Dear Parents and Carers,

 

On behalf of all the Governors I wanted to welcome you and your children back to Eastcroft Park following the most recent lockdown.  Hopefully we can all move forward positively as we follow the roadmap out of the pandemic.

 

We have had fantastic attendance this week – so well done with all those daily preparations for school, getting back into the swing of things.

 

As you will be aware the most recent lockdown brought a number of changes to the way the school was working. The school provided an extended number of places to families of key workers and vulnerable children with over 20% of the Eastcroft Park population attending each day. In addition there was a greater level of sophistication to the remote learning offer. Staff worked tirelessly to provide imaginative education opportunities via a range of methods including traditional paper packs, learning via online platforms, live lessons, support with technical advice and the loan of IT equipment. School based provision and the remote learning offer have been a great success but could not have worked without your support. So thankyou and well done to staff, children, parents and carers – for creating a learning team to support all the children during lockdown.

 

As we continue our journey out of lockdown safe organisation of the school is key. I look forward to seeing many of you at the school gates at the beginning and end of the school day. Can I remind you to continue to maintain social distancing and wear a mask when at the gate or on the school playground.

 

Many thanks

Steve Dixon - Chair of Governors – on behalf of Eastcroft Park Governing Body

 

Tuesday 2^nd March 2021

Dear Parents/Carers

 

Return to school 8^th March 2021 information for all pupils in Nursery-Year 6

 

We are delighted to be able to welcome all children back to school on Monday. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back to a little normality.

 

The arrangements for the return of all children are outlined below. Please read the information in this letter carefully. All actions have been considered using the latest government guidance.

 

If you or your child have symptoms of Covid-19 please do not come into school. If children show signs of infection during the day they will be isolated and parents will be called to collect them immediately. Please make sure we have your most up to date contact details.

 

When your child returns to school on Monday 8^th March, children will continue to be taught in class bubbles.

 

The children will stay in their class bubbles for the day and they will not be able to mix with children from other bubbles. Lunchtimes and break times will be staggered to ensure that children do not mix with each other.

 

Beginning of the school day

• Due to the ‘bubble’ system we are unable to provide breakfast club in the traditional way. All children will be able to be dropped off at school between 8.40 and 9.00am. This means children can be dropped off at any time within this time window.
• Years 1 and 2 are to be dropped off at the pedestrian gate next to the main driveway of the school.
• All other year groups (Nursery, Reception, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6) are to be dropped off at the Junior playground gates. Children should go directly to their classroom.
• If you have children in multiple year groups, then the above time window will give parents/carers time to walk between the drop off points.

• Parents and carers are reminded that they are not allowed to wait on the playground or to congregate by the school gate. With this is in mind parents of children in Years 3,4,5 and 6 will not be able to enter the playground and children must be dropped off at the gate. Reception children can be escorted to the Reception class gate.
• Please wear a face mask when dropping off.

 

End of the school day

• At home time children will be picked up from the same playground they were dropped off at. Parents must wait at the designated area for their child’s class. A member of staff will then call the child from the classroom. Parents will be able to collect their child between 2.50pm and 3.10pm. Once your child/children have been collected then you must exit the school premises immediately.
• Face masks must be worn by all adults during drop off and pick-up times. coverings/masks must be worn
• CHILDREN MUST BE DROPPED OFF AND PICKED UP AT THE ABOVE ALLOCATED TIMES. Due to government guidance children will not be able to be dropped off at the office or collected at the office. Parents or carers cannot enter the school building or premises and the driveway gates will be closed at all times.
• Children who are late will be asked to wait until there is a suitable time for the child to enter school.
• Parents and carers must pick their children up on time as children are not allowed to wait at the school office.
• All medical appointments must be made where possible outside of the school day. If a child must attend an appointment in school hours then proof of appointment must be provided.

 

 

Breakfast club/after school clubs

• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer our traditional breakfast club. Instead, children will be provided with breakfast in their own classrooms between the times of 8.40am and 9.00am free of charge. Breakfast will only be provided within these times.
• We can provide a limited number of breakfast club places for working parents. If you are a working parent and you would like your child to attend breakfast club, please contact the school by Friday 5^th March. As we have limited places, they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Only request this offer if you really need breakfast club to enable you to go to your place of work.
• We are unable to provide after school clubs currently.

