Dear Parents and Carers

STRIKE ACTION 8 NOVEMBER – SUSPENDED

We have had notification from Unison that a pay offer is being considered by them, and as such, the strike action that was planned for Wednesday 8 November has been suspended.

This means our schools and early learning childcare settings will remain open as normal, and that learning will continue unaffected across all our education and learning settings.

John Thin
Head of Education (Learning and Resources)

Please note that by now you should have received the following information directly from Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding school closure on Wednesday 8 November 2023. The teachers will advise as to home learning next week.

Dear Parent/Carer,

Strike action is due to take place on Wednesday 8 November. The decision has been made to close all our schools and Early Learning Centre (ELC) settings on the strike day – Wednesday 8 November.

Parents and carers whose children are entitled to free school meals via qualifying benefits will have a cash payment made to their bank accounts in due course.

We appreciate the inconvenience associated with this information, but please be assured that this information is coming to you as a parent/carer in as timely a manner as is practically possible.

Dr Gillian Brydson
Director Skills, Education & Learning

Primary School Meals

Autumn Winter 2023

Free School Meals

Free School Meals for all children in Primary 1 – 5

Every child at a Dumfries and Galloway Council school can get free school lunches during term-time if they are in primary 1 to 5. This applies to all children – your family’s financial circumstances do not matter.

Your child will receive free school meals if you are in receipt of the following:

• Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £726
• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, with an income of less than £18,725
• Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of up to £8,717
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Coordinated Support Plan (CSP)

Getting free lunches if you’re not getting benefits or tax credits

Your child might still get a free lunch in school, early learning or childcare if you’re experiencing financial hardship. This could be because:

• Your immigration status means you can not get help from the government
• You’re still waiting on your first Universal Credit notice

Your child may also be able to get a free lunch if at any point since they were aged 2 they’ve been:

• Looked after
• Had a Kinship Care Order
• Had a Guardianship Order

Reminders, returns and updates in this week’s email and maildrop:

The School Improvement Plan has been updated following a number of changes. A summary for parents was attached to the email, but can be seen here for ease: Improvement Plans Update to Parents Sept 2023. The full School Improvement Plan was also attached to the email; is located within the “Calside- Our School” section on the website; and also can be seen here for ease: Calside School Improvement Plan 2023-24 updated September 2023

The final payment for the Aladdin trip is now required: P5-P7 parents should receive the letter with payment and trip details in their maildrop.

Flu vaccinations will take place in school Monday 13th November and will be timetabled around other class activities such as curling or the author visit.

P7 parents/carers should also have received details about the Dumfries High School open evening in November (busy week for P7!).