Dear Parents,
Thank you for the terrific job you all did yesterday when the students started.  Everyone was so respectful and understanding.  
Our gorgeous new Preps were so wonderfully independent and brave as they said goodbye at the doorways and bravely walked in to begin their new learning journey.  Our new parents were also very brave! A huge thank you to you all.  
Given that our community has been so understanding of the COVID safety requirements, I was happy for you to do the same today which I posted last night on the Overport Parents and Friends FB page.  This was intended to give the children that second day to settle into the new school year.  
However, I am delighted that we have just received the following advice from the Department of Education based on advice from DHHS. 
Visitors to school premises 
Visitors to school grounds must comply with physical distancing and face mask recommendations which are recommended but not mandated as well as practise good hand hygiene.
There is no requirement to limit the number or type of visitors to school premises, however the density limit of 1 person per 2 square metres should be applied to any spaces and activities being attended by parent/carers and other visitors. The density limit applies to all persons in the space, including students.
To support contact tracing, schools must keep a record of all staff, students and visitors who attend on-site for more than 15 minutes. Schools must record the name, contact details, date, and time of attendance at school, as well as the areas of the school that the person attended. Schools can use existing mechanisms such as visitor sign-in procedures, student attendance records and staffing rosters to record this information. The Victorian Government has also developed a QR Code Service, which is free to use and can assist with requirements to keep records. Further information is available at:
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-gover..
 
Therefore the following will now be in place for all students at Overport PS:  
o    If you can say goodbye at the gates please do so, but if not ‘kiss and go’ at a short distance from classroom entry.  
o    Doors will open at 8.50 am each day for the children to walk inside.  There will be no lining up.  Classroom teaching will commence at 9.00am.  If you arrive after 9.05 you must get a late pass from the office.  
o    Only staff and students are permitted into the buildings. ​Children will continue to hand sanitize on arrival into the classrooms. (My suggestion: Daily use of a non-perfumed hand cream is a good for hands given the amount of sanitizing COVID safety requires us to do).
o    Please ensure you socially distance within the grounds. While masks are not required, they are recommended by DHHS.  Parents must leave the grounds as soon as possible after drop off. 
o    Collecting students after school:  If possible, this can be done off site; however, if not, please select a space within the grounds to avoid congregating at the classroom doorways.
 
Parent/Teacher interviews correction:  
My apologies that I have advised incorrectly.  Wednesday, Feb 10 is for yr 4,5,6 interviews and Thursday, Feb 11 is for yr 1,2,3. New preps will be advised shortly.  To book a time for a face to face meeting, please go to the parent portal,  If you wish to have a phone or remote meeting, please email the class teacher by emailing overport.ps@education.vic.gov.au marking it attention to the class teacher.  Mr Ricky Joyce has sent an email to the community with correct information.  
 
Kind Regards,
Julie Gleeson
Principal
Overport Primary School
​

Important Link: https://sentral.overport-ps.vic.edu.au/portal2/#!/login