Birthday Cakes

I am writing to ask for your support regarding birthday cakes in school. Whilst we like to acknowledge children's birthdays, we have had some problems with sharing of cakes in school. When cakes are brought in from a commercial pastry shop (pastane), it is difficult to be sure they are free of nuts, even if nuts are not immediately visible, which presents a risk to any child who has nut allergy or intolerance. As we have a number of children with nut and other food allergies in both Key Stage One and Two, a decision has been made that no food containing nuts will be allowed for sharing among children. In addition, large creamy cakes are found to result in a lot of mess in the classroom.

In Key Stage One (infants), it has been decided that children may share food as a birthday celebration but we would prefer you to send only home made cup ( individual) cakes or biscuits which you can personally guarantee to be free of nuts. Of course you may prefer to send in another nut free finger food instead if you wish. We also ask you to send in a small individual fruit item with it such as tangerine etc.

In key Stage 2 (Juniors) it has been decided that celebrations with birthday cakes during lesson time will no longer take place. However, please be assured that your child’s birthday will be acknowledged in another way.

Head Lice

From time to time parents contact me about treatment for head lice.

This problem is very common in school children and has no connection with clean or dirty hair or hygiene. It should be remembered that whilst they are a major nuisance, they are not a serious health problem.

The only way to prevent a large number of affected children is for parents to do regular detection combing at home and give treatment when necessary.

Treatment with topical medicine should only be given if live lice are found, but it is very important to apply very thoroughly and do a repeat treatment 7-10 days after the first to kill any hatched eggs. It is also advisable to try to remove any eggs from the hair with the fine toothed comb in between the two treatment sessions.

An information sheet with more details is attached.

Important Requests

Cold Weather

The weather has become very cold in the early morning here at the BESG and we have noticed that some pupil’s outdoor clothing is not thick enough.

Our policy is that children play outside unless the temperature is below zero or raining.

Please do send in warm outdoor clothing from now onwards.

Uniform

We still require girls underwear and tights and would be grateful for your donations of outgrown items.

Special Points of Interests

 Many people have recently received forwarded e -mails suggesting that standard earthquake advice is wrong . These suggestions, called the ’triangle of life’ seem to have come from an individual in a company who based his ideas on research he had done after earthquakes in Turkey.

I would like to let you know I investigated the responses to these suggestions. The American Red Cross and some experts in Turkey have officially responded, stating that these suggestions are incorrect and people should continue to follow standard earthquake advice.

As you may know, Ankara is not considered a very high risk earthquake area, but some parts of Turkey are.

Keep Healthy and Safe

Nurse Glynis