In this week's newsletter:

School Life

• Teresa's Update
• Cross Country Next Week
• Photo Day Next Week
• New Waka Waewae (Walking School Bus)
• Head Lice

Other Opportunities

• Holy Moly Arts & Crafts

School Life

The weather has made it a challenging week at school, but the children have been amazing at managing themselves. Last year, while we were managing high levels of COVID-19 we made emptying our studios to create as much air exchange as possible a priority. With winter ills establishing themselves already we want to maintain this practice.

During wet playtimes (unless the rain is really severe) children play outside. The Supertop and other covered areas mean there are lots of places to play. Having children outside makes a big difference to their learning in the afternoons and will hopefully keep the air quality in studios/classrooms at a more healthy level.

We would love you to help us out by making sure your child has a rain jacket and a spare pair of clothes just in case, especially while we are training for cross country. Fingers crossed for more sunshine next week.

Several parents have asked for an update on the negotiations for collective agreements. Teachers have received a third offer from the government and the NZEI is seeking feedback from members. This process enables them to construct the way in which they ask members to vote.

Principals are not currently in negotiations having rejected the latest offer. You may have seen in the media that principals are 'working to rule.' including not engaging with some workstreams from the Ministry. I am still responding to emails within 24 hours.

At this stage, further strike action is unlikely, but can not be ruled out entirely until teachers have had the opportunity to vote on the latest offer.

Cross Country - Next Wednesday!
Cross country is on next Wednesday. A notice went out on Hero yesterday with all the information. Please sign up to help us on the day if you can! A coffee cart will be on site that day for anyone needing a hot drink to get them through the morning.

Photo Day - Next Thursday!
Photolife will be in on Thursday 11th May to take school photos - studio/class and individual photos. Information for how to order these will come out later in the term.

New Waka Waewae
Thanks to the success of our new waka waewae we have interest in starting a new route. This route will serve whānau coming from Livingstone Street and streets from the Grey Lynn direction. If you would like more information please email Chloe at westmere.wsb@gmail.com

Head Lice - check and treat
We have had a few cases of head lice at the moment, please check your child.  

This is a perennial problem in schools. If we notice a problem in a class we will send home a "Head Lice Information Sheet".

The Health Department recommends regularly brushing long hair, for it to be tied up and a weekly application of conditioner. Use a lice comb whilst the conditioner is on the hair, to eliminate any live lice.

● Please check and treat all family members daily for at least three weeks

● It is important after each treatment to comb hair thoroughly with a fine toothed comb to remove eggs and to break the cycle

● Success is likely if treated and regular checks are made

● Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linen, and other items that the infested person wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using a hot water (50 degrees C or 130°F) laundry cycle and a high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned OR sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.

● Soak combs and brushes in hot water (at least 50 degrees C or 130°F) for 5-10 minutes.

● There is an olive oil treatment plan on www.headliceinfo.com

TO BREAK THE CYCLE IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THE EGGS!!!

Kylie’s top tip is: On the same night each week, use a lot of conditioner and comb your child’s hair, then run a nit comb through the hair to double check. It is sometimes very hard to see the nits unless there are a lot of them. The comb kills the eggs and breaks the legs of any adult lice making them unable to feed and lay eggs.

Other Opportunities

Holy Moly Arts & Crafts