Photos – Week 2 of the Lock Down
All posts by Miss Cruickshanks
Update – 01.04.2020
Dear Crossmichael and Gelston Families,
THE CRITICAL CHILDCARE HUB IS MOVING TO DALBEATTIE:
The Critical Childcare Hub hosted at Castle Douglas Primary School is, from Monday 6th, going to be located at a joint Hub in the Dalbeattie Learning Campus from 7am-8pm, seven days a week and over the Easter holidays.
Castle Douglas Cluster Schools staff will be still be involved with supporting and managing the childcare provision.
HOW TO ACCESS FREE SCHOOL MEALS:
Also, the Local Authority are arranging a ‘meals on wheels’ service for those families who are entitled to this provision so we will no longer be coordinating this locally. Please see below for information from Dumfries and Galloway Council:
COVID-19 – Free School Meals
Providing free school meals and ensuring the welfare and support of our children and young people is a key priority for our council.
Due to the ever-changing circumstances of COVID19 we will make sure that a food pack is available to all children and young people who meet the criteria for free school meals. This does not include all children in P1-P3 who would normally receive a free meal, only those who meet the entitlement criteria:
- Income Support
- Job seeker’s Allowance (Income based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (Income based)
- Child Tax Credit on its own, with an annual taxable income of less than £16,105 (subject to change)
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable income of less than £6,900 (subject to change)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of not more than £610
Families must confirm that they want to be included in this scheme by completing the online form or or speaking to a member of the team on 01387 271112.
I am sorry that the information being sent out keeps changing but unfortunately this is necessary due to the nature of the current situation.
As always, please contact me if you require any other information. My mobile number is: 07741 686730.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Update – Tuesday 31.03.2020
I would like to take this opportunity to thank pupils, parents and staff for your support and dedication since we started ‘lock down’.
Thank you to our parents and carers
You are doing a great job in accessing learning activities from home. I can see that you are working together and it has been lovely to see the photos shared via class Facebook pages and GLOW emails.
I understand how challenging it can be to support your own child(ren) whilst also working from home yourself.
Please remember that we are all adjusting to things so please do not put too much pressure on yourselves!
Thank you to our learners
Boys and girls, I think you are AMAZING!! You are trying so hard with the activities. Remember that it is important to talk to each other too. You can video call each other via Microsoft Teams. I would love to hear from you!!
Thank you to our staff team
Every week our staff team are working hard to create and upload weekly learning grids to Class Facebook pages and to GLOW groups. This is a new way of working and I am so thankful that you have risen to the challenge. Also, thank you for helping with the daily Critical Child care for Key Workers hosted in the HUB at Castle Douglas Primary School from 7am – 8pm.
Thank you to EVERYONE!
We really appreciate everyone following the ‘lock down’ rules, socially distancing and therefore helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Easter Holidays – Monday 6th April – Friday 17th April
Teachers will not be preparing weekly learning grids over the holiday period but there are many links to useful websites available on the Partnership Schools website.
If required, you can contact me at the Castle Douglas Primary School HUB during the holidays. Please use my mobile number: 07741 686730.
Free School Meal Support – Dumfries and Galloway Council
Due to the ever-changing circumstances of COVID19 D&G Council will make sure that a food pack is available to all children and young people who meet the criteria for free school meals. This does not include all children in P1-P3 who would normally receive a free meal, only those who meet the entitlement criteria. More information and registration for this service is on the Council Website – https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CV19schoolmeals
Pupils from our school who are entitled to free school meals can collect meals from Castle Douglas Primary School from 12.30pm – 2pm. If you wish to collect a meal then please order using the link below:
Yesterday, I emailed parents/ carers of children who fall into this category to offer a ‘meals on wheels’ service. I am currently collating a list of those who would like to utilise this service and a list of volunteers who would be willing to distribute the packed lunches to pupils. I will get back to individuals as soon as I am able to organise this.
I am missing you all and send you my very best wishes. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Update – Wednesday 25.03.2020
Dear Families,
This week I have been helping to organise staffing for the ‘Hub’ at Castle Douglas Primary School. The school is being used for child care purposes as a last resort for families who have two parents who are critical key workers. I am delighted to report that this arrangement seems to be working well and pupils numbers are being kept as low as possible to ensure the safety of children and adults.
Pupils from our school who are entitled to free school meals can collect meals from Castle Douglas Primary School from 12.30pm – 2pm. If you wish to collect a meal then please order using the link below:
I understand that it may be difficult for some families to collect meals as we live out of town. Please contact me if this is an issue and I will see what I can do to help.
Thank you to everyone who has sent photographs via GLOW group emails. It has been lovely to see so many of you having fun and learning new skills with your families.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Update – Monday 23rd March 2020
Wishing You Well
Over the next few weeks, my main priority is ensuring that we are safe and well. It will take some time for us all to adjust to the changes we are experiencing. It can be overwhelming for pupils, families and staff. Teachers will be sharing learning activities with you and your child(ren) in the ways highlighted below. We hope that you find this communication useful and we welcome your feedback. Thank you for your patience as we find ways of supporting each other during this difficult time.
Communication
- Communication with parents/ carers – Generic information is communicated via the school website and blog by the Headteacher. Teachers are communicating with parents/ carers either by email or via the class Facebook page.
