Coronavirus Update

Covid Protection Framework and Contact Tracing Requirements Update emailed 30/11/2021

Dear Parents / Whānau,

RE: Covid Protection Framework (CFP) and new contact tracing guidelines: As per yesterday's announcement, at the end of this week our country moves into the new CPF framework. For us at school, it doesn't mean any change for how we currently operate in 2021. To maintain some stability, the MOE has decided that we will continue to operate under current guidelines, with the CPF Framework changes taking place for schools from the beginning of 2022.

This is great news for us as it means we can continue with our current plan and see the year out without too much change (fingers crossed!). Please note, this is only the case for when we are on school grounds, anywhere outside school will move to the new orange traffic light from Friday. From 2022 when as a school we move to the CPF, there will be some changes to guidelines. We will update this before school resumes next year. The good news is that all levels of the framework allow students at school which is great.

COVID-19 - Advice for the Future - If or when there is a case connected to our school:

The Ministry of Education is providing ongoing information to support schools with COVID-related matters. Based on international and local evidence and experience, the risk of COVID-19 transmission within school settings is considered low.

As of today, no cases have been confirmed as having COVID-19 at Te Kōwhai School. Whilst this is great, it might not always be the case. The Ministry of Education has provided us with detailed guidance and processes to ensure that we can quickly and accurately notify any families impacted. This process is supported closely by the Ministries of Education and Health. Please read the following so you know the steps we will be taking.

Things to do:

Watch for email notifications - Any urgent Covid-19 notification emails will have the words **COVID Case Te Kowhai School** in the subject line. We encourage you to check these emails promptly.
Generally, watch for COVID-19 symptoms and if any develop, get yourself and your whānau tested immediately and stay at home.

There are two important types of contacts that the Ministry of Health and Te Kōwhai School could classify students, staff and whānau, if a case happens to come into contact with school. These are; ‘Close Contact’ OR ‘Casual Plus Contact’. The Ministries of Education and Health are working through the many scenarios that could classify whether or not someone is classified as either kind of contact. You will be notified if someone in your family is a 'Casual Plus Contact' or 'Close Contact' from within our school setting. Those that are in close contact with any case will be provided with appropriate public health advice including testing and isolation requirements. If there is a confirmed case within Te Kōwhai School (confirmed by Ministry of Health), all members of the school community will receive an email, but content and official MOH guidance will be different depending on the contact and risk level for your child / whānau. Please note, the privacy of all individuals will be maintained throughout any communication.

Ultimately health and safety comes first - if in doubt, please keep your child at home and seek advice from Healthline 0800 358 5453 and follow their advice.

We will keep you updated with information around this.

Kind regards

Juliet Dickinson

Principal

Return to Onsite Learning - from 17th November - emailed Tuesday, 16th November 2021

Update re return to School on Wednesday - emailed Monday, 15th November 2021

Dear Parents / Caregivers (as per Facebook post),

A few reminders about our return to face-to-face learning from Wednesday onwards: (Week 5, Term 4)

Very Important:

Please see the detailed information from last week if you haven’t seen it yet. You can view this on our website (Covid-19 updates).

If you don’t know what team your child/ren are in, please contact Nikki Willis (nikki@tekowhai.school.nz) or your child/ren’s teachers.

Masks Mandatory: Staff and students in Y4-Y8 are required to wear a mask while indoors (as per official Health Order). Please discuss this with your child/ren so they know that this is a requirement. They can bring 1-2 of these (named / marked if not disposable). We will be giving disposable masks to any Y4-8 students without one. We are aware that wearing masks doesn’t feel very nice all day, so we will break this up as much as possible with time outside when we can.

Drop-off times:

You can drop your children off between 8:30 and 8:55 am. On arrival they are to go straight to their Learning Community. NB: Team Kōwhai’s drop off time is between 12:20 and 12:30 pm on a Wednesday.

Pick-up times:

3:00 pm pick up from the same spots as Level 2 last term. LC5-6 = Willowbrook, LC3-4 = Across road, TK, LC1 & LC2 = Main car park

NB: Team Tui’s pick up time on Wednesday is 11:30 am at the same spots as above.

