Warragul Primary School Home Learning Guide
Dear Parents/Carers and Students
As you are aware the State Government has imposed a five-day hard lockdown from Friday 12 until Wednesday 17 February. All schools will return to a remote and flexible learning program.
Friday afternoon all students should have packed a learning book and their pencil case in their school bag to support their learning at home.
As per last year’s lockdowns, the school will be offering an onsite blended learning program for children of essential workers and other students who qualify for this program. You will find the information needed to register for this program on the SZAPP.
Our teachers are currently organising a range of learning activities that will be provided for your child. These activities will be emailed to the primary parent contact by 9am tomorrow. If you do not receive an email by this time or have recently changed your email address please contact the school.
Learning Program:
As a school we are well aware that the majority of parents/carers are not qualified teachers and during this period families will have both work and family responsibilities. In light of this, we have endeavoured to create a home learning program for the next two days noting that:
· learning activities can be self-directed and manageable and should not rely too heavily on parents as educators as much as possible.
· parents/carers may not be available at all times during the school day to support learning from home – many will have work, caring or other responsibilities.
· learning activities will be open-ended where possible.
· activities will be catering for families that may or may not have access to home digital devices.
Your child’s teacher will provide additional instructions in the email / class learning program.
Daily Schedule:
While we understand that our families will not be able to maintain standard school hours during this difficult period establishing a set morning routine and afternoon routine for your child’s schooling is important. We recommend that parents continue to maintain a clear learning structure for their child at home.
For example: Set a consistent hour each morning and afternoon for your child to attend to their studies. 9:00-10:00 and 2:00-3:00 may be set for daily study time. Times outside of these set hours can then be more flexible based on your daily home and work responsibilities.
Communication:
School - During the school closure, families will still be able to contact the school administration via our phone number: 5623 2460, our app (SZAPP) and the school email: warragul.ps@education.vic.gov.au during normal school hours. During remote learning school hours are 8:30am-4:00pm.
SZAPP will continue to be our main communication device for families.
Teachers - To support our families with home learning you will be able to email your child’s teacher directly. Teachers will be emailing families with your child’s learning program.
Parents/carers/students may contact the class teacher for support in relation to the home learning program. Teachers will endeavour to reply to emails within the next school day.
Please note that we ask parents to only utilise teacher email addresses during a remote learning period.
Duration of School Closure:
Currently, we are expecting students to return to normal onsite schooling this Thursday 18 February.
In the event of a prolonged school closure, the DET will provide direction and advice to schools and families. Teachers will plan, prepare and deliver additional learning activities to families based on this communication.
Google Classroom – In the previous remote learning period all students utilized Google Classroom to complete their home learning tasks. The school and teachers are currently in the process of setting up Google Classroom for their new classes including the creation of student logins for all of our new students.
If the remote learning program is extended by the state government families will be provided with information about accessing Google Classroom including the individual login details for their child.
Digital Devices:
If the school remote learning period is extended and we move to learning in Google Classroom families who require a digital device for their child(ren) will be provided with information to apply for and access a school loaned device.
Home Learning Site
The school is currently updating our Home Learning Site in preparation for any extensions to the current three day remote learning period. When updated the site will provide parents with the following information:
· Copies of all parent information letters/packs relating to remote learning.
· Google Classroom guides and support documents.
· Parent information specific to your child’s year level/class.
· Educational and support links to school and DET resources.
The link to our Home Learning site will be provided to families upon its completion.
Thank you for your understanding. The staff at Warragul Primary School will be supporting our students and families to the best of our ability during this difficult period. If you have any questions please contact the school.
Scott Clode
Principal