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CORONAVIRUS AND SCHOOLS - UPDATED 15TH MAY 2020

https://www.slough.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/coronavirus-and-schools.aspx

CHILD CARE FOR KEY WORKERS DURING SCHOOL CLOSURE

 

 

19th March 2020

 

We will be offering a child care facility for the children of Key Workers who do not have another family member or friend who can look after their youngsters whilst they are at work. This facility will also be available for children who have an EHCP. Whilst we are more than happy to provide this facility, it does bring numbers of children and adults together in groups so, if you have vulnerable family members, this might not be appropriate for you.  The timings of this offer will be 8.45am to 3.15pm and a lunch will be provided if needed. 
 
If you do wish to take up this offer, there is a form below which we would ask you to fill in and send to office@ryvers.slough.sch.uk . If you could do this as soon as possible and preferably before Monday 22nd March that would be helpful for our planning. 
 

CHILD CARE FOR KEY WORKERS DURING SCHOOL CLOSURE FORMS

CYCLES FOR KEY WORKERS

Safeguarding essential information during lockdown!

Talking Therapies

5 Ways 5 Days NHS Challenge for Children and young people

Council Opens Cemetery To the Public
Slough Borough Council has reopened the cemetery grounds but is calling on residents to be sensitive to others whilst social distancing continues.
 
The Slough Cemetery and Crematorium, Stoke Road, was closed to the public – other than those attending crematorium services or burials – in March after the government announced it wanted all crematorium grounds closed.
 
Now this advice has been clarified, with cemeteries being allowed to reopen.
 
The council has taken steps to ensure people wanting to visit the cemetery to visit deceased family members can do so, without straying into the grounds of the crematorium which shares the same site.
 
However to ensure everyone’s safety, some regulations have been put into place.
 
Visitors to the cemetery are now required to:
  • enter the site through the gates off Lismore Park, and not through the main gates to the crematorium off Stoke Road
  • park in the layby areas off the paths through the cemetery and not in the crematorium car park
  • maintain social distancing at all times – including from council staff maintaining the grounds
  • not take part in any gatherings around graves or grave sites – only people from the same household should visit at the same time
  • only visit during published cemetery opening hours
  • not assist in any works in the grounds including interment
  • be respectful of any services taking place
The office and book of remembrance chapel remain closed.
 
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “Our staff were distraught when they had to close the cemetery, knowing bereaved families would like to visit and pay their respects.
 
“Please be reassured, while the cemetery has been closed to the public, we have continued to care for those interred at the Slough cemetery as if they were our own family.
 
“Please feel free to visit your departed loved ones once again – but please, to ensure your safety and ours, follow the new guidelines.”
 
For other advice on services, cremations and burials at Slough Cemetery and Crematorium during the coronavirus update please see slough.gov.uk/coronavirus
 

Message Sent By
Kate Pratt (Slough Council, Communications Manager, Slough)
21/04/2020

Message from the Leader and Chief Executive
Message from the leader of the council, James Swindlehurst and chief executive, Josie Wragg
 
Following the recent announcement by the government about the current coronavirus restrictions remaining in place for at least the next three weeks, we first want to thank all of our residents who are following the government guidelines, staying at home and only going out for essential reasons.
 
We know how hard the current restrictions are on everyone but we also know it is the best way we can all play our part in preventing the spread of the virus and protect all those who are providing critical services and keeping the town running.
 
Our thanks also have to go to our staff, so many of whom are living up to our motto of serving with honour, putting themselves at higher risk to continue to provide the services we all rely on; our adult and children’s social care staff, schools, our registrars, housing, the benefits teams ensuring residents in need get the money their deserve, our bin men who are out every day covering their rounds without fail and all the staff working behind the scenes so these frontline services can continue.
 
Since the lockdown started our teams have collected more than half a million bins, are looking after around 350 children of key workers and those with special needs in our children’s centres and schools and given out hundreds of pounds of hardship grants.
 
All the details of help available from us are on our website, so please check www.slough.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest.
 
We have had many emails thanking our teams and have received many messages of good wishes as well as seeing lots of rainbow pictures and pictures thanking carers which is really raising the spirits of our staff who are out and about.  
 
But we aren’t doing this alone.
 
We have teamed up with Slough Council for Voluntary Services (SCVS) to provide a one Slough approach to helping the most vulnerable among us. The ingenuity, power and energy shown by the town’s volunteers has been second to none with more than 300 signing up within a week of our call for assistance.
 
More than 1,500 residents have benefited from the support on offer from this group; people who, without this support could have been without food, care or human contact.
 
These volunteers and the staff who are supporting them are genuinely helping save lives and we can never thank them enough for giving up their time for others.
 
If this crisis has taught us anything, it is that by bringing the public, voluntary and private sector together we have a strength none of us has on our own.
 
If we could bottle that strength we would be set forever; so it down to all of us, all partners, not to lose the momentum, the relationships and the connections, born in a crisis, as life begins to get back to normal.
 
While we all mourn those we have lost and have hope for those who may fall ill before this is over, we are, all of us, becoming stronger together, even whilst we are apart from each other.
 
We wish all of you well. Stay safe. If you can stay home, please do. Protect those who most need it.
 
James and Josie

Message Sent By
Kate Pratt (Slough Council, Communications Manager, Slough)
The council is urging residents who are lighting bonfires in their garden to reconsider for the sake of the entire community during the coronavirus public health crisis.

Bonfires continue to be lit against advice leading to a significant increase in reports to the council about unnecessary burning. This is causing a nuisance and has potential health consequences, especially to those battling coronavirus.

As a result, neighbourhood enforcement officers could now visit residents burning waste after a complaint and will consider serving abatement notices.

There are a number of reasons why bonfires create a greater health and safety risk during this public health emergency and the council is advising residents to hold onto their waste until the lockdown is relaxed.

The main risk is the smoke and toxic fumes created by any bonfire which could significantly affect neighbours who are suffering from, or convalescing from, the deadly virus.

Coronavirus specifically attacks the lungs, reducing capacity for the oxygen necessary for the body to function and therefore any additional element which makes it harder to breathe is threatening to someone’s health.

Those who are isolating or shielding others are also inconvenienced and left stressed with the smell from a bonfire in their homes and being forced to close windows and doors.

In addition, the warm spring weather has left gardens dry creating a fire risk where bonfires can easily get out of control and spread to fences, sheds, and homes. Bonfires are also not without personal risk of people getting burns and therefore bonfire accidents can put additional pressure on NHS services.

Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “We are urging residents to think twice about lighting a fire in their gardens as this horrid illness particularly affects the lungs, and smoke from a bonfire can aggravate it.

“People who have spent their time usefully clearing out garages, attics and sheds, or tidying gardens can keep their waste until Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre reopens.

“Our advice is to store waste and use our green bin service, until it can be taken to Chalvey HWRC.”

The council’s doorstep collections continue as per the normal schedule with weekly waste and recycling collections and fortnightly green collections of garden waste. Green bins can be ordered and will be delivered during this period by contacting us on 01753 475111 and choosing option 4.

If residents have a neighbour causing a nuisance by having a bonfire please contact us on 01753 475111 with as many details as possible.
 

Message Sent By
Kate Pratt (Slough Council, Communications Manager, Slough)
Picture 1

Message from the Chief Constable Ahead of the Easter Weekend
The Chief Constable said: “With Easter coming this weekend and the weather forecast to be fine, it is vitally important that the public continue to adhere to the Government restrictions. I appreciate that this is a time of year when we would usually be enjoying time with our families and friends, however these are unprecedented times and we must all do our part to protect each other and the vital services of the NHS.

“Thank you to the residents of the Thames Valley for complying with the Government’s measures. They are in place to protect us all, and I appreciate the effort that all of you are making to stay indoors and social distance when you have to leave the house for an essential reason.

“I know these restrictions will now be well-known by now, but let me remind you all that you can only leave your home to shop for basic necessities, for one form of exercise per day, for a medical or care need, and to travel to and from work, but only where you cannot work from home. If you are outside for these essential activities please ensure you are at least two meters from anyone who you do not live with.

“Please do not be tempted to go out for any other reason.

“As usual, our officers will be patrolling our communities during Easter. We will be engaging with the public to ensure they are complying with the Government directives. Where there is any misunderstanding about the measures, we will explain and encourage the public to follow the guidelines. However, when necessary we will enforce the new powers given to us by Parliament.

“Our frontline officers and staff have been given personal protection equipment (PPE) to use. You may therefore see our officers wearing gloves and masks when they are out this weekend, if they are not able to keep the required distance with the public. This is for your safety and theirs.

“This is an unprecedented public health emergency and an extraordinary national effort is required to fight this virus. I am proud that the public and my staff have been working together to help save lives. I thank you all and I wish you all a very happy Easter."

