Dear Parents, Carers and Families of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

I hope that you are well and that you have made the most of the beautiful weather this week whilst exercising and maintaining social distancing.  We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area.

I was sorry to hear about the devastation caused by the grass/ forest fires near Mossdale.  I was thinking of some of our families who live out with Laurieston area and I am glad that the fires were eventually brought under control.

In this newsletter, I provide advice about learning at home, information about keeping in touch, share your concerns and provide information about targeted pupil plans.

Scottish Government Publication – Learning at Home in Term 4

Last week the Scottish Government published guidance for learning at home during Term 4.  Some of the key points from the publication are:

• Key goals are in supporting wellbeing and maintaining engagement in learning.
• Approaches will vary depending on home circumstances, ages groups of children, differing levels of digital technology, etc.
• Not all learning will be done online.
• Pupil Equity Funding can be used to help support pupils who are at a disadvantage (E.g. digital devices, etc.).
• All partners in the education system will work together to support parents of pupils with additional support needs.
• Schools will be considering news ways to support learners with transitions.
• Parents and carers are not expected to home educate in the formal sense.
• Useful links for parents are ‘Parent Club Scotland’, ‘Parentzone Scotland’, The National Parent Forum for Scotland’ and ‘Enquire’.
• School staff must consider their wellbeing too.
• A variety of resources will be available nationally and locally for school staff to use.

The full publication can be found here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/supporting-pupils-parents-teachers-learning-during-term-4/

Keeping in Touch

Please remember to keep in touch with us.  You can email your class teacher, contact me via telephone (07741 686730) or keep in touch via the class Facebook pages.

Older pupils should be emailing their class GLOW groups at least once every week to maintain contact with their teacher and each other.  Parents/ carers of younger children should email their teacher once a week or upload photos to the class Facebook page.

Each week, I will be checking in with families who have not been in touch just to make sure that you are okay and that you are able to access the various platforms to communicate.  Please remember to contact us if you are having difficulties with engaging your child in learning or if you need any other support, or a blether!  We are available during normal school opening times.

Some parents have arranged for video calls between friends.  This is a lovely idea and enables pupils to see each other.  Unfortunately, due to safeguarding restrictions, school staff are not yet able to host video calls with their class.  Some of our teachers have recorded short video messages for their class instead and the feedback from parents has been very positive.  We cannot underestimate the need to connect with each other.  Please keep in touch.

Parental Concerns About School Work

I have spoken to several families over the last week and everyone has expressed the same concerns.

Firstly, many of our younger pupils are displaying anxiety and having ‘melt downs’ when being asked to do anything associated with school.  Children cannot learn if they are feeling anxious or worried.  Please look at the resources that I have uploaded to the Partnership Schools website to support you with this.  I have found them useful as a parent.  The health and wellbeing of our children is more important than anything else.  Once they are feeling more settled then try to do activities together at their pace.

Secondly, many parents/ carers are feeling pressurised to home school their child(ren).  I do not expect you to teach your child in the same way as we do at school.  You already teach your child every day.  You are teaching them how to cope with uncertainty, how to build resilience and how to reduce their anxiety.  They are learning key life skills from you.

Thirdly, many of you are concerned that your children are not completing the work set by teachers.  Please rest assured that we do not expect pupils to complete every task, however, we would like it if pupils could aim to spend 1-2 hours a day engaging in learning.  This can be learning set by teachers or learning experienced with you.

Please encourage your child to contact their teacher weekly via email to let them know what they have been doing.  (Parents of younger pupils may choose to email the teacher or upload photos to the class Facebook page.)

Diary Dates

Friday 8th May is a non-pupil day (May Day holiday) and Friday 29th May is also a non-pupil day (Staff Inset Day).

Targeted Pupil Plans and Child’s Plan Meetings

Several pupils receive targeted support and have individual pupil plans.  We normally meet every 6-8 weeks to review targets on these plans.  It is my intention to continue with these meetings although targets will need revised to reflect the current situation.  I will be in touch with individual families to discuss how best to approach this whether that is by telephone, video call, via email or a combination of all three.

Please keep safe and as always, get in touch if required.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,

At this time I would normally be writing a newsletter to welcome you back and to give you a list of diary dates for Term 4.  Although this term is not what any of us expected, I would like to thank you for your support.  We are learning to adjust to a new way of living and working.  It is not easy but I think we are doing a good job so far!  I am particularly proud of our children for coping so well under the circumstances.  Thank you.

Learning from Home

The class Facebook pages have proved popular with most families able to access information.  It has been lovely to see photographs of you and your children having fun and enjoying the beautiful weather whilst also following advice on social distancing.

The GLOW groups have also been well used by children and staff despite some teething problems in the beginning.  I have enjoyed looking over pupils’ work and seeing photographs of families learning new things together.  Thank you for these.  We are all learning to work in new ways and I thank you for your ongoing support.

The Council has asked me for updated details of any family who is having difficulty accessing online learning due to WiFi access/ devices so that we can support you.  Please reply to the text message I sent to you at the weekend.

Resources to Support Emotional Wellbeing and Welfare

Our Educational Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists have come together to produce resources to support pupils, parents and staff with our emotional wellbeing and welfare.   There are useful resources to help you support your child in managing anxiety, managing change and in coping with bereavement.  I will upload documents to our Partnership Schools Website.

One particularly good resource is a free story book written for children explaining the Coronavirus:

Coronavirus book for children Axl Schleffer

It is also worth mentioning that our Educational Psychologist and Educational Visitor telephone consultation service is available for parents, carers and staff.  Please see the poster below for details:

Telephone consultation service for staff carers parents

Dalbeattie Learning Campus Childcare Hub

I am fortunate to be part of the team involved in setting up and running the emergency childcare hub which moved from Castle Douglas Primary School to Dalbeattie Learning Campus at the end of last term.  I have been overwhelmed by the volume of staff who have volunteered to work in the Hub including cleaners, catering staff, facilities assistants, Learning Assistants, Early Years staff, Teachers and members of the Senior Leadership Teams in schools.  We have also had a number of volunteers from out with schools.

This Hub is available for families who have one parent/ carer who is a key worker and where all other childcare options have been exhausted.  It is also available for vulnerable children who may need childcare for a variety of reasons.

It is available seven days a week from 7am – 8pm and was open during the school holidays.  We are fortunate that parents and carers have been very sensible about using this facility and the numbers have remained relatively low.  This is vital for the safety of everyone in the Hub.

To register, please contact Dalbeattie Primary School on 01556 613130.

Children have opportunities to play and learn outside and indoors whilst being reminded to follow rules about social distancing.  There is designated time for pupils to access online learning provided by their teachers too.  Each child has access to free school meals when they attend.  It is satisfying to know that we are supporting our key workers.

Diary Dates

Friday 8th May is a non-pupil day (May Day holiday) and Friday 29th May is also a non-pupil day (Staff Inset Day).

Targeted Pupil Plans and Child’s Plan Meetings

Several pupils receive targeted support and have individual pupil plans.  We normally meet every 6-8 weeks to review targets on these plans.  It is my intention to continue with these meetings although targets will need revised to reflect the current situation.  I will be in touch with individual families to discuss how best to approach this whether that is by telephone, video call, via email or a combination of all three.

The New Portacabin

You will be aware that we have 83 pupils wishing to access our school in August 2020 but our current capacity is 75.  I am delighted to report that permission has been given to build a portacabin in the playground to accommodate pupils.

Thank you very much to the Parent Council who held a meeting to discuss different options then contacted the Local Authority to share the key points from your discussion.

I will provide you with further details once I have more information.

Keeping in Touch

Please continue to keep in touch with your child’s teacher via email or through class Facebook pages.  We are working from home.

I am available via email: gw08scottmary01@ea.dumgal.sch.uk or via telephone: 07741 686730.  I would be delighted to hear from you.

Please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss anything further.  I will be sending you regular updates as I receive them.  Please keep safe and be kind to yourselves.

Warmest wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher (and Mum trying to home-school and work at the same time!)

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

I would like to take this opportunity to thank pupils, parents and staff for your support and dedication since we started ‘lock down’.

Thank you to our parents and carers

You are doing a great job in accessing learning activities from home.  I can see that you are working together and it has been lovely to see the photos shared via class Facebook pages and GLOW emails.

I understand how challenging it can be to support your own child(ren) whilst also working from home yourself.

Please remember that we are all adjusting to things so please do not put too much pressure on yourselves!

Thank you to our learners

Boys and girls, I think you are AMAZING!!  You are trying so hard with the activities.  Remember that it is important to talk to each other too.  You can video call each other via Microsoft Teams.  I would love to hear from you!!

Thank you to our staff team

Every week our staff team are working hard to create and upload weekly learning grids to Class Facebook pages and to GLOW groups.  This is a new way of working and I am so thankful that you have risen to the challenge.  Also, thank you for helping with the daily Critical Child care for Key Workers hosted in the HUB at Castle Douglas Primary School from 7am – 8pm.

Thank you to EVERYONE!

We really appreciate everyone following the ‘lock down’ rules,  socially distancing and therefore helping to  stop the spread of COVID-19.

Easter Holidays – Monday 6th April – Friday 17th April

Teachers will not be preparing weekly learning grids over the holiday period but there are many links to useful websites available on the Partnership Schools website.

If required, you can contact me at the Castle Douglas Primary School HUB during the holidays.  Please use my mobile number: 07741 686730.

Free School Meal Support – Dumfries and Galloway Council

Due to the ever-changing circumstances of COVID19 D&G Council will make sure that a food pack is available to all children and young people who meet the criteria for free school meals. This does not include all children in P1-P3 who would normally receive a free meal, only those who meet the entitlement criteria. More information  and registration for this service is on the Council Website – https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CV19schoolmeals

Wishing You Well

Over the next few weeks, my main priority is ensuring that we are safe and well.   It will take some time for us all to adjust to the changes we are experiencing.  It can be overwhelming for pupils, families and staff.   Teachers will be sharing learning activities with you and your child(ren) in the ways highlighted below.  We hope that you find this communication useful and we welcome your feedback.  Thank you for your patience as we find ways of supporting each other during this difficult time.

Communication

• Communication with parents/ carers – Generic information is communicated via the school website and blog by the Headteacher.  Teachers are communicating with parents/ carers either by email or via the class Facebook page.
• Communication with pupils – P1-3 Teachers are communicating via the parents/ carers (as above) as the children are too young to access GLOW groups. P4-7 pupils are communicating via GLOW groups.

I would like to reassure you that staff are on hand to provide support between 9am and 3pm.  Please feel free to email us directly, message us via the class Facebook pages and older pupils can email us via GLOW groups.  You can also contact me directly on my work mobile: 07741 686730.

Emergency Childcare for Critical Key Workers

Castle Douglas Primary School has been opened as a hub providing emergency child care to children of critical key workers.  It is important to keep the number of children in school and private childcare sectors to the absolute minimum, as mentioned in the First Minister’s statement yesterday, in order to contain the spread of the virus.

More information can be found using the D&G links below:

https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/media/22755/COVID-19-Schools-Statement-22-March-2020/pdf/Schools-Statement-COVID-19.pdf?m=637204861129170000

https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/media/22754/Childcare-Information-for-Key-Workers/pdf/Childcare-Information-for-KEY-WORKERS.pdf?m=637204856199970000

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Key Worker Update

All parents/ carers received a text message yesterday from the Skills, Education and Learning Directorate asking those who are key workers in Health, Social Care, Emergency Services and Social Work Services to complete a form.  Further clarification was included in a letter sent to parents today by the Directorate.

202003201607_20200320DirectorLettertoParentsandCarers

By Thursday 26th March, it looks like local ‘hubs’ will be set up to assist key workers with child care.

I will be updating you as much as possible over the next few weeks and I wish you safe and well.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

I would like to take the opportunity to thank pupils, parents and staff for their understanding and patience at this time.  We were unable to inform pupils about the school closure information before they left school today.

I met with teachers after school today to discuss arrangements from now until the Easter holidays.  We will receive advice from the Local Authority but in the meantime, we have come up with a plan to support our pupils and families.

Please remember that teachers will be working from home from Monday and they are contactable by email during the day.  Their email addresses are:

gw08gloverkim@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

gw13burtonaileen01@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

gw08stevensrosslynn@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

gw08bielinskisusan@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

gw19seivwrightjess@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

gw13scottkatie3@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

gw08reidnicola@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

gw08maxwellnorma@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

We have decided that teachers will set up a closed class Facebook page so that they can share information about learning and teaching activities with you.  No pupil details or photographs will be included on this page. It is only for teachers to share weekly learning activities and ideas with you for your child.

If you wish to be added to your child’s class Facebook page then please email your child’s teacher directly using the teacher’s email from the list above.    You can provide up to two email addresses to be added to the group.

Anyone who would prefer not to join a Facebook page can email your child(ren)’s class teacher to let them know and the teacher will send you information via email instead.

We have discussed making up physical ‘learning packs’ for pupils but due to the nature of infectious diseases and cross-contamination, it may not be in pupils’ best interests.

We will be taking into account those pupils who may not have internet access and their families will be contacted separately.  (We do this already.)

You will be aware that due to the unprecedented nature of this situation, we are trying to find the best way of supporting our whole school community.  I am sure that the Local Authority will be providing us with further information in the next few days.  Until then, we thank you for your support and remind you that you may contact us at any time.  (My work mobile number is:  07741 686730)

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Soctt

Headteacher