Wednesday is an ‘optional’ day:

We realise that half a day might not work for some of you, so this day is not compulsory. If you are going to keep your child/ren at home on this day, please contact nikki@tekowhai.school.nz

Home Learning when your children aren’t rostered to be at school:

On their days at school, teachers will be working with students to get through as much as they can. For the days they are at home they will have follow up work they can do that will be provided by teachers either online or as ‘take home’ materials given to them at school. Teachers will discuss this with your children or email you directly about this. Again, just do what your family can manage on these other days.

School Devices:

If your child has been borrowing a school device, they may continue to use this for the next 3 weeks whilst on site and at home. We will collect these back in Week 8 of the term.

If you have any questions, please email Juliet Dickinson (julietd@tekowhai.school.nz)

Kind regards Juliet Dickinson

Partial Return to School on Wednesday 17th November 2021

Level 3 extended - email and fB Monday, 18th October 2021
Kia ora Parents and Caregivers
As per today's announcement, we are remaining at our Level 3 restrictions for the rest of this week, so Home Learning will continue. With the next announcement on Friday, we will then know what Week 2 looks like.
A reminder that it is Labour Day on Monday so school will be closed. 
For those that may require a school device (LC3-6) we can organise contactless pickup for you tomorrow, Tuesday 19th October. Please email Nikki Willis (nikki@tekowhai.school.nz) if you would like the loan of a school device for the rest of this week.
This is not the news we wanted to hear, however we thank you in advance for your support and patience.
Juliet and The TK Team

Level 3 Update for Monday 18th October  - emailed Wednesday, 13th October 2021
Kia ora,
As you know, Government made the early decision to shift our region to Alert Level 3 while health authorities quickly track down contacts, and test and isolate confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our community. Today, Minister Hipkins has confirmed we will remain at this level for a further five days until 11.59pm Monday 18 October.
At Alert Level 3 you legally must stay within your household bubble where possible.
We are therefore open on Monday for only the small number of children who need to attend. These are any children who are unable to stay at home because both parents are required to go to work (or if there is no other person in their immediate or extended “bubble” who can supervise them during the day). 
I will email those families that required Level 3 schooling last term. If your work circumstances have changed and your child/ren need to join a bubble, please email me directly asap – julietd@tekowhai.school.nz
There are very strict guidelines from the Ministries of Health & Education that we have to follow, and we must keep our numbers as low as possible.  This is particularly important now that Covid-19 is in Hamilton.
All our usual safety precautions for Alert Level 3 will be in place which include following all the recommendations from the public health experts;
- We will be limiting staff onsite with the majority of our team working from home.
- We will continue to support all children who remain learning from home, through our online learning programme.  This learning will be updated by Sunday night on our website, and our teachers will connect with you on Monday where we will begin our Google Meets at the same time as last term.
- We know how difficult it is for those trying to work from home as well as support your child’s learning, and our approach to remote learning continues to be flexible, family friendly, & focused on wellbeing. 
- Our staff on-site will have been tested for COVID-19 before they get back to work and we are moving toward having 100% of our staff vaccinated – so we are all playing our part in keeping our community safe.
We are proud of how our community has responded to this outbreak, but the mahi isn’t yet done. Please continue to follow all the alert level requirements including staying at home, getting tested for COVID-19 if you are feeling unwell, and for your own sake and for the health of your whānau, please get vaccinated. 
These are the very best things we can do to keep our community as safe as possible and get everyone back to school.
Hopefully we will be able to return to Level 2 soon.
Until then, keep safe.  
Juliet and the TK Team
COVID Level 3 - Term 4 2021 start
Via Facebook Wednesday 13th October 2021
Kia ora koutou,
Like you most likely are, we are extremely disappointed we can not open school fully on Monday due to us remaining at Level 3 for a bit longer.
I can confirm that on Monday we will be working to Level 3 restrictions:
1. Students will be learning from home (we will update details regarding this programme on our website by Sunday).  We realise this will bring challenges for you due to having to juggle work already alongside school holidays.  
2. School is only allowed to open for children who are unable to stay home because caregivers are required to go to work (or there is no other person in their immediate or extended bubble who can supervise them during the day). There are very strict guidelines from Ministry of Health that we must follow and we must keep our numbers as low as possible, especially since Covid-19 has now made its way to Hamilton.
3. Any staff on site on Monday will have returned a negative Covid-19 test.
4. I will be emailing those families that needed their children to attend in Level 3 in August directly.  However, if your work commitments have now changed and there is no other option for your child, then please email me directly to sort care on Monday. julietd@tekowhai.school.nz
Likewise, this change in level has meant that our scheduled Ag Day this Saturday can not go ahead.  The committee will be communicating with registered families regarding this.
We realise that this comes with huge disappointment for many.  Hang in there everyone.
Regards
Juliet and the TK Team

