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Dear Family and Friends of Gelston Primary School,

 

House Captains and Vice-Captains

I am delighted to announce the Captains and Vice Captains for each House are:

Falcons:  House Captain is Ava Proudfoot and Vice-Captain is Alexa Swalwell

Owls:  House Captain is Milly Allison

Eagles:  House Captain is Rose Parker and Vice-Captain is Fern McMinn

All pupils did extremely well in presenting their speeches to their peers.  Congratulations to them all!

 

Staffing

I am also delighted to welcome Miss Sarah White as our Clerical Assistant who will be covering Miss Campbell’s Maternity position at Crossmichael.  She will also answer the telephone for Gelston Primary School at times.  Gelston Office hours are as follows:

Monday: Miss McNeill before school.  No Clerical in Gelston during school hours so you will be transferred to Mrs Benson or Miss White

Tuesday:  Miss McNeill before school and Mrs Benson during school hours

Wednesday: Miss McNeill before school.  No Clerical in Gelston during school hours so you will be transferred to Mrs Benson or Miss White

Thursday:  Miss McNeill before school.  No Clerical in Gelston during school hours so you will be transferred to Mrs Benson or Miss White

Friday: Miss McNeill before school and Mrs Benson during school hours

If you have an urgent message then please contact the Headteacher’s mobile on 07741 686730.

 

School Meals Menu

Here is a copy of the school meals menu for your information.

0409-19 Primary School meal leaflet end of 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 Gelston 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.

 

 £400 Grant Award from Castle MacLellan Foods Ltd 

We are delighted to announce that we have successfully received a grant for £400 from Castle MacLellan Foods Ltd. to buy equipment for our infant outdoor area.  If we have any parents who are good at making mud kitchens from wooden pallets or helping to build a large sand pit then please let us know!

 

Our Tatties!

Alfie and William helped to dig up our tatties last week and Mrs Fenwick cooked them for lunch.  Yummy!

 

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

 

 

Pupils Choose the Menu for a Day!

At Gelston, we are very lucky to have meals cooked on site.  In order to keep our kitchen we need to increase the uptake of school meals.  Therefore, Mrs Fenwick is introducing a rewards system where pupils receive a star if they demonstrate our school values.  Once a child has 15 stars they will be placed into a draw and if their name is pulled out they can choose the school menu for a day and will receive a free lunch that day.  It would be lovely to see more pupils taking school dinners so please try and support us.

Dear Family and Friends of Gelston Primary School,

 

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 gw08officegelston@ea.dumgal.sch.uk .

Best wishes,

Mary E Lidstone-Scott

Headteacher

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