Newsletters - current academic year
ARCHIVED Coronavirus updates - most current are on the front page
UPDATE 20-5-2020
Good morning everyone.
We are busy finalising plans to re-open as safely as we can for year 6.
We intend to write to all our year 6 families tomorrow and then speak to families individually by phone also.
We intend to open to year 6 from Monday 8th June if the government decides to proceed with the current plan. This will be on a reduced timetable and details will be explained fully tomorrow.
Take care
Mrs Upton
UPDATE 18-5-2020
Good afternoon everyone.
As a school we are still planning to see how year 6 can return to school safely from 1st June.
When we have a clear plan I will send this out to all parents.
Parents will then be able to read this plan and if they feel happy, they can send their children to school from the proposed start date that could be on or after the 1st June.
I or a member of the year 6 team intend to speak to all parents individually after our proposal has been communicated. It is parental choice at this stage and we will fully respect your decision to send or not send your child. You cannot be fined or challenged on this.
I intend to communicate plans by the end of the week.
I want to reassure you all that we are working hard behind the scenes to risk assess every area and make sure any return will be the safest one possible.
The provision for Keyworker/Vulnerable Children will remain the same going forward and if you require a place you should phone/e mail the school to organise this.
01159324387
info@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk
or
headteacher@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk
School will be closed to all pupils next week for the half term holiday
Take care all
I will be in touch again before the end of the week
Mrs Upton
Year 6 Parent Survey - Return to School
The school are currently planning if there is a safe way for year 6 to return. It would be helpful for planning to know current thoughts.
Please click the link below or scan the bar code to answer the survey - It takes 30 seconds - Thanks everyone!
It would be great if you could complete by the end of the day tomorrow Wed 13th May
UPDATE – 12-5-2020
Dear Parents
We have had some information through regarding the POSSIBLE return to school for Year 6 children.
Below is a link to the government website regarding this plan. Please read carefully.
I know there will be lots of questions (I have lots too!) and I will do my very best to answer these for you- although please be aware that I only have access to the same public documents that you are able to gain access to.
Please feel free to contact me at headteacher@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk
or call me on 01159324287
We will not be rushing into making any plans and will think very carefully about the issues faced.
We are currently thoroughly risk assessing any possible return for any children and I will continue to keep you updated as information becomes available.
Take care
Mrs Upton
UPDATE 10-5-2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
See letter attached at the bottom of the page
Thanks
Anna Upton
UPDATE 5-5-2020 - Week 7 Day 2 of Lockdown
Good afternoon parents/carers
Just a quick update to say I know parents will be starting to wonder about how and when schools are going to re-open for more pupils?
The staff at Chaucer are also wondering too because at this point no-one knows!
We are following government advice and as soon as we have this, we will plan accordingly.
I can reassure you that we will clearly communicate with you about any plans to return.
The return is going to take a great deal of planning and I expect the government will give us a period of time for this.
Top of my list is transition for year 6 and our new starters from year 2 (we are already talking to feeder schools about this)
During this planning period I would really like to have your questions, views, suggestions, worries etc.
If you could e mail or pick up the phone I would really appreciate it
headteacher@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk or 01159324387
I will take questions, suggestions etc on board during the planning process. It gives you chance to contribute to and make me aware of anything I need to know etc
Please note all e mails and phone calls will be confidential
I feel like we have worked so well as a team during this lockdown and your views are all crucial to planning the next stage.
No pressure to respond if you have nothing to say but if you do then fire away!
Best wishes
Mrs Upton
Update 28-4-2020
Good morning
Week 6 Day 2 of Lockdown.
I am really enjoying looking at all the blogs on Seesaw. Even if you are not doing everything or directing your own learning it is great to see you all and what you have been up too. The teachers are busy commenting and making sure they keep in touch with you all. They also post a weekly post on the year group blog to give you more home learning ideas.
We have done lots of Zoom chats with all the staff and I know they are missing you all so much and can't wait to be together again when it is safe.
I know routine is helping my children to cope with the lockdown and home learning is there to help you with this but "No Pressure Parents!" - I know I keep saying it but I want you to know how much I mean it. Keep them emotionally happy and safe is all we ask.
As always you are all always in my thoughts.
If you need us call the office 01159324387 or e mail us on info@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk.
Take care everybody
Mrs Upton
Update 17-4-2020
Good afternoon Parents/Carers
I hope you are all safe and well after the Easter Break.
It has been great to see so many children still posting on Seesaw over the holidays! I have loved seeing the dens, Easter eggs and fun everyone has been having in their homes.
Thanks for all your comments on Twitter and Facebook - especially on the Staff Easter Message!!
As we are set to start Week 5 of lock down next week I have sent a couple of updates.
Home Learning
Home Learning starts again after the holidays.
Your child's class teacher will post an update by Monday Morning outlining the learning on the website in the year group blogs, which are on our home page.
I am sure some parents will welcome the guidance and routine that it offers. While I ask all children to have a go at the tasks set, the staff and I do not intend this to put too much pressure on parents and children. Just do the best you can and any concerns/worries contact school or the teacher through Seesaw.
Free School Meals
All children eligible for free school meals have been allocated supermarket vouchers weekly. These will be released again next week.
As always you are all always in my thoughts.
If you need us call the office 01159324387 or e mail us on info@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk.
Take care everybody
Mrs Upton
Update 3-4-2020
Good morning Parents/Carers
As we come to our 2nd full week of lockdown I write to thank you all for you ongoing support and engagement with your child’s home school learning.
I also hope you are all healthy, safe and following the governments advice as we work together to beat this virus.
Home Learning
The work and comments on Seesaw have been amazing.
Over the Easter holidays the teachers want to keep in touch with the children, so will be setting simple daily tasks. These are only intended to take children 30 minutes or less and are active/practical tasks that support children’s well-being at this difficult time. Hopefully it will also keep momentum going and it won’t seem such a shock when the learning starts again after the Easter Holidays.
I also love the tweets you are sending us. Keep posting please as it helps us all feel united and happier when we see Children enjoying their learning and time with their families.
@ChaucerJun
EMBARK ACADEMY NEWS
I am delighted to say we are officially part of the EMBARK Multi Academy Trust as on 1st April 2020 and Chaucer Infants will joins us next month too!
Easter Holidays
Our school is not open over the Easter Holidays as key workers have managed to find provision for their children during this period.
However, teachers will be checking Seesaw weekly and I have included my e mail which I check weekly below.
headteacher@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk
Our website also contains a wealth of support for families if you have concerns around well-being, finance etc
All the information is on our website:
ttps://www.chaucerjunior.org.uk/page/?title=Early+help+%26amp%3B+Covid%2D19+support&pid=98
However I remind you that:
If you are concerned about the safety of a child or you require urgent help or advice
Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190.
Free School Meals
All children eligible for free school meals have been allocated supermarket vouchers weekly. These will be released again after the Easter Holidays.
Take care everybody!!
You are all constantly in my thoughts
Mrs Upton
Update – 27-3-2020
Dear Parent/Carers
I am writing to send my warmest wishes to all of our Chaucer families and I hope you are staying safe and healthy.
I have a few updates to share with you all;
- Home Learning
I have really enjoyed looking at all the work, pictures and comments on Seesaw. The children contribution’s show exactly what I would have hoped for, a mixture of fun and academic learning.
From next week each class will send 4 daily tasks. These will be Maths, English, Daily Exercise and a surprise activity.
I would like to ask that children do these in any order during the day. This week my own children have done most of them outside in the garden due to the lovely sunshine. I would urge you to let them be outside as much as possible.
The class teacher will also share a Weekly Menu of ideas. These are optional extras if children wanted to do more.
Class teachers are commenting daily on children’s work via Seesaw and I ask you all to keep using this app as it providing a fantastic way of allowing us all to keep in touch and feedback on learning.
Each week the class teacher chooses a Chaucer Champion and they will communicate success via Seesaw and Social Media
Parents please don’t put too much pressure on yourselves, you are all doing an amazing job. The idea is to consolidate existing learning, look after their well being so that we are all safe and healthy when we come out the other side!!
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no home learning set over the Easter Break Monday 6th April to Friday 17th March
- Key Workers and Vulnerable Children
School remains open for the above children
I repeat my message from Monday evening about children in school
If a parent is at home or home working we ask you to keep your child at home and not send them to school
This is so that there are the minimal number of children in school. Your child and your family are all safer at home. Staying at home means your child can not bring the virus from school to your home and family.
It also protects the staff responsible for them at school.
Stay safe everyone and please keep children at home to protect yourselves and everyone else.
- Asthma and underlying health issues
New guidance has just been published about children with asthma.
I include the link https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
This has an extensive list of all the different types of asthma and inhalers. If your child uses any of them on the list then they should be staying at home at all times and avoiding any face-to-face contact with others for at least 12 weeks.
I also include the following link for information if you haven’t already read it.
- Free School Meals
Mrs Wheeldon has contacted all parents of children who are eligible for free school meals and they will receive a weekly supermarket voucher
I end by thanking all the Chaucer Team – staff, parents, pupils, governors and members of our community for coming together and using kindness and support as we work through these unprecedented times
Take care everyone, be kind and stay safe.
Anna Upton
Headteacher
Update - 23-3-2020
Dear Parents/ Carers
Following on from the changes made by the Prime Minister this evening we are asking you to consider again whether you absolutely need to send your child to school.
If a parent is at home or home working we ask you to keep your child at home and not send them to school
This is so that there are the minimal number of children in school.
Your child and your family are all safer at home. Staying at home means your child can not bring the virus from school to your home and family.
It also protects the staff responsible for them at school.
Stay safe
Update 23.3.2020
Free School Meal - Packed Lunch – Collection schedule
Tuesday 24th March – Pick up 2 bag for Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th.
Thursday 26th March - Pick up 2 bag for Thursday 26th & Friday 27th.
Monday 30th March – Pick up 1 bag for Monday 30th.
Tuesday 31st March – Pick up 2 bag for Tuesday 31st & Wednesday 1st April.
Thursday 2nd April - Pick up 2 bag for Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd.
Closed for Easter – Monday 6th April to Friday 17th April.
Monday 20th April - Pick up 1 bag for Monday 20th April
We will contact you again on Monday 20th April to confirm further requirements.
Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.
Update 20-3-2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
Please be advised that the information regarding critical workers has now been published by the Department for Education - please click on the link below for full details.
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Guidance for schools, colleges and local authorities on maintaining educational provision - GOV.UK As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social ... www.gov.uk |
This list is aimed at those parents, whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response. However it is important to emphasise for your child’s own safety, that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.
Please, therefore, follow these key principles:
- If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
- If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
- Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
- Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
- Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.
If, after following these principles, your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors and you cannot keep your child safe at home, then your child will be prioritised for education provision. In order to make these arrangements, please contact the school office directly or by telephoning 01159324387 or by e mail info@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk
.
This provision will take place at Chaucer Junior School between 8.55am - 3.20pm (Monday to Friday).
Breakfast Club is available from 8am as usual
In the event this can no longer happen, due to staffing shortages, you will of course be notified with immediate effect and provided with details of an alternative provision.
Update 19-3-20
19th March 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
As you are aware, schools across the country have been told to close to almost all children at the end of the day on Friday 20th March 2020, with no indication of when they may reopen.
As advised by the government, we will do all we can to stay open for children where BOTH parents within in the household are key workers or where the only parent is a key worker, (e.g. NHS staff, Police, others in frontline services), children with an Education Health Care Plan or a social worker supports the family.
We are waiting for the government to publish more information on what this means but it would help us in the meantime if you could let us know if you think you fall into one of these categories and may need your child to attend school.
Please complete the slip(s) attached and return to school via email to:
info@chaucer-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk.
If your child is in school today, they can return a paper copy tomorrow.
We will be in touch again as soon as we are sure who this does apply to.
All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child(ren) into school from Monday 23rd March onwards.
I understand that this will raise many questions about the coming weeks, most of which we do not have the answers to yet. Please be assured that, as soon as we do, we will share these with you.
I am expecting ongoing guidance, but we will need some time to consider this and put plans in place. We ask for your patience with this and request that you avoid phoning the school, unless it is urgent, today and Friday.
The staff in school have been working hard preparing for a possible school closure.
For those children at home we will continue to send work via the school website and through Seesaw and we would like you to complete this and support your child with their on-going learning as much as possible. Please share any home learning through Seesaw, the school’s twitter or facebook page.
If your child is eligible for free school meals further information will be provided regarding a meal or a voucher if not in school.
Tests and exams have all been cancelled. We understand how hard the children and staff have worked and how disappointed they are. The government have said further details will follow and no child will be disadvantaged.
Thank you for your continued support and encouraging comments during this unprecedented time. It is very much appreciated!
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR CHAUCER JUNIOR SCHOOL PROVISION DURING ENFORCED CLOSURE
Child(ren)'s Name: ……………………… Class(es): ………………………………..
I believe my/our job(s) will be on the list of key workers and I/we would like my/our child(ren) to attend provision at Chaucer Junior School.
Please tick the appropriate box below.
We are BOTH key worker parents within the household or I am the only parent & a key worker
Key Worker Parent 1: ……………………………………………………………………..
Key Worker Role 1: …………………………………………………………………………
Key Worker Parent 2: ……………………………………………………………………..
Key Worker Role 2: …………………………………………………………………………
You may be asked to provide evidence of your role.
Signed Parent 1: ……………………………………………………………………………..
Signed Parent 2: ………………………………………………………………………………
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR CHAUCER JUNIOR SCHOOL PROVISION DURING ENFORCED CLOSURE
Child(ren)'s Name: ……………………………………………………..
Class(es): …………………………………….
My child has an EHCP or a social worker supports the family and I would like my child(ren) to attend provision at Chaucer Junior School. Please tick as appropriate below.
My child has an EHCP
My child has social worker involvement
Parent's Name: ……………………………………………………
Signed: ……………………………………………………………………
UPDATE 18-3-2020
Following discussion with the school governors I would like to give you the following advice:
If you feel it is in the best interests of your family (eg underlying health issues of any household members, showing symptoms or general anxiety) to keep your children at home then please do so. The school supports your decision but please notify us of your intention to do so BY PHONING SCHOOL from tomorrow 7.30am.
Please be aware that if we are worried about the health of any children we will be asking you to collect them.
UPDATE 16-3-2020
......if one person in any household starts to display symptoms, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.
Mr Johnson said the 14-day stay at home advice means people should, if possible, avoid leaving the house "even to buy food or essentials".
In respect of this:
• We ask that you take sensible precautions. Please note that you MUST let us know if your child will be absent from school for any reason. Follow the government guidelines with respect to making a decision about this.
• Please ensure that your child has their own refillable water bottle and this is named or clearly identifiable
• Ensure that good handwashing routines are in place when children leave the house and get home
We will:
• Keep you up to date with information received
• Ensure children are washing hands regularly
• Monitor children’s well-being/ health and let you know if we are worried about anyone
• Do our best to keep staffing in place- please understand that staff have their own health/ their families to consider and will need to act as they see fit
• We have nearly finished our home learning packs for pupils who are self-isolating but still well enough to learn. These are being carefully considered so they don’t expect parents to take on the teacher role, are manageable and limit screen time. These are now on the school website in the class blog section at the bottom of the page.
• We are cancelling any school events that involve large numbers of people. The writing showcase this Thursday 19th March is cancelled.
Community Spirit
Share and show we care!!!
To support our local community, we are collecting food for the Ilkeston Arena Community Foodbank for distribution. If you feel you want to help any items from the list below greatly received.
If we do all self-isolate the foodbank will be more crucial to people than ever.
tinned meat and fish, tinned savoury pies, long life milk and fruit juice, tinned puddings and custard, pasta, rice and instant mash, tinned tomatoes, tinned vegetables, soup, pasta sauces, tinned fruit, tea bags and instant coffee, cereals, jam, biscuits or snack bars, sugar (500g), toilet rolls, shower gel, shampoo and soap, nappies, sanitary products
THANK YOU!!!
I appreciate that this is a confusing and worrying time for everyone and we will do our best to ensure that everyone is safe and happy in school.