Message Sent By
Emma Tarry (Police, Communications Officer, Thames Valley)

Chalvey HWRC is to close with immediate effect to help with the public health coronavirus crisis.

The decision has been taken to close the White Hart Road household waste and recycling centre to prevent households making unnecessary trips out of their homes. A trip to get rid of garden or attic waste is not deemed an essential journey.

It was the only waste site which remained open in the Thames Valley area and among 37 per cent of sites which remained open nationally. The individual recycling bays were closed with all waste being disposed of at four separate bays so social distancing could be observed.

In recent days however, people have been travelling from all over the borough as well as from outside our boundaries from places including High Wycombe, Hayes, Beaconsfield, Aylesbury and Bracknell to dispose of waste. This has created traffic queues and contributed to unnecessary journeys. Some were arriving with as little as a few bags of grass clippings.

Residents with unexpected time on their hands who are clearing out attics, garages, sheds, wardrobes or doing odd jobs around their home and garden, will now be required to keep this waste at home until the public health crisis is over and the site reopens.

Our refuse, recycling and green bin collection rounds are still operating normally. Green bins for garden waste can be ordered by calling 01753 475 111 option 4, and are emptied on a fortnightly basis.

The bulk waste collection service, for up to five household items, will be resuming for residents and can be booked by calling 01753 475111, option 4.

The waste transfer station for the disposal of commercial waste from businesses involved in providing critical services will remain open. Only card payments will be accepted.

Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “It is with regret that we need to close Chalvey HWRC.

“We had kept it open for essential use only but regrettably many people from both within the borough and from neighbouring boroughs have been making non essential journeys putting themselves and our operatives at avoidable risk.

“There are still weekly collection services for refuse and recycling and fortnightly collection of green bins, so if people use the bins correctly all their waste should fit into their allocated bins.”

We also want to remind people that household and DIY waste should not be burned in their gardens due to the toxic smoke which can be emitted. Residents could also fall foul of nuisance regulations. Please be aware of how actions in the garden may affect the neighbourhood who are also self isolating. Green waste should go into green bins. There is more information about bonfires http://www.slough.gov.uk/pests-pollution-and-food-hygiene/smoke-control-area.aspx.

We are also warning residents about the penalties for fly-tipping waste in the borough. The maximum fine is £50,000 and/or a sentence of up to six months imprisonment. If a vehicle is used to fly-tip waste both the driver and the owner can be prosecuted and the vehicle can be seized. Even if a resident who hires a trader to remove waste the resident could be liable for prosecution if the waste is subsequently found fly-tipped. More information about fly-tipping can be found here http://www.slough.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/fly-tipping.aspx.

Message Sent By
Kate Pratt (Slough Council, Communications Manager, Slough)

Organisations to support families

Warning Over Social Distancing In Slough Parks

 
 

 

Residents are being warned to stay at home after irresponsible families were seen using play areas and meeting friends in parks during the coronavirus public health crisis.

Thames Valley Police officers dispersed crowds of people meeting in Salt Hill Park where families were allowing children to use playground and exercise equipment.

Police officers described the scene as “like a bank holiday” as different families and households were socialising and using the skate park and cricket crease.

When asked why they were out of their homes some people’s response was simply “we don’t care”.

However, the council and the rest of the community do care that people are out of their homes unnecessarily and they could then potentially catch COVID-19 and, or infect others, including their loved ones.

Police have the authority to issue unlimited fines to people flouting the law starting at £30.

All play areas, green gyms and leisure areas are closed after a direct order from the government as the country attempts to fight the deadly virus.

The council’s parks are available to allow residents access to gorgeous green spaces during the one time per day they are allowed out of their homes for essential exercise, whether that be a for a walk or run.

The government has told people to stay in their homes unless they are shopping for essential food or medicine, for essential travel to work, essential exercise which should be limited to once a day and essential care for the vulnerable.

Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “We are dismayed that some residents think they are exempt from the government rulings to stay at home and think they won’t get, or won’t pass on, this illness. They could catch this horrible virus and pass it on to their family and friends.

“Our amazing green parks are open to be used by our residents to take essential exercise but our green gyms and play parks are firmly closed.

“However, if a small minority of people do not respect everyone’s right to stay safe then we will need to close our green parks too.

“Police have been given new powers by the government to disperse and fine people who are flouting these really important COVID-19 rules. We ask residents to respect them for the good of our whole community.”
   

