17th April, 2020.
Dear Parent or Carer, I sincerely hope that you and your family are well and that you are coping with the new reality of life at the moment. I also hope that over Easter you were able to spend time together and mark this important time of renewal and hope.
I know that many of you are working on the frontline of the COVID-19 response and that this is more intense and demanding than ever. As a school community we are deeply appreciative and admiring of your commitment and your dedication. I also know from speaking to some of you that many families in our school community have been touched by Coronavirus and that, sadly, some have lost loved ones. I extend the prayers and love of the whole school to you that you may find comfort in your grief and loss. Whatever your experience of recent weeks we stand with you all and your families to provide support, a listening ear and any help that we can. A new term starts (sort of) On Monday, April 20th pupils and staff make a virtual ‘return to school’. I’d love to be saying that we can’t wait to see the pupils on Monday, but unfortunately this cannot happen. We remain open to children of key workers for whom there is no safe alternative and to vulnerable pupils; children should remain at home unless there is absolutely no other option. From Monday our online learning will resume, although we have plans for addressing quickly some of the issues that have caused problems for some families. That said I think all parents and carers deserve a big ‘well done!’ for doing their best with online learning, with juggling the various platforms and websites and with having a go at what must seem to many of you like very tricky work indeed. Our pupils also deserve a pat on the back for doing their best as well - we’re missing you all and really enjoy the contact that we have with you online or by phone. The priority for everyone at the moment is remaining safe and well by following the guidance on social distancing and isolation. Education and learning are important but the health of you and your families is of greater concern. Please remember that you can only do your best with the online learning - we are all just finding our way through this. I hope that the additional support we are providing in the coming weeks will iron out any problems. Helping Other Families One of the best things we can do at the moment is help one another out. I know that some families have benefited greatly from spending extra time together without some of the pressures of normal life. For other families this is not the case at all and the last few weeks have been more stressful and difficult. We don’t want anyone to suffer alone or feel that they cannot get help. If you are aware of another family in the school who could do with additional help in any way please let us know and we will provide whatever we can. Similarly, if you have any spare resources such as books, craft materials or the like that other families could use for home learning activities then please get in touch and we will make them available to families who need them.
Free School Meals The national voucher system has been in place for the past two weeks, although there have been some problems with it. We have sought to deal with these during the holidays on a case-by-case basis, including by hand delivering vouchers and re-issuing them if necessary. Today (Friday, April 17th) we have sent you another email with a weeks-worth of vouchers for every child. Please do continue to contact us if there are any problems with the vouchers.
Year 11 and Year 13 Exam Outcomes Before the Easter holiday we wrote to all pupils in these year groups and to parents and carers to provide details of how grades are being calculated this year. It was also announced this week that the dates of the results days in August would remain the same: August 13th and August 20th. Please do not contact staff to discuss your child’s predicted grades. They cannot talk about this with you in order to ensure security and confidentiality. However, we do understand that there will be anxiety around these grades and would encourage you to view the information about the process on the Ofqual website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-seeks-views-on-gcse-and-alevel-grading-proposals-for-2020. On this page you will also find a consultation on the process to which you may wish to contribute. Free Counselling and support The third and fourth pages of this letter contain details of support services that you and your child can access to help with their wellbeing. Please take advantage of these and remember that we are here to provide support as well. I have also included the latest health advice for parents and carers. Next week we will issue our usual newsletter (contributions are welcomed) and this will contain more information about the way grades will be calculated, supporting wellbeing and more as well as showcasing some of the great things that our pupils are doing. I know that in the media there is a great deal of unhelpful and ill-informed speculation about when schools will re-open to all pupils. At present there is no national date for this and no plan that we are aware of - it is certainly not imminent. It is very clear that the only meaningful priority is tackling Coronavirus and treating those who have the illness. Please be reassured that regardless of any other factors we will not re-open our school to all unless we believe it to be safe for pupils and staff, practical to do so and in the best interests of everyone. There will also be plenty of notice given of any re-opening and it will be done in a planned way.
I look forward to speaking to you in the coming weeks and, as ever, am here should you wish to contact me for support or assistance. My best wishes to you and your family: stay safe and well. God bless,
Ben Davis Headteacher
Shout: confidential 24/7 text service launched across Greater Manchester
New support being offered by SHOUT service - a confidential 24/7 text service operated by trained crisis volunteers who will chat using text responses. Advice is available for anyone struggling with a host of issues, including: anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues. The service is overseen by clinical supervisors.
The newly launched confidential SHOUT text service can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, simply by texting GMSalford to 85258
For more information you can visit: https://hub.gmhsc.org.uk/mental-health/shout-24-7-textmessaging-service-to-support-those-in-crisis/
You can see more about the digital support as it becomes available via GM through the following link: https://hub.gmhsc.org.uk/mental-health/digital-mental-health-resources/
SilverCloud Launched in GM
SilverCloud offers online programmes for adults (aged 16 years+) to help ease your levels of stress, sleep better or to build resilience.
The programmes are designed to help you improve and maintain your wellbeing by addressing underlying issues that can have a negative impact on how you would like to live your life and includes:
• Space from COVID-19
• Space for stress
• Space for Mindfulness
• Space for resilience
• Space for sleep
To access the self-help support: https://GM.silvercloudhealth.com/signup
Advice for parents during coronavirus Whilst coronavirus is infectious to children it is rarely serious. If your child is unwell it is likely to be a non-coronavirus illness, rather than coronavirus itself. Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice to stay at home during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured. Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done. Here is some advice to help: If your child has any of the following: • Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to the touch • Has pauses in their breathing (apnoeas), has an irregular breathing pattern or starts grunting
You need urgent help: Go to the nearest A&E department or phone 999
• Severe difficulty in breathing becoming agitated or unresponsive • Is going blue round the lips • Has a fit/seizure • Becomes extremely distressed (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused, very lethargic (difficult to wake) or unresponsive • Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass test’) • Has testicular pain, especially in teenage boys
If your child has any of the following: • Is finding it hard to breathe including drawing in of the muscles below their lower ribs, at their neck or between their ribs (recession) or head bobbing • Seems dehydrated (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, drowsy or passing less urine than usual) • Is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) - especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down • Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain • Babies under 3 months of age with a temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F • Infants 3-6 months of age with a temperature above 39°C / 102.2°F • For all infants and children with a fever above 38°C for more than 5 days.
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today. Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111 The NHS is working for you. However, we recognise during the current coronavirus crisis at peak times, access to a health care professional may be delayed. If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a GP or 111, then take your child to the nearest A&E
• Is getting worse or if you are worried • Has persistent vomiting and/or persistent severe abdominal pain • Has blood in their poo or wee • Any limb injury causing reduced movement, persistent pain or head injury causing persistent crying or drowsiness
If none of the above features are present • You can continue to provide your child care at home. Information is also available on NHS Choices • Additional advice is available to families for coping with crying of well babies
Self care Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 - dial 111
• Additional advice is available for children with complex health needs and disabilities.
Published 2020 The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is a registered charity in England and Wales (1057744)and in Scotland (SCO38299).
RCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
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