Dear Parent / Carer Re: Covid-19 Update and School Meals – Feeding Our Pupils As we are sure you are aware, the school will likely remain closed after the Easter holidays. We are continuing to support our families whose children are eligible to access Local Authority funded Free School Meals (FSM). The Government has issued guidance that funding for Universal Infant Free School Meals (Key Stage 1 -YR, Y1, Y2) has been suspended. Therefore we will not at this point, be supplying food packages to Key Stage 1 children, unless you are in receipt of Local Authority funded Free School Meals (means tested / benefit related). We have put arrangements in place for children who are not in school, but are in receipt of FSM to receive a weekly food parcel to be collected from the school. This will contain a variety of basic ingredient items. If you would like to receive a food parcel then please contact the school office via email - gpslunches@acexcellence.co.uk. Food parcel orders must be received by no later than Friday 3rd April 2020 (this week). The weekly food parcels are likely to continue for 6 weeks. You do not need to continue to request on a weekly basis. We will automatically arrange to supply you each week. However, if you do not require the package each week, please do advise us on gpslunches@acexcellence.co.uk so that we can avoid food wastage. Please note: All contents are subject to availability under current circumstances and will be substituted as necessary. If you are self-isolating and cannot arrange collection of the food parcel for your child and need this delivered to your home, please email gpslunches@acexcellence.co.uk including your contact number and we will be in touch to take details and discuss the situation. Please note: Delivery will be subject to adherence to any restrictions placed upon us by the Government. If you are not eligible for FSM but your financial circumstances have changed, then Torbay Council are continuing to accept FSM applications from parents due to changing circumstances and decreased household incomes as a result of Covid-19 – please apply via https://forms.torbay.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals. You will need to have your National Insurance number to hand. The email address for direct queries for these applications is fsm@torbay.gov.uk. Once you have received confirmation that you are entitled to receive FSM, please email gpslunches@acexcellence.co.uk to arrange to be added to our list for collection. For those children attending school during closure (Key Worker provision), we will continue to provide a daily packed lunch/jacket potato option to be ordered when in school (if payable, please review ParentPay). Please note this is a reduced menu offering and changes may be made to offer daily specials depending on supplies and staffing. Collection Protocol of Food Parcels Your collection date is expected to be Wednesday 16th April (due to bank holiday). Further weekly collection dates will be advised, but we would hope to arrange for collection dates to be Monday / Tuesday. Following the most recent announcements from the Government, we want to make sure that we are keeping all of you safe, therefore on collection day we will be taking the following precautions. Parents of pupils who are entitled to FSM are asked to collect their parcel at the times listed below. This will ensure that large groups of people do not assemble, therefore reducing risk. Group 1: 1.00pm – 1.30pm – If your child’s surname begins with A – H Group 2: 1.30pm – 2.00pm – If your child’s surname begins with I – P Group 3: 2.00pm – 2.30pm – If your child’s surname begins with Q– Z Staff will place the bags on tables near the school entrance. Parents / Carers should take a bag for each eligible child that attends Galmpton Primary. Please remember to remain 2 metres apart from one another. Staff will be there to supervise this. Once you have collected your bag please ensure that you leave the school grounds immediately so that you do not come into contact with the next group of parents who will be arriving. You, or a nominated person, should arrive at school during the allocated time slot. If you are unable to do so please email gpslunches@acexcellence.co.uk. If your child is not entitled to FSM, but you are currently experiencing difficulties and would like to receive an emergency food parcel then please email us on gpslunches@acexcellence.co.uk and we will be able to review your request for assistance. Alternatively, you can contact the following agencies for help during these unprecedented times: Paignton Community Larder, Christ Church, 102 Torquay Road, Paignton, TQ3 2AA (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10.00 – 14.00). Telephone - 01803 551866 / 07895 925872 www.paigntoncommunitylarder.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/PaigntonCommunityLarder Community Fridge @ The Pad, 89 Torquay Road, Paignton (Mon – Fri, 09.00 – 16.45). Brixham Food Bank, Torbay Room, rear of Brixham Library (Mon, Wed & Fri, 14.00 – 16.00). Call 07873 164211 – during opening times only Food Bank at the Edge, Bolton Street, Brixham (Mon – Fri, 11.00 – 17.00)
Should you have any queries at all, please email directly on gpslunches@acexcellence.co.uk.
Best regards
Sam Ward & Katy Burns
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