DESS Newsletter - 44

Same, same but different...

We have all read, seen and, I’m sure, been part of conversations which reference how different things are at the moment; often with an understandable tone of resentment or negativity at the impact COVID-19 is having locally and globally.  

My question is, are things that different here at DESS? We are all aware of the 118 protocols that needed to be met in order to reopen and need to be continually met to keep everyone safe. Protocols that were not in place previously and they have changed how our site looks in terms of signage, tunnels, one-way systems, thermal imaging cameras etc. Children, teachers and parents also look a bit different as we wear masks of various colours and design. I will add here the individuality being displayed through the children’s masks selections and designs is lovely to see.  

But is it the physical appearance and operational systems that really make an organisation different? Even when they have led us to new and better ways of working, such as drop off and pick up, my answer would be no. For me, it is the people that make an organisation and DESS as a whole community is filled with amazing, talented people who, in this respect, have not changed.  

Our wonderful children are still ‘Like a DESS Child.’ Every day they bounce into school with enthusiasm and a smile. Ready to face new challenges, support each other and be proud of what they achieve. I would even go as far as to say they are even more responsible than they were before; they walk into school independently and look after themselves and each other by wearing their masks, washing and sanitising their hands and managing all their own resources. In short, they are still awesome! 

Our amazing teachers are still ‘Like a DESS teacher.’ Every day they show their creativity, enthusiasm and commitment to making DESS the home of irresistible learning. They continue to be role models for the children as they look for new ways to support and keep every child safe, happy and learning. 

You, our parents are still ‘Like a DESS parent.’ You have been supportive, positive and understanding. You’ve engaged with our New Parent Meetings as well as with the Meet the Teacher evenings, been patient when technology has let us down but also constructive and helpful with your feedback and questions. We also appreciate how open and welcoming you have been to other parents who have just joined the DESS family.  

So does this mean DESS fits the phrase ‘same, same but different’? I don’t know but something that is definitely ‘same, same’ is that DESS is filled with fantastic children, staff and parents who make it a wonderful community to be a part of! So, I urge all of us to continue to be ‘Like a DESS...’ by being the best version of ourselves and working together to keep everyone safe and happy. 

Enjoy this week's newsletter, stay safe and have a lovely weekend. 

Mr Clarkson 
Deputy Headteacher

A Message from Mrs Dando

Dear Parents

Thank you to everyone for respecting the protocols that have been put in place in order that we can stay open.  I hope you will agree that our staff are doing an amazing job of teaching through a mask whilst trying to make sure that your children stay a safe distance away from others as well as ensuring that the children are learning and having fun.  I do not think their job has ever been more challenging yet they are all so happy to be back in school. 

At school we are being inspected almost on a daily basis either by KHDA, the Dubai Health Authority or Dubai Municipality and they have been impressed by the rigorous systems that we have put in place.  Some of these inspections are timed to be at drop off and pick up times in order to monitor how well we are ensuring social distancing at the busiest times in school. 

It has been really great this week to see how many children have risen to the challenge of coming into school independently.  In fact, I think many of our parents have found this harder than their children as it can be quite emotional accepting that your child is ready to walk through the gate on their own!  As I said in the last Newsletter, I would like to assure you that if your child is happy to do this, then it is safe.  We have many staff on duty to ensure they get to class quickly and safely. Moreover, it is to be encouraged as it reduces the risks by reducing the number of people on site as well as increasing your child’s independence.  Of course if your child is having a "wobbly" morning you are more than welcome to bring them into school. We will be keeping our timings the same for the foreseeable future as this also really eases traffic congestion and parking issues around school.

Pick up is where we are having the most challenges with social distancing and therefore the area we are most concerned about in the event of an unannounced (as they all are) inspection.  Following such inspections, if the regulators believe we are falling foul of their social distancing directives we receive notification to this effect; a repeat scenario and we will very likely be fined, with closure another possible sanction. None of us want either of these outcomes to materialise.

So, whilst DESS is by nature a very friendly, close community (and I readily acknowledge that it can be tempting to have a quick catch up with another parent/family) we need to try and avoid this happening; when it does it is compounded by the fact that this is when the children, that we have been working hard to keep distanced all day, are gathering together before they leave the site.  Please can you help us to prevent this from happening as it would be such a shame that all the hard work that went into reopening our school is jeopardised by this. 

Also a quick reminder that children cannot come to school with any respiratory symptoms, (including a runny nose) regardless of whether they have a fever or not.  If children are showing these symptoms in class, we will have to call you to collect them immediately.  If you have reported that your child is absent with any of these symptoms, then they are not permitted to return to school without a doctor’s certificate.  Please see the update from our medical team in this Newsletter explaining the strict regulations around this. A massive thank you to our amazing nurses, Nurse Anna and Nurse Susan, who were our stars of the week this week! 

