DILS NEWS                   

 

      Dunstable Icknield Lower School News 3^rd Setember 2009.

 

Dear Parents / Carers

 

Welcome back from the summer holidays.

 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Mrs. Vogeli-Hunter on the safe arrival of Oliver at the end of last term. They are both thriving!

No news from Miss. Frost as yet!

 

STAFFING

Welcome to our new teaching staff Mr. Andrew Flavell (Year 4 4F), Miss. Elizabeth Hagen (Year R RH) and Mr. Simon Williams (Year 1 1W). We also welcome back Mrs. Lisa Edmond (Year 3 3ES) from her maternity leave. Mrs. Stephanie O’Neill has taken up her duties as Deputy Head and will be playing a major role in leading curriculum development. Miss. Karen Gibbons is joining us as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant with Mrs. Jan Barrett (Finance Administrator) and Ms Tracy Soanes  (Learning Platform and Data Manager) joining the office team. We hope that they will be extremely happy in our school.

 

COLLECTING CHILDREN AT THE END OF THE DAY

New Arrangements for the collection of children at the end of the school day

After discussion we are going to try different arrangements for collecting children in years 1-4 at the end of the day.

We will be operating an in / out system. All parents should enter the playground via the main entrance door collect their children from the designated area and then leave via the far door nearest the car park.

Miss. Green’s class (1G) will be collected from her classroom door located at the side of the classroom.

Mr. William’s class (1W) will be collected from the middle door under the awning in Year 1.

Mrs. Simon’s class will be collected from her side classroom door.

Mrs. Hunt’s class will be collected from the benching area near the storyteller’s chair.

Children in Year 3, classes 3ES and 3P will be collected from the area directly outside their classroom near the rear wall.

Children in Year 4 will be collected from the playground next to the adventure area.

Please leave the playground promptly with your children at both ends of the day to enable everyone to keep safe.

New arrangements are to start on MONDAY 7^th SEPTEMBER.

 

LATE ARRIVALS

Monitoring throughout the year highlights the number of children who are persistently late. Obviously it is NOT their fault; however it does effect their education. At the beginning of each day all children take part in phonics and spelling programmes, being late often means that they miss out on these activities, it is difficult to catch up. They may also experience social and emotional problems. Please do not put your child in this position.

 

WEBSITE

Our website is updated on a weekly basis highlighting areas of learning for your child’s class. It is easily accessed on www.dunstableicknield.beds.sch.uk

 

REMINDERS RE ABSENCE

Either a phone call at the beginning of your child’s absence or a letter on their return to school is acceptable.

 

HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME

Holidays in Term Time are not authorised unless they meet the exceptional circumstances criteria. Children must also meet the school’s attendance percentages set by the Local Authority. Children who are not statutory do not fall into these categories however it is good practice and part of the Every Child Matters agenda that they should attend school as determined.

 

PARENT HELPERS

As I am sure that you are aware we welcome all offers of help in the classroom. A rich and diverse range of activities are on offer! If you are able to help regularly or occasionally please see your child’s class teacher for further information.

 

BRING A PARENT/ADULT TO SCHOOL DAY

Come and find out what school is like by joining your child in the classroom. We will be inviting parents/carers to this on Wednesday 7^th October. Further details will follow shortly.

 

SCHOOL LUNCHES

If you would like your child to have school lunches please ensure that money is sent into school in a clearly marked envelope on a Monday morning. Money is collected by a member of Eden Food’s staff at the main entrance on a Monday morning.

Currently school meals cost £8.50 per week.

 

HOME START

This is a support organisation that offers support and friendship to local families with small children who are going through a difficult time. They are asking for volunteers to help continue this service, so if you can spare a couple of hours a week contact Jo or Maggie on 01525 374656 or e-mail home-startsb@tiscali.co.uk for more details. The Home Start website is www.homestartsouthbeds.org.uk.

 

With kind regards

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

 

Mrs L Prewett

Headteacher