Message Sent By
Kate Pratt (Slough Council, Communications Manager, Slough)

Library building closures

From Mon 23 March, The Curve, Britwell, Cippenham and Langley libraries are closed until further notice.

Whilst our buildings are closed:

  • You can renew books online or by calling 0303 123 0035. You will need your membership number and PIN.
  • No fines will be charged during the closure period

The team can still be contacted by emailing Curvelibrary1@slough.gov.uk or on Social Media.

Even though our buildings are closed, there is a huge range of resources that you can access online for free. Over the coming days and weeks, for as long as the closure continue, we will also be working on innovative ways to deliver our services online and through Social Media.

Join the Library online

If you know someone who isn't already a member of the library, you can still join online whilst we're closed. Once you have joined you will be given a temporary library card number and immediately begin to make use of our digital services.

eResources

Our eBook, eAudiobook and eMagazine services are still available and you can find details on how to use these services online. You can join online and immediately begin to make use of our digital services. We have invested more into our collections and have increased the number of times you can renew each title.
You can also learn a language, find out about the history of Slough, learn a new skill and more all for free online with your library membership.
Find information on how to access BorrowBox, RB Digital and other online resources to access our collections online.

We will keep you updated

Our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages will continue to share useful resources for those at home. Keep checking for new posts and service updates.

We will keep our newsletter subscribers updated. You can sign up online and even choose your favourite lists to keep up to date with.

Events update

We have currently postponed / cancelled all of our shows @ The Curve until May 23 and will continue to review the situation. Ticket holders have been contacted with more information and tickets for these events are no longer available.

From Mon 23 March, The Curve, Britwell, Cippenham and Langley libraries are closed. All events and activities are therefore no longer taking place. We will inform you when our libraries re-open and when events and activities will resume.

Council Services

Keep up to date with the impact on all SBC council services on our Coronavirus pages.

 

Added 30/03/2020

 

SLOUGH BOROUGH COUNCIL HAVE ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING NEW ONLINE RESOURCE

 

 

 

 

 

Health At Home A New Online Resource For Slough Residents

We are pleased to announce the launch of an important resource for Slough residents.

Health at Home is a bespoke online resource with guidance and advice on how people can look after themselves whilst spending time in isolation or extended periods of time at home.

This new page includes a range of services and resources including:

- Online, telephone and text “Stop Smoking” services
- Specific Coronavirus related Mental Health support and information
- Downloadable hints and tips of how to stay active at home, including bespoke advice for Early Years, Schools, Adults and those working from home
- Nutritional advice and meal preparation guidance
- Access to online testing for Sexual Health services
- Signing up to do befriending and one off tasks for older adults through our GoodGym programme

Over the coming weeks we will be growing this resource to have an even more holistic and enhanced offer to support the health of Slough residents during this difficult time.

Cllr Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “It’s really important that residents continue to look after their health whilst they are spending time at home. For all of us, this means standing up and moving often, looking after our mental health and preparing healthy meals. Looking after our own health and wellbeing has never been so important”.

For more information visit: https://www.publichealthslough.co.uk/campaigns/health-at-home/

Message Sent By
Kate Pratt (Slough Council, Communications Manager, Slough)

 

 

Added 26th March 2020

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION ALERT

 

Be aware of scam emails

 

We have been informed that some parents have received an email stating the following: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’.

 

We can confirm that this is a scam email and is not official. We urge parents that if you receive any emails like this, please do not respond, and delete it immediately.

 

 

Added 26th March 2020

Thursday 19th March 2020

 

Dear Parent/Carer

 

A famous writer, Maya Angelou (I recommend you read her books and poems!), said, ‘You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.’ We are incredibly fortunate that our Ryvers ‘family’ is such a strong, caring and supportive community who can all rely on one another. Please do keep in touch with and help one another and regularly check  https://www.ryversschool.com/ for updates.

 

As you are aware the school will be closed from Monday 23rd March. At the moment, we do not know how long this closure might last but it might be up until the summer holidays although it might be a lot shorter.

 

We will be offering a child care facility for the children of Key Workers who do not have another family member or friend who can look after their youngsters whilst they are at work. This facility will also be available for children who have an EHCP. Whilst we are more than happy to provide this facility, it does bring numbers of children and adults together in groups so, if you have vulnerable family members, this might not be appropriate for you.  The timings of this offer will be 8.45am to 3.15pm and a lunch will be provided if needed.

