December 8, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
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Friday email 8th December

Good morning everyone.

We are in full festive flow in school this week, with lots of show practices ahead of Show Week next week!

P1 & P2, and P5 & P6 will be at the church on Monday for practices. These are during the school day, and children will be back at school for the end of the school day as usual.

Tuesday is the dress rehearsal for the show. The whole school will be going to watch the show in the afternoon, and children will be released from the church centre at the end of the school day. We hope that this will be at approximately 3.15 but the dress rehearsal does not always run to plan. If you need to take your child urgently at the end of the day, please let the staff in the foyer know and we will get them for you.

Wednesday is the evening performance which will start at 5 p.m. The cast should arrive from 4.30 to give them chance to get into costume, and have their show face-paint done. We are at full capacity for the evening show so we will be unable to accommodate anyone without a ticket.

Also next week we have P3 & P4 attending the Ice Hockey World Championships; the school Christmas Dinner on Wednesday; and P3 visiting Charnwood on Thursday afternoon.

We will then end the week with Movie Afternoon, organised by the Pupil Council and supported by the Parent Council who have provided the refreshments. And there will be peace on Earth

December 1, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
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Friday email 1st December

Good morning.

In the maildrop today, you should find a copy of the notes taken at your child’s learner conference. If you do not receive the maildrop, this will be emailed to you separately. If your child has an Individualised Learning Plan, these will be sent with the notes next week. The next learner conferences are not until May, but the class teachers can always be contacted if you need to discuss any issues that affect your child and their learning. Their emails can be found on the Wakelets and the class newsletters.

Many thanks to those parents and families that have donated baking, books and/or hamper items for our Christmas festivities. The hampers are looking amazing, and the Food Bank is going to be so delighted with your donations. As well as asking for donations for the class hampers and the Food Bank, the Pupil Council are also asking for your feedback about school dinners. They worked with the Catering Department last session following several complaints from both parents and pupils, and they would now like to check if you feel dinners have improved. They would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to answer their questions, before they meet again with the Catering Area Managers. The survey can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/9CPfWzEAHs

The deadline for Christmas Show ticket requests is now past, and the allocated tickets have been sent out. We are now at maximum capacity for the evening show and will not be able to accommodate further requests.

We are looking forward to our first Christmas event tonight: the Parent Council’s “Christmas by the Fire” between 6.30- 8 p.m. We hope to see you there!

November 24, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
Comments Off on Friday email 24/11/23: Festive Arrangements

Friday email 24/11/23: Festive Arrangements

Good morning all.

Many thanks to all for your support of Children in Need: the Pupil Council were delighted to have raised £325.05 which has already been donated. It will be put to very good use.

In the maildrop today you will find the Festive Arrangements newsletter; it is also attached to the Friday email for ease; or can be seen here: Festive Arrangements 2023 Newsletter. The newsletter gives more detail about all the festivities in school over the next month, as there is a lot to remember!

The Pupil Council are looking for donations for the class Christmas hampers, and P7 are looking for donations of books and baking for “Christmas By the Fire” on 1^st December. If your child has grown out of their Christmas jumper from last year, we may have other wee people who could benefit from these: donations gratefully received, so that everyone who would like to wear a Christmas jumper can do so.

It may still be too early for a ho…ho….ho?

November 24, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
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Respect for All policy

The school “Respect For All: Anti-bullying Policy” has been updated in line with recent guidance from Dumfries and Galloway. A copy of the policy has been emailed out to parents/carers. It can also be found on the school website in the “Positive Behaviour” section, or can be seen here:Respect for All Behaviour Policy Nov 2023

The children have been discussing bullying in school, and how we can all help if problems occur. The policy includes how to spot the signs and how to talk about issues with your child, as well as useful websites.

November 22, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
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#ItsOkayToAsk

#ItsOkayToAskis a new cost of living crisis campaign for parents and carers, co-designed with input from the Stepping Stones project in North Edinburgh and Dads Rock. This Scotland-wide It’s Okay To Ask campaign launches on MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER at 10am and will run for two weeks.

It is already well established that the cost of living crisis is having a big impact on families and children, particularly those on low incomes. CPCScotland is concerned that increased financial pressure can lead to real stress and anxiety, which in turn can affect how people cope with parenting and bringing up children.

In line with feedback received from parents, the campaign consists of three short animated ‘adverts’ which will run on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram Reels and YouTube, but will also be available on the Child Protection Scotland website (https://www.childprotection.scot/itsokaytoas k) and CPC Scotland YouTube channel:

Video 1 – Cost of food

https://youtu.be/p1p6iHDTnN0

Video 2 – Cost of heating and lighting

https://youtu.be/A2HJDRfRTuQ

Video 3 – No spare cash

https://youtu.be/Z7VxuZlXXKs

Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Committee hopes that you will support the campaign by liking and sharing social media posts and links to the #ItsOkayToAsk campaign webpage.

If you are finding any of these issues are affecting you and your family, please let school know.

November 20, 2023
by Ruairidh
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Children In Need

Friday the 17th of November was Children In Need where all the children came to the school in their pyjamas and did lots of fun activities like a treasure hunt and the colouring comp.

Here are some photos of the fun day!

November 20, 2023
by Sophie
0 comments

Halloween

Hello,

This is just a little update to tell you about the Halloween activities that took place on the 31st of October at the school a few weeks ago. We had so much fun, with lots of activities for the children to do. We dooked for apples, bowled over ghosts and pinned the hat on the witch.

November 17, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
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Children in Need

We have had lots of fun today in our jammies for Children in Need. Many thanks for all your donations: we raised £305! This will help children struggling in different situations, and will make a huge difference.

The Pupil Council are picking winners for the competitions: watch the Wakelets for photos!

November 17, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
Comments Off on Friday email 17th November

Friday email 17th November

Good morning all.

As we approach the most hectic time of the year, you will find that the classes are getting really busy. A wee reminder that the Class Wakelets and the school website “Calside Courier” have all the diary dates on them: QR codes for the Wakelets can be found on the class newsletters.

In the maildrop today, you will find your learner conference appointment time, should you have requested a slot for next Wednesday or Thursday. You will also find an invitation from the Parent Council to join them on Friday 1^st December for “Christmas by the Fire” for lots of lovely festive activities. P7 will also be running games so bring your pennies!

You will also find a letter from the Pupil Council about buying tickets for the Christmas Hamper raffle. They are still looking for donations towards the hampers: the more donations, the better the prizes!

Have a lovely weekend.

November 15, 2023
by Mrs Gamble
Comments Off on Children in Need Friday 17th November

Children in Need Friday 17th November

A wee reminder that it is Children in Need on Friday, and the Pupil Council invite everyone to come in their jammies. Donations to Children in Need welcome.