Kia ora whānau, like you, we are hoping that the Government announces next week that Canterbury will be moving into Alert Level 2 soon. With this in mind, we have been planning for what that means at our school, and we thought that you would appreciate knowing this information ahead of the announcement.

Just to be super clear - if a move to Alert Level 2 is announced, we will inform whānau of our opening date.

For next week, we are only able to accommodate the children who are already attending school under level 3. No new students will be able to attend under level 3. Everyone else will continue with home learning.

The key principles for Alert Level 2 are to:

• reduce the risk of someone getting infected in the first place;

• ensure we can identify and contact anyone who becomes infected;

• understand that Level 2 is not business as usual.

  What will school be like at Alert Level 2:

• All staff and children will be back onsite - Y A Y!

• Buses will be running again and we are required to keep a list of who has travelled to and from school on the bus each day. We anticipate that some families may choose not to use the bus during Level 2, so if you are planning on using the bus, please complete this quick survey and bear in mind that only those who are eligible and who have registered on this form will be on the bus list;

• MASH will be operating;

• Only students and staff will be able to enter our buildings and grounds. The exception to this will be parents of new entrant children who are starting school and who have agreed this with staff prior to arriving onsite.

• The office will be open for phone calls and emails only and there will be no children working in the radio station;

• The school grounds will continue to be locked during the school day and will only be open for school drop off (8.40am to 9am) and school pick up (3pm to 3.15 Monday to Friday and 2.45 to 3pm on a Friday);

• In order to comply with contact tracing requirements, all staff and visitors to school will be required to scan the QR or if you cannot you will need to sign in and out on our vistab iPad at the office (this includes those new entrant parents who have been granted access);

• It is essential that you are on time to collect your child at the end of the day. Children will not be able to stay and play in the playground after school. If you are not able to collect your child at 3pm, you will need to book them in with MASH;

Hand washing will continue to be encouraged and we will continue to have hand sanitizer available in all of our buildings;

• Each child needs to bring their own named water bottle as the drinking fountains will still be out of action.

  Behaviour:
  The Ministry of Health guidelines are very clear. For this environment to remain safe social distancing and good hygiene habits must be adhered to. If students cannot follow these guidelines and compromise the health and safety of others, parents or caregivers will be asked to collect their child. Please speak to your children about the importance of following all instructions given by the staff.

  Cleanliness:

• Our cleaners are amazing. They are cleaning the COVID-19 testing centre locally and are fully trained in the requirements for ensuring a COVID-19 free space.

• Washing hands is still the best prevention of transmission, so all learning communities and bathrooms also have soap and hot water.

• Students are welcome to bring their own sanitiser if they wish.

• PPE such as face masks and gloves are not necessary in the school environment. But if you or child feel you want to then this is fine.

  Sickness or Injury:

• If your child is sick, Do Not bring them to school. Even if symptoms are mild this is unacceptable. If staff feel the child is presenting with any symptoms, you will be contacted to come and collect your child.

• If your child becomes ill during the day we will phone and ask for your child to be collected.

• If your child is injured during the day, we will follow our usual protocols. If it is minor we’ll manage it and inform you as is normal. If serious, we will follow our system currently in place and make contact with you immediately.
  

Whilst school won’t be entirely back to the pre-COVID normal, it will be as normal as we can make it for our children - and we can’t wait to see them!

       What do you need to do now:

• Let your child or children know that their teachers are planning for them to be back at school soon and they are really looking forward to seeing them;
  
• Explain that you won’t be able to come into school to collect them - and make a plan with them for where you will meet them after school;
  
• Fill in the bus survey (above) if you are planning on using the school bus in Alert Level 2;
  
• Talk to your child about good handwashing habits and sneezing and coughing into their elbow;
  
• Talk to your child about the things that will be different at school - no drinking fountains, social distancing and only accessing their learning space.
  

If you have any queries about any of this, please don’t hesitate to email me: principal@pegasusbay.school.nz