MESSAGE TO PARENTS FROM DIRECTOR SKILLS, EDUCATION AND LEARNING

Dear Parents

Covid19 Pandemic

I wanted to write to all families to confirm the message from the First Minister earlier this afternoon that schools and nurseries across Scotland will close from Friday.  I will provide more detail on how we plan to support you and your family during this very difficult time as soon as this information becomes available.

We will send all information directly to Headteachers and will ensure that all Council communication channels (Website, Facebook and Twitter) are updated with the latest information for you.

If you are a worker within Health and Social Care or the Emergency Services, or if you have a senior phase pupil preparing for exams, targeted information will follow.

We ask that you continue to remain in contact with your school and your Headteacher if you have any concerns at all.  Thank you for your support as we work through this difficult time.

Yours sincerely

Dr Gillian Brydson

Director Skills, Education and Learning

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Headteachers have been updated with information from the Local Authority.  At the moment we plan to keep schools open to support pupils and families, as well as our local emergency response.

This is an uncertain time for us all but we know that children and young people benefit from routines and support from adults that they know and trust.  We continue to have discussions with pupils about their worries and provide them with information about how to prevent the spread of the virus.  Here is some useful advice:

a) For Children

https://young.scot/campaigns/national/coronavirus

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51896156

b) For Adults

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

I will let you know tomorrow of any further updates.

As always, please get in touch if you wish to discuss anything further.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Coronavirus (Covid 19) and School Measures

We all need to take precautions to protect ourselves against Coronavirus (Covid 19).  I have been trying to take a ‘common sense’ approach and follow D&G advice.  Please can I remind you that if you or your children have a cough or fever then you should be taking NHS advice and self-isolating for seven days.

I have decided to cancel all gatherings between now and Easter. The following gatherings have been cancelled:

• Lockerbie Manor Information Evening (for current P5s and P6s) tonight
• Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 18^th March
• School Shows
• Easter Services
• School assemblies
• After school activities

We are now limiting visitors in school and ask that all parents do not enter the school building unless it is an emergency.  Unfortunately, this includes our valuable parental helpers too.  (We have removed the ‘sign in’ book and Clerical staff will sign essential visitors in to school instead.)

Other measures that we are taking include:

• We continue to remind everyone to wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds when entering the building and before eating/ drinking in addition to after using the toilet.
• Limiting the times that pupils gather together by having staggered lunches and no longer having weekly assemblies.
• After schools clubs are cancelled from today.
• I have contacted the Local Authority for clarification about the Galloway Activity Centre P6/7 trip planned for 18^th and 19^th
• All sporting events out with school including P4 swimming tomorrow are cancelled.
• We are propping open internal doors (risk assessed against fire safety regulations) to minimise the amount of times people touch them.
• We will wipe down surfaces, computers and door handles with anti-bacterial wipes at regular intervals throughout the day.
• We will not be providing play dough, water play or sand.

I know that this is an uncertain time for us all but at the heart of all of this are our children.  We need to keep them safe and reduce their worries.  We will do whatever we can to support each other over the next few weeks.  As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish to discuss anything further.

On an upbeat note… WE HAVE TONS OF TOILET ROLLS!!! If all else fails we could sell it and make a profit for the schools!   Our new Enterprise project?!!!

KEEP SMILING!!

Best wishes,

Mary Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Text Messages

Our average monthly bill for sending text message reminders to parents is £90.  We use this service for emergency announcements such as road closure updates or schools closure information.  We notice that we have been sending texts to remind parents of sporting events or to remind them of deadlines for payment.  Please  look at the blog or contact the school for further information to help us reduce the need to send text messages in the future.

James Clerk Maxwell Family Science Festival

Please see the link below for further information about  a science festival being held this Saturday in  honour of a local scientist with links to Parton.

James Clerk Maxwell Family Science Festival – 14th March!

Projected Roll for August 2020

We have capacity for 75 pupils in school and our projected roll for August 2020 is 83 pupils.  We need to think creatively about how to accommodate these additional catchment pupils.

The Parent Council are arranging a meeting in the next few weeks to discuss this further.

Coronavirus Advice from the Local Authority

All schools are being issued with hand sanitiser and antibacterial soap.  We continue to encourage thorough hand washing.  Please see the previous post for more detail from the Local Authority.

What’s on this week?

• Monday 9th March – P6&7 pupils to Curling
• Tuesday 10th March – P5-7 Rugby, Cross Country Practice after school, Headteacher out of school all day
• Wednesday 11th March – P5-7 Rugby and Headteacher out of school all day
• Thursday 12th March – 17:30-19:30 Parents’ Evening

Primary 4 Curricular Swimming

Primary 4 pupils will be attending swimming lessons every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 17^th March until 2^nd April.  Transport is provided.

Bikeability Training

Every year we provide training for our P7 pupils so that they are safely able to ride their bicycles on the road.  A tutor is able to deliver training for parents to enable them to become ‘Bikeability’ instructors.  The tutor will also come to the school and work alongside parents until they feel confidently able to work with small groups of pupils.  The more parents who are willing to participate in this, the safer our children will be on the roads.

We really  need to train up a new cohort of parents.  Please see the attached letter for more information.

REMINDER OF UPCOMING BIKEABILITY SCOTLAND TRAINING COURSES BELOW

Diary Dates:

Please note the change to the Show Show Date.  We have had to move it to Tuesday 31st March at 6.30pm in Crossmichael Village Hall instead.

We decorated potatoes as our favourite characters from a book for World Book Day on 5th March.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Coronavirus advice poster – Education – 4 March 2020

Projected Roll for August 2020

We have capacity for 75 pupils in school and our projected roll for August 2020 is 83 pupils.  We need to think creatively about how to accommodate these additional catchment pupils.

I will be discussing some options at the Parent Council Meeting tomorrow evening (7pm on Tuesday 3rd March in Crossmichael Primary School).  It would be really useful if you could attend or provide your ideas by emailing the school office on gw08officecrossmicha@ea.dumgal.sch.uk .

Parent Council Meeting – Tuesday 3rd March at 7pm

We look forward to seeing you at our meeting in Crossmichael Primary at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd March.  Agenda items include:

Attendees
Apologies
Minutes of last meeting
Head Teacher’s report
Chair Person’s report
Treasurer’s report
School roll and staffing
Positive Relationships Policy
Natasha’s bench and an unveiling ceremony
Outdoor Classroom
Fundraiser for school show
Leaving “do” for Mrs. Martin
AOCB
Date for next meeting

Coronavirus Advice from the Local Authority

Please see the advice below issued by the Local Authority:

Coronavirus Advice

What’s on this week?

• Monday 2nd March at 6.30pm –  P7 pupils and parents from both schools are invited for an information evening about Castle Douglas High School delivered by Mrs Cook (Depute Headteacher).
• Tuesday 3rd March – P5-7 will be visited by author Alan McClure
• Wednesday 4th March – P5-7 receive their first Spanish lesson of a block from Mr Kerr.
• Thursday 5th March – Each pupil to bring in a potato to decorate for World Book Day.  (We will decorate them in school.)
• Friday 6th March– P5-7 continue their block of orienteering with the Solway Orienteers

Primary 4 Curricular Swimming

Primary 4 pupils will be attending swimming lessons every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 17^th March until 2^nd April.  Transport is provided.

Bikeability Training

Every year we provide training for our P7 pupils so that they are safely able to ride their bicycles on the road.  A tutor is able to deliver training for parents to enable them to become ‘Bikeability’ instructors.  The tutor will also come to the school and work alongside parents until they feel confidently able to work with small groups of pupils.  The more parents who are willing to participate in this, the safer our children will be on the roads.

We really  need to train up a new cohort of parents.  Please see the attached letter for more information.

REMINDER OF UPCOMING BIKEABILITY SCOTLAND TRAINING COURSES BELOW

Diary Dates:

Please note the change to the Show Show Date.  We have had to move it to Tuesday 31st March at 6.30pm in Crossmichael Village Hall instead.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Staffing

We have decided that for continuity for learners in P1-3, we will not be introducing a new teacher into class for two days a week.  This means that we are not advertising the vacancy left by Mrs Wilson at the moment.

We delighted to announce that Mrs M Martin has been successful in securing a full time, permanent post as a Nursery Nurse at Kirkcudbright Primary School from August 2020.  This is fantastic news for her but we will miss her very much.  She has worked at Crossmichael Primary School for 23 years and is a valued member of the school community.  We are lucky to have had her with us for so long and wish her all the best in her new post.  (We’re going to enjoy our time with you until the summer holidays!!)

Parent Council Meeting – Tuesday 3rd March at 7pm

We look forward to seeing you at our meeting in Crossmichael Primary at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd March.

Rag Bag Collection – Thursday 27^th February

Please remember to hand in your black bin bags full of old clothes to the school office to be collected on Thursday.

Primary 7 Gateway Evening – Monday 2^nd March

P7 pupils from Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools are invited to an information evening on Monday 2^nd March at 6.30pm in Crossmichael Primary School.  This will be presented by Mrs A Cook, Depute Headteacher at Castle Douglas High School.  Please see the letter below:

Gateway Letter to Parents 2020

Curricular Events

Recently, pupils in P1-3 had input from Mrs K Picken who delivered ‘Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative Workshops – Singing Games and Rhymes’.  This was a series of 3 x 30 minute music workshops where pupils sang a variety of songs and developed their rhythm.

Mrs Glover has been busy arranging for pupils to be involved in a variety of sporting events.  P5-7 is participating in orienteering on Friday afternoon with a view to choosing a team to represent the school at the orienteering competition later this term.  P6 and 7 will be attending a ‘Curling’s Cool’ session on 9^th March at Dumfries Ice Bowl.  We have pupils who are interested in attending the Cross Country Area Champions event too.

Primary 4 Curricular Swimming

Primary 4 pupils will be attending swimming lessons every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 17^th March until 2^nd April.  Transport is provided.

The Galloway Violin Studio Workshop

The Galloway Violin Studio is hosting its second string instrument workshop from 28^th February – 1^st March.  Please see the information leaflet attached:

workshop invitation 2020

Crossmichael and Parton Playgroup Enrolment Days

Children born between 1^st March 2016 and 28^th February 2017 may enrol at Glenlochar Community Centre on Wednesday 26^th and Thursday 27^th February from 08:15-16:00.  Please see further details below:

ELCC Glenlochar and Parton Playgroup Enrolment Info

Diary Dates:

Other News

Congratulations to Emilie and Finlay who received certificates for demonstrating the school value of being ‘aware’.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

A713 Road Closure for Re-Surfacing Works

I have been in touch with Bob Green (Team Leader Road Network Management – West) and he assures me that parents and families will be permitted to come through the traffic lights in order to collect children at the end of the school day.

Unfortunately, we will have to follow diversions during the school day as it is not possible for traffic to pass through the road works.

Thank you for your patience.

Positive Relationships and Anti-Bullying Policy 2020

This year, one of the targets on our School Improvement Plan is to develop a Positive Relationships and Anti-Bullying Policy.  Several members of staff have met from schools in Castle Douglas High School Cluster to create a draft copy of what this might look like.  I now wish to share this with staff, parents and pupils across the partnership schools and to seek your feedback.

In particular, I would like to know what you think we should include to ensure effective partnerships between home and school.  I would also like to know if you would like further information on what is meant by ‘restorative approaches’.

Please see the link below and email the school office with your feedback at gw08officecrossmicha@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

Castle Douglas Cluster Better Relationships Policy 2019 DRAFT

Open Day Feedback

Thank you to those parents who attended our open day on 4th February.  We hope that you found it useful to get a feel for what and how your child learns in school.  Please comment below if there is anything else that you would like more information about.

School Holiday Dates

Please remember that schools will be closed next week for pupils.  Staff will attend training days on Thursday 20^th and Friday 21^st February.

Rag Bag Collection – Thursday 27th February

Please pop and unwanted clothing into black bin bags and leave in the main school office for collection on 27th February.

P4 Swimming Lessons

P4 pupils will be engaging in nine swimming lessons at Castle Douglas swimming pool every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 17th March until 7th April from 11:30-12:30.  Transport will be provided.  Please ensure that your child brings their swimming kit on those days.

Diary Dates

Best wishes,

Maey E Lidstone-Soctt

Headteacher

A713  Crossmichael Road Closure for Resurfacing Works

Mon 10th – Fri 17th February from 9.30am-4pm

UPDATE Tuesday 4th February:

I have been in touch with Dumfries and Galloway Council today regarding the road closure of the A713 next week.  (Please see the letter below.)

A713 Road Closure Letter from D&G Council

This week there will be traffic lights on the A713 from the RSPB junction to the 30mph speed limit signs.

Next week they plan to re-surface the A713 from the 30mph speed limit signs to the St Michael’s Street junction (beside the Post Office on the main street).

On Monday and Tuesday, traffic lights will be in place and parents, buses, etc will be let through to collect pupils from school.  On Wednesday the road will be closed completely.  They hope to move on to Parton Mill from Thursday of next week.  This timescale is dependent on the weather.

Whilst the road is closed, the diversion route is through Laurieston, up to New Galloway, down past Parton and in through the top of Crossmichael village.    (Although there is a smaller, local road, this is not passable by two vehicles and is not the designated diversion route.)  On Wednesday, parents can enter Crossmichael from the Parton end and park in the road closure area.  You can then walk up to school to collect your child(ren) at 2.55pm.

We will send you updated information via GroupCall text message if there are any changes to this information.

Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society  (RSCDS) Bronze Award

Each year our pupils participate in Scottish Country Dancing as part of our curriculum.  We also put forward teams to participate in the Stewartry ‘Day of Dance’ event.  This year it was called ‘Jigs and Reels’ and we entered a mixed team of pupils from Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools.

Lousie Coupar, our Active Schools and Community Support Officer, has been in touch to say that the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (RSCDS) wish to recognise the effort of all pupils within the school.  Therefore, they are awarding us with an accreditation.  This means that our school will receive a BRONZE award and each pupil will receive a pin badge to recognise their achievements.

Transport Costs and Attendance at Events out of School

We always try to involve pupils in as many events out with school as possible so that they receive a variety of learning experiences.   Sometimes this is not possible due to the costs associated with transporting pupils.  We are fortunate to have so many supportive parents who offer to transport pupils when we have a handful of pupils attending an event.

I now wish to share the information that will be going into the Dumfries and Galloway Volunteer Policy. This is still in draft form but the information below has been included in conjunction with our legal team:

“(*A parent volunteer can transport their own child to a school event, and other parents can make private arrangements between themselves about transporting children to school events.  The school may act as a facilitator for communication between parent volunteers to coordinate transport however, they must ensure that parents understand that this is a private arrangement between themselves, and it is for parents to satisfy themselves as to the adequacy of such arrangements.  This is because Dumfries and Galloway Council has no control over the existence of appropriate insurance or the whether the vehicle in question is adequately maintained.  In addition, the volunteer’s driving credentials, and existence of previous driving convictions will not have been checked.)  Schools should draw attention to the above (* ) in all correspondence re trips where these private arrangements apply. School children should only be transported on school related trips by a contracted company such as a bus or taxi firm, or by a teacher using a DGC pool car, or their own vehicle where appropriate business insurance is in place, a current MOT in is in place, the teacher’s driving licence has been registered and checked with the Council’s fleet management service and all of these matters have been verified in advance by the Headteacher of the School.” 

Castle Douglas Junior Golf Development Programme

Here is a note from Wayne Blackburn, the CDGC Junior Convener:

“Leading junior golfers of Castle Douglas Primary & surrounding schools to the golfers of tomorrow

Encourage your child to get involved in golf with the Castle Douglas Golf Club Junior Development programme for children ages 5-16. With fun coaching sessions mixing games and practice, we teach boys & girls the value of golf and vital foundation skills that they can spend their golfing lives building upon. Monitoring progress is part of these programmes, which aim to get juniors confident and playing on the course as soon as possible. Junior sessions are available in term time on selected days after school and some weekends.

The programme will be run by Hugh & Ailsa Brannock & Alan Learmonth and a team of volunteers.

We will be having a family fun open day in the Easter holidays with lots of activities.

Dates for above sessions & fun day tbc.”

Crossmichael Diary Dates

Crossmichael Bloggers

P3-5 have been learning about the features of non-fiction books. We have been using non-fiction books to gather information about the Sun, Moon and Earth to make our own fact files.

“We found out that the Sun is getting closer to the Earth by using a non-fiction book to research the Sun”- Imogen

“When we were learning about the features of non-fiction books we looked at the contents page. We used the contents page to find the pages we were looking for.” – Ciaran

“Headings are there to tell you what is on that page, they are big and bold and at the top of the page.” – Zoe

“Non-fiction books have captions that tell you a bit of information about a picture or photograph.”  – Lily

“The Sun is made of gas.” – Emma

P3-5 have also been using cubes to represent ingredients and have followed recipes to measure accurately in grams.

P5-7 visited Tongland Power Station.

Active Schools’ ‘Jigs and Reels’ Event – Monday 27^th January

Active Schools organised a morning of traditional Scottish Dancing for pupils in P5-7 on Monday 27^th January at Dalbeattie Learning Campus.  Our team performed their dances then enjoyed learning some new ones.  Thank you to Mrs Stevens for accompanying them.

School Dinner – Burns Lunch on 28^th January

Please remember that we are having our school Burns Dinner on 28^th January.  Pupils may wear some tartan if they wish.

Scottish Poetry Recitals

Pupils will be reciting their Scottish poetry in school this week as part of their ongoing learning in literacy and language.

Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative Music Workshops – ‘Singing Games and Rhymes’

Mrs Picken will be coming in to school to work with pupils in P1-3 on Wednesday for 30 minutes.  This will be the first of three sessions where pupils will be engaged in singing games and rhymes.  The other sessions will be on Monday 3^rd February and Monday 10^th February.

P5-7 School trip to Tongland Power Station – Wednesday 29^th January

P5-7 pupils will be visiting Tongland Power Station on Wednesday 29^th January in the afternoon.  This is being funded by the Galloway Biospheres Project and links to the block of learning that pupils engaged in last term with the Galloway Biospheres Officer (Shalla Gray).  Miss Seivwright will accompany pupils and they will be back in time for the end of the school day.

The RSPB Big Bird Watch

Our Pupil Council have registered for the RSPB’s Big Bird Watch.  They are choosing one hour this week to observe the birds in our playground and they will keep a record of the ones that they see.  This information will then be sent to the RSPB so that they can track the progress of each species.

Open Day for Parents – Tuesday 4^th February

Please contact the school office if you wish to join us in school on Tuesday 4^th February.  This is an opportunity for you to observe lessons and to get a ‘feel’ for what and how your child is learning in school.  We hope that you can join us.  (Please see ‘Diary Dates’ for further information.)

Crossmichael Diary Dates:

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher