Dear Parents/ Carers,

 

I am writing to confirm arrangements for the safe return of all pupils to school on Wednesday 12^th August.  Firstly, I would like to apologise for the lateness of this communication, but schools only found out yesterday that ALL pupils were returning on 12^th August.  Therefore, I did not have all the information to be able to share it with you.  We are still working with the Local Authority this week to ensure that arrangements are in place for the safe return of staff and pupils.

 

Drop Offs/ Pick Ups

Parents/ Carers are not to enter the school playground apart from our new P1 parents/ carers.  Pupils should be dropped off at the school gate and we would like to remind adults to follow the 2m social distancing rules.

 

We are having a portacabin erected in the playground behind the school so there is fencing around the site.  This means that pupils cannot access the playground from the side entrance of the hall round to the wall between the kitchen and the Headteacher’s Office.  The portacabin should be ready in 3 weeks.

 

Separate Entrances/ Exits for Each Class

Each class will line up at a different entrance:

P1/2 (Mrs Marscheider) – Meet at the cloakroom entrance at the back of the school.

P2-4 (Mrs Burton/ Miss Todd) – Meet at the side entrance to the hall.

P4/5 (Mrs Glover) – Meet at the main entrance at the school office.

P6/7 (Mrs Stevens) – Meet at the Library entrance.

 

Each child will use hand sanitiser as they enter the building.  Coats and bags should be taken into classrooms (P1 pupils may hang theirs in the cloakroom).  Handwashing will be encouraged at the start and end of the day as well as at any transition points such as before/ after playtimes.

 

Visitors by Appointment Only

All visitors must make an appointment before arriving at school.  You can do this by telephoning or emailing the school office, or by telephoning the Headteacher’s mobile: 07741 686730.  On arrival at school, you will be asked to sanitise your hands and a member of staff will deliver items to your child if necessary.

 

Items from Home

Please keep this to a minimum.  Pupils may bring a school bag and coat.  They can bring their own stationery and should bring a snack.  Each child should have a change on indoor shoes (plimsolls/ trainers) to be kept in their trays at school.  On days where your child will be learning outdoors or participating in PE outside, then the class teacher will communicate this with you in advance and make the necessary arrangements.  (There will be no indoor PE lessons at this time.)

 

School Dinners

School dinners will be available for each child but it is likely that this will be a cold option for at least the first 3-4 weeks.  This is because the main hall is being used as a classroom until the portacabin is ready.  I continue to liaise with catering managers to decide on the safest way of distributing lunches to all pupils.  All pupils in P1-3 are entitled to free school meals.  The cost of a meal is £1.90 for P4-7 pupils and details about payment will follow as we may not be able to handle cash.  We are not yet able to provide you with a link to the D&G school dinners menu until this has been decided by the Local Authority.

 

You may provide a packed lunch for your child in a container clearly marked with their name.

 

The School Day:

The school day is divided as follows:

08:50-10:30 in Class

10:30-10:50 Morning Break

10:50-12:30 in Class

12:30-13:15 Lunch Break

13:15-14:55 in Class

 

Pupils are not required to socially distance from each other so they will be able to play with their friends.  Adults should maintain a 2m distance from pupils and from each other.  Relevant risk assessments are being put in place.

 

Primary 1 Parents/ Carers

I understand that some Primary 1 parents have taken Thursday off work to see their child start school for the first time.  (This was because the original plan was for pupils to return in separate groups – A and B).  This is a special time for you and your child and we understand that you would like to be there.  Therefore, if you would prefer for your Primary 1 child to start school on Thursday instead then that is not a problem.

 

Phased Entry

Some parents have been in contact with the school to discuss a phased entry for their child. If you wish to discuss this option then please get in touch.

 

Further Information

If you require any further information then please refer to the letter and link below:

https://supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk/article/20769/Schools-and-childcare

20200804 Director Letter to Parents and Carers – Return to School (1)

The guidance is constantly evolving so I will endeavour to keep you updated as soon as possible.  If you have any questions then please contact the school via telephone or email.

 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child back to school and I look forward to seeing all of you.

 

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher