Dear Parent / Carer,
Many thanks for your understanding and patience over recent days, as a school we have had to react very quickly to the sudden announcement of our closure today (20/3) and our opening as a ‘care provider’ on 23/3. I would like to thank all our fantastic students (especially years 11 & 13) and brilliant staff for the way in which they have all handled this very difficult situation, there remain huge uncertainties and concerns for us all. I have never felt more proud of being part of this school than I have over the last few days.
I promise to keep you updated with any new announcements and information as soon as I get it. Through these strange times we must stick together and support each other, especially our young people as best we can. Even though ‘normal’ school may not be open as usual all the staff are still here for you and your son / daughter, please feel free to contact staff via e mail at any time.
In readiness for the weeks and months ahead can I please remind you of the following points.
- This is not an ‘extended holiday’ for anyone. We are facing a national emergency and we must follow government guidelines if we want to prevent the spread of this virus and as a result save lives. So please ensure your child / children follow the guidelines on ‘social distancing’ during this period of school closure. They should not be arranging to meet with friends in the park or having parties etc. “Parents should do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus.” (Government guidance 19/3/20). We have reminded all students of this fact and many of them seemed quite surprised! Government advice remains that if it is at all possible, children should be at home, the safest thing to do is stay indoors. This is not going to be an easy period of time and many of our young people will soon feel bored and frustrated. Encourage them to have a daily routine which does involve some exercise whenever possible.
- As previously stated every morning work for the day will be e mailed to students by their teachers – please make sure they log on every day, check their work and complete it. Those pupils who do not have internet access have been given paper copies of work and more will be posted home in due course. In addition reading is always an excellent use of time and there are loads of learning resources on the web and through our website.
- If your child / children is eligible for free school meals – the school canteen will be open every day from 12 noon – 12.45 when they can come and collect a take away meal at no cost. Only Alsager students can collect the meal, parents / carers cannot I’m afraid.
- I intend to keep on sending out parent bulletins on a regular basis throughout this time and we are also working on setting up an ‘Alsager School In Action’ e platform where students, staff and parents / carers can share and upload information and photos about what they have been up to and how they are learning in a different way. This I feel will help keep up morale. Further details to follow on this.
My thanks once again for your continued support, we have received some lovely messages from parents / carers over recent days. I wish you, your children and your families all the very best over the days ahead and I will no doubt be updating you again soon.
Warm regards
Richard Middlebrook
