Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,

We have had another busy week at school.  I have enjoyed going into classes and spending time in the playground speaking to children this week.

How much has the ‘lock down’ impacted on learning?

Every year in Primary 1, pupils complete a standardised assessment at the start and end of the year.   We have just completed the ‘end of P1 assessments with our current P2s.  The results show that the children are slightly behind where we would expect them to be.  We are pleased to see that the gap is not as huge as we anticipated and teachers are working carefully to ensure that all pupils reach their full potential.

Teachers have been gathering evidence of pupil progress from formal assessments and from examples of their school work.  We now have targeted interventions in place for some pupils who need additional support.

We are continuing with the ‘Closing the Literacy Gap’ and ‘Closing the Numeracy Gap’ interventions after the October holidays.  Until recently the guidance provided to schools was that staff had to remain in the same school where possible.  Therefore, our Learning Assistant (Mrs Clifton) is currently completing a block here before moving to Gelston Primary School to complete a block there.  (We plan to train more members of staff in the future so that these approaches are sustainable.)

Our Additional Support for Learning Teacher, Mrs Hermon, visited Crossmichael today to complete specific assessments with some pupils.

I have been in touch with families to organise Child’s Plan meetings.  A Child’s Plan meeting happens when a child has multi-agency involvement to support them in reducing/ removing barriers to learning.

Promoting Positive Behaviour

Most of our pupils are settling back into school routines and are remembering to follow our vision, values and aims.  For some pupils this is more challenging – especially in the playground.  We are supporting them through restorative conversations to make better choices.  We are going to involve some pupils in small nurture groups to help them reconnect with our aims of Be Kind, Show Respect and Work Hard.  I will be contacting parents about this and appreciate your support.

Covid-19 Updates

I will continue to provide updates as I receive them.

Best Wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,

We have had an exciting week with the Portakabin arriving on site.  We hope that it will be fully operational by the start of next week.  Here are some photographs as pupils watched it being lifted over the school building last week.

House Captains and Vice-Captains

Our P6 and P7 children are preparing speeches to tell pupils in their House why they would be good leaders.  Pupils will vote for their preferred candidates and a P7 will be chosen as a House Captain with the Vice-Captain post being open to P6 and P7 children.  Good luck to them all!  We will let you know the results next week.

Staffing

I am delighted to let you know that Mrs Emma Cowan will be working with us for an additional three days every week from now until the Christmas holidays.  Her role is to support children who are experiencing barriers to their learning for a variety of reasons.  We are using the remainder of our Pupil Equity Funding to finance this.

I am also delighted to welcome Miss Sarah White as our Clerical Assistant who will be covering Miss Campbell’s Maternity position.  Office hours are as follows:

Monday: 8am-10am = Mrs Benson and 10am-4pm = Miss White

Tuesday:  No Clerical in Crossmichael so you will be transferred to Miss McNeill or Mrs Benson in Gelston school office.

Wednesday: 8am-11am = Mrs Benson and 10am-4pm = Miss White

Thursday: 8am-10am = Mrs Benson and 10am-4pm = Miss White

Friday: No Clerical in Crossmichael so you will be transferred to Miss McNeill or Mrs Benson in Gelston school office.

School Meals Menu

Here is a copy of the school meals menu for your information.

0409-19 Primary School meal leaflet end of 2020

Information About the Loch Ken Trust

Loch Ken Trust ad July 2020

Updates on Covid-19

I will continue to keep you updated on the latest advice about Covid-19 arrangements.  Please see the letter received today from Professor Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director, Scottish Government:

Coronavirus – Jason Leitch Letter on testing and common colds – 31 August 2020

If I need to add any information to the blog then I will notify you by Group call text first.  Thank you for your patience and support.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Update About Colds/ Sore Throats and Attendance

Today we sent a Group Call text message to parents to tell you that pupils who were generally unwell, had sore throats or colds were not to attend school until they felt better.  This information came from Public Health Scotland and was initially put in place because we are still learning about how Coronavirus presents in children.  (It is possible that they will display atypical symptoms.)

Following feedback from schools and parents, this advice has been amended.  Therefore,  pupils may attend school if they have a minor cold or sore throat.  

Adults and children who are displaying one of the three Covid-19 symptoms must not attend.  Neither should siblings.  The symptoms are:

1. Fever
2. Change or loss of sense of taste/ smell
3. New, continuous cough

Please read over the latest guidance (25.08.2020) for information about what action to take if you or your child is symptomatic.

COVID-19 Advice for Parents v1.1 250820

Best wishes,

Mary Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,

I hope that you are well.  I wanted to update you on the guidance issued to school about signs of Covid-19 on Tuesday 25th August.  You should not send your child to school if they have any of these three symptoms:

1. A new continuous cough
2. A high temperature
3. A loss or change to their sense of smell of taste

The advice from the Health Protection Team is that Children / Staff who are unwell but not displaying the standard 3 x COVID-19 related symptoms should also not attend school e.g. sore throat, colds, vomiting / diarrhoea general unwellness.

Please see the poster issued last week:

Schools building sign for illness

What if we have a confirmed positive case of Covid-19 in school?

We have stringent risk assessments in place in the event that a person displays symptoms of Covid-19 when in school.

If this was an adult then they would be sent home immediately and would book a test.  If this was a child then we would isolate them in a quiet room until they could be collected and taken for a test.   Their siblings should also remain at home during this time.

If the test comes back negative then the adult/ child can return to school once they are feeling well again.

If the test is confirmed as a positive then the adult/ child would need to isolate for 10 days.  The school would be thoroughly deep cleaned.

The school will cooperate with Test & Protect procedures and follow guidance from our Public Health team to ensure that all members of our school community are kept safe.

Portacabin Delivery

The portacabin is no longer being delivered tomorrow because the forecast is for high winds.  We hope it will arrive on Wednesday instead.  You may use the roads around the school tomorrow but there will be disruption on Wednesday.  We will send out a Group Call once arrangements are confirmed.

Parent Council Meeting 

Tonight we are having a Parent Council Meeting via the Zoom app at 7pm.  Here is the agenda:

Attendees 

Apologies 

Introductions 

Approval of Minutes of last meeting 

Matters Arising 

Chairperson’s Report 

Treasurer’s Report – including Updating signatories/Internet banking 

Head Teacher’s Report 

Update on Portacabin 

Update on Outdoor Learning Shelter 

School Transport 

Safer Routes to School 

Outdoor/Indoor shoes/PE 

Ideas for Fundraising Activities in our current situation 

Loch Ken Trust 

AOB 

Date of Next Meeting 

Our School Rainbow

Thank you to all who contributed coloured stones for our rainbow.  Mrs Martin used as many as possible and said, “I hope everyone likes the feature and that it stands the test of time to remind us that after the storm comes the rainbow.”

Best wishes,

Mary Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

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 24^th August

From Monday 24^th 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.)

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