PARKLAND PRIDE The Newsletter of Parkland

School Week 1 Term 2 April 16th 2020

Greetings to our Parkland School virtual bubble,

It is very strange indeed to be sitting at my own dining table on Day 2 of Term 2! I am sure that all of us would agree that we would prefer to be amongst the hustle and bustle of being at school. We are getting closer to this...

Between now and next Wednesday we will receive further clarification about the exact date we will open and what that might mean for you.

I will send a further newsletter once we have those details clarified.

Our approach to online learning….

Teams have worked hard to prepare and distribute meaningful online learning activities. We are contacting every family this week to get a clearer picture of how those plans have been for you so that we can then tailor them to suit the needs of each class.

To date we have included a range of ideas and activities for those people without devices or internet access. We will continue to do this. Remember that you do not need a device to make really good use of this time with your family.

We do however want to get a clear picture about how many families we have that do not have Internet access or have access but no devices. If the lockdown is extended we will consider the Ministry of Education’s scheme to provide devices, where appropriate. We have not done this just yet as we are likely to be back in school before any device could be delivered.

The distribution process is prioritising schools and you can be assured that we will not be at the top of that list. First priority will quite rightly be those students involved in NCEA.

No parent should be stressed by material we distribute. The level of your involvement is completely up to you and your child. Teachers are ready and available online to help with any questions you may have.

Nigel Latta provided some great advice this week. Your child will not be educationally harmed by simply watching the telly during this lockdown.

We have been really pleased and impressed with the high level of involvement and response from our Parkland families. Many of you have been really busy with all sorts of interesting activities around your home and have shared these with teachers.

PARKLAND STARS

At 9am yesterday I ran a small fun activity where children simply had to send me a photo of themselves doing an activity dressed in our Parkland uniform!

Within 10 minutes I had received the following:

Well done to Brightwater House as 3 out of the first four responses were in this House.

ANZAC DAY 2020

Parkland School is always represented at the ANZAC Day Services by our School Prefects who lay a wreath.

This year we have placed a Poppy in the April 24th edition of the Manawatu Standard. The Prefects have come up with messages of remembrance.

We won't forget their sacrifice We will not forget their strength

We remember them on ANZAC Day Lest we forget

Sophie G

Parkland school stands together

with New Zealand

to remember our brave fallen soldiers.

Lest we forget.

Ava B

"ANZAC Day is a time to remember all who fought for our freedom. They are true heroes."

Lucy H

Peter Barnett

Principal

principal@parkland.school.nz