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

 

https://nettlesworth.durham.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/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!

Safer Internet Day Articles 16 & 17 DOWNLOAD NOW

Attached is a brief demonstration for our new DB Primary Platform. Please bear in mind that this is our first day using this new system, and we are all getting used to it. We are delighted to see so many children accessing their Homepages and work. Well done everyone.

Thank you all for your continued support – we really do appreciate this.

Letter for direct and proximity contacts

Date: 4/2/2021

 

FOR PARENTS / CARERS OF CLOSE CONTACTS OF COVID-19 at Class 2 Keyworker/Vulnerable Groups Bubble

 

Advice for Child to Self-Isolate for 10 Days

 

Dear parent or carer,

 

We have been made aware that we have a positive lateral flow test, the member of staff will now have a PCR test for conformation. If it returns a negative result the bubble will re-open and we will inform parents of this with timing details.

 

We have followed the national guidance and, following a risk assessment with Public Health England (PHE) advisers, have identified that your child has been in close contact with the individual who has had a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19). In line with the national guidance, your child must stay at home and self-isolates until Saturday 13^th February 2021

 

If your child is well at the end of the 10 day period of self-isolation, then they can return to their usual activities and attend school as normal.

 

Other members of your household can continue normal activities, provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 10 day self-isolation period.

 

For more information, please see the guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

 

What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID 19)

 

Having been identified as a close contact, if your child then develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a new, continuous cough, or a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).  Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test – this is the type of test that is normally available and can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

 

People who do not have symptoms or have not tested positive using a Lateral Flow Device should not request a PCR test unless this has been specifically requested by Public Health England or the local authority.

 

All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

 

The household isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your 10 day isolation period starts on the 15th of the month, your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th and you can return to your normal routine.

 

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas, and exercise should be taken within the home. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

 

Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.

 

If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period. If that is not possible, anyone with symptoms should try and stay as far away as possible from vulnerable members of your household.

 

For more information, please read PHE’s ‘Stay at Home’ guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

 

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

 

How to stop coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading

 

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus (COVID-19):

 

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

 

Further Information

 

Further information is available at

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

Yours sincerely

Donna Lee

Head Teacher