Apologies for yet another letter but we really are ‘in this together’.  Many of us watched the recent COVID-19 news briefing with baited breath, worried that the rising number of cases may impact schools but instead the UAE health sector's spokesperson, Dr. Farida Al Hosani reminded us of the importance of avoiding gatherings and sticking to the regulations.  I would also urge you to comply with the protocols to ensure that schools can continue. It really is so lovely to have our DESS children back in school and learning so it is surely worth a few sacrifices to keep our school open.  As one child said to me about the new rules, ‘It is a bit “spitty” in a mask all day but so worth it just to be here!’

Have a lovely weekend and please take care,

Catherine Dando
Headteacher

Our beloved school cat, Mrs Whiskers, is looking for a forever home!

When we went into lockdown, so did Mrs Whiskers! As she has now been in a foster home for 5 months, we don’t think it is fair to let her live back outside in the heat. So, as DESSCares, we are calling on one of our cat loving DESS Community members to take her home forever.

What should you know about her?

She is a very loving cat with a lot of personality! She loves to sleep all day, snuggle, be brushed (that’s her favourite thing!), hiding in good sleeping spots and FOOD. She will also chase and hunt critters in your house! She is most content when she has company close by.

What she wouldn’t suit…

She wouldn’t suit young children or people that don’t understand that cats like their space.

What she would like…

A home where she can just ‘be’, with people who understand cats (preferably an only cat as we aren’t sure how she would be with other cats) and eventually (once she is settled) she would love to be able to go out into an enclosed garden and lay in the sun.

Please email Jacqui Thurley on: [email protected] who will put you in touch with Miss Eldred (who is currently fostering).

Message from our Medical Team

Thank you for all of your support in keeping the DESS community healthy this week. Your children are continuing to do an amazing job.

We just want to let you know how grateful we are that you are keeping your children at home when they are unwell. As we approach the season of coughs and colds this is even more important. If your child does have symptoms of respiratory illness or fever (currently a temperature greater than 37.5 ͦC/ 99.5 ͦF), we will require a letter from a doctor to confirm that they are well enough to return to school.

Please don’t be afraid of visiting a doctor. They will decide if your child fits the criteria for having a COVID-19 test. If they don’t, the doctor will write a medical clearance certificate to inform the school that your child is ‘Fit to Return’. The certificate must be submitted to DESS when your child returns.

At DESS, we do understand that not every cough, sneeze, runny nose and sniffle is an indication of coronavirus. The regulations in place from the DHA and KHDA may seem a little excessive but are there to protect us all.

Scenarios that may affect DESS families:

Scenario 1 – A Positive test result within my household

• If someone living within your home tests positive the whole household must immediately isolate for 14 days. You are only allowed to leave your home to attend an urgent medical appointment. Your children CANNOT attend school. Distance learning will be provided.
• There is no need for all family members to rush to have a test. You only need to test if you develop symptoms. Obtaining a negative test result does not mean that you are released from your quarantine obligation. Please remember that the incubation period for coronavirus can be anything from 1 to 14 days.
• If your child has tested positive at the end of the 14-day quarantine period, you must contact 800588 to obtain a Clearance Certificate from the DHA School Helpline. This will prove that your child has completed the required quarantine period. This certificate must be presented to DESS before your child can return.

Scenario 2 – My child has close contact with a positive case

• If your child had been in close contact with someone that has tested positive they do not need to go and have a test, but they must isolate at home for 14 days. The rest of your household can continue as normal, providing that they have no contact with your affected child.
• If you have other children, they can continue to attend school providing that they have no contacted with your affected child. Your child that has been exposed to COVID-19 cannot be present at school drop off or pick up. They must not leave the home unless it is for an urgent medical reason.
• If your child starts to develop any symptoms of coronavirus they will need to have a test. If the test is positive, then the regulations of scenario 1 will apply. If the test is negative your child must still continue to isolate for the 14-day period.
• Your child CANNOT come to school during this 14-day period. Distance learning will be provided.
• When the 14-day quarantine period is coming to an end the School Doctor will contact you so that she can do a virtual consultation with your child to ensure that they are symptom free. If she is satisfied, your child will be welcomed back to DESS for physical learning.

Scenario 3 – I have close contact with a positive case

• If you have close contact with someone that has tested positive you do not need to go and have a test. You must isolate yourself at home for 14 days. If you have no contact with your children, they can still attend school. You cannot drop them off or collect them from school.
• If you start to develop any symptoms of coronavirus you will need to have a test. If the test is positive, then the regulations of scenario 1 will apply. If the test is negative you must continue to isolate for the 14-day period.

*According to the most up to date information from the DHA. Should this information change we will update you as soon as possible.  

DESS COVID Hotline:

If your child receives a positive COVID test result, we need to be informed as soon as possible to ensure that any close contacts can be traced.

To report a positive test result for a student at DESS on a weekend or in the evening please call - 0564099711. Please leave a message and a nurse will contact you as soon as possible. 

If you have a COVID related question, please call – 800342. This is the DHA Coronavirus School Helpline.

