Latest News
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Open Day - 17th November 9am - 3pm Drop in.
Mon 18 Oct 2021 -
Year 2 - Non-uniform Day ('Fighting Fit') - Tuesday 2nd November
Thu 14 Oct 2021 -
Welcome Back Letter
Thu 02 Sep 2021Welcome Back
FACEBOOK - @cedarsprimaryblackburn
Dear Parents / Carers,
I hope you and your family have enjoyed the summer break and your child is excited for the new school year. I know the staff and I cannot wait to have you all back on Thursday.
This newsletter outlines how we will return to school and operate safely, following the latest Government Covid guidance. Please do read this document and if you have any questions please phone or email school.
COVID-19 Return to School Arrangements
Return to School in September 2021
Government guidance now allows school to remove the bubble structure, other social distancing measures and control measures that have been in place for children. Our school will be gradually doing this from September 2021. Government guidance also means we can return many aspects of school back to how it was working before the pandemic started.
However, we need to be clear that the pandemic has not gone away and as per government guidelines, we now need to learn to live with Coronavirus. As such, some general measures will need to remain in place. From time to time, our arrangements may need to be reviewed in the event of any increase in infections or changes in government guidelines.
Below details some key changes to be aware of.
The School Day
As of 2nd September 2021, the school doors will open at 8.30am and close promptly at 8.50am. We found this to work well and gives the children time to settle and work on extra English and Maths skills before the register is taken. I would encourage you to bring your children to school promptly so they can build on basic skills which will help them succeed.
The end of the school day will be at 3:00pm for all classes.
On the first week back there will be plenty of staff on the playground to show you the entrance to your child’s new class. Please reassure your child if this is a worry.
Breakfast club will be running as normal from Thursday at 8.00am in the main hall. Children will get a choice of breakfast and games and activities for £1 per day. Please let the office know if your child wishes to attend.
You will no longer be required to wear a mask when on the school premises but I would encourage you to still socially distance.
Lunchtimes and Break Times
We can now begin to relax our bubble system in school. We have decided to keep some measures in school and are having year group bubbles until October half term.
Children will have break and lunch with the whole of their year group. It will be nice for the children to play with their friends again.
Assembly
During the last 18 months, whole school assemblies have been held in class or virtually. We know the importance of physically coming together as a whole school community and will gradually be introducing key stage assemblies in the hall. The children will sit with their own class.
School Events and Clubs
School events have changed dramatically over the last 18 months with many meetings taking place virtually and many usual events being unable to take place in the normal way. As we move through the Autumn term we will be keeping you fully informed of any school events and clubs we are able to hold. Extra-curricular clubs and key events will be organised when we return to school in September.
Attendance
Children must attend school each day.
Please make sure your child has appointments before or after school where possible and only keep them off if they are unwell.
As always, we WILL NOT authorise extended leave or holidays in term time. I am sure you will agree the children have missed far too much education over the past 18 months and need to be in school every day.
The first 2 days back at school (Thursday / Friday) will be an opportunity for the children to settle into their new class and to set routines and get used to school life without some of the restrictions.
Please make sure the children come to school in the correct uniform with black shoes and do not forget to bring their book bag, water bottle and PE kit with them.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Truman
Headteacher
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Letter changes to Self Isolation
Wed 01 Sep 2021Dear Parents/Guardian
We are writing in light of changes made to national policies on self-isolation and to provide information on how COVID-19 will be managed in the school this term.
CHANGES TO NATIONAL SELF-ISOLATION GUIDANCE
From 16 August, the Government has said that people aged under 18 years and 6 months or who are fully vaccinated will no longer be legally required to isolate if they are a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Instead, such people will be advised (but not legally required) to get a PCR test unless they have had a positive PCR test in the previous 90 days.
Regardless of age or vaccination status, anyone who develops any of the three main COVID-19 symptoms (see below) must get a PCR test as soon as possible and isolate until the result is available. People who get a positive PCR test must continue to isolate as usual.
Some likely scenarios are described below along with our advice:
What should I do if my child develops COVID-19 symptoms?
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- new continuous cough and/or
- fever (temperature of 37.8°C or higher)
- loss of or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
If your child develops any of these symptoms, you must arrange for them to have a PCR test as soon as possible. A PCR test can be arranged via the NHS UK (www.nhs.uk) website or by contacting NHS 119 via telephone if you do not have internet access.
Your child should self-isolate immediately and they should not attend school.
Please contact the school by phone to inform us your child has COVID-19 symptoms and you are awaiting a COVID-19 test.
What should I do if my child has COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test?
Anyone with COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test should self-isolate until the latest of:
- 10 days after the onset of their symptoms, or
- 10 days after their test day if they are asymptomatic
Self-isolation means your child should not go to school, attend any out of school activities or visit a friend’s house. They should not visit any public places, use public transport or go out to exercise. You should not have visitors into the home except for those providing essential care.
Please contact the school by phone and inform us your child has COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test. It is really important you let us know if your child has confirmed COVID-19 so we can monitor the number of children with COVID-19 across the school. Please also let us know if your child is admitted to hospital with COVID-19
What should I do if my child is a contact of someone with COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test?
If your child is aged under 18 years and 6 months and does not have any symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, new continuous cough, loss of or change in, normal sense of taste or smell) they do not have to self-isolate as a contact of COVID-19.
They are advised to have a PCR test unless they have had a positive PCR test in the last 90 days.
Children aged 5 and under are not advised to take a PCR test unless the confirmed case is someone in their own household.
What should I do if my child has a positive result on a lateral flow device test?
If your child has a positive result on a lateral flow device test, they should self-isolate immediately and you should arrange a PCR test as soon as possible.
Other members of the household do not need to self-isolate whilst you await the PCR test result if they do not have symptoms and are aged under 18 years and 6 months or are fully vaccinated.
What should I do if my child is unwell with signs of an infection but does not have symptoms of COVID-19
ACCESSING COVID-19 testing in BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN
Symptomatic testing and testing for close contacts
PCR tests can be booked at any of the DHSC run sites that operate Monday – Sunday 8am – 8pm on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Walk in centres are available at Penny Street - car park (8.00am – 8.00pm) or Railway Road car park in Darwen (8.00am – 8.00pm). In addition there is a permanent testing site at Old Bank Lane, outside the Royal Blackburn Hospital
PCR tests for home delivery can also be ordered by calling 119.
Your child should be excluded from school if they are unwell. If concerned you should seek advice from your GP or Pharmacist, they will be able to advise you how long your child should stay off school. Otherwise we would recommend exclusion for 48 hours or until the child is symptom free, whichever is longer.
Yours sincerely
Mrs N Truman
Headteach