Audience: All Schools
Cascade: Headteachers, School Staff
Following our update last week about letters arriving in schools to promote the FEASTive programme (details below), we can now confirm that activity packs will be arriving in schools from next week, commencing 22nd November. We would be grateful for your help in making sure these are received, stored and distributed appropriately.
The packs (bags) contain activity booklets, equipment and promotional information about the free Christmas holiday activities on offer to children and young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
Having received a letter informing them that they would receive this pack, it is important that each child and young person eligible for a pack is given one. If you have not yet handed out the letters, we recommend doing so as soon as possible, before the packs arrive.
With over 12,000 packs being sent across North Yorkshire’s schools over a two-week period from 22 November, it will be difficult to provide an accurate timescale of exactly when yours will arrive. However, our team will contact your school directly the day before delivery to advise you of their approximate arrival time.
Each pack is labelled with the recipient's name. Once again, we thank you for being discreet when handing out the packs, we are very aware that some children may feel singled out.
We also know that some children may be self-isolating at the moment. Please can any named packs for children who are currently off school be posted to their home address. If you would like to be refunded for the cost of postage please let us know.
There may also be a small number of children who became eligible for benefits related free school meals in the period of time between us receiving the information and the letters being sent out. If that is the case please email hello@northyorkshiretogether.co.uk.
We will include further updates in upcoming editions of the Red Bag, and thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support! We hope that the FEASTive fun sessions will provide a welcome opportunity for children to socialise, learn new skills and stay active over the Christmas holidays.