School Newsletter

Autumn Term 2008
Newsletter No. 1 - 19th September

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the new term. I hope you all had a great summer holiday and the children are refreshed and ready for another exciting term at Emscote Infant School . A particularly warm welcome goes to our new reception children and their families. We hope you soon settle into your classes and enjoy being part of the happy and caring Emscote community. I've lots of news to tell you so please read on…

Staffing news

I am delighted to welcome some new staff this term. Miss Teclaff is teaching the children in Willow class, Miss Johnson is teaching Oak class and Mrs Sweeting is the job share with Mrs Servant in Chestnut class. Miss Hart is the new administrator in the office. As we have six classes we also have a new midday supervisor Mrs Cook. They have already made a real impact to the team and the environment. We hope all new staff will enjoy working with us and will soon feel at home.

Transfer to Junior School Forms

All year 2 children have received an application form which must be returned to school by 24th October 2008. Please remember to attach a copy of a document to provide proof of address to your form.

School Photographs

The photographer will be in school on Friday 3rd October. If you would like to have younger or older brothers and sisters photographed with your child, please see Miss Hart in the office to pre book a slot. Brothers and sisters in school will be photographed together during the morning.

Scallywags Kids Club

Breakfast Club 7.45 – 8.45 and Afterschool Club 3.00 – 5.30

Scallywags Holiday Club (Monday October 22 to Friday October 26)

Arts and crafts, cooking, board games, dressing up, pool, table tennis, playstation, face painting, trips and much, much more.

For more information and a booking form call 07834 241414/07759 301115.

Class Meetings

I would like to invite parents to class meetings at 9.15am on Tuesday 30th September , where you can meet your child's class teacher and teaching assistant. The class staff will share with you the curriculum to be taught in the year group. If you have any specific issues you would like to discuss with the teachers please make an appointment to see them.

Targets

The children will all be coming home with targets in the next few weeks. These are areas in literacy and Numeracy that they will be working on in class and could be supported with at home.

Reading Meeting for new parents

I would like to invite new parents to the school to a short presentation on how we teach reading at Emscote. This will be on Thursday 25th September at 2pm. Come along and hear how you can support your child in learning this very important skill.

School dinners

As discussed in the news this week the government want all children not to queue for lunch and to have proper cutlery - they need to come to Emscote to see how it is done! The revised system of serving dinners is going splendidly and the children are enjoying the new menu and serving each other. Why not give hot dinners a try soon? The cost of a school meal is now £1.65 or £8.25 for the week. Cheques should be made payable to Warwickshire County Council. Please send payments in a named sealed envelope. Free envelopes are available from the school office if required.

If your child is entitled to Free School Meals and you have not informed the school, please contact Miss Hart in the office for further details and a form. Even if your child does not wish to take school meals we would be grateful if you would still register your entitlement, as the school can receive further much needed funding. Children entitled to Free School Meals will also be provided with free school milk if required, please see Miss Hart to arrange this.

Packed Lunches

If your child brings a yogurt to school in their lunch box please make sure they also bring a spoon to eat it with.

Open Morning

Our Open Morning for parents with pre-school children will be held on Tuesday 30th September from 1pm-2.30pm and Thursday 2nd October from 9.30am- 10.30am and 11am- 11.55am. I would be grateful if you would display a flyer (which you have already received in your child's bookbag) in your window to draw attention to the Open Morning and inform friends and neighbours with pre-school children, thank you. Also if you attend any clubs with your children if you could ask them to display a leaflet or handout flyers. Please let me know if you need any extra. This is also an opportunity for Year 2 parents to visit the junior school. Applications for children to start school in September 2009 must be returned to the Admissions Service by 24th October 2008.

PE Kit

All children need a PE kit; please send in shorts, t-shirt and possibly tracksuit bottoms as they will be doing outside PE all year as long as it is not raining.

Emscote Playground

Please remember to always send your child with a coat. They will be going outside for playtime and lunchtime each day. Please remember children are only to use the playground equipment during school hours. We are not insured for before and after school when the children are still parents' responsibility.