COVID update #7 - Level 2
Alert Level 2 

Onsite learning information and protocols for families - 7th September 2021




Dear Parents / Caregivers,

As of Thursday 9th September, all students are able to return to school.  This is great news for everyone as we can resume some sense of normality for you and your children.  Thank you for your patience, support and resilience throughout Level 3 and 4.

Please read through the information below and have a discussion with your child/ren about this.

If you have any queries about any of the protocols below, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  Please send your queries to: julietd@tekowhai.school.nz or call (07) 829 7860
Who can come on-site?
All staff and students are allowed on site at Delta Level 2.

Outside agencies that support students in their learning are also able to come on site (they will be following set health and safety protocols).

Parents are discouraged from being on site during Delta Level 2.  If your attendance on site is essential, you will be required to sign in via the QR Code or clipboard by the office.  Please note, there is no sign-in table near the bus bay this time.  We encourage all visitors to wear a mask when onsite.

If you need to contact the office, this can be done via email or a phone call:
office@tekowhai.school.nz
Phone: (07) 829 7860
Illness / sickness
If your child is sick in ANY way, please keep them at home.

Please email kerryc@tekowhai.school.nz if they are going to be absent for any reason, or leave a message on the school phone (07 829 7860).

If your child becomes ill during the day, we will make contact with you and would require someone to collect them as soon as possible.
Anxiousness on separation
We are conscious that for some children it may be daunting to return to school, following intense family time. We are mindful of this and ask you to communicate with class teachers to discuss appropriate support if you feel your child may need time to transition.
Staff will be at the entry and exit points before and after school each day.
Drop off
Our normal drop-off times will resume; from 8:15 am - 8:50 am (ready for an 8:55 am start). Entry points:
Main car park entrance (archway)
Main car park entrance (side gate by road end of LC6)
Bus bay gate

Parents, please utilise the quick drop-off bay.  Only if absolutely necessary, you may walk your child to the entrance, observing a 2 m distance from other people.
Pick up
This will look quite different this time at Level 2, mainly in response to trial and error from the last two times at Level 2.  Learning Communities have been allocated pick-up points and will be at those by 3:00 pm. Any younger siblings will join their older sibling’s meeting place to ensure you only have to be at one spot. Please wait in your car, or near the designated 'Parents wait here' space.  Observe 2m social distancing from others.
LC5 & LC6 - Willowbrook (students will wait on grass by the carpark)
LC3 & LC4 - Church across the road (LC3 left of church / LC4 right of church)
Te Kakanō, LC1 & LC2 - Front of school car park (Te Kakano & LC1 - gate at road end of LC6, LC2 - front of main office)
Bus - this will run as normal from the bus bay
For students that walk to and from school, they can do this as usual
After School Care students go to the pavilion as normal
NOTE:  The bus bay will only be used by the bus at the end of the day - no other drivers or pedestrians are to access this area.
These meeting spots will be in place rain or shine, so please ensure your children have a raincoat or umbrella.  Rain is forecast for the next couple of weeks.
This will be trialled and reviewed over the first few days.
Masks
It is a recommendation that students 12+ wear masks, but this is not compulsory.  If any students wish to wear a mask they can as long as they can do so safely.
Vaccinations 
Ministry of Health guidance is that everyone aged 12+ is eligible to get a vaccination.
What do students bring with them?
Packed lunch (both Thursday and Friday)
Named water bottle (drinking fountains will not be available at Level 2)
Stationery / devices as per usual
Their own hand sanitiser if they want it (we will also provide it here)
School-owned devices are to be delivered back to the school office 
Hygiene protocols
Teachers will be encouraging regular hand washing and sanitising. 

