28 May 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

We made it through the remote learning phase. You did an amazing job!

It is so nice to have the children back at school. The children and staff seem happy and it looks, sounds and feels like a school again! Of course things are not the same, however we are able to work within the current operating guidelines set by the DoE.

The same Operating guidelines from week 6 remain in place for week 7.

The staff and I are very grateful for your understanding and patience as we gradually transition back to a more normal school day. We will continue with a supervised and staggered end to the school day in week 7. We ask all parents to continue to use the Stop, Drop and Go zones for drop off and pick up. The zones run very quickly and smoothly if everyone follows the rules.

Stop, Drop and Go!

Remember if your child is feeling unwell in the morning they need to stay at home. Any signs of the sniffles, a cough etc. are signs your child may be coming down with something. On these mornings, your child will not be able to attend school. If a child is noticed as unwell at school we will ask you to pick your child up immediately.

Our teachers are also not allowed to attend school if they are experiencing any symptoms of being unwell. Due to this, we have a number of teachers off sick each day. Our staff are now also required to get a COVID-19 test if displaying cold/flu like symptoms and cannot return to school until the test results are back and the teacher is cleared to come to work.

A few frequently asked questions so far this week:

What number do I ring to advise the school my child is not coming to school as they are unwell?

• 3716 2760 is the absence line.
• Please leave the child’s name, class and reason for not coming to school and a contact number.

My child came home and said someone in their class was sneezing and coughing at school today. Why was the child not sent home?

• If a child is noticed to be unwell at school the teacher must send the child to the office.
• Some children experience asthma or other seasonal issues such as hay fever. If a doctor’s letter has been provided to the school explaining the symptoms of the child’s asthma or hay fever, we will allow the child to remain at school. If the symptoms do not match those described in the doctor’s letter, the child will be sent home.

What if my child experiences hay fever or sinus issues due to the change of season? They usually have the sniffles in the morning and it clears up in the day. They are not actually sick.

• Please see your doctor and ask for a letter advising of the seasonal condition and noticeable daily symptoms. We can then use this letter to clear your child to attend school.
• If your child displays symptoms other than those described in the letter, please do not send them to school.

How is the school managing the sick bay? How are you keeping sick children away from those who just need first aide?

• Sickbay will be used for those children who are displaying symptoms of being unwell - cold, flu, tummy bug etc.
• We have set up chairs outside of the sick bay (but still within sight of the first aid duty officer) for children who require first aid e.g. require ice, band aids etc.

What if I have to pick my child up from school during the day to attend an appointment? Am I allowed on the school grounds?

• Yes.
• First notify the office that you are coming – 37162777.
• Enter the school grounds via the Acacia Avenue gate.
• Practice social distancing in the school office.
• Your child will be waiting for you in the office.
• Sign your child out as usual and exit the school.
• Please do not go to the child’s classroom.

How do I send in my Mosaic photo image of a positive remote learning experience?

• Create and capture the image of your positive memory using your phone camera (or normal camera) by Friday 29 May.
• Create a title and short description of the memory you are sharing.
• Send an email addressed to: mosaicpic@gracevilless.eq.edu.au
• Attach your photo as medium or large size. This is important as the image is required to be medium at least.
• Type your name/s, photo title and short description into the message section of the email.
• Press send by Friday 29 May.

We are going to trial sending newsletters every fortnight this term. I will include all updates via the newsletter from now on. We will do our best to encourage more families to read the newsletter.

I will only send an SMS and accompanying special letter in the event of changes which require a more immediate or timely response.

Don’t forget Friday is a special PJ day! Children can come dressed in Pyjamas, bathrobes etc. If children choose not to dress up they can come in school uniform. There is no fee for this day.

Have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Technology Updates for parents - via Zoom on Friday June 5

Agenda: 2020 proposed draft budget

Device distribution
Digital Technologies Curriculum

Please send an email of intention to participate to mhass10@eq.edu.au and a link will be sent to you to join the meeting on Friday June 5 at 8am.

Vision Screening for Prep Students

Forms were sent home with our preps on May 20, please ensure you have returned the consent form to your class teacher by Tuesday June 9. A Registered Nurse will be visiting our school on Tuesday September 1 to conduct vision screening.

Preparing for Prep 2021

Some key dates have changed this year due to COVID 19.

Our Prep waiting list will open on Monday July 13 from 7:45am at the office, please observe social distancing when lining up. The waiting list must be done in person, no forms can be sent out or received by email.

Please visit the following link which details our school enrolment management plan and also provides a link to the catchment area for Graceville State School:

Prep Information for 2021 will be given out on Wednesday July 22, this will be online this year and not at a large group meeting in the hall. More details on how to access this will come later.

From this date, in catchment enrolments may be done and enrolment forms can be collected from our school office or emailed out upon request.

Prep interviews will then follow for the rest of term 3. Bookings will be online this year via a link to be given out through the Information session. These meetings will still be face to face at school for 30 minutes, please bring your child to this meeting. Completed enrolment forms and Prep Profile will be required at the interview.

Term 4

Get Set for Prep proposed sessions

At this stage we will plan to proceed with face to face sessions although we will have to wait and see health and safety directives to come. Families must RSVP for these sessions either by email or phone as we have limited number of spaces for each session.

Session 1: Tuesday Oct 20 OR Friday Oct 23, 9 – 10:30am Focus on Fine Motor Skills
Sesion 2: Thursday Oct 29, 9 – 10:30 Introduction to Speech and Language Development with our School Speech Language Pathologist
Session 3: Tuesday Nov 10 OR Friday Nov 13, 9 – 10:30am Focus on Reading

Prep Orientation meetings: Thursday November 26

Meet the class session: Thursday December 3, 9 – 10am

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Active School Travel - Footloose Friday back on from this week!

We are an Active school Travel school and we will now be starting our passbook stamping again this week. If your child actively travels to school (carpooling, walks or rides) they can go to inside the front, back or oval (near bike cage) gates to have stamping done on Friday mornings. There are prizes to be earned from multiple stampings!

2 Minute Drop off/Pick Up Zones
(Acacia Avenue-near front gate & Park Road – near back gate?

How they work?

It is helpful if you have your surname clearly written on a large card and placed on the visor of the car. We can call your children and have them ready!

Only the first three cars are to have children enter or exit the car. All other cars are required to wait patiently in line until they enter the pick up or drop off three-car zone. Your children can then enter or exit the car.

Please remain in your vehicle. Staff are there to help so there should be no need to get out of the car.

If you are early or your children are not at the gate when you arrive, you will be asked to go around the block after a maximum two minute wait.

To ensure safety for all children and road users:

• Remain calm and patient.
• Remain in line at all times.
• Please do not open doors on the road side of your vehicle.
• Please do not do three point turns on Park Road or Acacia Avenue.
• Please do not stop or park in front of a driveway or school crossing.

Finally, drive slowly please! Despite all of our best efforts, unexpected things sometimes happen and you need to be alert and draw on your defensive driving skills!

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Welcome back to all the school community members who have survived the weeks of learning from home and excitedly sent children back to school. I am sure children are keen to share catch up tales with their friends. I am equally certain, many parents will feel a little less pressure now the teaching role returns to the more traditional model. Teachers have expressed their enthusiasm to have classrooms normal once more, albeit with a tad more hand sanitiser being used. For those children of essential workers who have been at school these past few weeks, we hope you have enjoyed your time in smaller groups and thank you for keeping some semblance of life within the school grounds.

Even though schools have reopened, there are some obvious differences to the school routine. Break times, drop off and pick up zone practices and the lack of hall assemblies are just a few. While it is very exciting to see everyone back on site, it is still important to remember that it is our good practices that have led to some lightening of restrictions. It is equally important to continue to be diligent and not allow complacency to threaten these returning levels of freedom.

One thing that has been expressed by many is how some of the simple enjoyments of life, once taken for granted, now are greatly appreciated. I believe we all could find something that fits that description. I wonder what it is for you and your family.

Have a great week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

NEW OPENING DAYS AND TIMES

For the remainder of Term 2 the uniform store will be open for appointments only on Thursdays and Fridays. When visiting the store please enter and exit the school grounds through the Oxley Road gate near the tennis courts.

Bookings can be made online via the following link.

WINTER UNIFORM

All sizes of the new sports jacket, polar fleece and rugby jerseys are in stock. We have unisex track pants (in a quick dry fabric and a cotton lining) and leisure pants (a cross between a track pant and stretchy leggings) for girls. We also have a bootleg lycra jazz pant on sale for just $5 a pair.

• For the remainder of Term 2 we will be cash free and only accept cards when purchasing.
• Please be advised that refunds will ONLY be given if you have the original receipt and items should not have been washed or worn.
• Order forms are available on the school website and can be emailed to the uniform shop at the below address, the items will be sent to the classroom via the teachers pigeonhole in the main office.

