Week 1 NEWSLETTER

Our Vision: Together we Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future

The start back has seen the Nurture part of the Vision kicking into action with students and teachers building those learning-focussed relationships that are the key to success at school. We take the time at this stage of every year to get to know children...their interests, their passions, about their whānau…what makes them who they are. Students are also building relationships with new classmates, making new friendships and reconnecting with olds friends. Relationship building is a massive part of school life…”no significant learning can occur without a significant relationship” and at DPS right now that Nurturing of relationships is in full swing.

COVID-19 Information

We’ve communicated a bit now around how DPS will operate under the ‘Red’ setting of the COVID Protection Framework. The main changes are:

• Year 4 - 6 children are wearing masks while inside, or in close contact outside

• Staff are wearing masks, except in Year 1 - 3 while they teach. All staff are fully vaccinated.

• Teaching teams are now bubbles. Staggered break times, assigned play areas, and staff not crossing bubbles…all done to maintain the integrity of the bubble

• Parents are now required to drop off children outside our gates, the exception being for new students/Rimu team parents. All parents and visitors to school are required to wear a mask

• Staggered exit times: Each team has a separate exit time, and gate to exit. Parents are to wait outside the gates and we will bring the students out.

The operational changes we have made are in line with the latest guidance from the Ministries of Education & Health, and are designed to both keep the school functioning when cases in the community start to climb and provide a safe place to be. Like the cheese model shows…each action is an additional layer of protection for us, the children and our community

The things we have in place may seem a bit ‘over the top’ at the moment when we have no cases around us…but in 6 months time I’d rather my community say ‘I told you so’, rather than say to me…’why didn’t you do more’???

Some measures we are currently working on:

• We will be sending home the contact information we have for each whānau. Can you please make changes, sign it off and send it back to school. Having up to date information is critical

• The same notice will also be asking your ability to run online ‘learning from home’ programs if your family has to isolate, or if parts of the school are closed due to Omicron. Essentially…does your family have internet access, and a device that could be used.

• We are currently putting together hard copy packs for each student in the school and these will be sent home early next week. The idea is for you to keep these safe and to use them when the time comes that you need them (as above…if you need to self-isolate, or if Omicron affects our ability to keep the school open).

It is a tricky time that we are navigating and as Omicron becomes more prevalent in the community, our plans will adjust, change and keep pace with the reality of the moment.

COVID: Care in the community

Omicron arriving in our communities will be tough for many families across New Zealand.

If families do need to isolate, most people will be able to look after themselves with help from friends and whānau. However, some people may need help with things like food and groceries.

Families self-isolating who need extra support can call the COVID Welfare Phone Line on 0800 512 337, it’s open seven days a week. MSD will connect callers with someone – they may be from a local community organisation, a government agency or marae-based services or support that iwi have established.

Further information can be found below

• Isolation and care

• Getting extra support if you have COVID-19 or are self-isolating

DPS Uniform

Douglas Park School does have a uniform that the parent community wanted, pushed for and voted in some years ago. We do have a uniform policy in place and expect children to be in the correct uniform while at school.

We are having a push on the correct DPS Hat being worn at the moment. We noticed in Term 4 a significant part of the school not adhering to this part of the uniform, and after some investigating, found that some children were choosing to wear a different non-uniform hat even if they actually owned the correct one. As of next week we expect children to be in the correct uniform hat. We have some well named, brand new spares that we will give to children who do not have the correct hat so they can still be outside with their class (mask breaks, PE, class games etc). During play times if children do not have the right hat, they will be outside on the deck to play in the shade.

Please use the following link to register for sports this term.

All pupils playing sport for DPS must wear the correct DPS sports uniform, this is available from the NZ Uniform shop or some may be available at our 2nd hand uniform shop at DPS.

Under the Red Traffic Light, there will be no practices. There will likely be other restrictions, such as no or limited spectators, mask wearing, social distancing etc.

Please note:

Kiwi Volley and Kiwi Hoops are managed by YMCA. Sign up here.

Int Softball and touch have been cancelled this term.

We ask that you think very carefully before you commit your child to a team. It is not fair to the team, coach and opposition if players are continually late to games or do not turn up.

Please complete the form by 3pm Tuesday 15th February. Fees are to be paid to the office by Friday 25th February.

Email with any questions/issues - hayleysinton@douglaspark.school.nz