Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,
I hope that you are well. It has been lovely to see pupils online at TEAMS meetings and to see how well everyone is engaging with remote learning. Thank you very much for your efforts. I have been delighted to send home some Headteacher’s Award postcards this week.
Message from the Director of Skills, Education and Learning
You will be aware of the First Minister’s announcement this week and what this means for our children. I would like to share a message from the Director of Skills, Education and Learning, Dr Gillian Brydson, who provides more detail:
“A couple of days ago (2 February) the First Minister made a statement in the Scottish Parliament in relation to coronavirus in Scotland and the steps that are being taken to tackle the virus.
Within her statement, the First Minister extended the lockdown until the end of February. She also stated that nurseries and Primaries 1 to 3 will return to schools full-time on 22 February and for a part-time return, albeit on a limited basis, for senior phase pupils to allow in-school practical work that is necessary for the completion of national qualification courses. These arrangements are subject to final confirmation two weeks from now, that sufficient progress in tackling the virus has been achieved.
We are waiting for the full details from the Scottish Government following the First Minister’s statement. Once we have finalised our arrangements with Headteachers and partners, we will be writing to all parents to let them know what this means for all of our pupils. We will do this by as soon as possible, by Thursday 11 February at the latest, recognising the midterm break for pupils is between Monday 15 – Friday 19 February.
We have just received guidance from the Scottish Government on the Asymptomatic Testing Programme, which is being put in place as part of the package of COVID-19 risk reduction mitigations in schools. The Schools/Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) asymptomatic testing programme will be available to all primary, secondary and special school staff (including school-based ELC and childcare staff), and all senior phase pupils in Scotland. Self Testing kits are expected to be delivered to our schools from next week and the operational arrangements are being worked through with Headteachers. We will provide further information in our letter to parents (mentioned above).
In the meantime, I’d like to thank all parents for their continued support in assisting with remote learning for our children and young people. Many of our parents are juggling working from home whilst supporting their children. The safest place for everyone at this time is to stay at home so we appreciate everyone’s effort to keep our communities safe.
We will be in touch soon to provide you with an update on the arrangements for our schools as we take this important step forward.”
Mid-Term Holiday
Please note that schools are closed for all pupils from Monday 15th February until Friday 19th February.
Emergency Childcare School Hub Places
P4-7 children who already have places at the emergency childcare hubs in school will continue to have a place from 22nd February if required. (P1-3 will hopefully be back at school anyway.) There will be no childcare provided during the holiday week (15th-19th February).
Good News
Dumfries and Galloway Council is reporting a decreasing number of Covid-19 cases so thank you so much for everything that you are doing to help. The restrictions are tough but with your ongoing support I am delighted that we may be able to re-open schools gradually from 22nd February. THANK YOU!
Best wishes,
Mary Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
