SCHOOL COUNCIL 2020 - 2021

Following on from the success of School Council in previous years, eight children from P4-P7 have been chosen to serve on School Council for 2020- 2021. All children who were interested in becoming a school Councillor, wrote a manifesto giving reasons why they should be chosen to be on the School Council.  There was then a class vote, and the following children were elected:- Beth P4, Mark P4, Anna P5, Dan P5, Flora P6, Kirsty P6, Susanna P7 and Lucy S P7. They are now looking forward to working alongside the teachers, to try to implement some of the changes that pupils have suggested, to make our school a better place

LUNCHTIME PRAYER

We had our annual competition to write a lunchtime prayer. This prayer will be said by everyone before eating lunch and dinner every day throughout the year. We had some really good prayers and eight winners were chosen. Congratulations to Oliver whose prayer was chosen as the overall winning prayer. It is good to thank God for all the good things He has given us.

Healthy Happy Kids

The Public Health Agency, in partnership with Health & Social Care Trust dietetic teams, are running webinars on healthy lunchbox and snack ideas, which parents may find useful. The next dates are Friday 11th September at 12noon and Thursday 17th September at 6pm. For further details click here and joining instructions please check the PHA social media channels.

The ‘For Parents’, ‘Other’, section of our website has also been updated with three documents on healthy lunch boxes, healthy breaks and healthy food choices.

FIRST P1 CLASS PHOTO

It is lovely to have all the P1s in school this week. This is their first group photo.

WELCOME TO P1

The first full week for our new P1s is over and they have all settled in so well. They have enjoyed meeting their friends from playgroup and making new friends with the P2 children. They have also enjoyed playing in the playroom.

Updated Information Re Childhood Illnesses

The following information was shared by the Department of Education today.

We are learning more about COVID-19 every day.  As a result the Department of Education’s advice and guidance to the education system may need to change from time to time as the pandemic develops.  Our guidance will continue to reflect the prevailing public health position and up to date scientific advice from the Department of Health and Public Health Agency.

Symptoms and Testing

In recent days the Public Health Agency has seen a significant increase in individuals requesting a COVID-19 test where they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. 

Testing is only available for individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been advised by the Public Health Agency Contact Tracing Service to have a test. 

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

�.      A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual); or

�.      A high temperature/fever – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature); or

�.      A loss of or change in sense of smell or taste. 

If an individual does not have these specific symptoms, they do not require a test. 

At this time of year, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate.  In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education.  In other cases, for instance where they have quite a heavy cold, they may need to take a day or two off to recover. 

If a pupil or staff member does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, they do not need to be tested and do not need to self-isolate.  The individual can attend school if fit to do so. 

Additionally, where a pupil displays gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, they should not attend school until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.  In these instances they should follow the school’s usual attendance policy in respect of these symptoms.

Where an individual has COVID-19 symptoms and they refuse to book a test, they should not return to school for 14 days. 

NSPCC PANTS Resources

This term, we will be discussing the NSPCC’s PANTS rules. These are designed to teach pupils how to stay safe from sexual abuse, without giving explicit information or telling scary stories or even using the term “sexual abuse”.

In the lesson, children will learn about the ‘PANTS’ acrostic, which stands for: • Privates are private. • Always remember your body belongs to you. • No means no • Talk about secrets that upset you • Speak up, someone can help. The lesson will be fully age-appropriate. More information about talking PANTS can be found here .

Travelling to and from Rasharkin PS Survey

As part of our plans to safely get children back to school we have been asked to consider staggered drop off and pick up times to limit interactions and congestion at the school gates. To help us in this, please complete the very short (4 questions) survey here. We realise that some days a different arrangement may need to apply, but please choose the option that best represents your household’s preferred pattern on most days.

If there is adequate spread over the time slots given as a result of parental choice we will not need to arbitrarily assign time slots for families, e.g. alphabetically by surname.