 

 

 

Equipment for School

• Children must wear full school uniform.

• Each child will be given a designated workspace that they will keep for their time in school. They will be provided with their own stationary to use for lessons.
• Children are only allowed to use the schools reading bags. RUCKSACKS OR LUNCH BOXES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
• Packed lunches must be in a disposable bag which will be kept under your child’s desk. All items will need to be disposed of after lunchtime so please bear this is mind. A named water bottle will need to be bought in each day and returned home at the end of each day.
• On the days when children have PE, they should come to school in their PE kit.
• Pupils should not wear flip flops or laces unless they can tie them themselves.
• A waterproof jacket will be needed which will be kept on the back of their chairs.
• Medication such as inhalers need to be labelled with your child’s name and the medication administering form completed.
• On hot and sunny days please ensure your child has a sunhat and sun-cream is applied at home before arriving at school.
• NO OTHER EQUIPMENT should be brought into school.

 

Other Key Points

 

• Parents should not come into the school building for any reason unless it is an emergency. If you have any concerns then please ring school. PARENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SCHOOL OFFICE. Office staff will no longer be taking late packed lunches or P.E kits to pupils-they must enter school with everything they need for the school day.
• Year 6 pupils, only if you are happy for your child to walk home/leave school and meet you elsewhere then please notify us by email. Please speak to your child about the importance of not congregating with other pupils when outside of school.

 

 

Due to the strict government guidance, we are unable to make changes to these arrangements. Please contact school through email at eastcroft.de@knowsley.gov.uk or by telephone 0151 477 8210 if you have any concerns.

 

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Monday.

 

Miss J Withey

 

 

 

Head teacher

The latest edition of our online safety newsletter can be seen here https://bit.ly/3r30A1g or on the e-safety page of the website. It covers a very dangerous messaging app called 'Omegle', details about the use of Instagram and considerations for parents in allowing children to use Call of Duty & Fortnite.

 

1^st March 2021       

 

 

Dear Parent(s)/Carer,

 

This year, World Book Day is on Thursday 4th March 2021 and to celebrate we will be running events throughout the week.

 

 

This year, we can’t wait to see pictures of you sharing stories in celebration of reading together and World Book Day 2021. We know how precious time with your book is and we also know there are lots of brilliant ways you can enjoy books so we’re inviting everyone to join in with our SHOW YOUR SHARES competition. 

A story share could be: reading at home with your family, reading in your favourite nook, reading in an unusual location, sharing a story with your pet, reading a book dressed as your favourite character, and more! 

Books That Make You LOL – what makes you chuckle! Your favourite funny reads, or you sharing stories in a silly way. Are you reading dressed as your favourite funny book character or giggling over your favourite comic?

Bringing Books To Life –  show us how you bring your favourite books to life. Are reading together with a potato or wooden spoon transformed into your favourite book character, or with your favourite book in a bottle or shoe box? Or, are you reading dressed up like someone from a book? Let your imagination run wild! To get you inspired, we have fun dress-up ideas that will let you embody your favourite character with costumes that you can easily make together at home.

Books And The Real World – take your book on a journey and share where you got to! This could be when you’re out for a walk or out in your garden. Or, show us your favourite books that capture the real world for you from stories about far off lands to your favourite non-fiction reads. Remember game books and pop-ups, audiobooks and magazines too!

Sharing Books Together – showcasing the people that make stories magical for you. This could be your grandma on a video call, your brother/sister at breaktime, your parents at the end of the day or even your pet! Show us your most special reading time with a loved one who brings your books to life with you.

 

Spending just 10 minutes a day reading and sharing stories with children can make a crucial difference to their academic outcome and it’s fun for all involved. You can read together anywhere and everywhere, from breakfast to bedtime! In the park, on the train, on the sofa, on a plane – reading and sharing stories can happen anywhere at any time.

 

Email your pictures to your child’s class teacher or upload them to twitter @EastcroftPark and use the hashtag #WorldBookDay.

 

 

A brilliant way to encourage reading for pleasure and  celebrate World Book Day at the same time is the Reading Stars challenge. It’s super fun and easy for everyone to play! The game has been created to encourage children and young people to enjoy books and reading together at home and all the exciting ways you can share stories – not just at bedtime!

 

From reading a book that makes you giggle to finding the most unusual place to share a story, children will have fun reaching all their stars! See the attached Reading Stars challenge attached to this letter.

Return your completed sheet to school next week or email the completed sheet to your child’s teacher to be in with a chance of winning a prize. Don’t forget to email/upload photos to your child’s teacher or tweet us @EastcroftPark.

 

 

 

This year there are some extra special FREE digital events. You can watch them LIVE at https://www.worldbookday.com/events/  or the WBD YouTube channel – and they’ll remain on YouTube for you to watch back time and time again!

 

The exciting line-up includes:

• Books that make you LOL
• Words & pictures: bringing books to life
• Books & the real world

Each event will last approximately 30 minutes.

 

 

This year your £1 book token will be digital and emailed to you by your class teacher. You can redeem them in the same way; you can print them out and take them to your chosen retailer or you can show the voucher on a device/smartphone at the time of purchase. For this month, vouchers will also be on Happy Meal boxes and in some children’s magazines.  This year’s £1 books are viewable in the images of the letter attached.

 

 

 

 

Finally, for a bit of extra fun, staff at Eastcroft Park are taking part our own version of The Masked Singer....We proudly present

 

"The Masked reader"

Throughout World Book Week, videos of staff reading a book or poem or talking about their favourite book will be uploaded to Twitter and the school website. Children will be invited to guess who’s behind the mask! J

 

We look forward to seeing the children participate in this annual event with their usual sense of fun and enthusiasm!

 

As always, thanks for your continued support.

 

 

 

Mrs G Hudson

Deputy Head teacher/English Leader

 

Thank you once again for your continued support and co-operation it is very much appreciated.

 

Yours faithfully

Assistant Executive Director Education & Early Help

Dear Parent(s)/Carer(s),

 

Free school meal vouchers have been ordered for the period Monday 22nd February – to Friday 5th March. The voucher is for the amount of £30 ( 2 weeks ) and they are for children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. If you require any further information please email eastcroft@knowsley.gov.uk

 

Mrs Lynskey

School Business Manager

Eastcroft Park School

0151 477 8210

 

This healthy meal plan (http://bit.ly/36KdjOf)  is courtesy of Richard, the community colleague at Asda Huyton who wanted us to share their weekly meal plan with you, in the hope that it might be useful to families. 

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

You may be aware of Stagecoach recently diverting buses in the Kirkby area. This is due to recent incidents and reports of vandalism and criminal damage caused by young people/children aimed at buses.

 

The most recent incident was on Tuesday 26 January and resulted in the arrest of a 17-year-old who was also accompanied by a younger child. Prior to this, on Saturday 16 January, a brick was thrown through a bus window resulting in a mother and her young baby being showered in glass.

 

In response to these unacceptable incidents Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, Merseytravel, and Stagecoach are working together to identify those responsible. As the recent arrest demonstrates they are taking these issues seriously and will continue to work together to employ tactics to tackle the issues head on, including; police operations using both marked and unmarked police cars, Police Officers travelling on various buses, and making use of the extensive Council CCTV network across Kirkby.

 

As a Collaborative of schools we ask, do you know where your children are and what they are doing?

 

Particularly now when we are currently in a national lockdown with the advice to stay at home as much as possible, unless it is for essential reasons such as getting to and from work or school.

 

The actions of a minority has resulted in Stagecoach cancelling its services on occasions. This impacts on the wider community and those residents who are key workers and rely on public transport to get to and from work or to attend medical appointments.

 

There are a number of ways you can share information:

 

In an emergency call 999.

 

Alternatively, call 101 or report to Merseyside Police online - www.merseyside.police.uk

 

Via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.

 

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their website - https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

 

With your help we can tackle these issues together, help create better and safer communities, and we thank you for your ongoing support.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

The 14 Headteachers of the Kirkby Collaborative of Schools

 

This coming week is children's mental health week. We know that lockdown and remote learning is really tough on children and their families (it's really tough on us teachers too!). Let's get through this & look forward to a brighter future. Here are some tips to support those children struggling during lockdown.

A big well done to everybody - we have had confirmation that we raised the grand total of £218.90 for Children in Need! Well done!