February 2022 - Please see below the Sandwell Parents Newsletter - this shares lots of information that may be useful to you sent out by Sandwell Local Authority - Please click on the blue link - Good to know Newsletter Feb 2022
January 2022 - Please see below the Sandwell Parents Newsletter - this shares lots of information that may be useful to you - Good to know Newsletter
Please see below the Sandwell Parents Newsletter - this shares lots of information that may be useful to you.
Also check Holiday activities and food (HAF) | Sandwell Council
Holiday activities and food (HAF)
The Winter Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF21) is planning a
jam-packed line-up of activities including free meal offers. Whether you want a family
day out, to join a holiday playscheme or learn a new sport, there is something for
everyone in each town.
We are also showcasing a winter wonderland roadshow and bringing a pantomime
to Tipton as well as holding creative workshops with Sandwell libraries and
museums.
Check out the Holiday activities and food (HAF) webpage for details on how to book.
Children must be registered with HAF21 prior to booking and attend a Sandwell
school or live in Sandwell. Some activities are only for children in receipt of
benefit-related free school meals but many are available for all.
Latest News
Support for parents and carers to keep children safe online (COVID-19)
While there are huge benefits to being online to stay connected to family and friends during this period, the government recognises many parents feel concerned about the activities and content their children are accessing. This guidance outlines resources to help keep children safe from different risks online and where to go to get support and advice. Click here to access the government document.
Please find Net Aware information for Keeping children safe online - https://www.net-aware.org.uk/online-safety-lockdown/
Are you BAME and been affected by the Coronavirus? Boloh are here to help you; it is a helpline for free support for families. Please see the information here, For Parents - For professionals - and below if you think you need additional support.
Meal ideas poster - please see below for Meals Poster.
I hope you’re safe and well!
I wanted to share something that could be very timely for your readers.
'Screen addiction' is becoming a real problem, even more so during COVID-19 lockdowns, which is why it's more important than ever for children and adults alike to learn and develop healthier digital habits.
So I wanted to share this useful resource called “Understanding Screen Addiction and Responsible Digital Use” which offers lots of valuable information such as:
- How technology use has changed over the years (72% of adults now consider smartphones their most essential device)
- The impact of COVID-19 on screen time use and digital behaviours (smartphone usage in the UK surged by 30% during lockdown)
- Understanding screen addictions and how our devices affect our brains and change our behaviours (e.g. dopamine-driven reward loops)
- Helpful tips and useful advice for tackling device addiction, managing gadget and internet use, and creating healthier digital habits.
You can check out the full guide here - https://www.comparethemarket.com/broadband/content/screen-usage-guide/
At Priory Group, we have teamed up with our child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Hayley van Zwanenberg to produce an illustrative guide to help parents, teachers and pupils understand the risks involved in certain smartphone apps.
The guide also outlines the warning signs to look out for if you’re worried that a child isn’t safe online as well as expert advice from Dr van Zwanenberg on how to keep children safe online.
Given that many young people are spending more time online at the minute, I thought I’d share this guide with you: https://www.priorygroup.com/young-peoples-services/a-parent-s-guide-to-keeping-children-safe-online
Good to know Information from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Below you will find some useful links and websites provided from Sandwell.
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News: |
For more info: |
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Up-to-date local information on COVID-19 restrictions can be found on Council’s website |
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There are two options for getting tested for Covid-19 in Sandwell. You can get a test if you have Covid-19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a change to your sense of taste or smell), OR you can get a rapid test to see if you have Covid-19 if you don’t have any symptoms. This test is only for people with no Covid-19 symptoms. |
https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/testsandwell
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Changes Antenatal is being offered as both a three-week virtual course and as a distant-learning programme. If you know anyone who lives in Sandwell and is expecting a baby encourage them to book a place. |
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Bump to Baby is a new online information session before offered in Sandwell highlighting the importance of early communication skills with parents. |
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Best Beginnings is offering free group support sessions to mums, dads and other non-birth parents who may be feeling anxious or isolated at the moment. |
https://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/see-hear-respond
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The Family Information Service are offering parents the opportunity to attend a short online session to find out more about the services they offer. |
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SAFL is offering a FREE online workshop to help parents understand the importance of E-safety. It includes how to set up secure passwords, parental controls and how to know and spot the dangers online for young people. It starts on 2nd February 2021 10am-12pm. |
https://www.learnsafl.ac.uk/pages/home/online-courses/ict-courses-online/e-safety-for-parents
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Check out the Change4Life website and get kids moving with their favourite Disney characters and ‘Shake Up Games’. The website also links to Mental Health tips for Parents. |
https://www.nhs.uk/change4life |
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Action for Children are delivering FREE virtual classes for Pre-schoolers which include Baby Massage, Messy Play, Little Sparklers, Physical and Junior Explorers. Materials can be accessed via Whats App and email. Starts February. |
You’ll receive a goody bag for completing. To register your interest or ask for further information then please call 0121 588 5431 |
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Thinkuknow have produced a series of simple 15-minute activities families can do to support their child's online safety at home. Packs are available for ages 4 to 14+. |
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/home-activity-worksheets/ |
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Ollee, is a virtual friend developed by Parent Zone and funded by BBC Children in Need’s A Million & Me. Aimed at 8-11 year olds and their parents, Ollee helps families talk about difficult topics. Resources packs are also available to accompany learning. |
https://parentzone.org.uk/Ollee
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Tips and resources for remote learning and education during the lockdown
Now that most students are working and studying remotely due to the current lockdown measures around the UK, we thought it would be useful to compile some useful tips. Below you will find a list of useful tools, ideas and educational resources that can be used to help improve the lockdown experience for everyone.
