We use Class Dojo which is an app that works very much like Facebook. You can send and receive short messages with your child’s teacher. Please ask to arrange a meeting with teachers for those more sensitive or important topics rather than a dojo message. The Class Story is where the teachers will share learning and messages from school. It’s a great way to start conversations with your child about what they have been up to at school that day…not all children will respond to ‘how was your day?’. Children will also have a dojo monster where they can gain points for showing our core values or learning muscles during the day at school. We celebrate when children reach 50, 100, 150 or 200 dojo points.

Food and Drink

All of the EYFS and KS1 children benefit from the Government’s free Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. Each day a piece of seasonal fruit or vegetable is provided for the children for their daily snack. The children regularly have carrots, apples, pears, tomatoes, baby cucumbers, sugar snap peas, satsumas, bananas and raisins. Please ensure that the school is kept informed about any allergies.

In class, children are encouraged to drink freely from their water bottles to water their brains and keep them busy for longer!

Our lunches are made by EATS which run a varied menu including a vegetarian/vegan option each day as well as Jacket Potatoes. Children in EYFS and KS1 receive free school meals but can bring a packed lunch if preferred.

Drop off and Pick up

AM - At Witnesham, between 8:40 and 9am children can be dropped off at the gate to the Class 1 Outdoor Area where a familia adult will be waiting to greet them. At Otley, children can be dropped off at the main gate between 8:40 and 9am where a familiar adult will be waiting to greet them. After a final goodbye, children will then come inside to independently hang up their belongings on their peg. Inside the classroom there will be a range of activities for children to access. This is a great opportunity for children to settle in to the day and for adults to check in with everyone!

PM - At Witnesham, children can be collected from the gate to the Class 1 Outdoor Area at 3:15pm. At Otley, children can be collected from the outside classroom in the playground at 3:15pm.

What you need to bring

Please ensure that everything is labelled with your child’s name (including all parts of PE kit).

Bookbag

Water bottle

PE Bag

Spare clothes and plastic bag in case of accidents

Wellies, hat, scarf, gloves, sunhat.

Supporting Your Child at Home

As a parent you are your child’s very first teacher! In school, we strive to develop excellent relationships with the children and this includes developing excellent relationships with parents, too. To ensure your child’s happiness, well-being and development, we believe that we should work in partnership. It is always a pleasure to receive parental feedback, so please tell us about your child’s interests and achievements outside of school. We aim to ensure that our activities address your child’s interests and needs, and your input, either verbally or via dojo, help us to match learning opportunities to what best motivates your child.

We will hold regular workshops and Stay and Play sessions to support you with learning at home with your child and resources will be shared with those who are unable to attend. Staff are available to talk before and after school. If you wish to ask a question, perhaps about supporting your child’s reading or about their progress or friendships, we are more than happy to spend some time with you. No question is unimportant.

We are committed to ensuring that you are kept well informed about what is happening in school and to support you when talking to your child at home. Please take some time to look at our newsletters so you are aware of our half-termly learning.

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