Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,
I am going to start off by wishing you a Happy New Year although I know that this is not the start to the year that any of us anticipated. I have been thinking of you all over the holidays and I know that our fantastic school community can get through this!
Start of Term 3 Details
You will be aware that Scottish Government have extended the school holidays for pupils until Friday 8th January. Pupils will begin remote learning on Monday 11th January until the end of January when the situation will be reviewed nationally.
This week, teachers are preparing online learning in anticipation for next week and non-teaching staff are providing emergency childcare for vulnerable children and the children of key workers in their own schools.
Communication About Learning Tasks
Teachers will be in touch via the class Facebook pages, parental emails and will contact older pupils via Microsoft TEAMS to share information and to set learning tasks. (Older pupils are able to log into GLOW using their usernames and passwords to access this.) Teachers will monitor their emails from 9am-3pm so please get in touch and they will try to respond as soon as possible.
Once again, I would ask that you do not place yourself under too much pressure. The feedback received from most families from last year was that 1-2 hours of online learning each day was manageable. Just do what you can. Remember that teaching pupils resilience, problem solving, cooperation, self-regulation skills and other life skills is also valuable. You are teaching them how to cope in a global pandemic and that is no mean feat!
ICT and Access to Devices/ Stationery
We have a limited supply of laptops available if you require a device. If you would like some stationery then please contact your child’s teacher and we will try to accommodate.
Free School Meals and Clothing Grants
If you have found that your family circumstances have changed and you wish to apply for Free School Meals or clothing grants then you will find the links here:
https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/schoolmeals
Clothing grants application form
Ongoing Communication
I will provide regular updates via the blog, emails and Group Call texts. Our clerical staff are able to pick up emails if you have any general enquiries:
gw08officecrossmicha@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
or
gw08officegelston@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
If you wish to contact me directly then please email gw08scottmary01@ea.dumgal.sch.uk or telephone Gelston Primary School on 01556 502415 as I will be based there. My mobile number is: 07741 686730.
Please take care of yourselves and keep safe.
Best wishes,
Mary Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
