Great Ryrie Grapevine

Returning to School

To Dear Parents and Guardians

With the staggered return to school we are making significant changes based on the advice from the Department of Education, and we hope that you understand that we have some new challenges to face as we transition back to school. 

 

Currently the risk of COVID-19 being introduced to the school environment is from adults, so we must work together collaboratively to ensure that we are social distancing. The Department of Education insists that entry to the school grounds is limited to the staff and students until further notice. We are asking our parents and carers to help avoid or minimise time in or around the school grounds. We know some families will need to plan for and adapt to altered arrangements to arrive at specified times and we are thankful for your support.  While it may seem a little complicated or difficult, the intention is to keep our children, staff and families safe and feel confident about being at school and understanding the arrival/departure arrangements that have been put in place. 

 

The school-wide procedures we are implementing are to reduce the number of adults congregating around the school especially during peak times such as drop-off and pick-up.  These plans meet health advice guidelines and ensure community confidence and safety. Staff will be waiting at the gates to welcome the children so we ask parents not to enter the grounds. You may need to park in the neighbouring streets and walk to the nearest school gate with your children ready to enter at the designated time. We request that where possible, families walk, scoot or ride together. 

 

Additional health and safety measures will be put in place to reduce risks. Staff are practising social distancing, additional signage will be erected and extended and increased cleaning arrangements have been introduced and will continue. Progressive cleaning will continue to occur throughout the day to ensure that risks of transmission are reduced for high-touch services.  Regular hand washing and/or sanitising will be insisted upon by all teachers regularly throughout the day. There have been soap dispensers installed in every classroom over the break. All children should bring their own water bottle for use at school as students should not drink directly from drinking fountains at this time. 

 

For some children returning to school will be a little daunting and for others it will be an exciting time. Please listen to your child’s feelings about returning.  If your child is hesitant please reassure them that their teacher is looking forward immensely, to seeing them again and that other children may also be feeling a little nervous.  For many, this is a perfectly normal feeling and after the first day it becomes easier. Teachers will be welcoming and supportive returning to normal routines, acknowledging the situation and providing safe spaces for children to raise their concerns and feelings.

 

We value our parent community and the strong partnerships that we have formed over the years. Our open door policy will feel like it has been slammed shut, but I assure you it is to keep our community as safe as possible. Teachers are only an email, phone call or zoom call away. We ask you to be patient as we do all we can to give our students the very best chance of returning to teaching and learning at school. As always, we prioritise individual health and well-being above all else.

If you require additional support, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

We look forward to the day when we can welcome all of our community back to school. 

 

Yours Sincerely 

 

Karen Rouda 

Great Ryrie  Primary School is following the advice from the Department of Education and Training including, Health and safety advice for return to onsite learning in the context of COVID-19 which can be found on the Department’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) website.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer has stated that the main risk of introducing coronavirus (COVID-19) to the school environment is from adults, as such close proximity between adult members of the school community should be avoided. 

Non-essential adults will not be allowed beyond the internal gates or school foyer without Principal permission or under the supervision of the Administration team.

Key dates:

  • Remote learning will continue for Year F – 2 students up to and including 22nd May.
  • There is a State-wide Curriculum Day on 25th May. Students requiring care and supervision are able to seek care through Camp Australia operating in the Brian Allen Hall. This includes Essential Care workers as the On-site program will not be available.
  • Year F-2 students are scheduled to resume on-site learning on May 26th.
  • Remote learning will continue for Year 3 - 6 students up to and including June 5th.
  • Year 3-6 students are scheduled to resume on-site learning on June 9th.
  • During the period prior to the above dates, on site remote learning is available to students of essential care workers. If you require support please email Karen Rouda to discuss your options.
  • Due to the staggered times there will be changes to the whole school timetable with 45 minute specialist sessions and breaks. The specialist sessions will continue to be on one day for the rest of Term 2.

What times do I arrive and leave?

Staggered Drop off and Pick up times according to Surnames. 

Surnames starting with A-K

Drop off A-K: 8:50 am

Pick-up: 3:10 pm

Surnames beginning with L-Z

Drop off L-Z: 9:10 am 

Pick-up: 3:30 pm

  • The classrooms will be open from 8:45am to enable children to go immediately inside and unpack ready for the day. There will be no additional teachers in the yard with teachers at the gates assisting parents with drop-offs and pick-ups. Strictly no one allowed on the grounds until 8.45am.
  • Children in before and after care are exempt from these staggered times and will attend class from 8:45-3:30
  • Staff Toilets are not accessible to the public. 

Important Information 

Which Gates do I use?

Parents can use a gate of their choice that works for their drop-off and pick-up plan at the nominated times based on surnames. Students need to be dropped at the gates as close to 8:50 am and 9.10 am as possible. 

We have named the gates for easy identification

Gate A: Foundation/Rm 15 &16

 

Gate B: Office

 

Gate C: Oval gate (close to crossing)

 

Gate D: Back Gate Kitson Str

 

The Bottom Car Park will be used as drop off zone in the morning and normal parking will resume in the afternoon (extra bays will be designated for families with a disability parking permit). 

  1. In the morning, children will be required to have bags ready to disembark from the car on the footpath side when instructed by the supervising teacher.
  2. There will be no time to retrieve bags from the boot and parents are asked to stay in the car to ensure the flow of the traffic.
  3. Only a left hand turn will be permitted from the carpark.
  4. Please adhere to dismissal times and do not park early in the carpark especially if you are in the second pick-up group.
  • Entry through the front office doors is not an option. Corridors will be closed and all children will be entering and exiting through the external classroom doors.
  • The staff carpark will not be used for a drop off or parent parking. 

What are the options for entering and exiting the school grounds?

  1. Students who can enter the school without adult support are requested to do so at the nominated times, according to their surnames at a gate of their choice. This includes the children that walk to school with friends or siblings.
  2. Students who can exit the school without adult support will be dismissed at their nominated times according to their surname. These students will then follow their family’s exit arrangements. This may include heading to a meeting point along Great Ryrie Street and surrounding streets or walking home with siblings and friends. The 3:10 pm children will be released at 3:05pm if they need to pick up their younger siblings to enable family groups to be dismissed together.
  3. Students who require adult support will be dropped at a gate of choice at the nominated time according to their family surname. There will be teachers on duty at each gate to assist children and families. Parents, we ask that you adhere to the social distancing guidelines whilst waiting.
  4. Students who require adult support to exit the school will exit via a gate of choice at the nominated time according to their family surname. There will be teachers on duty to assist children and families. It is very important that parents plan an exit gate with their children. eg. I will meet you at the back gate.

If possible try to enter and exit at the same gate to alleviate anxiety. We ask that you follow the social distancing guidelines whilst waiting.