School Meals and Clothing Grants
Some people will qualify for free school meals and clothing grants. Please remember to re-apply for this by clicking on the link below and completing the form that is half way down the page.
https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15246/School-clothing-grants
Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,
I have a received a few emails about different topics so I thought that I would provide an update again today.
Start of the School Day from Monday 24th August
From Monday 24th August, children should enter the playground and place their belongings on the ground beside their designated door. They can then go and play in the playground until the bell goes at 08:50 when they can line up.
P1 and P7 Buddies
I am delighted to say that we are re-introducing our buddy system this week. Until the Phase 3 Covid-19 Risk Assessments were written, we were unable to start the buddy programme. Although children can mix with each other, I had to ensure that the cross-over of children between classes in the school was reduced to protect the adults. It has been an onerous task but we are now able to move ahead.
Today, we are pairing the 9 x P7s with our 14 x P1s. From tomorrow, the children will have an additional break time together at 2pm and we will be discussing other ways that P7s can support their buddies.
From Monday 24th August, the P7s will meet their buddies before school in the playground and help them to line up when the bell goes at 08:50.
School Meals
Normally at this time of year, we send a letter home to parents detailing how much they need to pay for the week or term. We are not able to offer the full school menu at the moment so Mrs Pringle (our cook) is taking orders on a daily basis. Some children who normally take school dinners are choosing to bring packed lunches at times until the full menu is on offer. This makes it difficult for us to sort out how much parents owe the service.
A letter will go out to parents once the P2-4 children have moved out of the hall and we can return to the full menu. Until then, we ask parents of P4-7 pupils to pay £1.90 on a Thursday and Friday and £1 on a Mon, Tues and Wed until 31st August when the cost will be £1.90 a day. P1-3 pupils receive free school meals.
Change of Shoes
Normally we ask that pupils bring a change of shoes with them to school. They normally change into indoor trainers/ plimsolls that can also be used for indoor PE lessons. This helps to keep carpets clean. We cannot have indoor PE lessons at the moment due to Covid-19 restrictions so all PE is outdoors.
We are asking parents to ensure that each child has a clean pair of indoor shoes and a change of socks in their bag if required. Our new P1s are getting very good at changing their shoes in the mornings so will continue with this routine.
Teachers will be providing parents with a class newsletter detailing what days outdoor PE/ outdoor learning will be happening. (Children should wear old shoes and clothes for outdoor learning as they are likely to get muddy.)
Positive Relationships and Anti-Bullying Policy
Last year we developed our Positive Relationships and Anti-Bullying Policy. Here is a copy of a leaflet explaining the key points:
Promoting Positive Relationships Information Leaflet
If you would like any further information then please contact the school. It would be lovely to hear your feedback. You can either reply to the blog or email the school office.
As always, please contact us if you have any questions. The office email is gw08officecrossmicha@ea.dumgal.sch.uk .
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,
We have had a lovely few days back in school and pupils are settling in nicely. I cannot tell you how fantastic it has been to have everyone back together again!
School Meals
From this week, school meal deals will be only £1 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We are able to do this as part of the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. (P1-3 pupils receive free meals as normal.)
This is for meal deals only, it cannot be applied to single item purchases.
This promotion will run until 31 August. It applies to ‘paid for’ school meals only.
At Crossmichael, we are unable to offer hot meals until the class moves out of the hall into the portacabin. In addition to cold options, Mrs Pringle will try to offer a burger or warm chicken wrap, etc. in the meantime.
School Transport
We understand that all pupils who used to receive a ‘grace and favour’ place on school transport are no longer able to travel on the school bus. I have spoken to the Transport Assistant and they are accepting application forms for those children who wish to be allocated a seat. The form can be located here: NEP_2019_20 (1)
Please refer to the website for further information:
https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15245/Free-school-transport
Concerns About Traffic Congestion
Thank you to those who have been in touch to express your concerns about the volume of traffic near the school at the end of the school day.
From today, all pupils who are entitled to school transport are able to travel on buses. This should help to reduce the amount of cars around the school.
In the next few weeks, the building work will be finished at the school and I am hoping that several pupils will be allocated ‘grace and favour’ places on school transport. This should also help the situation. If not, then we will discuss other ways of solving this problem.
Laptops Loaned to Families During Lockdown
We provided some families with laptops during Lockdown. Please return these machines to the school along with power cables (and dongles if you had them).
Parent Council Meeting
Crossmichael Parent Council are meeting via the Zoom app at 7pm on Monday 24th August. If you wish to receive an ID and password them please email Mrs Gilli Hodson at crossmichaelparentcouncil@gmail.com . We look forward to seeing you online!