 

If you do wish to take up this offer, there is a form attached to this letter (also available on our website) which we would ask you to fill in and either physically drop off at the office or send to office@ryvers.slough.sch.uk . If you could do this as soon as possible and preferably before Monday 23rd March that would be helpful for our planning.

 

‘Home Learning’ resources will be available for the children to complete at home. These resources will be uploaded onto the ‘Year Pages’ of our school website by 10am each Monday morning. If you would like a paper copy of these resources, teachers will be printing a weekly pack which will be available to collect from the school each Monday between 10am and 12pm. The locations are:

 

EYFS and KS1:                                                       KS2:

Under the Nursery building entrance              Under the bike shelter by Year 3

Accessed via Gosling Gate                             Accessed via Main School Gate (not playground)

                        

 

 

If you have any specific questions about anything within this letter or a particular concern over anything related to the school closure could you please email it to closure@ryvers.slough.sch.uk With a limited number of staff on site we cannot promise to always be able to answer phone calls and we have been advised to ‘socially distance’ ourselves from parents so won’t be able to talk with you face to face.

 

As I mentioned earlier, we do not know how long these new measures will be in place. The government have cancelled all SATs tests, and other external exams. This will not reflect badly on our children and we will be in regular contact with our secondary school colleagues to ensure that transition in September still works very smoothly.

 

We also suggest that you have a look at this website: https://www.publichealthslough.co.uk/campaigns/health-at-home/ which gives advice about both physical and mental health for families at this time. We have also included an attachment with a suggested daily schedule which you might want to use with your children to best structure their day whilst they are away from school.

 

Just as you are likely to be a little concerned and confused by what is going on, so are some of our children for whom change and uncertainty can be difficult. We all need to be filling them with confidence and love, making sure they feel secure and happy. If, at any point, you feel your child is really struggling then please do drop us an email and we will do what we can to help.

 

My very best wishes to you all.

 

Pete Rowe

Executive Headteacher

Ryvers School

 

 

This is your daily email to keep you updated on the government’s response to COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice

As of 10 March, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated advice about travel to Italy. The FCO is currently advising:

  • against all but essential travel to Italy
  • against all travel to Hubei Province, in China
  • against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China
  • against all travel to the cities of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan in South Korea

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not currently advising against travel to any other country/territory as a result of COVID-19.

The latest travel advice can be found here:

Updated advice for travellers returning from Italy

On 10 March, Public Health England updated its travel advice for travellers returning from Italy. The advice can be found here:

Further information on what you should do if you are asked to self-isolate can be found here:

The importance of hygiene 

Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more; and the catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes.

How to wash your hands properly

Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds with soap and hot water.

Watch this short NHS film for guidance:

Teach young children how to wash their hands with the NHS handwashing song:

Public Health England recommends that in addition to handwashing before eating, and after coughing and sneezing, everyone should also wash hands after using toilets and travelling on public transport.

Educational resources

The e-Bug project is led by Public Health England and has a dedicated webpage for learning resources on hand washing and respiratory hygiene.

Resources are currently available for KS1, KS2 and KS3 and can be used in various settings including schools:

 

Where to find the latest information

Updates on COVID-19:

Guidance for educational settings:

Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas:

Educational resources:

Latest Department for Education information:

 

Government Coronavirus action plan

Yesterday, the Coronavirus action plan was launched. This document sets out what the UK as a whole has done to tackle the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and what it plans to do next.

The action plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan

The document includes:

  • what we know about the virus and the disease it causes
  • how we have planned for an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current coronavirus outbreak
  • the actions we have taken so far in response to the current coronavirus outbreak
  • what we are planning to do next, depending upon the course the current coronavirus outbreak takes
  • the role the public can play in supporting this response, now and in the future

Current advice remains in place: No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless advised to do so by Public Health England.

 

Updated 5th March 2020

 

Department for Education Coronavirus Helpline

 

The Department for Education have launched a new helpline for parents, young people and staff who have questions or concerns:

 

 

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

 

Updated 3rd March 2020

 

We do everything we can to ensure the safety of pupils and staff and we base this, where we can, on the best available professional advice. We are in contact with the Slough Education team who are liaising with Public Health England and will follow their advice. Please see the latest guidance:

 

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

Slough Borough Council also have a page on their website offering information and advice:

 

http://www.slough.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/coronavirus.aspx

  • Ryvers Primary School,
  • Trelawney Avenue,
  • Slough,
  • Berkshire,
  • SL3 7TS
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