Toko School Newsletter
Monday 23rd August 2021
Kura Tuatahi Toko
Quality learning for all in a caring community.
Kounga ako mo katoa i roto i te taiao e atawhai ana.
Dear parents and friends of our school Kia Ora/Bora Da/Konichi Wa/Hello
Tena Koutou Katoa
Here we are again in Alert Level 4. This time at a very busy time for many in our community on farms. We do hope you have had a great weekend. It has been so nice to see some sun!!!
As mentioned in a previous Alert:
On Monday morning you will receive communication from your child's classroom teacher via seesaw with learning tasks set for the week. You will also receive a newsletter with further general information. To get a sense of how we organise learning and communication during lockdown you can go to our website to our Home Learning Page. Over the weekend we will be sorting out school devices to distribute to families that require them. If a device is coming your way you will be contacted by the school and delivery will be sorted on Monday. If you don't hear from us over the weekend and need a device can you please contact: principal@toko.school.nz
Last lock down many families did not have paper/pads or access to a text book for their children to work in. We have enough books to be able to give every child one and some paper if you require this. These can be collected from the school hall on Monday 23rd August between 11.00 - 12.30. You will need to drive up to the door, stay in your car, wind your window down and tell us what you need. We will also be able to give you your child's pencil case if they need it was well.
I wanted to reassure you that our school staff and Board will continue to be available to support your child’s learning and wellbeing in the coming days.
We also hope you are doing OK at the moment – but it is also OK if you aren’t.
As the Mental Health Foundation of NZ says, “it’s all right to feel a range of emotions right now. Going into a Level 4 lockdown is a big deal and it brings all sorts of different feelings to the surface, including frustration, worry and even gratitude. Whatever you are feeling, know that you’re not alone – we’re all going through this together.”
If you need to talk, check in with a friend or whānau member, or free call/text 1737 to chat with a trained counsellor. It's free and confidential. There are also a lot of other supports available to you, your whānau and your community if needed.
You will also understand the importance of routine for your family. If your routine has been shaken up, it’s good to structure your time. Routines are reassuring and promote health and physical wellbeing.
A big thank you to all of you for taking the lockdown so seriously – we’ve seen before that staying at home will break the chain of transmission and save lives. Breaking the rules could risk someone close to you and if the rules are not complied with, this could risk the lock down period being extended or could risk the virus being spread to thousands.
Please keep checking the locations of interest and get tested if you were at that location at the specified time, or if you have symptoms which could be COVID-19.
And just a quick point – please don’t use our school grounds during lockdown. Schools/Playgrounds cannot be used at Alert Level 4.
As always, please let us know if there is anything you need to support you and your tamariki during this time.
Ngā mihi
Kim Waite
CLASS ZOOM MEETINGS START THIS WEEK
Tuesday 24th August: Room 1, 11.00, Room 2, 11.30, Room 4 12.00
Wednesday 25th August: Room 6 11.00, Room 5 11.30, Room 3 12.00
This first zoom will be a chance to check in, see each others faces and to share some lock down stories. Please don't worry if your child does not want to talk in the zoom initially, this is normal especially for our younger children.
It is really helpful if your child can have their device sitting on a table when involved in a zoom meeting.
Please bear in mind that everything does not always go to plan. We may experience technical difficulties and some of you may have difficulty connecting. Let’s have a bit of fun and see how we get on.
SWITCH ON THE SAFETY FILTER
Keeping our children safe from the worst of the web while learning online from home is possible with NZ's free safety filter. The filter blocks online threats, phishing scams, adult websites, and other harmful content unsuitable for young eyes. Parents can apply the filter to their child’s learning device by following the instructions here.
DEVELOPING MY AGENCY SKILLS WHILE LEARNING AT HOME
SPEECHES
Our speeches this year will take place in the second half of this term. Information will be shared by your child's classroom teacher about expectations for this year.
Rooms 1 - 2 - Recite a poem and Show and Tell.
Room 4 - Recite their pepeha and Show and Tell
Room 3 - Recite their pepeha and introduction to formal speech writing.
Year 5 -6 - Impromptu speech, recite their pepeha and write and present a formal speech
Preparation for speeches is a really good option for Home Learning whilst in lock down.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES UPDATE
Bi-ennual Community Survey
Every two years we seek feedback from our community about how we are doing from your perspective. We would really appreciate it if you could take the time to fill out this Community Survey :) We have extended the survey until the end of this week. Please please take the time to fill it in!
NAG 2 -Self Review
This Policy has now been reviewed and can be found on our school website: NAG 2
WELLBEING/HAUORA CHALLENGE
We are also encouraging everyone to keep up their running fitness in preparation for our Rural Cluster Cross Country.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Toko School
Email: office@toko.school.nz
Website: www.toko.school.nz
Location: 1057 East Road, Toko, New Zealand
Phone: 06 7622849
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TokoSchool/?ref=bookmarks