Dr Francoise:

Q1 – Are the symptoms of COVID-19 different in children and adults?

A1 – No, but different people can feel different symptoms. For many it is like having a cold or the flu, for others it may be diarrhea or vomiting. Please don’t ignore these symptoms.

Q2 – What can I do if my child is struggling to follow the new rules?

A2 – Talk to your child, make sure they understand why we are having to do the things that we are doing. You may be surprised how much they already know. Reward good behavior with their favorite nonfood treat. Take regular breaks when it is safe to do so. Please remember that they see us parents as role models. Make sure you are wearing your mask and washing your hands.

DESS Reminders

The LIKE button

The LIKE feature on Seesaw is very important feature of our Marking and Feedback to the children.

How will we use the LIKE button:

If a teacher LIKES your child’s work it means they have read/viewed/assessed it and it either doesn’t need a written comment, or a verbal comment will be given in the next lesson or meeting. Every time a teacher reviews work, they always use that information in their planning for the next lesson.

DESS @ Home

Please be reminded that if you want your child to transition to or from DESS@Home, we need 24 hours’ notice (working hours), to enable the administration involved in this move.

Return of Resources

Can we please ask that all resources which were sent home before lockdown are returned to school as soon as possible.  Please return to your child's current class, they will then be sanitised following KHDA guidelines before being returned to the children's previous year group.

• White Boards and Pens
• Banded Reading Books
• Library Books
• Purple Pens
• Plastic Folders
• Any other items

Face Masks

Please remember to pack at least one spare face mask for your child each day at school, especially when they have PE.

Children’s Office 365 Accounts

Given the current situation in Education, technology is taking an increasingly central role in how lessons are delivered and how children are learning. In their Computing lessons, we are always teaching the children to be future ready; whether that’s being prepared for any short-term periods of quarantining or sudden school closure or being ready to join the work force in the long-term future.  

In their Computing lesson next week, Y2-6 will be taught how to use their Office Outlook, Calendar and Teams apps to connect and collaborate online with their teacher and their classmates.  

It is very important that you have set up your child’s Office 365 account so that you child knows their email address and password and can log in independently.   

Please see the below guidance from the DESS@home parental guidance booklet to help you: 

Your Child’s DESS Technology Access 

Your child’s username will be in the same format as for Seesaw: 

YYflastname 

where YY are the 2 numbers representing your expected year of Y13 graduation, and f is the first character of your first name. For example, a Year 1 student with the name John Doe, with an expected graduation year of 2033, will have the username 33jdoe 

N.B. there are sometimes exceptions to this naming convention for students with long or double-barrelled last names etc. hence if your username does not work, please contact Malachy McGrogan via Jacqui Thurley on [email protected] 

Your email address will be: 

[email protected] 

Initial password for your IT account is: P@ssw0rd 

For initial setup and to manage your access to DESS IT resources, please note and keep the information below safe for immediate and future reference: 

PASSWORD 

The default password needs to be changed if it is newly set or ‘reset’ by the IT department. This is done by using the DESSC IT password portal at https://iforgot.dessc.sch.ae 

• The password needs to be at least 5 characters long and should contain at least 1 number. You will not be able to use 5 consecutive characters from the username
• You also need to ‘enrol’ in the password portal for ‘self-service’ by providing answers to 2 security questions. These are required and used when you need to ‘reset a forgotten password’.
• The password needs to be changed every 180 days. Our password portal will send daily reminders to your email from the 165th day onwards.
• It is extremely important that you keep your password confidential. Please do not share it with anyone.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Office 365 apps, such as Teams, cannot be accessed until enrolment in iforgot is complete. 

As such, all students must register on the iforgot self-service portal before accessing their Office 365 accounts. · To reset a forgotten password, go to https://iforgot.dessc.sch.ae 

• On the login screen, select “Click here to reset the password for your DESSC IT account”
• Enter your username (without the @dess.sch.ae)
• Answer the security questions when prompted
• Enter your new password and confirm

 Could you also ensure that you have downloaded the Teams app onto your child’s device. 

Tuesday Tunes

If you enjoy singing, dancing or playing an instrument, then here’s your chance to show-off.

Please record yourself performing at home, upload your video on Seesaw, in Performing Arts.

Every Tuesday we will share your videos with the school community.

Please ensure the recording quality is very good; we must be able to see and hear you clearly. Remember to have fun; smiling is essential.

A Little Message from the Charity Committee

Thank you to our DESS Community for your generosity in helping our charity group become a success last year. The children participated in many awareness days and supported local and international charitable organisations by donating time and money.  

The Charity Committee had many discussions as to why we contribute to charity. We discussed how it teaches us the importance of giving, which then promotes happiness and lastly donating gives us the opportunity to show gratitude.  

This year DESS Charity will be supporting many awareness days, our first one being Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. More information will follow closer to the time.  

Star of the Week

We are proud to announce that the following children each received Star of the Week. Each child received a big round of applause from their teachers and fellow classmates. Well done to everyone!