- Communication with pupils – P1-3 Teachers are communicating via the parents/ carers (as above) as the children are too young to access GLOW groups. P4-7 pupils are communicating via GLOW groups.
I would like to reassure you that staff are on hand to provide support between 9am and 3pm. Please feel free to email us directly, message us via the class Facebook pages and older pupils can email us via GLOW groups. You can also contact me directly on my work mobile: 07741 686730.
Emergency Childcare for Critical Key Workers
Castle Douglas Primary School has been opened as a hub providing emergency child care to children of critical key workers. It is important to keep the number of children in school and private childcare sectors to the absolute minimum, as mentioned in the First Minister’s statement yesterday, in order to contain the spread of the virus.
More information can be found using the D&G links below:
https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/media/22755/COVID-19-Schools-Statement-22-March-2020/pdf/Schools-Statement-COVID-19.pdf?m=637204861129170000
https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/media/22754/Childcare-Information-for-Key-Workers/pdf/Childcare-Information-for-KEY-WORKERS.pdf?m=637204856199970000
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Update – Friday 20th March 2020
Key Worker Update
All parents/ carers received a text message yesterday from the Skills, Education and Learning Directorate asking those who are key workers in Health, Social Care, Emergency Services and Social Work Services to complete a form. Further clarification was included in a letter sent to parents today by the Directorate.
03201607_20200320DirectorLettertoParentsandCarers
By Thursday 26th March, it looks like local ‘hubs’ will be set up to assist key workers with child care.
I will be updating you as much as possible over the next few weeks and I wish you safe and well.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Update from the Headteacher 19.03.2020
Update from the Local Authority
Dr Gillian Brydson (Director of Skills, Education and Learning) will be writing to all parents/carers to detail the arrangements we have so far for school closures following the First Minister’s announcement that schools will be closing to the majority of pupils from the close of play on Friday 20, March.
Home Learning Packs
Teachers have prepared home learning packs for pupils and many of these were sent home today. (Packs contain your child’s usernames and passwords for websites. They also contain worksheets and jotter(s).)
If your child is absent and you wish to receive your pack then please make arrangements to collect them from school tomorrow.
Class Facebook Pages for Parents/ Guardians
Teachers are in the process of setting up class Facebook pages for parents/ guardians so that we can share learning activities and ideas. I will link these to the Blog when available. (Please see previous post for more detailed information.)
Communication Between Teachers and Pupils
P1-3 pupils will be reliant on parents/ guardians passing on learning activities from teachers via class Facebook page.
Pupils in P4-P7 know how to ‘log in’ to GLOW and can access their emails and GLOW Groups. (They have been given their GLOW usernames and passwords.) Here is a quick guide for pupils:
How to access GLOW emails from home
P4-7 pupils can communicate with their teachers via GLOW Groups. They can upload photos of their learning from home and attach this to their emails if they wish. (Most know how to do this already so please don’t worry. We are able to help them if required.)
Advice Pages to Support Families
On the Partnership Schools website, I have created a page called ‘Advice Page – Coronavirus Support’ . It will be updated with advice files for adults and children. So far today the following have been added:
a) Helping children and young people manage in unsettling times
b) Social story coronavirus for families
c) How to stay in touch with the school
It can be accessed using this link:
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/candg/advice-page-coronavirus-support/
P7 Leavers
In the event that the schools are closed until the summer holidays, we will ensure that our P7s have a ‘Leavers’ Meal’ and a ‘Leavers’ Assembly’ at a later date. I spoke to them today.
Please contact us if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Scott
Headteacher
Update from the Headteacher – 18.03.2020
I would like to take the opportunity to thank pupils, parents and staff for their understanding and patience at this time. We were unable to inform pupils about the school closure information before they left school today.
I met with teachers after school today to discuss arrangements from now until the Easter holidays. We will receive advice from the Local Authority but in the meantime, we have come up with a plan to support our pupils and families.
Please remember that teachers will be working from home from Monday and they are contactable by email during the day. Their email addresses are:
gw08gloverkim@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
gw13burtonaileen01@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
gw08stevensrosslynn@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
gw08bielinskisusan@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
gw19seivwrightjess@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
gw13scottkatie3@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
gw08reidnicola@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
gw08maxwellnorma@ea.dumgal.sch.uk
We have decided that teachers will set up a closed class Facebook page so that they can share information about learning and teaching activities with you. No pupil details or photographs will be included on this page. It is only for teachers to share weekly learning activities and ideas with you for your child.
If you wish to be added to your child’s class Facebook page then please email your child’s teacher directly using the teacher’s email from the list above. You can provide up to two email addresses to be added to the group.
Anyone who would prefer not to join a Facebook page can email your child(ren)’s class teacher to let them know and the teacher will send you information via email instead.
We have discussed making up physical ‘learning packs’ for pupils but due to the nature of infectious diseases and cross-contamination, it may not be in pupils’ best interests.
We will be taking into account those pupils who may not have internet access and their families will be contacted separately. (We do this already.)
You will be aware that due to the unprecedented nature of this situation, we are trying to find the best way of supporting our whole school community. I am sure that the Local Authority will be providing us with further information in the next few days. Until then, we thank you for your support and remind you that you may contact us at any time. (My work mobile number is: 07741 686730)
Best wishes,
Mary E Lidstone-Soctt
Headteacher
SCHOOL CLOSURES FROM FRIDAY
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
Coronavirus Update – 17.03.2020
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
