05 May 2020
As outlined in a previous News article, the NSW Department of Education has developed a managed process for returning to school - moving through 5 phases towards full-time school operations.
When planning for this new phase, we first focused on providing a safe and hygienic environment. In addition though, we really wanted to keep front-and-centre in our decision making, the things we value most at MOPS and the things we know about how children learn and about how best to support their wellbeing:
- the power in their positive relationships with their teachers and their peers - to not only make them feel safe, valued and known, but also to enable true engagement in their learning
- the importance of classroom culture and how keeping that strong supports learning and wellbeing
- the need for play, exercise and outdoors during this time of isolation
We realise that some schools are choosing to organise these days alphabetically and across stages. For us, this went against everything we know and value. Therefore, we have chosen to keep students with their teachers, and also with many of their peers.
While families with multiple children have the option to bring them all together on the same day, we cannot guarantee that they will see their own teacher or peers.
As we are about to move into Phase 1 next week, here are a few key points for how it will work:-
- Students return to school for one day per week and continue to learn from home for the other 4 days
- The school is still open for families in need and no child will be turned away
- You have by now been contacted by your child's teacher and have been given your child's rostered day to come to school
- Students need to bring a water bottle and their iPad (we will not be sharing devices or equipment where possible - teachers will contact you beforehand if you need to bring anything else)
- Parents should drop off/pick up students from the Vereker St entrance if you would like supervision, but we ask that you please stay in the car
- A teacher on duty will be at the Vereker St gate from 8:30-9:00am and 3:00-3:20pm each day to supervise drop off/pick up
- If you would prefer to drop off/pick up at the McGrath St entrance, you may do so while still staying in the car - although there will be no teacher supervision at that entrance
- Students may still walk to school with your permission
- Stages will be at school together
Please contact the school or email me if you have any questions.
Continue to stay safe and well...
Tiffany
