Dear Family and Friends of Gelston 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

 

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).

 

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 Friends of Gelston 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 very 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.

The full menu will be on offer from Monday 17th August.  Here is a copy of the menu for your information.

Best wishes,

Mary Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Dear Family and Friends of Gelston Primary School,

 

 

Our Return to School – Wednesday 12^th August

I hope you are well.  There is great excitement in the air at Gelston Primary School as we prepare for the return of all pupils tomorrow (Wednesday 12^th 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.

1. Re-opening of Schools
   https://supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk/article/21014/Re-opening-of-schools

 

1. Frequently Asked Questions Re-Opening of Schools https://supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk/article/21023/FAQ-s-Re-opening-of-Schools

 

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, pupils should make their way to their assigned classroom door when the bell rings.

 

P1-3 (Miss Drummond) – Main school entrance

P4-7 (Miss Reid and Mrs Maxwell) – Entrance beside classroom at the side of the 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.

 

School Meals and Water Bottles

Pupils will have school meals in the dining hall in two sittings:

P1-3 from 12.15pm-1pm

P4-7 from 12.45pm – 1.30pm

For the first three days, only a cold option will be available with a choice of a sandwich/ wrap with a meat filling or a vegetarian filling.  We will return to the normal D&G School meals menu from Monday 17^th August.  The full menu can be located using this link:

https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/media/21860/Primary-School-meals-menu-October-to-March-2020/pdf/0409-19_Primary_School_meal_leaflet_web.pdf?m=637303348889230000

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 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 will be provided with their own stationery to use in class and they 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.  We have decided to stagger break and lunch times to enable staff to have their breaks whilst maintaining a 2m distance.  Timings are:

P1-3 from 10.15am – 10.30am

P4-7 from 10.35-10.50am

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.

 

Miss Drummond gw16drummondnicole@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

Miss Reid gw08reidnicola@ea.dumgal.sch.uk

 

 

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: gw08officegelston@ea.dumgal.sch.uk and the school telephone number is: 01556 502415.  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 12^th 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 12^th 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.

 

Separate Entrances/ Exits for Each Class

Each class will line up at a different entrance:

P1-3 (Miss Drummond) – Meet at the main entrance at the school office

P4-7 (Miss Reid & Mrs Maxwell) – Meet at the entrance at the other end of the school beside the P4-7 classroom.

 

Each child will use hand sanitiser as they enter the building.  Coats and bags can be hung on the usual coat hooks.  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 to begin w:ith.  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:

09:00-10:30 in Class

10:30-10:50 Morning Break

10:50-12:30 in Class

12:30-13:15 Lunch Break

13:15-15:00 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.

 

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

 

 

1. Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on re-opening school age childcare services The First Minister announced on Thursday 30^thJuly 2020, that schools in Scotland will reopen on 11^thAugust 2020.

 

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 3^rd 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.

 

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 3^rd July and the schools reopen to pupils from Wednesday 12^th August.  (Inset days are on 10^th and 11^th 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 10^th August and pupils on 12^th 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 2^nd 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 29^th June

Crossmichael Parent Council are meeting at 7pm on Monday 29^th June via the ZOOM app.  If you wish to be invited then please email Mrs Gilli Hodson at crossmichaelparentcouncil@gmail.com before Friday 26^th 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:

supporting children poster

 

Also, there are useful free webinars aimed at parents.  Please see the link below:

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/children-in-scotland-20206726841?utm_source=phplist5981&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HTML&utm_campaign=Free+ASN+webinars+-+Join+us+for+more+online+CPD

 

 

 

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

15 June 2020 – Letter to Parents & Carers – Reopening of Schools in D&G

Dear Family and Friends of Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools,

Updates for August

I have no further updates about the return to school.  I have several meetings this week and I will keep you informed once I have more information available.

 

Transition Arrangements for New Pupils

I will be contacting all parents/ carers of pupils who are new to the school so that they can come for a short visit including a tour of the school on Thursday 2^nd July.  Each family will be given a different 10 minute time slot and we will follow social distancing advice.  Please save the date.

 

 

End of Term Arrangements for P7s

We are preparing a pre-recorded ‘Leavers’ Assembly’ for the last week of term.  Our P7 pupils are busy recording their speeches.  I will be delivering the P7 gifts to your homes throughout next week.  We are arranging to have a virtual meal via ZOOM on Friday 26^th June at 6.30pm.  The school will pay for this if parents could collect the ‘take away’.  Miss Campbell is currently looking into menus and prices for both schools.  We will contact you separately to make arrangements.

 

Learning at Home

In the last week of term (w/c 30^th June) teachers will not be sending out learning grids but will provide you with links to suitable websites where your child can access materials if they wish.  Staff will be focusing on transition arrangements and organising the digital materials associated with this.

 

Staffing and Classes

We welcome Miss Nicole Drummond as the P1-3 teacher at Gelston for next year.  Miss Scott will be working from home until her Maternity Leave begins.

 

At Crossmichael, I am interviewing class teachers on Monday 26^th June for the P1/2 vacancy.  I also hope to have someone in post to cover Miss Campbell’s Maternity Leave. 

 

Parent Council Meeting

We had a Parent Council meeting on Tuesday 9th June.   The link to the minutes can be found here:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/gelstonpc/2020/06/15/minutes-of-meeting-tuesday-9th-june-2020/

The link to parental support from Connect Scotland and D&G can be found here:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/gelstonpc/2020/06/15/parental-support-from-connect-scotland-and-dg-15th-july-2020/

 

Please get in touch if you wish to discuss anything further.

 

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher