8 May 2020

Dear parents and caregivers

I am writing to explain arrangements for our school beginning next week, 11 May 2020.

Term 2 Arrangements Weeks 4–5

 The Queensland Government has announced that Prep and Year 1 students can return to school from next Monday, 11 May.  Remember, for Year 2-6, that only children of essential workers and vulnerable students are to attend during this period.  All students in Years 2 to 6 who are able to be supervised at home and learn from home are to stay home until 25 May at this stage.

To promote the SAFETY of you, your children and our staff we ask that students and families follow these adjusted procedures: 

• Parents are not permitted to enter the school premises except to go to the school office (front window) for a reason that cannot be solved by phone – 4975 8333. Parents are NOT permitted to go to classrooms at any time.
• Follow and abide with all signage and staff directions.

Before and after school, school staff will be positioned at school gates to ensure students sanitise their hands (on arrival at school) and leave the school grounds at the end of the day.

We know this may be an anxious time for you or your children so please spend some time over the weekend going over the expectations so they know what to do on Monday.

The following school arrangements will take effect from Monday 11 May 2020.

- Arriving at School (gates to use)

- Leaving School at 3:15pm

- Key Messages and Reminders

ARRIVING AT SCHOOL

All students are strongly discouraged from arriving at school prior to the commencement of the day at 9am. If your child MUST be here earlier and not attending Helping Hands, the following procedure is to be followed. 

• Students arriving prior to 8:30am are to enter via the Pool or Adminstration gate and wait at the undercroft.
• At 8:15am students will be directed to the oval and will be supervised here until the 9am bell to move to classes.

Gates for Students to Use (Gates will be signed and will be open from 8:30am)

School staff will be at the gates to identify students and take them to their classrooms or the oval if prior to 9am.

LEAVING FROM SCHOOL AT 3:15PM 

• Parents are not permitted to enter the school premises at the end of the day.
• At pickup and drop off, please remember to keep your social distance from other families.
• Make sure your children know how they are getting home at the end of the day.

 Stop, Drop and Go(preferred method of pick up)

• For families using the Stop, Drop and Go facility, family units will be grouped together by staff PRIOR to leaving the school grounds and directed to the Stop, Drop and Go area.
• We ask that all families using the Stop, Drop and Go have a name plate with the surname of the youngest in the family on it, for quick identification- ideally place this on the left hand side sun visor so staff can read from the footpath.
• For single students (no siblings) they will be walked out to Stop, Drop and Go.

Students Being Picked Up- Not using Stop, Drop and Go

For Single Child Families

• Students will be directed to leave via their year level gate. Please be in the area to meet them.

For Families with Multiple Children

• Family units will be directed to go to the gate of the youngest child in the family.

Students on Bikes/Scooters

Depending on the route of travel, students are to use the bike racks closest to their house.

That is:

• If they live in the direction of DRAKES- use the pool bike racks and entry gate.
• If they live in the direction of the Caltex- use the double gates at the front of the library.

Students Walking

• Students are to exit their respective year level gate (if single child) or as a family unit from the youngest in the school gate.

Bus Students

• No change to procedure- they will remain in the school grounds supervised until buses arrive.

KEY MESSAGES AND REMINDERS

Parents, please:

• Ensure your child knows how they are getting home each day and who will be picking them up.
• Refrain from standing immediately at the gates. These are for STUDENTS only.
• Read and adhere to all signage/staff directions.
• MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING OF 1.5m.
• Be considerate on the roads and in the carpark- we know our facilities are limited and there will be increased usage- but be patient: it is the safety of all road users you are putting in jeopardy.
• Note staff will walk students to the exit gates and remain there.
• If students are not collected by 3:30pm they will be directed to the office.

Importantly, remember that these measures are being put in place to help promote the SAFETY of you, your children and our staff. By working together and being patient, we can make these changes to our routines as smooth as we can for everyone.

Some Reminders:

• All students attending school MUST bring a labelled water bottle to school each day. The bubblers are currently turned off; however, taps are available for refilling during the day.
• Teach your children that if they cough or sneeze to do this into their elbow and then wash their hands.
• If children are sick- do not send them to school. Any student who presents ill whilst at school, parents will be contacted to immediately collect.

If your child is experiencing any issues in transitioning back- email your teacher, or email admin@calliopess.eq.edu.au if you would like to access other supports.

The priority for the rest of the term is to get our students back to school, re-settle into their classrooms, routines and our school.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mark Wright

Principal