Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

Covid-19 Updates

On Thursday and Friday last week, we had to close Gelston Primary School and move to remote learning due to staff shortages.  Several adults and pupils tested positive for Covid-19.  (Unfortunately, I also tested positive meaning that we had no member of senior management available to work alongside supply teachers so we had no option but to close.)

I am delighted to say that we have re-opened this morning.  I wish all adults and pupils a speedy recovery and I look forward to seeing you soon.

At Crossmichael Primary School, Chicken Pox is doing the rounds again but the number of Covid-19 cases remains relatively low in comparison to those at Gelston.

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 30th March – Cross Country Festival for P5-7 pupils (both schools)

Thursday 31st March – Gelston’s Easter Egg Competition.  (Pupils should bring a hard boiled egg into school to decorate in the afternoon.)

Thursday 31st March – Crossmichael Easter Assembly for pupils

Friday 1st April – Gelston Easter Assembly for pupils

Monday 4th April – Monday 18th April – Spring Holiday.  (Pupils and staff return on Tuesday 19th April.)

Contact Information

For general queries, please contact the school office email or telephone number below.

If you have a question relating to your child’s learning or general health and wellbeing then please contact your child’s teacher via email or via the school office.

If you wish to discuss any matter with me then the best way to contact me is via email: gw08cruickshanksmary@ea.dumgal.sch.uk .

My mobile phone number is: 07741 686730.   I will be working from home for the next few days.

Have a restful Spring Holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

It is so lovely to see signs of Spring and to feel the sunshine at last!  In the last few weeks of term we are preparing for our Easter assembly and looking forward to the better weather.

Covid-19 Updates

There has been an increase in Covid-19 cases across our schools with Gelston being significantly impacted this week.   If your child is feeling well enough to work from home then remember that some work will be available on closed class Facebook pages.

Pupils  can access their SumDog accounts to practise maths and numeracy.  There are many useful materials on websites such as Topmarks, BBC,  Phonics,  etc.

We also have access to Numeracy Launch Pads.  Here is an example of a home learning grid for Early level (P1):

Click on the QR code and it will take you and your child to an interactive lesson.  We have these for all stages.

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 30th March – Cross Country Festival for P5-7 pupils

Thursday 31st March – Crossmichael Easter Assembly for pupils

Friday 1st April – Gelston Easter Assembly for pupils

Monday 4th April – Monday 18th April – Spring Holiday.  (Pupils and staff return on Tuesday 19th April.)

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  I am delighted to see most pupils and staff have returned to school after the recent increase in positive Covid-19 cases across the partnership.  It is fantastic to welcome everyone back!

Online Payment System for School Meals

On Wednesday 2nd March, Crossmichael Primary School is moving to online payments for school meals.  All parents will receive a letter containing details of how to register for the service.  Please remember that pupils in P1-P5 receive free school meals from Scottish Government.

World Book Day – Thursday 3rd March 

On Thursday, pupils are invited to dress up as their favourite character from a book or they may wear their pyjamas to school.  Teachers will be planning some activities related to World Book Day and pupils will have a themed lunch.

Lockerbie Manor Residential Trip – Wednesday 2nd March – Friday 4th March

We are looking forward to our trip to Lockerbie Manor from Wednesday – Friday this week.   We will post updates to the class Facebook pages and send texts if necessary.

Miss Reid, Mrs Stevens and I will be attending the trip.  I am available on 07741 686730 if anyone needs me urgently about school matters.  Mrs Glover (Principal Teacher at Crossmichael) will be available on 01556 670282 to talk to parents from either school if required.

Reporting to Parents – Telephone Appointments

We are arranging telephone consultations with parents w/c 14th March and w/c 21st March.  Please complete the form below to indicate your preferred date and time.

P7 to S1 Transition Arrangements

In March a Pupil Support Teacher from Castle Douglas High School will visit or P7 pupils to share a ‘Welcome to CDHS’ PowerPoint and to answer questions.

All P7s have ben added to a P7 into S1 2021/2022 Microsoft TEAMs group.  A copy of the PowerPoint will be added to this group and our P7s will be able to talk to each other and staff via this TEAM.

We hope to go ahead with the three ‘moving up’ days in June (in person).  Further information will follow in due course.

Some P7 pupils may require an enhanced transition programme involving a few additional visits to Castle Douglas High School.  I have already been in contact with specific parents to discuss this.

Where a P7 pupil has a Child’s Plan, we invite Mrs Alison Cook (Depute Headteacher at CDHS) or Alison Kalotka (Acting Principal Teacher of Support at CDHS) to attend to suppot transition.

