Modanville Public School

It has been a difficult time for many people impacted by the ongoing bushfires. While we've seen the worst that nature can throw at us, we've also seen the best of how communities rally together to support one another. Our emergency services have done an outstanding job minimising the impact of these fires. Please continue to take precautions to ensure that your family stays safe and has a fire plan. Our school currently remains operational. Stay up to date with information via our school Facebook page, Skoolbag and the school website for any changes.

Last week we used the school based text messaging service to improve our communication processes and ensure that families had received the most up to date information. We appreciated that families quickly responded to the text message to indicate that they had read and received the text message about the school being non-operational. If you did not receive this school text message please let us know as we do not have your most up to date contact details.

If you feel the best scenario for your child/ren is to stay at home as this situation continues, we completely understand. This is especially important for children with respiratory issues / asthma and if you are living in a high risk area. It is also important to recognise that almost all distress or behavioural change following an emergency event is normal. There is no such thing as a typical reaction. I am attaching a DoE link with information on how to support your child, click here.

A reminder that planning for 2020 is well underway. If you know that you are not going to remain at Modanville Public School in 2020, please let the office know as soon as possible. In addition, if you know of someone else who may be moving into our school zone please let us know as soon as possible so that we can add them to our list and complete their enrolment.

There is a lot happening between now and the end of the school year. Please keep an eye out for regular updates and details in the newsletter. Please note the change of date in this week's newsletter for our Healthy Habits Expo.

Regards,

Larissa Polak

R/Principal

Message from bus proprietors:

At the beginning of the year Transport NSW allows free travel to all students for the first 4 weeks (previously 8 weeks) giving parents time to get online and register. As we don't collect any fares, this isn't an issue for your bus users, however we just want to make sure that every child getting on our bus has registered and details are up to date. In particular we have noticed that many online forms don't have telephone numbers.  From a safety point of view we would strongly encourage parents to update their details in the event we need to contact them.

New students (including Kindergarten) please go online and complete the SSTS documentation prior to catching the bus so we know where to stop, however we are always going to pick them up if they are waiting.

The Rivers Secondary College would like to invite parents and children starting Year 7 in 2020 to their Orientation Program. Orientation days will occur on Tuesday, 26 November and Tuesday, 3 December. This program aims to assist your child in having a smooth transition from primary school to The Rivers Secondary College by meeting teachers and students at the relevant campus site. The students will experience campus routines, become familiar with the location of places of importance around the campus as well as build relationships with teachers and friendships with other children. Please see the information sheet below regarding specific information for each campus. Please note that parents and carers are responsible for transport arrangements to both transition days.

All students should have received a note about our Intensive Swimming program. It is essential that all children learn how to swim. 56 places have been allocated for the program. This program has been significantly subsidised by the NSW Schools Sporting Grant. As organisation is being finalised, please ensure notes and the $5.00 payment is returned ASAP.

On Thursday 5th December at 4pm, parents are invited to a special presentation on cyber safety presented by 'Safe on Social'. This presentation has been kindly funded by our P&C. Social media is one of the biggest influences on our children's world and wellbeing. Please save the date and come along to be informed about the most up to date information on keeping safe online. All parents are welcome to bring a friend as well. https://www.safeonsocial.com/