We will supply soap, sanitiser, paper towels.

We will be following the COVID-19 personal hygiene recommendations.
Cleaning protocols
Regular cleaning of tables, door handles, light switches (and other shared surfaces) by staff.
Each day, our contract cleaners will do a sanitisation clean.
School Services at Level 2
School Office:
If you need to contact the office, we would prefer you emailed or phoned through.  If you do need to come to the office, please scan the QR code. If you would like to make a payment, online banking is preferred.
Contact details: lee@tekowhai.school.nz; kerryc@tekowhai.school.nz; julietd@tekowhai.school.nz   Phone: (07) 829 7860

Individual Music Classes:
These will operate from next week. Music teachers will record names of any students attending these classes for contact tracing purposes.

Learning Support:
For any students receiving specific learning support, this will resume from next week.

Y7/8 Tech Classes:
(Information will be shared with LC6 separately in regard to this).

Wheels Wednesday:
Will resume from Wednesday 15th September.

Bus Service:
This will operate from Thursday 9th September as per normal.  Face masks are not required for drivers or students however they are welcome to use them if they wish.

Tuck shop:
Opens from Friday 17th September (not this week).  More details will be provided regarding this process next week.

Before and After School Care:
YMCA will be operating from Thursday 9th September as normal.  They will be making contact with existing families to confirm details.  If you are new to using this service, please go to their website. 

Winter Sporting Codes:
All Winter sports codes have come to an end. 

Interschool Events:
The interschool cross country has been cancelled unfortunately.

What we unfortunately WON’T be able to do just yet:
School assemblies
School trips and camps (teachers will communicate with you directly regarding any plans for any pre-paid trips)
Large school gatherings
Events with guests from outside of school
COVID-19 Update #6,  emailed Monday 6th September 
Dear Parents / Caregivers,
 Great news! We are back in action from Thursday 9th September. 
Remote learning will continue this Tuesday and Wednesday. Please note, teachers will not be available for their Google Meets or online learning on Wednesday, as they will be setting up their Learning Communities and preparing for students to be back on site the following day.
I will be sending out further communication tomorrow regarding what Level 2 looks like at school once the Ministry of Education has confirmed these with us.
We look forward to seeing you all soon.
 Kind regards 
Juliet and the TK Team

Move to Level 3, Wednesday 1st September - update #5

With today’s announcement that we are heading into Level 3 as of Tuesday night at 11:59 am, there are a few things to communicate.  Firstly, great that we can make some subtle shifts to our status quo.
Some important points:
Alert Level 3 means that students of parents and caregivers who need to work, and with no alternative supervision during the school day, are able to return to school where they will be part of a closely monitored ‘school bubble’.
Remote Learning from home will continue during this alert level, as students who can stay at home, are required to stay at home.  This learning can be accessed as usual through our school website.  This includes students who are in a bubble at school.  Teachers on site will supervise this learning and provide other activities and breaks as necessary.
We require all families to fill in this IMPORTANT SURVEY by Monday 30th August 12 pm, in order for us to plan accordingly for our bubbles which start on Wednesday 1st September.  This survey is to indicate whether or not your child needs to attend school under Level 3 restrictions. 
For those families whose children are returning to school, we will email you separately with our organisation of on-site bubbles and safety protocols after we have received the survey responses.

We have loved catching up with you and your children online, and it has been great to see what they have been up to whilst at home.  Thank you to those that have posted in our ‘What’s Up TK’ page.  

We realise how challenging this is for families, both in regard to returning your children to school if you have to, but also for those continuing with remote learning.  Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to support your child whilst at Alert Level 4.  There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to organise this, so we want to make sure we have got it right.

Take care everyone.

Kia kaha
Juliet and the TK Team
Update #4 emailed and facebook post 23/08/2021
Message with remaining at Level 4 for longer
Kia ora koutou,
 
With today’s announcement that we are remaining in Level 4 for the rest of this week, we will maintain the status quo in terms of Remote Learning from home. Please continue to visit our school website for any updates during these next few days.  A reminder that Google Meets will take place with each Learning Community on Wednesday and Friday as well this week. You are more than welcome to contact your child/ren’s class teachers any time during the day to answer any questions.
 