Stewartry Cross-Country Festival for P5-P7

On Wednesday 30th March, Active Schools are arranging a Cross Country Festival for P5-7 pupils across the Stewartry.  Pupils who register their interest will be invited to run 1200m races at the Stewartry Rugby Club.  More details will follow shortly and any help with transportation would be gratefully received.

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

Update on Absences

I would like to thank you for your understanding over the past few weeks  as we cope with an increase in the amount of positive cases of Covid-19 within our schools.  In the middle of January, this affected many pupils from Gelston Primary School.  I am delighted to report that attendance figures have nearly returned to normal again.  Unfortunately, Crossmichael is now experiencing a high number of cases and we had to send two classes home on Friday due to staff shortages.

Across the partnership, we have four Teachers and four Learning Assistants absent.  Two of our three Clerical Assistants have also been absent and the school offices are not manned during the day on a Tuesday or a Friday until everyone is able to return.

Supply staff are in high demand and covering classes has been challenging.  Our teachers have missed their RICCT (Reduction in Class Contact Time) as I have had to use the RICCT teacher to cover classes.  They are owed this time back.  Since Christmas, I have been teaching every Friday in Crossmichael and I have been teaching full time over the last two weeks (and again this week).

I feel very blessed to have such an amazing team around me and I am delighted that we have been able to keep both schools open despite the challenges.  Once again I must thank you for your understanding especially when it comes to communication.  I will endeavour to send you regular updates once things settle down again.

Lockerbie Manor Residential Trip for P6 and P7 Pupils

Unfortunately, we had to re-schedule the trip to Lockerbie Manor because over a third of pupils caught Covid-19.  Gelston pupils had recovered but Crossmichael pupils and staff were impacted.  I took the decision to postpone and was delighted when they were able to offer us the remaining dates from 2nd to 4th March.   We look forward to going!

Covid-19 Procedures

If your child tests positive via lateral flow test then they should isolate for 7 days.  If your child tests negative on day 6 and day 7 then they can return to school.  If they continue to test positive then they must isolate until day 10.  (They can return after that even if they test positive.)  You should log a positive test online.

If your child has symptoms then they should go for a PCR test and follow the isolation rules as above.

If your child tests negative but lives in a household with a positive contact then they can return to school provided that they record a negative lateral flow test each day for the next 7 days.

Staffing Changes Across the Partnership

In Term 2, Mrs Marscheider was appointed as Acting Principal Teacher from Mondays to Thursdays while Miss Reid was absent.  This term, she has been Principal Teacher every Friday at Gelston whilst returning to Crossmichael to teach her P1/2 class there from Mondays to Thursdays.

After the mid-term break, Mrs Marscheider will return to Crossmichael on a full time basis.  We thank her for her time at Gelston and wish her well.

Each Friday, Miss Holman was teaching P1/2 at Crossmichael.  She has kindly agreed to swap schools and will be class teacher in P4-7 at Gelston every Friday.  (Since Christmas, she has also been covering P6/7 from Monday- Thursday at Crossmichael.)  We thank Miss Holman for her time at Crossmichael and we are delighted to be keeping her within our partnership schools.

I have decided not to appoint a 0.2fte (one day) Principal Teacher at Gelston for the rest of this session.  The procedure would involve advertising internally and then externally.  If one of our existing teachers were successful then it would cause disruption to another class and I am trying to limit this where possible.  I also want to ensure that we get the right person for the job and I understand that many teachers are exhausted and may not be in the correct frame of mind to apply for a position at the moment.

Attainment Data

At Gelston Primary School, I have had meetings with teachers to discuss individual pupils’ attainment and we have identified universal or targeted support for each child.  Unfortunately, I had to postpone meetings at Crossmichael Primary School but I have had the opportunity to look over all attainment data and we already have targeted or universal support in place for each child.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has asked for a snapshot of attainment data to be provided by 11th February 2022.  We are reporting on which curricular levels have been achieved in Literacy and Language and in Numeracy and Maths.  I am heartened to see that our attainment data is improving despite the pandemic.  The quality of learning and teaching, the consistency in our approaches (including revised curricular programmes) are definitely having a positive impact on learning.  I look forward to sharing this information with you soon.

Reporting to Parents – Telephone Consultations

In March, teachers will be having 10 minute telephone consultations with all parents to discuss pupil progress.  (Dates and times to be confirmed.)  Please rest assured that we have already been in touch with parents whose children required targeted support for learning (such as Closing the Literacy Gap) and have been holding regular Child’s Plan meetings for others.  Some parents have already requested a telephone consultation with their child’s teacher and these discussions have been very useful.

Please remember to get in touch if you have any concerns as we can share a wide variety of assessment evidence with you to show you your child’s achievements and next steps in learning.

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 14th February – Wednesday 16th February:  Mid-term holiday.  Pupils return on Thursday 17th February.  (Staff training days on 15th and 16th February.)

Lockerbie Manor Residential Trip for P6 and P7 Pupils: Wednesday 2nd March – Friday 4th March

Monday 4th April – Monday 18th April: Spring Holiday.  Pupils return on Tuesday 19th April.

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  You may be aware that the number of positive cases of Covid-19 is increasing in our schools.  It would be really helpful if your child could complete regular lateral flow tests each morning to help us prevent the spread of the virus.

This week I will be teaching each day in Crossmichael.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to secure supply staff as they are in high demand.  Much as I am looking forward to being in class, I do apologise for having had to cancel several meetings including Child’s Plan meetings.  I hope to reschedule these after the February mid-term holiday.

I am looking forward to accompanying the P6s and P7s to Lockerbie Manor from Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th February.   If you require any further information about the trip then please contact the school office.

Covid-19 Updates: 

1. Testing 

• If you have no symptoms but record a positive lateral flow result then you do not need to have a PCR.  Immediately follow self-isolation rules and ensure you record test results online for contact tracing to commence. 
• If you have symptoms, you should book a PCR test and follow self-isolation rules. 

1. Self-Isolation 

• If you record a positive lateral flow test then you should isolate for 10 days.  You have the option to end isolation after 7 days if you have no fever and have recorded a negative lateral flow test on day six and no sooner than 24 hours later, on day seven. 
• Close contacts (including household contacts) who are either under 18 years 4 months old, or who are older and are fully vaccinated (e.g. are double jabbed and have had one booster) need not self-isolate as long as they record negative lateral flow results on a daily basis for the next 7 days. 
• For those close contacts over 18 years 4 months who are not fully vaccinated, they must isolate for 10 days and take a PCR test.  
• People who tested positive before midnight on 5th January are still bound by the previously stated self-isolation and testing rules.  They must have a PCR and isolate for 10 days. 

Dates

7th – 9th February 2022: P6 and P7 pupils from each school will be visiting Lockerbie Manor for a residential trip.  Miss Cruickshanks, Miss Reid and a parent will accompany the children.

Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th February:  School is closed to pupils and re-opens on Thursday 17th February.  (The Tuesday and Wednesday are staff training days.)

Monday 4th April until Monday 18th April:  Spring Holiday.  School re-opens on Tuesday 19th April 2022.

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Friends and Families of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

I am writing this letter whilst isolating at home as my daughter has tested positive for Covid-19.  If you wish to contact me directly then please call 07741 686730 or alternatively, contact the school and someone will get back to me.  I hope that you are well.

Covid-19 Update

In each school, we have some pupils isolating because they have tested positive for Covid-19.   If someone in your child’s class has tested positive then we will notify you by sending a letter containing advice.  (It is worth noting that symptoms in children reported to us by parents tend to include a fever, vomiting, fatigue and persistent headache.)

Please remember that if your child or anyone in their household experiences a fever, persistent cough or loss of sense of taste/ smell then you should isolate immediately and book a PCR test.

If you have no symptoms but your lateral flow result is positive then please report this on the Government website and isolate immediately.

Children (anyone under 18yrs 4months) and fully vaccinated adults (had 2 jabs and a booster) who test positive, may end isolation earlier than 10 days as long as they record a negative lateral flow test on day 6 and no sooner than 24hrs later on day 7.

Adults (over 18yrs and 4 months) who are not fully vaccinated and test positive must isolate for 10 days.

Household contacts of a positive case may return to school/ work if they continue to receive a negative test each day for seven days provided that they are under 18yrs 4months or are fully vaccinated. (If you are an adult who is not fully vaccinated then you must isolate for 10 days regardless of negative lateral flow results.)

Learning from Home 

It is likely that some pupils may need to isolate and will need to learn from home.

In my previous newsletter l mentioned that pupils could access a GLOW tile called ‘D&G Learning from Home’.  Unfortunately, this was incorrect and I apologise for any confusion caused.  (Teachers can use this resource and signpost parents to appropriate activities.)  Nevertheless, there are tiles available that have lovely activities on them such as ‘OUP Oxford Owl’.  Please explore the tiles on GLOW.

In addition, here are some useful websites:

In addition to this, some children have a ‘SumDog’ username and password to enable them to complete numeracy and maths activities at home.  Teachers also post spelling words on either the closed class Facebook pages or on Microsoft TEAMS.  These can be accessed each week.

If you need help then please contact us.

Primary 1 Enrolments

The school year starts in August and children enrol in the January before they start.

Children turning 5 before the end of February 2023 will enrol in January 2022 to start school in August 2022.  Children born between 1 September and the last day of February can choose to start primary school later . Children born between the first day of March and the last day of August can also apply for deferred entry.

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are reducing parental contact with schools and asking that rather than attend schools to enrol, parents/carers submit applications via school bags/post/electronically, where possible, along with supporting proof of date of birth and home address to the catchment school.

If your child/ren currently attend the nursery of your catchment primary school, there will be no requirement for you to provide proof of address or date of birth.

In all instances, you should download, complete and submit the appropriate application form below to your catchment school by week ending 21 January 2022.

•  Download the Catchment School Application Form [PDF – 49.2KB]
•  Download the Non-Catchment School Application Form [PDF – 70.23KB]

Here is the link to all enrolment information on the Dumfries and Galloway website: https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15241/School-places#:~:text=Enrolling%20for%20Primary%201&text=Children%20turning%205%20before%20the,start%20school%20in%20August%202022.&text=Children%20born%20between%20the%20first,also%20apply%20for%20deferred%20entry.

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th February – P6 and P7 pupils from both schools to Lockerbie Manor for a residential excursion with Miss Cruickshanks, Miss Reid and Mrs Stevens.

Monday 14th February – Wednesday 16th February:  School closed to pupils.  (Staff training days on 15th and 16th.)

Easter holiday – Monday 4 April to Monday 18 April 2022

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Contact details:

Miss Mary Cruickshanks

gw08cruickshanksmary@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

07741 686730

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

Happy New Year!  I hope this newsletter finds you well and I wish you all the best for 2022.

Covid-19 Update

You will be aware that the number of positive cases of Covid-19 has risen over the festive period.  In the week ending 26th December there were 872 confirmed positive cases in our region and by the week ending 2nd January there were 2825 cases.

This will have an impact on schools as pupils and staff are required to isolate at different times.  We ask for your patience over the next few weeks as we try our best to ensure that schools can be kept open.  There may be some occasions where a class may have to be sent home if we are unable to locate staff to cover but this would always be a last resort.

Yesterday, The First Minister’s announcement gave us some optimism as she explained changes to testing and self-isolation periods.  I will summarise the information below:

Testing

· If you have no symptoms but record a positive lateral flow result then you do not need to have a PCR. Immediately follow self-isolation rules and ensure you record test results online for contact tracing to commence.

· If you have symptoms, you should book a PCR test and follow self-isolation rules.

Self-Isolation

· If you record a positive lateral flow test then you should isolate for 10 days. You have the option to end isolation after 7 days if you have no fever and have recorded a negative lateral flow test on day six and no sooner than 24 hours later, on day seven.

· Close contacts (including household contacts) who are either under 18 years 4 months old who are older and are fully vaccinated (e.g. are double jabbed and have had one booster) need not self-isolate as long as they record negative lateral flow results on a daily basis for the next 7 days.

· For those close contacts over 18 years 4 months who are not fully vaccinated, they must isolate for 10 days and take a PCR test.

· People who tested positive before midnight on 5th January are still bound by the previously stated self-isolation and testing rules. They must have a PCR and isolate for 10 days.

It would be helpful if your child could complete regular lateral flow tests to keep them and others safe but this is entirely voluntary.  Thank you to those families who have been in touch to say that their children are isolating.  We wish you well and hope that you make a speedy recovery.  We hope that things start to settle down over the next few weeks.

Learning and Isolation

You will understand that it is not possible for teachers to provide work for pupils to complete at home whilst also teaching a class full time.   Therefore, if your child needs to isolate at any time then they should locate generic learning activities found on the ‘DG Learning at Home’ tile within GLOW.  (Your child has a GLOW username and password.  When they log in they click on the ‘Dumfries & Galloway Council’ tile then the ‘DG Learning at Home’ tile to access materials.)

In addition to this, your child has a ‘SumDog’ username and password to enable them to complete numeracy and maths activities at home.  Teachers also post spelling words on either the closed class Facebook pages or on Microsoft TEAMS.  These can be accessed each week.

Please get in touch if you require any further information.

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

Covid-19 Updates

The First Minister made an announcement on 10^th December regarding the new Omicron variant of Covid.  The briefing can be read in full here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-speech-10-december-2021/

The key message is:

If you or a member of your household is symptomatic then ALL members of the household should isolate and book PCR tests. If one member of your household has a positive PCR result then ALL members need to isolate for 10 days regardless of whether they are already double vaccinated or not.  

December Diary Dates

Month of December – Pupils may come to school wearing school uniform or Christmas jumpers / Christmas tops/ Christmas dresses as they wish.

Wednesday 15th December – P4-7 Christmas Party.  Pupils may come to school dressed in party clothes.

Thursday 16th December – School Christmas Dinner Day.  Pupils may come to school dressed in a Christmas jumper, etc.

Friday 17th December at 1.30pm – Online assembly for Mrs Maxwell’s retirement followed by afternoon tea for pupils and staff.

Monday 20th December  – Parent Council raffle is drawn in school.

Tuesday 21st December – P1-3 Christmas Party.  Pupils may come to school dressed in party clothes.

Thursday 23rd December – Thursday 6th January – School Holidays for pupils.  Staff return on Wednesday 5th January and pupils return on Friday 7th January 2022.

Gelston Parent Council Christmas Raffle

Thank you for buying and selling raffle tickets.  We really appreciate your kind donations too.  The raffle will be drawn on Monday 20th December.  Please return all unused tickets and ‘stumps’ and money into school as soon as possible so that we can arrange the raffle.  Good luck to you all!

Gelston Primary School Parent Council Facebook Page

Our Parent Council has its own Facebook page!  This is a closed group so that privacy can be maintained. The office bearers of the Parent Council are administrators of the group.

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  I understand that some of you experienced power cuts at the weekend caused by storm Arwen.  I hope things are back to normal for you now.

Covid-19 Updates

We thank you for your continued support in remaining vigilant and regularly testing your children if they become symptomatic.  We have had no cases of Covid-19 reported in school in the last four weeks so thank you for your help.

Unfortunately, we are not sending Christmas cards home again this year but please do take advantage of our Parent Council Christmas fundraiser where you can purchase other items from the online portal and support the school at the same time!

December Diary Dates

Month of December – Pupils may come to school wearing school uniform or Christmas jumpers / Christmas tops/ Christmas dresses as they wish.

Wednesday 15th December – P4-7 Christmas Party.  Pupils may come to school dressed in party clothes.

Thursday 16th December – School Christmas Dinner Day.  Pupils may come to school dressed in a Christmas jumper, etc.

Friday 17th December at 1.30pm – Online assembly for Mrs Maxwell’s retirement followed by afternoon tea for pupils and staff.

Monday 20th December  – Parent Council raffle is drawn in school.

Tuesday 21st December – P1-3 Christmas Party.  Pupils may come to school dressed in party clothes.

Thursday 23rd December – Thursday 6th January – School Holidays for pupils.  Staff return on Wednesday 5th January and pupils return on Friday 7th January 2022.

Gelston Parent Council Christmas Fundraiser

Please remember that the closing date for orders is 8th December!  See below for details.

Gelston Primary School Parent Council Facebook Page

Our Parent Council has its own Facebook page!  This is a closed group so that privacy can be maintained. The office bearers of the Parent Council are administrators of the group.

Dear Families and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

Parent Council Christmas Card Fundraiser

Each child has designed a Christmas card.  If you wish to buy a pack of cards with your child’s design on them then please order and pay for them using the online portal.

To access the artwork you should visit the website and enter the username Gelston and password  SYTDh26W. The 10% discount code is Gelston.

The deadline for orders in 8th December.  We really appreciate your support.

Parent Council Christmas Raffle

Our fantastic Parent Council is organising a raffle to help raise money towards the cost of our outdoor classroom.  We are aiming to make up several hampers and we are asking local businesses for donations too.  Please look at the Gelston Parent Council Facebook page for more information.

Next week, books of raffle tickets will be on sale for £1 from the school office.

The raffle will be drawn in school on Monday 20th December

Christmas Diary Dates

The P4-7 Christmas party is in the afternoon of 15th December

Our school Christmas dinner is on 16th December

We are having an end of term assembly on Friday 17th December at 1.30pm  for Mrs Maxwell’s retirement and we are hoping to stream this live to Facebook.

The P1-3 Christmas party is in the afternoon of 21st December.

Christmas Performance

Children from our partnership schools will be performing ‘Christmas Around the World’ and will share this with you remotely nearer the time.

Best wishes,

Mary Cruickshanks

Headteacher