Portacabin Building Work
Building work is ongoing at the site for the portacabin for P2-4 pupils. We hope that pupils will be able to move in to their new classroom during the first week in September.
Getting It Right for Every Child
Some pupils have Individual Education Plans and Child’s Plans in place to support them in reducing and removing barriers to learning. Some pupils have input from other agencies such as Speech and Language, Educational Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Social Work. Over the next few weeks we will be in touch with families to arrange meetings (online or via telephone) to update targets in these plans.
Today I am meeting with Ms Heather Hermon, who is our Additional Support for Learning Teacher. She is based at Kirkcudbright Primary School but will be available to attend meetings and to liaise and provide advice and support where appropriate. She works for one full day across our partnership schools.
I hope you have a lovely week and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Dear Family and Friend s of Crossmichael Primary School,
It has been fantastic to welcome everyone back to school this week! We have really missed you all. Everyone is settling in nicely and getting used to a few new routines. Thank you so much for maintaining social distancing at the school gates.
School Meals Update
From next week, school meal deals will be only £1 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We are able to do this as part of the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. (P1-3 pupils receive free meals as normal.)
This is for meal deals only, it cannot be applied to single item purchases.
This promotion will run until 31 August. It applies to ‘paid for’ school meals only.
At Crossmichael, we are unable to offer hot meals until the class moves out of the hall into the portacabin. In addition to cold options, Mrs Pringle will try to offer a burger or warm chicken wrap, etc. in the meantime.
Portacabin Update
I have had confirmation from Property Services that there will be a delay of one week until P2-4 are able to move into the portacabin. Luckily, Mrs Burton and other staff have done a great job in setting up the hall and it looks amazing! Please see the photos below.
Best wishes,
Mary Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,
Our Return to School – Wednesday 12th August
I hope you are well. There is great excitement in the air at Crossmichael Primary School as we prepare for the return of all pupils tomorrow (Wednesday 12th August)! We are really looking forward to seeing you all and hope that all pupils settle as quickly as possible.
The Council has two webpages which set out general guidelines and procedures.
Schools have some flexibility in how to meet these guidelines. Here are a few more updates before tomorrow.
The Start of the School Day/ Wet Weather Arrangements
To avoid congestion at the school gates and to enable pupils to have a gentle start to the school day, they should make their way to their assigned classroom door between 8.40am and 9.10am where they will participate in activities and have quiet time if needed.
P1/2 (Mrs Marscheider) – Cloakroom door at the back of the building
P2-4 (Mrs Burton and Miss Todd) – Side entrance to the hall
P4/5 (Mrs Glover) – Main entrance at the school office
P6/7 (Mrs Stevens) – Library entrance at the side of the school building
In the event of wet weather, pupils should still make their way to their designated door.
Parents in School Grounds / Contact with the School
The Council Website states that no parents will be allowed inside school grounds with the exception of new Primary 1 pupils. I would also like to make an exception for parents of newly enrolled pupils and also parents of pupils who have additional support needs. You may enter the playground.
If you wish to contact the school then please contact us via telephone or email before arriving in person. All visitors to the school building will be asked for their contact details according to the Test and Protect guidance. Hand sanitiser will be at all entry points to the school and should be used by all visitors. This would include when handing items in to the school office for example.
School Car Park
I am aware that it can get quite congested at the school gate so I would ask that adults maintain 2m distancing at all times. Please remind pupils to maintain a 2m distance from adults too.
Parents should not park in the school staff car park. Please try to park further down the road and walk up to school. Pupils can enter the playground from either gate.
End of the School Day
At 3pm, to avoid congestion at the main school gate, pupils will leave from two different exits.
P1/2 and in P2-4 will exit the playground from the main gate beside the car park.
P4/5 and P6/7 will exit from the top gate beside the big tree/ school bus stop.
Building Site for the Portacabin
Contractors are on site preparing for the installation of our portacabin which will provide a classroom for P2-4 pupils. The site is securely fenced off and pupils can access the playground safely. Until the portacabin is ready, the P2-4 children have their classroom in the school hall.
School Meals and Water Bottles
School meals will be delivered to classrooms until the P2-4 class move out of the PE/ dining hall. For safety, cold options will be available at first. The school office has sent out emails detailing what options are on offer over the next few weeks. School meals are free for P1-3 pupils and cost £1.90 for P4-7 pupils. We will provide each family with school dinner money envelopes. You should send any money in a sealed envelope labelled with your child’s name, class and amount.
Your child is welcome to bring a water bottle to school. Please label it with their name and ensure it is filled at home. We cannot provide cups in school.
In the Classroom
Face coverings (or masks) do not need to be worn by pupils when they are in school or in the school playground. Any child within the school wishing to wear a face mask can do so.
Hand sanitiser and wipes will be available in all classes and other areas throughout the school. Pupils will wash hands when entering/ exiting the building, after using the toilet and before and after meals.
Pupils should bring a pair of indoor shoes with them and their outdoor shoes can be stored in a plastic bag within their school bag. Your child can bring a packed lunch and snack for playtime from home.
School reading books will go between home and school with strict cleaning measures in place to ensure that they are disinfected before and after entering school.
Pupils can share resources and we will be cleaning them regularly and encouraging pupils to wash hands.
Windows will be kept open for ventilation so you may wish to send your child to school with a jumper.
In the Playground
Pupils can play with each other in the playground. Pupils will wash hands before and after break times.
Communication with Class Teachers
In the next two weeks, teachers will provide you with a class newsletter detailing key information about learning, homework, routines and any other relevant information such as outdoor learning days.
We will continue with closed class Facebook pages and teachers will be setting these up shortly. These are for sharing information from school. If you wish to contact your child’s teacher then this should be done via email instead of on Facebook.
Please email your child’s teacher if you wish to be added to the new Facebook groups.
Mrs Marscheider: gw17marscheiderayesh@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
Mrs Burton gw13burtonaileen01@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
Mrs Glover gw08gloverkim@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
Mrs Stevens gw08stevensrosslynn@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
Crossmichael Parent Council Meeting
We are meeting via the Zoom app on Monday 24th August at 7pm. If you wish to join the meeting then please email the Chairperson of the Parent Council (Mrs Gillli Hodson) for an invitation. The email address is: crossmichaelparentcouncil@gmail.com
Thank you
Once again, thank you for your patience as we try to adapt to new ways of working. Please keep in touch and let us know if routines are working for you and your children. The office email address is: gw08officecrossmicha@ea.dumgal.sch.uk and the school telephone number is: 01556 670282. My Headteacher’s mobile number is: 07741 686730.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Dear Parents/ Carers,
I am writing to confirm arrangements for the safe return of all pupils to school on Wednesday 12th 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 12th 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
Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,
Please see links below to national information received via the Parent Council. I will share local details about our return to school when I have them from the Education Department.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Information for Parents :
Dumfries and Galloway Information: Gillian Brydson, Director of Education and Learning will be writing out to all parents this week in preparation for the return to schools but in the interim please find included
1: Return to School – National Guidance
2: Scottish Government data about the impact of COVID on children and Young people and families
To support this, guidance has been developed to support a safe return to school for all children, young people and staff taking full account of progress made in suppressing COVID-19 in Scotland, the scientific advice received and the advice of the Education Recovery Group and other key stakeholders. The guidance can be access using the following link – https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-preparing-start-new-school-term-august-2020/
Guidance for parents and carers has also been produced by the National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS) and this can be accessed on the NPFS website using the following link – https://www.npfs.org.uk/2020/07/23/back-to-school-guidance-for-parents-and-carers/
2: National The Scottish Government has also produced information on the provides an overview of the latest evidence and intelligence about the impact of COVID-19 and the response on children, young people, and families, in particular, those experiencing the greatest challenges. Please click this link for the latest information.www.gov.scot/publications/children-young-people-families-covid-19-evidence-intelligence-report/pages/13/
Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,
Here we are in the last week of term with our summer holidays beginning on Friday 3rd July. What a busy time it has been. Thank you to everyone for your support this term. It has been greatly appreciated.
We have prepared a pre-recorded Leavers’ Assembly and this will be available to watch from Thursday. I will post a link on the blog for you.
Update on the Reopening of Schools
Tomorrow, the Director of Education will be issuing a letter to parents. I will update the blog in the morning and send letters to families on Wednesday.
Staff Update
I would like to thank all members of staff for their hard work and commitment to providing online learning for pupils during the school closures. You have been amazing!
This summer we say goodbye to several members of staff across the Partnership schools. At Crossmichael, we are saying a fond farewell to Mrs Martin and wish her well in her new post as a Nursery Nurse at Kirkcudbright Primary School. P5-7 teacher, Miss Seivwright has secured a teaching job in Aberdeen and we wish her luck in the future. We also, say goodbye to Mrs PIckthall who has been working at Gelston Primary School as a Learning Assistant.
In August, we welcome Miss Nicole Drummond as the P1-3 teacher at Gelston whilst Miss Scott works from home prior to commencing her Maternity Leave. We also welcome Mrs Ayesha Marscheider who was the successful candidate at interview today for the post of P1/2 teacher at Crossmichael.
P1 Transition
New P1 pupils will meet Miss Drummond and Mrs Marscheider on Thursday when they arrive for a tour of the school. They have been allocated appointment times to ensure that social distancing arrangements can be followed.
Farewell to Primary 7
We are so proud of our Primary 7 pupils. It has been an unusual year for them and a difficult end to their time in Primary School. We have tried to find other ways to mark the occasion but there is nothing like meeting in person! I would like to thank Mrs Stevens and Mrs Martin from Crossmichael, and Miss Reid and Mrs Maxwell from Gelston, for helping to deliver the end of term leavers’ gifts to P7 pupils at home. It was lovely to see your smiles!
We will try to arrange a ‘get together’ in Term 1 if restrictions relax sufficiently to enable us to do so. We wish all our children (and P7 parents) the very best of luck in the future. It has been a pleasure to know you all.
Pupils Progress Reports
Your child’s end of year report will be emailed to you on Wednesday along with a covering letter.
Rainbow Stones at Crossmichael
Mrs Martin wondered if pupils would like to create a rainbow design by painting stones. The stones could then be arranged into a rainbow shape and have a permanent home in Crossmichael playground. Mrs Stevens has left a pile of stones at the school and pupils are welcome to take a stone to paint.
Crossmichael Portacabin
We were due to have a portacabin erected to accommodate the increase in our school roll but this was delayed due to Covid-19. It is looking unlikely that the portacabin will be in place in time for August but we are working closely with colleagues to have it on site as soon as possible.
End of Term Art Gallery
Mrs Bielinski has created an Art Gallery of pupils’ work. I hope you enjoy watching the video clip.
CG Art Gallery End of Term.mp4
Holiday Dates
School holidays start on Friday 3rd July and the schools reopen to pupils from Wednesday 12th August. (Inset days are on 10th and 11th August.)
Have a wonderful summer and take care of yourselves!
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,
Update on the Return to School
I am sure you are aware that when schools return in August (staff on 10th August and pupils on 12th August), we will be operating with two days in school, two days at home and one flexible learning day. We are still clarifying what the ‘flexible learning day’ will look like and I will be in touch with more information as soon as possible. I do know that your child will not attend school on that day.
Thank you for returning your responses to the questionnaire I sent out last week about preferred days. This information is helping us to plan for the return to school. We are in the process of sorting out pupil groups and will share this information with you as soon as possible.
Keeping in Touch
Thank you for continuing to keep in touch via email and Facebook. Please continue to check that your child has completed the weekly Health and Wellbeing questionnaire. I am growing concerned about a few children who have not been in touch for over a week and despite leaving telephone messages, I have not yet heard from their parents. Please remember to contact me just as if we were in the school building and your child was absent. I have responsibility for safeguarding and ensuring that all pupils are safe and well.
Learning at Home
I cannot thank you enough for everything that you are doing to support your child’s learning at home. Next week, teachers will not be providing learning grids as it is a transition week. They will provide you with a generic list of suitable activities instead.
End of Year Pupil Progress Reports
Next week, you will receive and end of year summary report of your child’s progress. I have also included a letter explaining the breakdown of curricular levels.
Cancellation of the P7 Virtual Leavers’ Meal
Sadly, we have had to cancel the P7 online meal. We were trying to think of an alternative way of providing pupils with a leavers’ meal but in practice, an online version would not work. I hope that we can meet up again at another time when restrictions have relaxed.
P7 Transition Days
Castle Douglas High School are providing online transition activities for P7s this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
P1 Transition Arrangements
I have invited P1 parents and children for a brief tour of the school on Thursday 2nd July. We will continue to communicate with new P1 parents via email.
Pre-Recorded End of Year Assembly
Next week, we plan to share a pre-recorded end of year assembly with you. If there are any P7 parents who would prefer their child’s speech not to appear on the school blog, then please notify the school office as soon as possible so their speech is not included in the public forum.
Crossmichael Parent Council Meeting – Monday 29th June
Crossmichael Parent Council are meeting at 7pm on Monday 29th June via the ZOOM app. If you wish to be invited then please email Mrs Gilli Hodson at crossmichaelparentcouncil@gmail.com before Friday 26th June so she can send you a user ID and password. (I am aware that some pupils are moving to Crossmichael from Gelston over the holidays.)
Supporting Families and Education Staff with Wellbeing
I have been asked to let you know that the Educational Psychology and Educational Visitor Telephone Consultation Service will be available throughout the summer holidays. Please see links to this information:
Also, there are useful free webinars aimed at parents. Please see the link below:
Once again, thank you for your support and please get in touch if you have any questions. My telephone number is 07741 686730 and you can email the school offices. The addresses are:
Gw08crossmicha@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
Gw08officegelston@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
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