DCC Parental Engagement Letter – 10.02.21

10 February 2021

 

 

Dear parent

 

At this difficult time where schools are unable to offer on site education to all, they have been working extremely hard to provide an alternative education offer to ensure the continuity of children’s learning.

 

It is appreciated that sometimes there can be some technical difficulties accessing remote learning, and we also recognise that parents who are educating their children at home may also be working from home, balancing the demands of home life and employment circumstances.  Should you have any difficulties accessing your school’s remote education offer, we would encourage you to contact the school to resolve these as a matter of urgency.

 

If you are unable to access the school’s remote learning because of some other difficulty, it is imperative that you contact the school at your earliest opportunity so that learning can re-commence, and so that, as a parent, you can continue to meet your duty in law to ensure that your child(ren) of compulsory school age receive a suitable full-time education.

Schools have important duties to ensure that children are safe, well and receive the support that they need whilst remote learning. If a pupil is not accessing this, and the school are unable to make contact with you, naturally the school may be concerned. It is therefore important that parents maintain an open dialogue with schools so that they can help you with any concerns or difficulties. In some circumstances, it may be necessary for the school to make a referral to the Local Authority who will assess whether a home visit is required.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Richard Crane

Head of Education and Skills

Safer Internet Day UNCRC Articles

Today is safer internet day.

You can find lots of information on this link.

Safer Internet Day

 

TEAMS Live Sessions for children

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are going to provide daily 15 minute live sessions that we would like all children to attend via Teams. We feel this is a high priority to be able to support our children with their well-being and mental health. The sessions will start Thursday 11^th February 2021 and will be held at the same time daily. (The sessions will not occur during February half term holiday)

We are going to ask all children to put their cameras on to be able to see their friends and those in school will be visible as well.

If you do not wish your child to be on the camera, please let us know by emailing the school at d.lee103@durhamlearning.net

This will be a lovely opportunity for your child to interact with their friends and continue to develop their social needs. Class Teachers can also discuss their daily learning and address any previous misconceptions.

The daily times of the sessions are as follows in case there are siblings in different classes and allows access to available devices:

 

Class 1                         9.30am-9.45am

Class 2                         9.15am-9.30am

Class 3                         9.00am-9.15am

Class 4                         9.45am-10.00am

 

To access these sessions children will need an Office 365 account and will be using Microsoft Teams. School has provided all children with accounts. Children’s username and passwords will be sent out via email once parental consents have been agreed via Microsoft Forms. This link will be sent out via text/email to parents/carers. Children can then sign in and will then be able to join an instant meeting with their class teachers at the times stated above. Please can children log in 5 minutes before their meeting starts. They will not be able to join a meeting until their class teacher starts meet now. This will then contact all members of their class who has their Teams open and give them the option to join an instant meeting. Durham County Council IT Services have put together a guide for parents/carers on how to install Microsoft Teams

 

https://www.nettlesworth.durham.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/02/Teams-iOS-pdf-724×1024.jpg

 

https://www.nettlesworth.durham.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/02/Teams-Android-pdf-724×1024.jpg

 

 

Accessing TEAMS through Xbox and PlayStation Devices

 

Microsoft Teams is accessible on many different devices – you do not necessarily need a laptop. 

 

Tablet or Smartphone – This often works better if you download the ‘Teams’ App.

 

You can also use a Samsung TV and Samsung smartphone combination.

 

 Samsung Smartphones to TV:

1. First, with your TV remote, open the Source menu and activate Screen Mirroring.
2. Now, on your Galaxy phone, pull down the notification bar and tap on DeX in the Quick Settings panel.
3. You’ll see a list of available devices to connect with.
4. Choose the display you want to connect to and tap Start Now.
5. You’ll now see DeX launch on your TV.
6. To navigate within DeX, you can use your phone as a touchpad. Pull down the notification bar and tap “Use phone as touchpad.”
7. Now use your finger or S Pen to guide the pointer and access your apps.
8. Since DeX on TV is wireless, you can now navigate the screen from all the way across the room. (Please note this will only work with Samsung Smartphones)

 

 

To access Microsoft TEAMS for class sessions, it is possible to use either an Xbox or PlayStation gaming console that is connected to the internet.

 

Xbox Instructions

1. Plug a keyboard into the Xbox USB slot
2. Go into MY GAMES AND APPS
3. Find MICROSOFT EDGEand select
4. Type in MY USO and log in as you would in school
5. Access TEAMS
6. Use a mouse or the Xbox Controller to move around

 

PlayStation 4 Instructions

1. Head to your console’s Library and choose the option for games and applications
2. Select Applications and fire up the PS4 web browser
3. Type MICROSOFT TEAMS into the browser and then log in to your account via your username and password
4. This will give you access to all content online for your child’s home learning efforts, as well as watch live sessions
5. Don’t forget your headset if you need to interact!

 

 

 

 

Please remind your child to:

– keep their login and password details safe

– ask a parent/carer if they are unsure about anything

– always act responsibly online

– try their best to improve their learning

 

Just as in school, we will have high expectations of everyone’s behaviour when using the TEAMS app to access learning online. Please can we ask that parents, carers and children all read / have read to them, the following Code of Conduct, to ensure you are aware of the rules and expectations that we have. This will help to keep everyone safe and happy – thank you!

 

Code of Conduct for Using Teams:

When using the messaging or comments features everyone will:

• Use kind words only and not say anything that could upset someone else
• Be kind, helpful and respectful of others

No-one will:

• Take screen shots / record conversations without the specific permission of the teacher

 

When joining live-streamed sessions everyone will:

• Listen carefully to whoever is talking
• Keep themselves muted when asked to by the teacher
• Be appropriately dressed (uniform is not necessary)
• Make sure they do not have anything in view that might offend / upset others
• Keep to the rules given by the teacher for that lesson, e.g show you want to speak by raising your hand

No-one will:

• Attempt to record the lesson without the specific permission of the teacher
• Share access to the lesson with anyone outside of the class
• Show unkindness to anyone

 

It will be assumed that by using your school login details to access the app, both parents, carers and children have read and agreed to the above school code of conduct.

 

This is new technology for us so we may find that there are some teething issues! Thank you for your understanding as we become more familiar with how Teams works. If you have any queries, please contact the school in the usual way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microsoft Teams (MT) ‘Meet’:

Class teachers will ‘Meet’ with their classes using Microsoft Teams for a live video call with the whole class. Video calls within Microsoft Teams are very similar to Zoom and other video meeting software, but all within the safe confines of our school.

 

Parental Consent and Behaviour Agreement

In order to support our work in maintaining continuity of education for our students in the event of school closure (full or part), we will be using Microsoft Teams as a platform to conduct ‘live’ sessions for mental health and well-being. It is therefore vital that Microsoft Teams is used appropriately and we ask parents/guardians to be mindful of the following points and to discuss them with their child:

 

1. All audio/video-conferencing will be held solely through Microsoft Teams.
2. A parent/ carer needs to wave to the teacher on WebCam, to acknowledge their approval of the video call and their presence at home.
3. Please connect to the ‘Meeting’ in suitable clothes (not pyjamas).
4. Ensure that your child is sitting in a shared space and not their bedroom.
5. The length of the ‘Meet’ is designed to be around 15 minutes – but this might change depending upon the number of children in the video call, the logistics of trying to get children logged on and the content of what you would like children to share.
6. For safeguarding reasons, pupils must join and ‘allow’ with ‘video’ and computer ‘audio’ in order for them to be seen and heard by their classmates and their class teacher.
7. Once the meeting has been successfully joined, please mute your microphone.

10.Two members of staff will be planned to be on the call – however sometimes technical issues may arise which might stop this. If parents have any concerns regarding Microsoft Teams ‘video calls’ to e-mail the Office who will contact your child’s Class Teacher.

11. It is not appropriate for parents/guardians to take part in live lessons but we ask that parents/carers know when the sessions are being delivered.
12. Please make sure that there are no distracting or offensive materials in the background. o Parents/guardians should be mindful about what family activities would potentially be heard/seen during the students’ use of video conferencing. Ideally students should take part in video conferencing somewhere near enough for you to monitor, yet private enough to concentrate on their work.
13. For safeguarding purposes, all Audio/video conferences will be recorded. Recording all audio/video conferences protects everyone.
14. Participants will be made aware that the audio/video conference is being recorded and that the recording will only be stored on our internal systems.
15. Pupils/parents/guardians, should not take photos, screenshots, record any video, or audio, from these conference sessions. If this does happen the school will follow its behaviour policy.
16. The same rules of conduct and behaviour will apply as in the classroom and children should be polite and respectful at all times.
17. Children will only be able to join a Teams ‘meeting’ (live session) once a member of staff has started the meeting
18. Any breaches of the points above may result in students being immediately removed from the audio/videoconference, banned from all future audio/video-conferencing and further sanctions in alignment to the school’s behaviour policy.