Parent Reps

Each class would like one or two parent reps. The job involves encouraging parent to be involved in the classroom, on trips and asking any questions if parent have any concerns. Please see class staff if you would be able to do this job.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning

We are taking part in Macmillan Cancer Support's annual fundraiser on Friday 26th September . Please come along with friends and family between 9am – 10am so we can raise as much money as possible for the cause. The children will be making cakes in school but any donations of cakes to sell would be greatly appreciated.

Parents' Coffee Afternoon

A reception parent has suggested that it would be nice if parents could meet (especially new parents) to discuss any concerns with each other about how their children are settling in school, such as is it normal that they don't want to get up in the morning, are really tired, or are finding it difficult to separate in the morning. I have arranged the first meeting for Monday 29th September at 2.15pm in the staffroom. Any parent is welcome to pop in for a coffee as this time for a chat. I hope this will be useful.

Yellow Woods Challenge

The Yellow Woods Challenge is a campaign run by Yellow Pages, working with the Woodland Trust and local authorities across the UK, aiming to get children into the recycling habit by taking family and friends' old Yellow Pages directories to school for recycling. Last year Emscote children collected 541 copies, and this year as part of our Eco schools initiative to help divert the old directories from landfills we hope to beat that total. There are cash prizes available to schools for recycling the highest number of Yellow Pages, and for creating an artwork out of the old directories. Please start collecting your Yellow Pages from friends and neighbours when you receive your new copy. The Warwick District challenge is due to run from 3rd November to 12th December.

Water Bottles

Volunteers are required to fill the bottles in the mornings. Please see your class teacher if you can help. Thank you.

Wear It Pink Day

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and on Friday 24th October we will be turning the school pink in support of the fight against breast cancer. Wear anything pink and send a donation to help fund Breast Cancer Campaign's vital research.

Sand Pit

We would like to clear out the large sand pit for the winter, and it could also do with a bit of grouting and a few extra bricks to help keep the water out. If anyone can help with either of these tasks please speak to Miss Hudson.

Adventure Playground Equipment

We are also looking for a carpenter who could help to replace the wood around the play equipment that keeps the bark in place. If you are able to help please speak to Miss Hart in the office.

No Parking Please

I would like to remind parents that the service road directly in front of school should be kept clear to allow emergency vehicles access. It is permissible to drop children off but please do not park there.

Children in Need

We are holding a Teddy Bears' Picnic on Friday 14th November in support of Children in Need; bring in a teddy and a donation for the fund.

Playbox Theatre

The whole school is having a trip to the theatre on Tuesday 21st October. We have an arrangement with the theatre so the children can visit twice a year free of charge. Please could you send in a named envelope a donation of £2 to cover the cost of the coach.

Family Afternoon for Reception Families

Family afternoon is on Friday 24th October . Reception children go home at lunchtime and return at 2pm. Please bring along family, grandparents and friends. The children can show their family the classroom. Meet the staff and have refreshments in the hall.

Kerbsafe

We would like to run a road safety project in Year 2. To be able to do this we need a number of volunteers who have one afternoon a week free for about six weeks. We did try to run the project last year but were unable to get enough volunteers to help. Please let Miss Hudson know if you could help this term.

Clubs

All clubs will start the week of 22nd September.

Tuesday

12.40 - 1pm Computer Club with Mr Queralt

3 - 3.45pm Cheerleading with Mrs Cossins, Mrs Dawe, Mrs Ali

3 - 4pm Coventry City Football

Thursday

3 - 3.45pm Pop Mobility with Miss Johnson

Sewing Club with Miss Hudson

Friday

12.30 – 1pm French

3-4.45pm Tennis with Mrs Servant and an outside provider

Recorders will start for Year 2 after half term

Dogs In Playground

It has been brought to my attention that a number of children are nervous around dogs. To ensure the playground is a safe place for all the children please can you tie dogs up away from the gates before entering the playground.

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. In addition it is against the message of healthy lifestyles that the school endorses. Thank you for your consideration.

Sharing Assemblies

Sycamore – Friday 10th October 9.15
Oak – Friday 24th October 9.15
Holly – Friday 7th November 9.15
Cherry – Friday 14th November 9.15
Willow – Friday 21st November 9.15
Chestnut – Friday 28th November 9.15

Please look out for letters in book bags.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Debi Cossins
Headteacher