• Key information about starting school on Monday 18 May. Your questions answered.

Will my child be safe at school?

We are planned, prepared and have all the Health and Safety steps in place to make sure our tamariki and staff are safe at school. All of our staff have had Health and Safety training over the last few days and everyone is coming back confident about what we need to do to keep each other safe as a community. We will be spending the first few days setting routines and helping our tamariki learn what to do to keep safe at school.

Do I have to send my child to school during Alert Level 2?

The Ministry of Education encourages whānau to send their tamariki to school, however they are allowing us to be flexible for a short while. This means that you are able to have a little time to weigh up what you need to do for your whānau, and talk to us about what the best next steps are. If your child is away during the first few days, someone from the school team will be in touch and we can put a transition plan in place together.

What can I do to help?

Send your tamariki to school with lunch and a water bottle. The water fountains are closed during Alert 2, and Deejays (our canteen) is also closed. There will be no ordering. You can also talk with your tamariki about the importance of hand washing (wash hands for at least 20 seconds) and also how it is important to keep their space from others - keeping out of others 'moist breath zone'.

Will there still be breakfast and lunch provided if my child needs it?

Of course. However, under Alert 2, breakfast and lunch will be portable.

What happens at pick up and drop off?

Whilst our greatest wish is to welcome everyone, as we always have, this is necessary under Alert Level 2, as a large number of adults in the same space is the ‘most likely’ chance of Covid-19 entering the school grounds. We encourage a drop off and pick up only approach to restrict the number of ‘adults on-site’.

Where it is necessary for an adult to come on site for pick up or drop off, there should be one person only designated to do so for your family. You must remain outside the buildings and must practice physical distancing at all times. (Note: this is the same for taxi drivers and parents of Le Va students). Family members that must come on site must ‘check in’ on the school app.

If you do not already have the school app you will need to download this app. Please see the attached document.

Can I go into the classroom or cloakbay to help my child?

No, sorry. Only staff members and our tamariki are allowed to enter the school buildings. Unfortunately whānau cannot enter our buildings without an appointment. We look forward to being able to welcome you all back as the Alert Levels change, but for now this rule is in place to keep everyone safe.

If whanau do need to come into the buildings, or need to see the classroom teacher, please email or phone the school office, or the classroom teacher so we can organise for this to happen safely. If this cannot be done due to unforeseen circumstances please come to the school office to register and register as a visitor. This is necessary for Health and Safety reasons, including contact tracing if this is needed. Please do not be offended that you will need to knock for attention. We have to follow clear Health and Safety processes at this time. We are still working together to minimise risk of COVID 19 spreading.

Thank you all for your understanding.

See you all on Monday.

Address Milan Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland 2025

Phone 09 278 5231 or 0800 786 3784 Fax 09 278 2480 Email office@papatoetoe-south.school.nz

Mobile 027 585 5441

To report an absence please ring 278 5231 or 0800 PTOE STH, option 2.

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