Last year, we had great success with a closed Facebook page that was set up for families within our school to share photos/videos of what their children had been up to. This was a really nice way for families to stay connected and for our kids to see what others had been doing. It was also great inspiration for our community, and provided a much-needed laugh on occasion. We made this page live again if you want to join it (you may already be a member). If you are new to it, please just answer the few questions at the beginning to join, as we want this to be limited to our current school community only. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatsupTK This is the page we started last year, so there might be some older posts of interest too.
Whilst at Level 4 (and Level 3) the school grounds remain closed unfortunately, so please avoid entering school.
 
As it is likely that we will still be learning from home into next week (even if at Level 3), please forward any requests for further resources or support to your child/ren's class teachers and we will try and sort this for you.
 
Take care everyone
 
Kia kaha
Juliet and the TK Team
Update #3 emailed 20/08/2021
This afternoon, it was announced that we are to remain at Alert Level 4 until Tuesday at 11:59 pm.  This means we can confirm school is closed for instruction for another two days next week (at least).
It has been great to see our students engaging with some of the learning opportunities we have provided over the last couple of days via our website links.  Teachers in each Learning Community have been working hard to prepare further learning from home.  On Monday morning, (23rd August) from 8:00 am, you will be able to access these updates via each LCs page on our Website.  
Our staff would love to catch up with your children, so have arranged times to do a Google Meet if your children are free.  You will be shared an invite via email to this by Monday morning.
TK and LC1 - 9:00
LC2 - 9:30
LC3 - 10:00
LC4 - 10:30
LC5 - 11:00
LC6 - 11:30
You and your child(ren) have the choice to participate in all of the learning offered, or just pick what suits your family.  If you have any queries or concerns about anything, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher/s. Our priority is that you meet your family’s health and wellbeing needs first, so please only do what you can manage.  
If there are any LC3-6 students that either left their device at school or do not have a device, and would desperately like one, please email me and we can try to sort something for you.  julietd@tekowhai.school.nz 
We will keep you posted with any updates via Facebook and our Website.  
Stay safe
Juliet and the TK Team
Update #2        communicated via email 18/08/2021
Dear parents / caregivers,
I hope you are all adjusting to the news and reality of our lockdown.   Our priority is ensuring that your family focus on what is important for you currently.  It is completely up to you what your children do, and we have no expectation of your children engaging in learning if that does not work for your family over the next few days.   
However, if you have some eager (or already bored) little learners in your homes, our team have put together some ‘Can-Do’ options for them to have a go at when they feel like it.  You can find these via our school website from midday where you will see a link for each Learning Community.   Please note, there will be no online Google Meets over these next three days.
Congratulations to our Poetry and Speech finalists and families, who despite the news, were keen to finish the competition last night.  During the evening, we were also able to allocate close to 20 laptops out which was great.  We realise that there will be some learners without devices.  At this stage, please don’t worry if this is the case.
A reminder that our school grounds are also closed to the public at Level 4, so please stay out of school grounds even when on permitted exercise outside the home.
As information comes in later in the week, we will communicate with you regarding our next steps and what this means for your children and their learning at home.  
Please feel free to contact me (or class teachers) if you have any questions.
For now, stay at home, stay safe and look after each other.
Kind regards from Juliet and the TK Team
Tuesday 17th August 2021 - communicated via fB and email
Urgent COVID Update:

As per the public announcement tonight, we are going into a Level 4 lockdown from 11:59 pm, for three days (the remainder of the week). 

We have done this before, and we can do it again!  We are well placed to work through this challenge. 

We realise that this has come abruptly, and that some of your children might still have laptops etc here at school.  We will be here until 9:00 pm TONIGHT if anyone needs to pick up anything from school.  If you have a Year 3-8 student who requires the use of a school laptop, you may also come to school before 9:00 pm and we can allocate you one.  Please come to the office on arrival.  We realise this may only be a short-term lockdown, but we are better to be prepared in case it does extend.

Our team is well-placed to provide at-home learning, so please check the school website later tomorrow.  Your family's wellbeing is of utmost importance, and we realise you will need a day or two to get things sorted initially.  

We will keep our school website up to date with any news and will put any important messages on Facebook as well as email them.