Shetland Islands Council

Date: Wednesday 7th December 2016

Dear Parents/Carers

ParentPay Pilot Update

The Project Board has reviewed the feedback from parents, school staff and catering staff on the above pilot. Based on this feedback the Project Board have agreed to stop the current daily meal selection on ParentPay.

The Project Board have discussed how to improve the situation and agreed the following. From January 2017 the ParentPay Pilot will be based on a new format, which is:-

 The school will provide one main meal choice for children.  Vegetarians and special diets will still be catered for.  The menu will be simplified to include meals that the majority of children would recognise.  The menu will be published on the school website and sent home.  Parents will opt for their child to have school meals for the whole term or to have packed lunch for the whole term.  Pupils who receive Free School Meals will have to ‘opt out’ of school meals. They will have to let the school know if their child does NOT want school meals for the term. This will be done by returning the ‘opt out’ at the foot of this letter. They do not need to log on to ParentPay.  P4 to P7 parents will ‘opt in’ by registering on ParentPay and selecting one payment item for school meals for the term, and putting this in their basket.  Parents will be able to pay the amount due in weekly amounts or any larger payments they wish to make, up to the amount due, e.g. the whole amount or part payments. A step-by-step guide on how to do this can be found on the school website: http://www.bellsbrae.shetland.sch.uk/parents/Menus.shtml  Any cancelled meals due to illness or holidays will be credited at the end of a term.

The menu for Term 3 is attached and will be available on the school website and we would appreciate it if all parents/carers of P4-7 children, that wish to have a lunch in Term 3, log on to ParentPay now and ‘opt in’ for lunches next term. This would ensure that the catering staff have accurate numbers of meals at the beginning of the new term, thus reducing the amount of wastage.

We would like to thank you for your patience and co-operation during this pilot. We are fully aware that it has not been without its challenges.

If you have any questions about using ParentPay, please contact Joan Symons at Childrens Services, Hayfield House on 01595 743847.

Any other questions about school meals please contact Lynda Duck on 01595 744129.

Yours sincerely

Helen Robertson

Helen Robertson Head Teacher ------

Hamnavoe Primary School – School Dinners “Opt Out” Scheme for Pupils in P1-3 or Pupils in receipt of Free School Meals

Please return to the school office by Thursday 22nd December 2016.

I do not want my child (name) …………………………….…. (class) ………..…… to have school meals in Term 3 (9th January to 31st March 2017).

Signed (parent/carer):-...... …………………………………………………………….

Date:- ...... …………………….