Remote Learning
There are several online tools and resources for remote learning to choose from. Here are some recommended ones. Oak National Academy has videos as well as interactive lessons available for reception students all the way up to year 11. These are ideal to support remote learning. There are over 10,000 free lessons and resources available for both students and teachers.
Another website with many resources for primary and secondary pupils and teachers is BBC Bitesize. Here you will find videos, lessons, quizzes, activities and more.
If you have young children up to the ages of 5 Hungry Little Minds is another great resource to utilise.
Mental Health and Wellbeing during the lockdown
An important topic, which is not mentioned enough is the mental wellbeing of students during these difficult times. There are many helpful resources online with advice for both students and their parents. Young Minds is a website with help and advice for children as well as their parents. On their website you will find advice about the impact of coronavirus and self-isolation on mental well being and how they can help.
Another useful tool is Headspace. You can start with a free trial. Headspace is a tool that helps with meditation and relaxation. Something that may be ideal for students during these often stressful times.
The Department of Psychology at the University of York.
We are running an online research study aimed at better understanding and raising awareness of the cognitive impact of the postpartum period on new parents and were hoping you might help us reach parents with youngest child of 6 or younger.
See leaflet below...
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With rates of infection rising in Tipton, please see information above; along with help and advise from the NHS below -
Important! COVID-19 message for parents
There has been a rapid rise in COVID‑19 cases across Sandwell. The virus has NOT gone away. Please stick to social distancing and self‑isolation guidance.
If you have to go out, maintain a distance of 2 metres from other people, wear a face covering, use hand sanitiser or wash your hands with soap and water regularly and as soon as you get home.
If you experience symptoms, you must self‑isolate at home and get tested. Anyone in the household must also self‑isolate. Doing this saves lives.
For more information: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Please find links to the latest news here:
During Lockdown 1; the staff sent out a message for all the children, parents and carers of OHI - Stay Safe!
https://spark.adobe.com/video/xYDFx0OdwwJig
Click the following link for the Staff Ourselves Projects - https://ockerhill.sites.schooljotter2.com/latest-news/online-learning-platform-new/ohi-ourselves-project
Hello families and friends
You can find the Ourselves projects on the website to find out about the staff at Ocker Hill Infant School.
Just a reminder to say that you can always contact us via email if you need anything.
admin@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk - homelearning@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk
heidi.faulkner@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk - rebecca.strange@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk
Stay safe all and look forward to seeing you!
Hoping that all is well; the following message has been sent to all Sandwell Schools on behalf of Sandwell Public Health.
Important! COVID-19 message for parents
There has been a rapid rise in COVID‑19 cases across Sandwell. The virus has NOT gone away. Please stick to social distancing and self‑isolation guidance.
If you have to go out, maintain a distance of 2 metres from other people, wear a face covering, use hand sanitiser or wash your hands with soap and water regularly and as soon as you get home.
If you experience symptoms, you must self‑isolate at home and get tested. Anyone in the household must also self‑isolate. Doing this saves lives.
For more information: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Please find some information from the Good to Know Newsletter.
ParentZone have rounded up a list of 24 great summer reads for children of every age, guaranteed to get even the most reluctant of readers hungrily turning those pages. Click here for more information
Parent Zone have produced a list of 22 summer learning resources that children will love. Click here for Summer learning resources that children will love.
CEOP have produced a new family activity sheet for the summer holidays which involves explore favourite videos together. Click here for information.
Change for Life have produced information for families with ideas for healthier meals and exercise tips for children. Click here for Change4Life.
Public Health England has launched a major new adult health campaign. COVID-19 has affected the whole country; for almost everyone, life has had to fundamentally change. But it has also prompted many people to reflect and think more seriously about their health. Click here for Better Health.
Remember to please get in touch if you need anything from us at school. admin@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk - heidi.faulkner@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk - home.learning@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk.
Take care all and Stay Safe.
Please remember to visit the Online Learning Platform tab for each year group to get online learning for your child/ren that may be absent from school.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR AN IMPORTANT LETTER FROM THE HEAD TEACHER
Letter from the Head teacher.docx
Reminder letter for parents for online learning
online learning reminder letter.pdf
Click on the link below for a letter relating to online home learning.
Resources and links to support home learning - provided by Dragonfly Education: Link below;
https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/resources-list-for-home-learning
Advice on addressing coronavirus (COVID-19) in PSHE: Click below for details:
PSHE Association - Covid 19 Advice.pdf
Information on Anxiety and tips for parents by Dragonfly Education:
