Thank you for your contributions to this year’s Children in Need collection. The total raised was £90.00.

Dear Parents/Carers

The Local Authority recently asked all County Durham schools to consider introducing additional measures in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases across the county and a rise in the rates in school-age children. It was clearly stated that the measures were not compulsory and it was recognised that headteachers were best placed to know what may work in their individual settings. Having carefully reviewed the information with governors and staff, it was decided that we would not make any immediate changes to our current procedures and continue to monitor the situation both locally and in school.

The most recent figures (https://www.durhaminsight.info/covid-19/ published 16.11.21) show a decrease in COVID-19 cases across the county as a whole and also a drop in the rates for school-age children. Therefore, as the situation stands at the moment, we are not intending to reintroduce the measures which we had in place during the previous academic year such as staggered starts and finishes, staggered playtimes and lunchtimes or class bubbles. We feel that it is vital to try to keep the children’s experience in school as ‘normal’ as possible for as long as we can. Close attention will continue to be given to ventilation, cleaning and respiratory and hand hygiene.

Currently, we are still planning to attend the pantomime at the Gala Theatre on Wednesday 15 December. If this event has to be cancelled, for any reason, a full refund will be provided.

However, in the interests of everyone’s safety, we will continue to take a cautious approach in relation to events for the wider school community. Therefore, the forthcoming parent-teacher meetings will be held via telephone call rather than in person. Unfortunately, it also means that we will be unable to host our normal Christmas performances in school again this year. Nevertheless, we are still planning for the children to take part in an infant nativity and a junior show. Just like last year, these performances will be recorded and the resulting videos will be posted on our website during the last week of term.

Other measures suggested by the Local Authority which we will be promoting are as follows:

• PCR testing for all adults and pupils if they are a close contact of a positive case in their household*.
• Daily LFT testing at home for 7 days for any adult or pupil in key stage 2 (year 3) or above who is a household contact of a positive case and is exempt from isolation and continues to attend school. The testing of primary age pupils is at parental discretion. Testing should start from the day the household member has symptoms or if they don’t have symptoms from when they tested positive*.

*Note: People who have tested positive with a PCR test within the last 90 days should not be encouraged to test unless they develop new symptoms.

Please be reassured that, for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

LFD Testing advice

We would recommend you have a supply of LFD testing kits at home in the event you are requested to use them. You can order home testing kits to be delivered to your home here www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

Or you can collect LFD kits at Community Collect sites across the County. To find your nearest collection point please enter your post code here maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk

If you pick up tests from a pharmacy, you may be asked for a ‘collect code’ this helps the NHS match your details to the tests. To get a ‘collect code’ please visit  test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/collect-lateral-flow-kits

Please register the result of your home test at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) or tests positive for COVID-19

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature and/or
• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If your child does develop symptoms, they should get a PCR test and remain at home at least until the result is known. Book a free PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test . If positive, your child should isolate for 10 full days after their symptoms appeared.

If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at 111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

If your child has a positive test result but does not have symptoms they should stay at home and self-isolate for 10 full days from the date the positive test was taken. This isolation period will be extended if they go on to develop symptoms by counting 10 full days from the day following their symptom onset.

You must always register the result of your home test at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

Help, support, and further information.

To help you comply with the requirement to self-isolate, the County Durham Together Community Hub can provide access to essential supplies, financial support and emotional support as well as other services. Please visit www.durham.gov.uk/covid19help or call the Community Hub on 03000 260260 for further details.

There is also support available the coronavirus section via durhamlocate.org.uk

Finally, we would like to thank you for everything you’ve done to keep your family and community safe, and for your patience in continuing to support our school during this challenging time.

Take care and stay safe.

Mr W. Kirtley (Headteacher)

Thank you for your contributions to this year’s Poppy Appeal. The total raised was £168.86.

FAO: Parents of Y5/6 children

Please see the information below from Durham University about a trial that we have agreed to take part in:

Creativity Collaboratives Trial – information for parents

Please see the message below from Durham County Council:

Whether it’s finding fun things for the kids to do, paying for extra childcare, or even just all that extra food they seem to eat, the school holidays can be a struggle for many families. Covid-19 has meant that many people’s incomes have been reduced and children and young people are keen to get out and spend time with their friends.

This October half term our Fun and Food programme is providing fun activities with healthy food for children and young people. Activities are provided by range of partners including schools, voluntary and community sector groups and sport and leisure services.

For information on Fun and Food activities during the October half term holidays check out www.durham.gov.uk/FunAndFood

We will be adding activities to the list so please keep checking back to find out more about the fabulous opportunities in our community.

Please see the letter below which contains details about how to provide consent and also further information about the nasal flu spray.

Byers Green Primary School_Flu Parent Letter 2021

Friday 22 October 2021 will be a non-uniform day. We would like to encourage the children to wear an item of red clothing in support of Show Racism The Red Card’s ‘Wear Red Day 2021’. We will not be asking for a donation but should anyone wish to find out more about the work of the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity please follow the link below:

https://www.theredcard.org/

Three resources to help your family manage online safety 

Young people now more than ever are spending a lot of time online. From online lessons and homework to gaming and spending time with their friends, there are a range of ways that young people occupy their time whether on a phone, tablet, games console or computer.

Childnet’s Parent and Carers Toolkit is filled with quick, easy and practical things you can do to help protect your children on the internet. It includes help with how to talk to your child about how they spend their time online and how to communicate key online safety messages. The Toolkit is straightforward, easy to use and includes links to more detailed and specific information and support if you need it.

 Mental health and wellbeing website for the North East and North Cumbria launched

The Signpost North East and North Cumbria website has been developed by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System, and funded by the North East Mental health Clinical Network.

The aim of the Signpost North East and North Cumbria (NENC) website is to be one easy-to-navigate ‘hub’, where people can find all the information they need to look after their wellbeing. Access to good information is vital to removing the barriers that can get in the way of good mental health.

https://www.signpostnenc.co.uk/

Please see below for the latest advice from Durham County Council:

How to stop coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading  

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus (COVID-19):

• get vaccinated – everyone aged 16 and over can book COVID-19 vaccination appointments now
• wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• meet people outside and avoid crowded areas
• open doors and windows to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
• wear a face covering when it’s hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors or in crowded places
• participate in twice weekly LFD testing following national guidelines (recommended for 11 years and over). We encourage you to log your results here: https://www.gov.uk/log-test-site-covid19-results

What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) or tests positive for COVID-19

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature and/or
• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If your child does develop symptoms, they should get a PCR test and remain at home at least until the result is known. Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If positive, the child should isolate until at least 10 days after their symptoms appeared.

If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

If your child has a positive test result but does not have symptoms they should stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the date the positive test was taken. This isolation period will be extended if they go on to develop symptoms by counting 10 full days from the day following their symptom onset

Instructions for people who live in the same household as someone with COVID-19

From 16 August, you will not be required to self-isolate if you are a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and any of the following apply:

• you are fully vaccinated (with an MHRA approved COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, and at least 14 days have passed since you received the vaccine.
• you are below the age of 18 years 6 months
• you have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
• you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

NHS Test and Trace will contact you to let you know that you have been identified as a contact and check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. Even if you do not have symptoms, you will be advised to have a PCR test as soon as possible.

Even if you are vaccinated, you can still be infected with COVID-19 and pass it on to others. If you are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 but you are not required to self-isolate, you can help protect others by

• limiting close contact with other people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces
• wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and where you are unable to maintain social distancing
• limiting contact with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable
• taking part in regular LFD testing

You should follow this advice while the person in your household with COVID-19 is self-isolating. Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should be supported to minimise their contact with other people in the household during this period, regardless of whether others have symptoms or not.

You may be eligible for a Test and Trace Support Payment, for more information please see: www.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payment

Help, support, and further information.

To help you comply with the requirement to self-isolate, the County Durham Together Community Hub can provide access to essential supplies, financial support and emotional support as well as other services. Please visit durham.gov.uk/covid19help or call the Community Hub on 03000 260260 for further details.

There is also support available in the coronavirus section via durhamlocate.org.uk

Useful Websites

www.gov.uk/coronavirus

www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

www.durham.gov.uk/coronavirus

www.durham.gov.uk/covid19help

www.durhamlocate.org.uk