Email address for school uniform store is gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

Thank you all for your ongoing support.

Michelle

Tuckshop News

Welcome Back Everyone!!

We are very excited to be back and running 5 days a week. Having seen mainly all the little smiling faces for the last 2 weeks we are very happy that we now get to see the rest of the school!

A few things to remember:

• Tuckshop is open 5 days a week
• We are only taking online orders which must be done by 8.30am via school24 www.school24.net.au no over the counter orders will be allowed
• Due to Covid-19 we are a cashless tuckshop
• There are no ice block or snack sales over the counter during break – if your child would like an ice block or tuckshop treat then please pre order the item for collection at break
• Preps can pre-order ice blocks with their order but no ice cream on a Friday

We are limiting the amount of people in the tuckshop, so only a Max of 4 people can be in there at any one time.

Volunteers are still required so please please please sign up through school24 or email us at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com with your availability. Whether you can help for 1 hour or 3 we still need you. Break times are now split so anytime you can pop in to help would be greatly appreciated.

Please note - If you are helping out you can only enter and leave the tuckshop through the tuckshop carpark. This is to ensure we are adhering to school protocol and limiting any extra people on school grounds.

We are very conscious of hygiene, social distancing and the wellbeing of not just the kids but our whole school community, so please if you are not feeling 100% on the day of your shift even if it’s just a little niggle – call and cancel. We will miss seeing you, but we can always reschedule!

Thanks everyone we can’t wait to see you back at Tuckshop!

Stay safe
Alex and Emma
Tuckshop Convenors 2020
E: tuckshop.gss@gmail.com

P&C News

Welcome back and thank you

Welcome back to all families after the previous three or five weeks learning from home. We know it has been a tricky time for a lot of families as they juggle supervising their kids’ learning, working and keeping up with whatever other challenges life throws up. This has all been made easier by the fantastic job that the leadership team and all the teachers have done communicating with families and streamlining the learning material. Thank you for doing such a great job and being so adaptable. Thank you also to the leadership team who have been on hand every morning and afternoon to help the prep and year 1 kids with seat belts and bags and marshalling the children. You’ve been amazing!

New P&C executive committee

The P&C annual general meeting was held on 22 April. At the meeting, Chris Hansen stepped down as president after four years in the role. Chris had also held other roles prior to taking on the President role and has made an enormous contribution. He has been closely involved with and overseen all aspects of the P&C business including the tuckshop, uniform shop, tennis court hire, the fete, trivia nights, voluntary contributions, spellathon and building and maintenance projects such as air conditioning, playground upgrades and installation and most recently, the air conditioning and refurbishment of the school hall. It is an understatement to say it will be impossible to match such a contribution. Thankfully, Chris hasn’t gone far and will stay on as Vice President. Thank you, Chris for all your tireless work as President.

The following people were elected as executive committee members:

Next meeting

The next meeting of the P&C will take place on Wednesday 10 June at 7.30pm. Like the last two meetings, this meeting will take place via Zoom. Please email pandcSecretary@gracevilless.eq.edu.au if you would like to attend and you will be sent the link.

Uniform shop

Just a reminder that the uniform shop is currently operating by appointment. You can make a booking between 8:45am and 9:45am on a Thursday and Friday at the following link:

Tennis courts

The tennis courts will be open again for hire soon. There will be new terms and conditions of hire in place regarding social distancing and hygiene. In summary:

• 4 people per court maximum
• players only inside the court enclosure
• no access to the remainder of the school
• please use hand sanitiser provided on arrival and departure (there will be hand sanitiser at the courts but you are also welcome to bring your own).

These will be emailed to you upon booking the courts via Book-a-Court.

We will notify the school and parents when the courts are open for hire again.

Fete and trivia night

Unfortunately, due to current restrictions the trivia night (which normally takes place in early June) has been postponed. We are working on a plan to possibly host this event later in the year, so stay tuned. We are also working on options for the fete and we will let everyone know as soon as any decision is made.

Help with communications

Are there any parents out there who have expertise in social media, design and communications and would like to assist the P&C? We are looking for help to maintain the parents’ Facebook page and spread the word about all the good things happening at Graceville State School. Please get in contact with PandCPresident@gracevilless.eq.edu.au if you can lend a hand.

You might not be able to take on a big role but are happy to help out occasionally as the need arises. Even if you’d like to put your name forward to be part of a pool of comms experts who can be contacted for help throughout the year and share the load, we would greatly appreciate your help!

Community Notices