“Be the reason someone smiles today”

Lots of smiles were had on the first day back at school last week! I hope you all had time to rest and enjoy some family time. It is going to be another busy term and a longer one than normal for term 4. It will be productive, action packed and filled with lots of fun activities as well as learning.

Capital Works

As you will all be able to see now, our new building has height! On a very rainy day on Wednesday, Sandra and I had the opportunity to go on to a very muddy site to stand where the new classrooms/ library /canteen, multi-media/STEM room will be. Very exciting! Although weather and supply has held up proceedings a little, the project very much remains on time.

Car Park

Thank you to everyone who continues to drive and park with care at drop off and pick up. Just a reminder that the 2 minute drop off area is for drop off and pick up only and not for parking at any time.

Communication

I would just like to acknowledge that there has been some frustration around SeeSaw lately for some parents. I would like to reassure you all that we are working on it and we will communicate any updates/changes when we have reviewed everything.

COVID update

The Victorian Government has announced the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders. The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health, will apply from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 October 2022.

It is strongly recommended that students:

who test positive to COVID-19 stay home and isolate for 5 days
should not attend school after 5 days if still symptomatic
who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school
advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result

Where students become symptomatic at school they should:

be collected by their parents/carers
undergo testing for COVID-19

Reporting positive COVID-19 test results

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, schools and household.

Parents and carers will therefore be asked to continue to report positive student COVID-19 cases using the VicED COVID Tool.

COVID-19 vaccination changes

The current mandatory vaccination requirement for staff and visitors, contractors and volunteers working in specialist schools will cease to apply from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 October. COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses, continues to be strongly recommended for all school staff.

Face masks

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.

Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19, for at least 7 days after a positive test, when they need to leave home.

As always, please reach out with any questions or queries at any time.

Warm Regards

Lindy

Monash SDS Teachers Morning Tea