Please complete the survey by 9pm on Monday, 17th August. Any families who have not completed the survey will then be assigned a slot. We apologise for the tight timeframe.

We will be in contact after the survey has closed to share the results of the survey and confirm arrangements. If possible we will try to accommodate the preferences indicated in the survey.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

Two documents from the Department of Education regarding Restarting School have been added to our website’s Covid-19 section, under ‘Other Information’.

Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance

Current Eligible Families

Parents/guardians who are currently in receipt of support for the 2019/20 school year will receive a pre-populated application form from EA, which they are required to complete and return as soon as possible to help avoid any delays. Forms to begin arriving week commencing 6 July 2020.

New Applicants

This year we have also introduced a new online application form for new applicants. Parents/guardians will be required to complete the form and upload supporting documentation to verify they are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits. Both the paper based form and online form are accessible from the EA website.

Applicants can also request an application form from the Meals and Uniform Section (contact details below).

Further information including eligibility criteria for the 2020-21 school year can be accessed here.

Access to Digital AR Books

I understand that many of you are looking for reading material for children over the summer.. We have registered with the providers of AR to provide access to digital books, and daily news articles over the summer period. Even if you haven’t chosen to have an AR target set for the summer, a little reading, e.g. the daily news articles, is so beneficial for children.

MyON login details are below (everyone uses the same details):

Student login:

Go to myon.co.uk and enter your login information:

  1.          a. School Name: Rasharkin Primary School
             (type the first few letters of your school and select from the drop-down menu)
             b. Username: rasharkin073student
             c. Password: read

  2. Click on the Sign In button, select a book, and start reading!

Covid-19 Wellbeing Hub

COVID Well-Being NI is an online hub developed by the PHA and partners to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of people across Northern Ireland during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.  It includes information, self-help guides and support, and aims to help people take steps to look after their mental health and reach out for help and support when needed.

Click on the link below to access the HUB.

https://covidwellbeingni.info/

Road Safety Week 4

Dear Parent,

During the month of June, we have been issuing a weekly task designed for you to work alongside and complete with your child/children in relation to a key road safety issue.  So far we have covered child cycle safety (helmets), passenger safety (seat belts & child car seats) and pedestrian safety (Stop-Look-Listen / Green Cross Code).  

Road Safety Education - Week 4

This week we are simply asking you to be aware of road safety issues concerning your child over the summer holidays and talk to them about their road safety and general safety.

It is very important that children are safe while out and about or playing during the summer months. Please take the opportunity of considering:

 

- where they are allowed to go and with whom

- unsafe places to play – footpath, road, railway tracks, rivers and other water courses;

- safer places to play – house, garden, play park or playground, park, beach (under supervision)

- if they live on a farm or are visiting relatives who own a farm – be especially aware of their proximity to machinery and vehicles, animals, slurry pits, round bales

In addition, there is a brand new activity book designed with topical themes associated with road safety that will hopefully act as an educational tool in the home over the months of July and August.  There is an activity book for those aged 4-7 years and one for those aged 8-11 years.

Have a good summer but remember your road safety!

Farm Safety Competition- Reminder

Unfortunately the summer months can be a time when a lot of accidents happen to children on farms.  The competition will be running each week during the summer months and we would really appreciate if you would send a reminder to your pupils before you break for the summer holidays to continue to enter the competition each week for a chance to win a £30 gift card and for their winning poster to be hopefully printed in the 2021 Farm Safety Calendar. Details can be found here, including terms and conditions.

Virtual Summer Sports Camps

We have been asked to highlight the following, by John Fall.

Council's Sports Developments Virtual Summer Sports Camps in July for Football, Hockey, Cricket, Table Tennis and Kids Keep Fit  - we're hoping by August we'll be allowed to offer normal multi sports camps outdoors for the young people.

