. We will have normal start and finish times.
7. There is no need for us to offer sanitiser to every person entering the school; however, we will make it available in the classrooms.
8. During Term 3, we will have reduced interschool sport opportunities.

There are key public health measures (Golden Rules) for everyone in New Zealand to follow. For schools and early learning services this means:

1. If people are sick, they should stay home (phone Healthline or their GP and get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms).
2. Continue to regularly wash and dry hands, sneeze and cough into elbows.
3. Stringent self-isolation of those who display relevant symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, or have been overseas in the last 14 days – Ministry of Health information for self-isolation.

At all levels, upon advice from the local medical officer of health, any educational facilities connected to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 must close on an individual or group basis for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then potentially for a further 14 days.

So for the most part, Alert Level 1 is very much business as usual for us with continued good hygiene practices and people who are unwell staying away remain a priority.

 

School Uniform Expectations                                                                                                                                    

This term we have been very flexible with the uniform requirements for obvious reasons. The uniform s are now readily available so from Term 3 we expect all students to wear the correct winter uniform.

At Pakuranga Heights we have, a smart, comfortable uniform, which is compulsory for all students. The uniform has a unisex polo top and a polar fleece or sports jacket with a combination:

• Girls:    skorts or culottes
• Boys:   shorts or trousers

The culottes and the school jacket are not available online, purchased from the uniform shop. Students permitted to wear a navy blue, long sleeved garment or navy tights underneath their uniform if they have strong religious beliefts or customes, which require it.  In the winter months, students must wear plain black shoes with the navy socks available at the school office.  These socks are not available online and can be purchased from the school office.

A sample of each size is available at the uniform shop for you to try on if you wish.

Our uniform shop is located near the school office and is open during term time only at the following times:

• Monday   8:00am – 9:00am
• Wednesday 3:00pm – 4:00pm
• Public and school holidays – closed

School Reports and Parent Conference                                                                                           

Parent teacher conference will take place on Tuesday June 23 and Wednesday June 24 where your child’s teacher will document the conversation about your child’s curriculum progress. Parents you receive the notes and progress indicators at the conference, including information on progress in mathematics and literacy. We expect that Term 4 reports will return to a more traditional format.

Please click on this link below and enter the code for interview bookings. If you are unable to meet with the teacher your child’s teacher please contact them or they will be in contact.

https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/

Access Code: ywq56 (all lower case)

                                           

‘Keep it real online’ campaign

The Department of Internal Affairs with Netsafe and the Office of Film and Literature Classification is about to launch a ‘Keep it real online’ campaign. The campaign will support parents and caregivers to reduce the risks of online harm such as cyber-bullying, inappropriate content, pornography and grooming.

Parents and caregivers can find information including tips on how to have conversations with their kids at www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz.

TV, radio and print ads will commence from Monday 8 June and will run through to the end of July. Printed and online adverts produced in English, Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Mandarin and Hindi.

 

Traffic After School

Please respect the following rules to keep the children safe.

1. Be patient, there is a surge of traffic from 2.55 pm until 3.10 pm.
2. Please do not park in the clearway area outside the Church on Udys Road.
3. The pick-up zone is a very short stay area, if your child is late please go around as you are causing delays for everyone.
4. Please never leave your care unattended in the pickup and drop off zone unless parked in an official carpark.
5. Please consider asking your child to meet you at an agreed place and park away from the school chaos.
6. Use the crossing as students and staff are giving up their time, cold and wet to make sure everyone is safe.
7. If you live close to school, consider walking or biking.
8. Common sense rules the day. Every school has traffic issues so please be patient and considerate.                                                                                                                                                              

On behalf of the staff and students thank you for following the health and safety requirements at the different levels. Our staff have really appreciated your kind messages and support during the past 3 months.

 

Thank you

Abdulhakeem, Riley, Damian, Noe, Lola, Patricia, Jamie, Molly, Myieshah, Madeleine, Vann, Sean