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 Welcome to your monthly bitesize e-bulletin from the Parent and Family Support Service.
This month’s e-bulletin has helpful back to school information including ideas for active travel to school, advice on the secondary school application process, the school clothing grant and other support for families. Make sure you take a look at the next Platform to Talk session where you can talk with other parents about keeping your child safe online.
Date: Wednesday 8 September
Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
After the recent lockdowns, everyone is looking forward to a school year where teaching and learning can continue in the best place possible, the classroom. Whilst the risk from COVID19 is lower, it remains, so schools across Tower Hamlets will continue to take steps to protect children, staff and the wider community.
This webinar will give parents the chance to hear more about the safety measures our schools will use from September, ask questions and raise any concerns with local decision-makers and public health experts.
There is still time to apply for a school clothing grant. If you are eligible there is a grant available to help towards the cost of a school uniform for children aged 11 who are changing from primary to secondary school.
Applications can be made up until 30 September and in some circumstances, late applications will also be considered.
Did you know you may be entitled to help towards the costs of essential food? The Healthy Start scheme gives eligible families free vouchers to spend on food which can be used in all major supermarkets, local shops and market stalls in Tower Hamlets.
What you could get:
- £8.50 per week for each baby under 12 months
- £4.25 per week for each child aged between 1 and 3 years old
- £4.25 per week if you are pregnant (from week 10)
The average journey to school in London is less than one kilometre, that's around a 10-minute walk. But many of these journeys are made by car, leading to congestion and an unsafe and polluted environment for us all.
Bike to School Week takes place between 27 September and 1 October so it is an excellent time for families to switch to more active forms of travel like cycling.
By swapping car journeys for active travel like cycling, scooting or walking; you can help us move towards a healthier, less congested Tower Hamlets.
Air pollution is not just a central London problem - many areas in Tower Hamlets still exceed the legal limits for pollution. That’s why from 25 October 2021, the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding to create a single, larger zone. The new zone will expand up to, but not including the North Circular (A406) and South Circular (A205) roads, with Tower Hamlets falling within the new zone.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone will continue to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends with a £12.50 daily charge for vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards.
Black History Month UK have just launched a new campaign ahead of Black History Month in October. The campaign is called ‘Proud to Be’ and invites Black and Brown people throughout the UK to share what they are proud to be. You can get involved via Black History Month UK’s magazine, website and social media.
To help parents protect their children while online, the Parental Engagement Team’s upcoming Platform to Talk session will focus on internet safety.
The session will give parents an opportunity to share their experiences and get some useful tips as well as practical advice so that they can support their child to use the internet safely.
Platform to Talk: Keeping Your Child Safe Online
Date: Friday 10 September
Time: 10am-11am
Delivered online through Zoom.
There are only a few weeks to apply for secondary schools, so it’s important parents have reliable information to help them make informed decisions about their child’s future. To support families with the secondary transfer process, Pupil Services and the Transition Support Service are holding online advice sessions in September and October.
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Thursday 9 September, 4pm
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Wednesday 29 September, 1pm
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Friday 10 September, 10am
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Tuesday 5 October, 10am
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Monday 13 September, 1pm
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Friday 8 October, 10am
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Wednesday 15 September, 6pm
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Monday 11 October, 6pm
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Friday 17 September, 10am
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Thursday 14 October, 1pm
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Tuesday 21 September, 1pm
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Tuesday 19 October, 10am
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Thursday 23 September, 10am
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Thursday 21 October, 10am
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Monday 27 September, 6pm
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Toyhouse is a local charity that has been encouraging attachment between parents and children for over 40 years. They run a unique parenting programme, for parents of children under five, called ‘Mellow Parenting’.
The intensive programme takes place over 14 weeks and provides a safe space for parents to share experiences, consider common parenting challenges and pick up some useful tips along the way.
To find out more or to register for the programme, call 020 7987 7399.
Rich Mix’s creative ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, delivered in partnership with Idea Store Learning, return this September. The six-part course aims to help develop your language skills and nurture your confidence. The sessions are sociable and friendly- the perfect environment for you to practise English and express yourself.
Priority is given to ESOL learners who are parents of children at local schools.
The Parent and Family Support Service offer information, advice and support services in partnership with schools and community venues and most recently due to the Coronavirus our services are available online through webinars, virtual meetings and forums.
The monthly Families Matter bitesize e-bulletin has regular updates, information, advice, and opportunities for you to join the Parent and Carer Council or one of our networks, support groups or attend a parenting session to meet other parents and carers, share your experiences and learn from each other.
For more information about the service, visit our website.
If you like this e-bulletin please share on social media, through community networks or your school website using the following share button, or you can click the hyperlink in the top right corner of this email.
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