Here's the link with information to our Virtual Summer Sports Camps.

https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/news/return-to-sport-with-free-virtual-sports-camps-for-young-people

Road Safety Education Week 3

Road Safety Education - Week 3 Task (Child Passenger Safety)

This week the focus is on passenger safety and you can conduct this task without even starting the car!  There is also a follow up activity supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ (FS/ KS1 tasks and KS2 tasks) which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish.  However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.

1.       First thing is first – check the height of your child.  The law states that all children up to 135cm (approximately 4ft 5in) in height AND under 12 years of age, must use a suitable child restraint – that is, one that is suitable for your child’s height or weight.

2.       Next, look for a sticker or label on the child car seats that are used for each child and it will show which of the two European standards for child restraint systems it has been manufactured to - Regulation 44 and Regulation 129 (or i-Size).  Seats manufactured to either standard will have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle - as shown in the picture:

-          Regulation 44 child car seats are based on weight with an age recommendation.

-          Regulation 129 (or i-Size) child car seats are based on height/ length and have a maximum weight (the label will tell you the weight or maximum height/length the child car seat is designed for).

3.      Assuming the child car seat is still appropriate for the child it is being used for (given the above), now it’s time to check the seat is being used properly.  Every year too many children are killed or seriously injured – often because they are not properly restrained when travelling in a car. So make sure you understand the law and give your child the best possible protection.  Many seat experts believe that it's better and safer to keep your child in the lowest group seat for as long as possible. This means staying in their current stage seat until the maximum weight or height limit is reached.  Because children grow and develop at different rates it is important to keep a watch on your child’s height and weight to make sure that they don’t move up a stage too early or too late. You must only use a child restraint if your car’s seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the child restraint is:

-          specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt only;

-          fitted using ISOFIX anchor points.

Checklist

  • follow the manufacturer's instructions (refer to the diagrams on the side of the seat or better still using the instruction manual provided at the time of purchase);

  • where using an adult belt to secure the restraint - make sure it passes through all the right slots;

  • make sure that the child restraint is tight in the adult seat;

  • make certain that the adult seat belt buckle is not bent over or resting on the child restraint frame;

  • never fit a rear-facing restraint with an active airbag in front of it;

  • check the vehicle handbook and follow the advice about children and airbags - where fitted;

  • deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing (baby) restraint in a front seat;

  • never modify the restraint or adult seat belt to make it fit;

  • never fit a child restraint in side-facing seats;

  • where the seat belt is being used to restrain the child (booster seats/booster cushions), ensure the diagonal belt is not resting on the child’s throat (there may be an adjuster so that the seat belt rests on the shoulder)

Some general safety points:

  • every trip - allow time to get the child comfortably strapped in;

  • where possible, ensure children sit in the back seat;

  • make sure everyone is in their seat and properly restrained (that includes adults!) before moving off;

  • remind children not to distract the driver by shouting or fighting (!) during the journey;

  • assist young children to get out of the car;

  • insist on children exiting car on the pavement (or grass verge).  If they are not sitting at that side, they could move across the back seat when the vehicle stops;

For further information on seat belts and child car seats (restraints): https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/child-car-seats-restraints-and-seatbelts

 

For information from manufacturers and retailers on whether a particular child car seat will fit in your vehicle and how you should install it: https://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/child-car-seat-fitting-and-compatibility/

 

To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars

 

Remember – seat belts (and child car restraints) save lives!

 

 

NI Water Information and Competition

As you will have noticed the weather has been very dry with not much rain for some time now- great for outdoor learning but unfortunately this has placed increased pressure on the levels of our reservoirs and our water supplies. We are asking for the public’s help to reduce the amount of water we waste everyday as all the little things can make a huge difference and we would love you to share some of the tips and freebies with your pupils at home.

 

1)      Simply turning off the tap when brushing your teeth can save 24 litres a day and we have free 2 minute toothy timers available by visiting  https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products to help keep smiles bright and reduce water waste. 

