1MT Information Letter 14.9.20

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to the start of another school year and welcome to 1MT! We had a great first week back – we are so proud of the way the children have managed the transition into Year 1 and onto the Lane Site. Please see below some useful class information.

Seesaw

This is our online platform that we use to record our learning and to communicate with parents. A letter is to be sent out to you with a code for you to join our class community. Once you have downloaded the app (from the App Store or Google Play), enter the code and join our class. You will then be able to see your child’s profile, see photos of what they have been doing in school and like and comment on these pictures. You will also be able to send messages to us – this is especially useful with the school office being closed at the moment. It is also a way of us getting messages out to all parents.

PE

PE for our class will be on a Monday afternoon and a Thursday morning. Please ensure that your child has a named PE kit in school. Our PE kit is a white t shirt, black shorts and black plimsolls. As all PE will be done outside where possible, please add in some trainers and jogging bottoms for when the weather gets cooler.

As our PE slot is first thing on Thursday morning, the children will be taking their PE kits home on a Wednesday afternoon so that they can come to school in their kit on a Thursday morning. This will save valuable PE time with them not having to get changed. They will, however, need to bring their PE bags into school with them on a Thursday morning with their uniform and shoes in so that they can change back after PE.

Forest Schools

We will be continuing the lovely experiences that the children enjoyed in Early Years with our own Forest School Fridays. We would be grateful if your child could bring into school a pair of named wellies that they can leave in school. We have enough waterproof trousers for each child but please ensure that you are happy for them to wear their school coat for Forest School. Please also ensure that they have the appropriate clothing for the weather – gloves, hats and scarves for the colder days.

Please ensure that ALL clothing – uniform, Forest School kit, PE kit AND coats are named – this saves a lot of lost clothing and time! 

Hometime

Hometimes have been staggered across the school in the interests of safety and to ease congestion in the playground. Hometime for our class is at 3pm. If you have children in other classes, they will also be sent out to meet you in the playground for 3pm to save you having to wait.

We would urge you to be prompt as this saves the children worrying. Please also give us a wave when you see your child at the front of the line so that we can get to know you (although Mrs Tannam knows most of you already!) and we can safely hand over your child to you. Alternatively, please come and introduce yourselves to us. If someone other than yourself is collecting your child, please let the teacher know in advance or phone school in the case of a last minute change of plan. We cannot release your child to anyone who we are not expecting to take them. This is part of our safeguarding policy and all done in the interests of safety.

Home Reading

If you have any reading books at home from last year, we would be grateful if you could please send them into school and we will return them to the Early Years staff.

We are currently in the process of assessing each child to see how much of their reading and phonics knowledge they can remember. When we have completed these assessments, we will be matching their reading books to their phonic knowledge and beginning to send them home. We will send home further information about how to support your child with their reading at home in the near future. In the meantime, please do still read with your child and encourage them to “read” to you. Look out for sounds and words that they recognise and enjoy reading stories together. This will benefit their reading, writing and vocabulary enormously.

General Information

During these first few weeks back in school, we are focussing on the childrens’ wellbeing and ensuring that the children are feeling safe and happy about returning to school. We are beginning to establish new routines and we are putting into place new emotional support systems and a new behaviour policy. More information on this will be sent to you shortly.

Just a reminder that Mrs Tannam will be teaching on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Mrs Mould on a Thursday and Friday. Mr Wilson, our Class Teaching Assistant, will be in class each day.

We are looking forward to a wonderful year, working with you and your children. If you have any questions, please do come and see us at drop off or hometime.

Best wishes

Mrs Mould and Mrs Tannam