Category: Uncategorized

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

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/candg/advice-page-coronavirus-support/

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

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

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

Coronavirus (Covid 19) and School Measures

We all need to take precautions to protect ourselves against Coronavirus (Covid 19).  I have been trying to take a ‘common sense’ approach and follow D&G advice.  Please can I remind you that if you or your children have a cough or fever then you should be taking NHS advice and self-isolating for seven days.

 

I have decided to cancel all gatherings between now and Easter. The following gatherings have been cancelled:

• Lockerbie Manor Information Evening (for current P5s and P6s) tonight
• Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 18^th March
• School Shows
• Easter Services
• School assemblies
• After school activities

 

We are now limiting visitors in school and ask that all parents do not enter the school building unless it is an emergency.  Unfortunately, this includes our valuable parental helpers too.  (We have removed the ‘sign in’ book and Clerical staff will sign essential visitors in to school instead.)

 

Other measures that we are taking include:

• We continue to remind everyone to wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds when entering the building and before eating/ drinking in addition to after using the toilet.
• Limiting the times that pupils gather together by having staggered lunches and no longer having weekly assemblies.
• After schools clubs are cancelled from today.
• I have contacted the Local Authority for clarification about the Galloway Activity Centre P6/7 trip planned for 18^th and 19^th
• UPDATED at 2.10pm – All sporting events out with school (including P4 swimming tomorrow for Crossmichael Primary) are cancelled.
• We are propping open internal doors (risk assessed against fire safety regulations) to minimise the amount of times people touch them.
• We will wipe down surfaces, computers and door handles with anti-bacterial wipes at regular intervals throughout the day.
• We will not be providing play dough, water play or sand.

 

I know that this is an uncertain time for us all but at the heart of all of this are our children.  We need to keep them safe and reduce their worries.  We will do whatever we can to support each other over the next few weeks.  As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish to discuss anything further.

 

On an upbeat note… WE HAVE TONS OF TOILET ROLLS!!! If all else fails we could sell it and make a profit for the schools!   Our new Enterprise project?!!!

 

KEEP SMILING!!

 

Best wishes,

Mary Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Parental Engagement – A Quick Survey!

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our short survey about parental engagement.  We will have the results to share with you soon.  If you haven’t yet completed the survey then the link is below:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NZWBHBN

 

Coronavirus Advice from the Local Authority

Please see the previous post for advice from our Local Authority.  We continue to remind pupils to wash hands thoroughly and schools are being provided with antibacterial soap and hand sanitiser.

 

Primary 4 Curricular Swimming

Primary 4 pupils continue to attend swimming lessons every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 25^th February until 12^th March.  Transport is provided.

 

What’s On This Week:

Monday 9th March  – Curling for P6 pupils

Tuesday 10th March  – P4 swimming and Headteacher out all day

Wednesday 11th March –  P4 swimming and Headteacher out all day

Thursday 12th March-  P4 swimming, Parents’ Evening from 3.30pm – 5.30pm

 

Diary Dates:

Thursday 12th March 3.30pm-5.30pm   Monday 16th March at 6.30pm	Parents Evening     Lockerbie Manor Information Evening at Crossmichael Primary School for our current P5s and P6s who will be in P6 and P7 in Feb 2021.
Wednesday 18th March 5.30-7pm	Parents Evening
Thursday 2nd April at 6.30pm	School Show – ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’
Friday 3rd April at 2pm	Easter Service in Village Hall

Photos will be uploaded shortly…

 

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Coronavirus advice poster – Education – 4 March 2020

Parental Engagement – A Quick Survey!

We are continuing to try and improve our engagement with parents and the wider school community and I am hoping you can take a few minutes to complete this short questionnaire in order for the school to find the best way forward.  Please choose the option most appropriate to your needs.  Thank you to those of you who have completed the survey already!

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NZWBHBN

 

Coronavirus Advice from the Local Authority

Please see the advice below issued by the Local Authority:

Coronavirus Advice

 

 Primary 4 Curricular Swimming

Primary 4 pupils continue to attend swimming lessons every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 25^th February until 12^th March.  Transport is provided.

 

Primary 7 Gateway Evening – Monday 2^nd March

P7 pupils from Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools are invited to an information evening on Monday 2^nd March at 6.30pm in Crossmichael Primary School.  This will be presented by Mrs A Cook, Depute Headteacher at Castle Douglas High School.  Please see the letter below:

Gateway Letter to Parents 2020

 

World Book Day – Thursday 5th March

Please can all pupils bring a potato in to school so that we can decorate it for World Book Day?

 

Wallets Marts Food and Farming Day – Friday 6th March

Our P6 pupils will be attending this event with Miss Reid and separate correspondence has been sent to P6 pupils.  Please see the letter below for more information.  In particular, please ensure that pupils wear layers of clothing as it can be extremely cold!

200225 Wallets Mart Letter Home 6

 

Diary Dates:

Thursday 12th March 3-5pm	Parents Evening
Wednesday 18th March 5.30-7pm	Parents Evening
Thursday 2nd April at 6.30pm	School Show – ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’
Friday 3rd April at 2pm	Easter Service in Village Hall

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

Parental Engagement – A Quick Survey!

We are continuing to try and improve our engagement with parents and the wider school community and I am hoping you can take a few minutes to complete this short questionnaire in order for the school to find the best way forward.  Please choose the option most appropriate to your needs.

 

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NZWBHBN



 

Certificate of Recognition for Mrs Fenwick

We are delighted to announce that Mrs Fenwick was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from DG First for all of the additional work she does to raise the profile of the school within the community.  Last year, she ran ‘Big Cook, Little Cook’ workshops to encourage Dads to cook with their children.  She has encouraged parents to join us for school dinners at events such as our Sponsored Autumn Walk and has cooked the Burns Supper in the village Hall.  She is always thinking of ways to involve the community in the school and, in the past, has introduced ‘Fishy Fridays’ where villagers were invited in to school for a meal.  CONGRATULATIONS MRS FENWICK!!

 

Rotary Quiz Results

We are delighted to announce that our team came fourth in the recent Rotary Quiz event held at Castle Douglas Primary School on 6^th February.  The competition was fierce and we are proud of our pupils.  Well done!!

 

Primary 4 Curricular Swimming

Primary 4 pupils will be attending swimming lessons every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 25^th February until 12^th March.  Transport is provided.

 

 

Primary 7 Gateway Evening – Monday 2^nd March

P7 pupils from Crossmichael and Gelston Primary Schools are invited to an information evening on Monday 2^nd March at 6.30pm in Crossmichael Primary School.  This will be presented by Mrs A Cook, Depute Headteacher at Castle Douglas High School.  Please see the letter below:

 

Gateway Letter to Parents 2020

 

Diary Dates:

Thursday 12th March 3-5pm	Parents Evening
Wednesday 18th March 5.30-7pm	Parents Evening
Thursday 2nd April at 6.30pm	School Show – ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’
Friday 3rd April at 2pm	Easter Service in Village Hall

Other School News:

We are very proud of Milly who won three trophies at the D&G Burns Association Regional Burns Competition on Saturday 15th February.  She won the P6/7 bagpiping section in the instrumental class, was crowned best primary school bagpiper and won the Hugh Sloan Trophy for P6/7 bagpiping.  We are so proud of you, Milly!  Well done!

Pupils in P1-7 have been involved in an ‘enterprise’ project where they had to work together to create and advertise bird boxes to sell in school.  This project was a great success and pupils enjoyed the experience.

 

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher