Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,

It has been a particularly busy week across the partnership schools so I apologise for not updating the blog with a newsletter last Monday.

Portakabin Update

I am delighted to tell you that the Portakabin is finally ready and our P2-4 class are moving in this week.

Outdoor Classroom Update

Our Parent Council were awarded a grant of £10K from the Blackcraig Windfarm Community Fund so that we can build a wooden outdoor classroom and place a gate at the top of the playground leading into the community woodland area.

Iain Hall Joinery will be erecting an octagonal structure that will be built with wood, shingle tiles and shatterproof glass.  It will have doors to keep out the wind and rain if required. It will be positioned behind the community playpark and will have a path leading to and from it.

We are very excited to see the end result and it is extra special because Iain is a parent at the school.

Playground Developments

I have listened to our pupils and they have asked for more play areas within our playground.  We are keen to use materials that are low cost and local.  Pupils have been looking at some ideas. Two groups have been working with our Learning Assistant, Mrs Cowan, and have begun to plan ideas in a ‘Big Book’.  They plan to contact local businesses to ask for donations of paint, tyres, sand, gravel, black silage sheeting, tarpaulin,  wooden pallets, wood, etc. so that they can build play areas.  I created one play area last weekend and I worked with groups of pupils last week to paint benches and the sheds.  Here are some examples of play areas that the children have looked at:

Here are some photographs of pupils from last week:

If you have any items seen in these pictures that you could donate to school then please contact us.  (We are always looking for small cars and other vehicles!)

Other Learning

Please remember to look at the class Facebook groups for more updates on what your child has been learning.  Here is an example from P4/5:

Parent Council Meeting

Our next Parent Council meeting is on Monday 5th October at 7pm via the ZOOM app.  We will be discussing a Christmas fundraiser.  If you wish to attend or if you have an item for the agenda then please email crossmichaelparentcouncil@gmail.com .  We look forward to seeing you online.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael Primary School,

Learning at Home when Isolating due to Covid-19 Symptoms

If your child needs to stay at home because they are exhibiting one of the three Covid-19 symptoms (new, continuous cough/ fever/ loss of taste or sense of smell) then the school will make contact with you every week to check in with you.  This will normally be a telephone call from the Principal Teacher or Headteacher.

If your child is feeling well enough to complete some learning at home then the class teacher will provide work for him/her via email, or paper copies will be made available.

School Chromebooks Borrowed by Children

During ‘lockdown’ we gave some children a school ‘Chromebook’ laptop so that they could access learning online.  These laptops belong to the partnership schools.  We now need to gather them back in to schools for pupils to use.  These can be borrowed again if required.  Please return the Chromebooks with the power cords (and dongles if you received one).

Reporting to Parents

This term, each teacher will email you a brief summary of your child’s strengths and next steps in learning.  We understand that many of you are anxious to find out if your child has any gaps in their learning as a result of the school closures.  We hope that this summary will provide you with this information.  You may contact class teachers via email if you have any questions or concerns.

House Captains and Vice-Captains Elected

Congratulations to our P6 and P7 pupils who recorded their speeches outlining why they would make a good House/ Vice-Captain.  All pupils have voted and the results are:

Congratulations to you all!

Parent Council Meeting – Monday 5th October

We are having a Parent Council Meeting via the ZOOM app on Monday 5th October at 7pm.  Please email our Chairperson, Mrs Gilli Hodson, at crossmichaelparentcouncil@gmail.com so that we can send you a user ID and password.  We will be discussing a Christmas fundraiser.

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

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