Important Information for Parents

Our first newsletter edition of the year is always full of important information and reminders for parents. Please spend a few minutes reading this page to be up to date.

Forms for Completion and Return

To ensure we have up to date enrolment and emergency contact information, a variety of forms have been sent home to parents if they are applicable to your child/children, for completion and return. Please read below for an explanation of the contents you may find in your envelope being sent home this week.

Current Emergency Contact Details

Please check all student information, clearly highlight any changes on the paperwork and return to school.

Confidential Student Medical Forms

The pink form is updated each year for the purpose of a teacher excursion register and to note if any changes have been made to your child's emergency and medical details. One completed form is required for each student. N.B. Most Prep students have already completed one for this year.

General Permissions Form

This form includes a number of permissions, in particular an online posting authority. Consent is required from parents to use photographs, video or recordings of students within school communications such as the newsletter or social media.

Statements and Receipts

Thank you to all families who have paid in full for book packs, essential learning items and voluntary payments. For all payments received, please find a receipt enclosed. A statement has been enclosed detailing any outstanding items together with your unique BPay reference. Families are welcome to pay by installments. Please contact the office should this be your preference.

Please return all paperwork promptly.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

The CSEF will be provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card you may be eligible for CSEF. Contact the school office to obtain an application form. For further information please see the attached flier or visit:

www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

Medical Forms

For parents who indicated that their child suffers from asthma, anaphylaxis or epilepsy, it is a Department requirement that the appropriate plan is signed off by your child’s doctor and returned to school. Completed forms are required before your child can attend OSHC. Parents should notify the school immediately if there are any changes to the plan. Students are required to have their own asthma medication and spacer. We are not allowed to disinfect and reuse the spacers. We do have disposable spacers on hand, but parents will be invoiced to reimburse the school for the $8.00 cost.

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction when a person is exposed to an allergen. The most common allergens in school-aged children are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, so, certain insect stings and medication. The key to prevention of anaphylaxis is avoidance of any know triggers.

We currently do not have any students at risk of anaphylaxis.

Medication

At times children attending school need medication to control any illnesses.

Parents are required to complete the appropriate medication permission form (available at the office) noting the dose and time the medicine is to be given. The medication should be clearly marked with the student’s name and parents are requested to discuss the matter with the child’s teacher.

Under no circumstances, are children permitted to have medication at school without the teacher’s knowledge.

Library Books

If any school or classroom books were found at home over the school holiday break, could they please be returned to school as soon as possible.

Book Club

Scholastic Book Club operates eight times a year and is very easy to use.

LOOP is the NEW Scholastic Book Clubs Linked Online Ordering and Payment platform for Parents.

Log-in to https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx

How to order

Click on ORDER in the top menu or REGISTER first to save your details for the first time. Select Teesdale PS and your child’s class. Add your child’s name and last initial. Enter the item number from the brochure.

You can order for multiple children at once. All orders are linked directly to the school. Books will be distributed through your child’s classroom.

If parents wish to collect them personally from the office, please let the school know.

Our school receives bonus points, which are redeemed for a variety of books for the children.

Last year through “Book Club” we received over $2500.00 worth of books and resources for our school and we thank you for your continued support.

Scholastic Book Club brochures will be sent home this week. The deadline for Book Club orders on the LOOP is Monday 17th February.

Visitors and Parent Helpers

All visitors, parents and friends are asked to please report to the office before visiting any classroom or school grounds. We do request this measure most politely but always, as I’m sure you would understand, there are security risks of people on or near the school grounds. We also try not to disrupt class time programs and activities and for this reason, we politely request that you wait for your child outside the school buildings at home time.

Visitors and voluntary helpers are requested to sign in and out of the register at the front office, as a security and safety requirement. A current Working with Children card is required which is free for volunteers. To apply go to: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Further information will be made available regarding Parent Helper Information Sessions at a later date.

Absences

Parents are reminded that an absence notification is required for all student absences by 11am on the day. The most efficient way to advise an absence is via the Sentral Parent Portal where you can send an email directly to your child's teacher. For all new families, a letter was sent home last week with your log on details to access Sentral.

Click here to go to the Parent Portal

Alternatively, please phone the school or complete an absence note available at the office.

Parents collecting children early or arriving late, please remember to call past the office to sign the Early Departure/Late Arrival Register.

Parking

The parking outside the school is very hectic at 8:45 a.m. and especially at 3:15 p.m. We understand that car parking is extremely limited and we ask parents to be diligent and patient.

Please do not back out against the traffic, or complete U-turns in our neighbouring driveways. Children are to remain inside the school gate until their parent has arrived to collect them.

Staff are on duty 15 minutes before and after school to supervise students. Remember that our OSHC program is available, so please book children in if you are going to be later than 3:30 p.m.

The west side of Sutherland Street outside the school office is a NO STANDING ZONE at these times and parents should not park in this area.

It is very dangerous to park there, as cars back out into the zone and children are not permitted to cross over the busy road.

Please be aware of the “4 hour parking limit during school days” and the CFA “no parking signs” near the fire equipment.

DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD CROSS THE ROAD UNSUPERVISED. PLEASE PARK YOUR VEHICLE AND MEET YOUR CHILD AT THE SCHOOL GATE.

PLEASE DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE STAFF CARPARK AND STAY ON THE WALKING PATHS.

SCHOOL ZONE 40km SPEED LIMITS APPLY

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Remember the priority to student’s safety is of paramount importance.

Riding Bikes

Students in junior grades are not encouraged to ride their bikes to school without adult supervision. Please ensure all students and their parents wear the appropriate helmet protection when riding bikes, scooters and skateboards to school.

For safety reasons, students must not ride in the school grounds. Please dismount to walk bikes to the bike shelter.

Timetable for 2020

Our daily school timetable is as follows:

Students may arrive from: 8:45 a.m.

School Commences: 9:00 a.m.

Morning Tea in Classroom 11:00 a.m.

Morning Recess Start: 11:05 a.m.

Morning Recess Finish: 11:30 p.m.

Lunch in Classroom 1:30 p.m.

Lunch Play Commences: 1:45 p.m.

Lunch Play Finishes: 2:15 p.m.

School Finishes: 3:15 p.m.

Children are not required at school before 8:45 a.m. Students are not permitted in classrooms until teachers are on duty.

Medical Alert - Head Lice

Please note we have had a reported case of head lice at school. Please check your children’s hair and take the necessary steps to treat them if required.

Student Celebrations

Happy Birthday to our students celebrating in the school holidays

February birthdays!