Inquiring Minds

Regarding: ‘Inquiring Minds: Set-up for Success’

Recommences this Friday 11th March 2022

Dear parents,

We look forward to welcoming families to our birth to four years program ‘Inquiring Minds: Set-up for Success’, which we will offer each Friday morning from 9.00am to 10.30am during school term time, beginning Friday 11^th March. Mrs Kim Klug will, once again, offer this popular program. Some particulars regarding your preparation and participation in this program includes:

• 9.00am start using the school kindergarten room (please sign-in at the school office prior to going to the kindergarten room.)
• Please bring some morning tea for your child.
• Outside play will feature strongly this term – a change of clothes would be advised in case of ‘enthusiastic’ water play.
• Gold coin donation appreciated.

Certain protocols are in place that reflects our School COVID Safety Plan and more information will be provided to families as the school is provided with updates, however, a summary of the actions the school will be undertaking that support the wellbeing of all in our school community that you need to be aware of includes:

1. St Patrick’s implements the Catholic Education Tasmania’s COVID Safety Plan, key aspects include:
   1. Staff and adults are to wear face masks inside buildings unless teaching or unless there is a need for greater clarity of enunciation.
      1. Children are not expected to wear face masks.
         
         
   2. Parent prerogative (choice) regarding vaccination of their child/children: Non-discriminatory inclusion.
      
      
   3. Classroom doors and windows will be open where practicable to enhance flowthrough of air.
      1. Classroom air conditioners have been thoroughly cleaned by air conditioning cleaning professionals.
         
         
   4. Enhanced cleaning protocols, including heightened expectation of hand washing or sanitisation upon entering school buildings.
      1. School cleaners are informed our school COVID SAFETY PLAN.

1. Staff and student health and safety is of the upmost importance and one of our key challenges for term 1 will be maintaining staff attendance and minimising disruption to face-to-face teaching.
   1. All parents who enter the school building are required to sign-in at the school office please and provide contact details on the attendance sheet provided at the entrance door to the kindergarten; parents should then enter the classroom from the external exit door please (the classroom door that faces a playground or external pathway area) rather than walk through internal corridors.
   2. Adults on site and outside are not required to wear face masks or sign-in, however, please observe 1.5 m distancing.
      
      
2. If a visitor, student or member of staff is seen to be displaying cold or flu symptoms, we will assume COVID infection – the person expected to stay home and take a COVID test. Symptoms include: a cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose.
   
   
3. Close contact due to confirmed case of a household member:

• The person must not come to school – the family is expected to inform the principal and quarantine.
• The person must quarantine for seven days from the date of the contact even if asymptomatic.
  • The person can enter the school on day seven of the quarantine provided two negative RAT results (days 1 and 6 of the quarantine period)

4. Classmates of a confirmed case in the classroom:

• The school will contact the parents of children in the class to be alert for symptoms.

All the best and I hope this assists with some preparations and allows you some reassurance regarding our school response. More will be communicated to you when more information is communicated and confirmed with the school – we are greatly looking forward to welcoming you back to ‘Inquiring Minds: Set-up for Success’ birth to four program on Friday 11^th March 9.00am to 10.30am.