Dear Parents/carers,  Tuesday 2nd March

I can’t quite believe I have just written March at the top of the letter! Where has the time gone?

The last few days of remote learning for you and a very busy few days of preparations for us.

I want to assure you that these preparations are going well and that school will be ready to welcome everyone back safely on Monday.

I know that you will still be anxious but I want to reassure all parents/carers that all of the measures in place before December will remain. I am changing nothing until I feel it is safe to do so. This includes the yellow social distance markings on school premises that must be adhered to at all times.

As part of our own roadmap out of lockdown we will be reviewing when Breakfast Club, after school clubs and other events can all return safely. I will, as always, keep you informed.

I know the children will be so excited to be back with their friends and to the routines in place. The staff are excited to see the children all back and to their classrooms buzzing and filled with face to face learning again.

The first three weeks will be spent ensuring the children are settled into routines again. We will also be carrying out assessments to see exactly where there may be gaps in learning are so that staff can accurately direct their teaching.

We are here to support you and your children make as smooth a transition back to school as we possibly can.

I also wanted to draw your attention to a couple of things this week.

Wednesday 3rd March is World Maths Day. Both in school and at home tasks will be geared towards maths.

Thursday 4th March is World Book Day. The children in school can dress up or come in non-school uniform. The children at home may want to dress up too, please send pictures of this and any reading that the children are doing.

Thank you to those of you who have completed the Remote Learning Survey sent yesterday. Your feedback is so important to us. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey if you have not already done so. The more responses provided, the better for us to improve the systems in place.

Last week saw the launch of the new Sugar Hill Instagram page. Please remember that you cannot comment on this page and it is not a source of whole school information. This is a page to support families with their emotional wellbeing, so that you always know we are here when needed.

Whole school information will always be given in my newsletters which will be emailed at least weekly.

Other news

As mentioned in the last newsletter lunchtimes will continue to be staggered. We will also continue to offer one hot meal for all of the children wanting this option. In KS2 the children also have the option of a school packed lunch.

At this point there will be no option of a lunch on a Friday. If the children are on packed lunch this will be for the full week.

This system will remain in place at least until Easter and then be reviewed. Please contact the school office if you wish to change from packed lunch to school meals or visa versa.

The price of a school meal remains at £2.10 per day and free to all children in Reception and KS1.

From Monday March 8th the school phones will be on until 8.30am -4pm each day. If you need contact after that time please email sugarhill@durhamlearning.net

As you are aware attendance is very important as is being on time, however please remember that if you are late you must ring the school office so that you can be met at your correct entrance. Also ensure the children have everything with them each morning, but if you do need to drop anything off please ring so that the office staff are expecting you. Please ring to report any absences before 9am.

I know that some parents/carers have asked about returning borrowed devices. These can be returned in the following way-

KS1 – Y1 or Y2 devices on Monday 8th March between 2pm and 3.00pm

LKS2 Y3 or Y4 – Tuesday 9th March 2-3pm

UKS2 Y5 or Y6- Wednesday 10th March 2-3pm

I know it must feel like you are being bombarded with information at the moment but there is so much to remember, at least you have these letters to look back on for reminders.

Do not hesitate to contact school if there is anything you need.

All that remains is to say enjoy your last two days of remote learning, remember there will be no DB Primary on Friday and look forward to a very smooth transition back on Monday.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Mrs Paula O’Rourke

PLEASE WEAR MASKS ON SCHOOL PREMISES AT ALL TIMES AND AROUND SCHOOL GATES

PLEASE MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE ON SCHOOL PREMISES AT ALL TIMES

SHOULD ANY MEMBER OF A HOUSEHOLD BE SENT FOR A COVID TEST THE WHOLE HOUSE MUST ISOLATE UNTIL THE RESULTS OF THE TEST ARE KNOWN