Children will only be allowed to take part in Microsoft Teams Live Sessions if the consent form and behaviour agreement below has been completed.

If you have questions or concerns

Dear Parent/Carer,

 Parent Governor Vacancy 

I am writing to let you know that we have one vacancy for parents on the Governing Body of Nettlesworth Primary School and to explain in a little more detail about what the role involves.

The Role of Governors 

Everyone says that the role of governors is increasingly important, especially with the increasing independence of schools as well as the increased scrutiny and accountability of schools and school leaders.

As Governors we are not there to manage the day-to-day running of the school – that is the job of the Principal. We are there to do three main things:

(1) To help set the vision and strategic direction of school;

(2) To hold the Principal to account for the school’s performance;

(3) To monitor the curriculum provision and teaching and learning in school .

Another common way of putting the role of governors is to say that our job is to provide a healthy mix of support and challenge.

The skills and qualities needed by Governors 

Recent Government guidance on appointing and electing governors says:

‘All governors need a strong commitment to their role and to improving outcomes for children; the inquisitiveness to question and analyse; and the willingness to learn. They need good inter-personal skills, appropriate levels of literacy in English and sufficient numeracy skills to understand basic data.’ 

 

 We have a range of backgrounds including: school and higher education, civil service, finance, and human resources.

 

Time Commitment 

We meet as a full governing body once a term, ie three times per year. The meetings run at school.  In addition to the meetings, we require governors to come in to school, usually in the school day over the course of the year. These visits usually focus on an aspect of school development. We try to attend various school events and may be called upon for other tasks such as: sitting on senior appointments panels or giving particular attention to a specific issue or policy. As well as these activities there is quite a bit to read and most importantly there is an expectation that Governors will attend training sessions in order to ensure that they are up to date on such things as: school performance data; finance; special educational needs; keeping children safe at schools etc. A comprehensive induction programme is provided.

A term of office is for four years.

Eligibility 

Anyone who has a child on the roll of the school at the time of the election is eligible to stand (and you do not have to resign if your child leaves during your term of office).

If you are still interested after reading all the above, I would encourage you to consider putting yourself forward as a candidate. If you would like to speak with me about the role I can also be contacted via the school office.   .

If you do wish to put yourself forward then you need to complete a nomination form, which can be collected from school or delivered.

Election Process 

If there are more than two candidates an election will be held and this will take place.  More details will follow on this.

I hope this is helpful in helping you decide whether or not you wish to stand as a Parent Governor in order to play your part in helping Nettlesworth Primary not only to retain its very high standards but to be part of the school’s development.

If you are interested in this vacancy, please can you let us know by Friday 12th February 2021.

Yours sincerely,

 

Donna Lee

Head Teacher

Class 1

 

Class 2

 

Class 3

 

Class 4

 

Well done for all your efforts on Lexia this week.

Here are the children who achieved their latest Lexia Certificate.

Well done to everyone for your efforts with your TT Rockstars this week.

This week we are focussing on the Most Correct Answers over the last 7 days.

DB Primary Tips:

 

Welcome to DB Primary Power Point – PARENTS

DB Primary Parent Guide-58095

Developing-Online-Safety-in-the-Primary-School-through-DB-Primary-A-guide-for-parents-and-carers

 

 

We are very impressed with what has been completed and the engagement from our children. There have been a few issues raised from parents and children so here are some tips which might assist you from next week:

• Accessing DB Primary through an iPad – this is better if done through Google Chrome rather than Safari – Google Chrome can be downloaded free from the App Store
• You can access DB Primary by clicking on the link on our school website home page or remote learning page under parents heading
• If a word document doesn’t look right when you click on it, try downloading it first and then opening it.
• If you can’t print out worksheets or if you need to you can write on any piece of paper, take a photograph and upload it to DB Primary. If anyone needs an exercise book to work from, please email us and you can collect one from school
• We believe that DB Primary can be accessed through X-Box and Playstations. It will give your child access to a lot of content.

 

o X-Box

1. Plug a key board into the X Box USB slot – or use the games controller
2. Go in to my games and apps
3. Type in: https://nettlesworth.durham.dbprimary.com

 

 

o Playstation

1. Identify the Play Station internet browser icon (it is WWW with dots around it)
2. Press the PS4 logo on the controller
3. Go to the library and find options for games and applications
4. Go in to applications and you will find the internet browser
5. Type: https://nettlesworth.durham.dbprimary.com

 

 

 

If anyone is struggling with accessing remote learning or is having data issues, please contact us!