2)      Watering the plants is important in dry weather but by mixing gel crystals in with the compost in pots and hanging baskets we can reduce the amount of water needed to keep them growing. To get you free pack of gel crystals visit https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products

3)      Lower your litres and take the 4 minute shower challenge with a free shower timer from https://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/northernireland/free-water-saving-products

4)      Make your own mini waterbutt at home to collect rainwater for watering the plants in the garden. Share your creations with us to win 1 of 10  large waterbutts for your school. Send us your mini waterbutt pictures to education@niwater.comby  Friday 26th June to be in with a chance of this great prize. 

 

Road Safety Education Week 2

Road Safety Education - Week 2 Task (Pedestrian Safety 4-7 year olds)

 

This week the focus is on pedestrian safety and you can conduct this whilst out on your daily exercise or visit to the shops.  There are also 2 follow up activities (see attached) supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish.  However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.

 

The task concentrates on safe pedestrian practice and we hope that it will help your child develop positive habits as they learn from doing and following your example.   Please talk to your child/children about and practise the following safe pedestrian habits: 

 

·         Holding hands with an adult or holding on to a buggy (shopping trolley if in a supermarket carpark);

·         Walking on the footpath (on the inside of the footpath with the adult closest to the roadside);

·         The simple message of STOP, LOOK and LISTEN:

o   STOP behind the kerb;

o   LOOK and LISTEN for traffic before crossing the road;

o   LOOK and LISTEN for traffic while you cross the road.

 

If practical, walk the normal route to/from school and decide upon the safest places to cross the road.  Then, when school resumes, use this route each time you walk your child to/from school.  Focus on: 

·         Use of any pedestrian crossings in place (including where the Crossing Patrol normally stands);

·         Good sight lines in any direction that traffic may come from; 

·         Any potential dangers along the route (e.g. cars reversing out of driveways, road works);

 

A new booklet has been developed for parents of 0-7 year olds: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/parents-guide-road-safety-0-7-years

For further information on pedestrian safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/be-safe-pedestrian

To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars

 

Enjoy going for walks with your child and remember - STOP, LOOK and LISTEN!

 

 

Road Safety Education - Week 2 Task (Pedestrian Safety 8-11 year olds)

 

This week the focus is on pedestrian safety and you can conduct this whilst out on your daily exercise or visit to the shops.  There are also 2 follow up activities (see attached) supplied by Department for Infrastructure ‘Safe and Accessible Travel’ which can be printed out and completed by your child if you wish.  However, these are not intended to take the place of the task itself but rather to reinforce the learning.

 

The task concentrates on safe pedestrian practice and we hope that it will help your child develop positive habits as they learn from doing and following your example.   Please talk to your child/children about and practise the following safe pedestrian habits: 

 

·         The Green Cross Code – children are generally considered to be ready to judge speed and distance of traffic from the age of eight years.  Knowing and being able to use the Green Cross Code is an essential life skill for all children:

o   First find a safe place to cross;

o   Stop with your toes behind the kerb (or grass verge on a country road);

o   Look and listen in all directions for any traffic;

o   If any traffic is coming, let it pass;

o   When the road is clear, walk straight across the road;

o   Keep looking and listening for traffic as you cross.

·         Walking on the footpath (on the inside of the footpath with the adult closest to the roadside);

If practical, walk the normal route to/from school and decide upon the safest places to cross the road.  Then, when school resumes, use this route each time you walk your child to/from school (or if your child walks without a parent then encourage them to use the same crossing points if at all possible).  Focus on: 

·         Use of any pedestrian crossings in place (including where the Crossing Patrol normally stands);

·         Good sight lines in any direction that traffic may come from;

·         Any potential dangers along the route (e.g. cars reversing out of driveways, road works)

 

For further information on pedestrian safety: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/be-safe-pedestrian

To view the road safety calendars issued to schools: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/road-safety-teaching-aid-calendars

 

Enjoy going for walks with your child and remember to use the GREEN CROSS CODE!