School Newsletter

Spring Term 2008
Newsletter No. 5 – 10th January

Dear Parents,

I am delighted to be writing my first newsletter of the New Year. The children are refreshed and ready for another exciting term at Emscote Infant School.

School Council

We now have an active School Council committee comprising of children from each year group. The representatives attend the committee meetings and report back to their class.

Healthy Living

One initiative we as a school are keen to pursue as part of our healthy lifestyle promotion is to encourage children to drink water at lunchtimes and not bring in other drinks. All children have access to the cold water machines in school and are used to regular drinking sessions in class and they are able to refresh their bottles throughout the day. Many children consume only a small amount of their lunchtime boxed or bottled drinks and the rest goes to waste. Replacement water bottles are available at 25 pence from the office. This is only a suggestion and not a ban on other drinks! Please discuss this with your child.

Healthy Schools

As part of our Eco Schools status we are now working towards the Healthy Schools status. We are encouraging the children to make healthy choices with their food. Please could you support this and discuss the healthy options for their lunch boxes.

Active Mark Award 2007

The school has been given the Active Mark Award 2007 for its commitment to developing PE and sport in school. We encourage the children to be involved in as many physical activities as possible. This term we are continuing to offer opportunities with Kung Fu (Mondays 5.30pm-6.30pm) and Coventry City Football Club training (to restart next week), and will be introducing SAQ (Speed, Agility and Quickness) training. Emscote staff are attending training so later in the term we can run the cheerleading after school club which proved so popular last term.

Eco School

Please remember to recycle your old Christmas cards at Tesco’s and help save trees!

Scallywags

Scallywags still have some places for breakfast and after school on a casual or permanent basis.

For more details and a booking form call into the Contact Centre before or after school or phone Jo 07834 241414/Pam 07759 301115.

Sharing Assemblies

Our sharing assemblies continue to be well attended and parents tell me they really appreciate seeing the lovely things the children are doing in their classes. We have had to restructure our Friday timetable this term and need to use the hall at 9 o’clock for a Feel the Buzz music session. We are, therefore, reverting back to sharing assemblies being held on Wednesdays at 9am.

The sharing assemblies will be as follows:

30th January for Willow class
6th February for Oak class
27th February for Sycamore class
5th March for Cherry class
12th March Chestnut class

Christmas Concert Collections

I am delighted to inform parents we have been able to send £166.52 to the Myton Hospice Charity. Thank you everyone for a magnificent total.

Spare Paper

Has anyone any A4 size paper we can use in the photocopier please?

French Classes

French lessons will continue on Wednesday lunchtimes.

Sewing Club

A letter has been sent home about the new after school club starting on Thursdays. The sewing club will be run by Miss Hudson between 3pm-4pm. It costs £1 per term to cover materials. Children will be allocated a place on a first come basis.

Other After School Clubs

A letter will be going home this week about Coventry City Football Club training which will restart after school next Tuesday, January 14th. Dance and Drama club will start next Thursday, January 17th. Ask at the school office for further details.

Reading at home

Please could you support your child by reading with them at home. I know it can sometimes be difficult to find time to read with your child, but it is very rewarding having this special time together, and your input can really support your child and their progress in all areas.

Parents Meetings

Please find time to attend parents meetings where we will discuss your child’s progress and how they can be supported at home. Thursday 7th February 3.15pm - 7.30pm

Helping in class

We are always looking for parents to help in school. If you can spare an hour a week class teachers would greatly appreciate the help.

Please note volunteers in school must undergo a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check first. Disclosure application forms are available from the school office.

Family Information Service

For free information on a range of topics such as childcare, nurseries and services for children have a look at the website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis.

Smoking

Please could you remember to smoke away from the school site. Not only is it now illegal to smoke on the school grounds, but also smoking does affect other parents and families, and is against the message of healthy lifestyles that the school portrays. Thank you for your consideration.

Dropping off and collecting

Please do not park in the service lane outside the school. This is for emergency vehicles that must have clear access at all times.

Winter Infections

You should have received an information leaflet giving advice on what actions to take when your child is unwell. Please note the section explaining the appropriate time for children to return to school after they have been ill – if they have been suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting they should stay at home until they have been free from symptoms for 48 hours.

Absence from School

It is a requirement for school to report all absences and they have to be specifically coded depending on the reason for the absence. It is therefore most important that you inform the school by ‘phone on the first day of your child’s absence or by letter on their return to school, thank you.

Arrangements for School Closure due to Snow

In the event that the school is closed due to the bad weather, the following local radio stations will broadcast information:

*BBC Coventry & Warwickshire (94.8FM, 103.7 FM, 104 FM)
School closures broadcast after 7.00am and 8.00am news.

*Mercia Radio (97FM and 102.9FM)

*Touch FM (102FM)

We request that parents do not phone the school as we are not equipped to handle a large volume of calls.

There will also be information on www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolclosures, and you can sign up for free text message alerts at this website.

Scallywags Job Opportunities

Scallywags Kids Club is looking for staff. Before and after school: collecting and taking children to and from school each day, qualifications not essential as in-house training will be give, 1.5-3 hours per day. School holidays: manager expected to supervise and prepare daily activities for children aged 4-11, must hold a level 3 NVQ (or equivalent) in childcare, approximately 10 weeks per year. For more details contact Jo 07834 241414 or Pam 07759 301115.

Yours sincerely,

Debi Cossins
Headteacher