Dear parents and carers,

 

We hope that everyone is safe and well, and that you’ve enjoyed the summer break.   Please read the following information which details our plans for the return to school for all pupils on Wednesday 12^th August.    In order to follow local and national Covid-19 guidance, we have had to make changes to our routines.

 

START OF DAY

In line with local guidance we ask that only the parents of P1 and P2 to come into the playground. This will mean that you may have to make arrangement with your children about where to drop off and meet after school.  It is important that all adults adhere to physical distancing guidelines, we politely ask that adults leave the playground as quickly as possible.

 

• 8:45 School gates will be opened, not before, so please do not send/bring your children any earlier.
• 8:55 School begins. All children will go to class – no lining up.   Information about which door and path to class will be shared by teachers on Class Dojo.
• Children must wash their hands as they arrive to class
• *Aug 12^th – 21^st we are offering a ‘Soft Start’ to all children so that they can arrive anytime between 8:55 and 9:10. On arrival they must follow the same arrangements as above.

 

THE SCHOOL DAY

• We will be running staggered playtimes and lunchtimes. Please see further information about lunches below.
• Playground will be partially zoned for groups of children to use.
• Regular handwashing will take place throughout the day.
• Enhanced cleaning procedures are in place.

 

END OF DAY

• 2:45 P1 and P2 only, can be collected from designated collection point, which will be shared by class teachers on Class Dojo.
• 3:00 P3 – P7 school finishes and children will be dismissed from class. If needed, please consider making arrangements to meet you child(ren) away from the school gate e.g Ice Bowl.
• Outside the school grounds, parents must socially distance. Please adhere to the Government’s guidance and the school safety arrangements outside the school grounds.

 

WHAT TO BRING

We need to keep the items being brought into school to a minimum. Everything that your child brings will need to be in their bag and be hung on the back of their chair.  Storage space is not available.  Please only bring the following:

 

• School Bag: Large enough to hold all of the items your child brings to school, including any snack/packed lunch.
• Coat: Children will spend as much time outside as we can provide.
• Water Bottle: Labelled and filled. This must be taken home at the end of the day to be cleaned, for reuse the next day.
• Pencil Cases: Children are allowed to bring their own resources in a single pencil case but they must NOT share or swap.  We will provide resources for those who don’t bring one with them.
• Snack: Children can bring a snack for break time.  We are not able to offer Tuck Shop at this point.
• Children are allowed to bring their own labelled hand sanitizers but they must not be shared.
• NO PE Kits. We will let you know when this changes.
• NO unnecessary items such as toys or Pokémon cards.
• Mobile Phones We are unable to store mobile phones securely at this time and so can’t take responsibility for their safe keeping.  We ask that you encourage your child to leave their phone at home unless absolutely essential.

 

LUNCH TIMES

• School lunch will initially be ‘Cold Meal Provision’.
• P1-3 are still entitled to free school meal.
• Packed lunches should be brought in a disposable container/bag where possible, they will be stored in your child’s school bag.
• We will continue to have 3 sittings for lunch, however we are introducing designated seats.

 

MEDICATIONS

• All required medication must be in school from the first day.
• Please contact school to discuss any concerns.
• Mrs Muir will contact all families who we know to have current medication needs, over the next few days in order to complete necessary records.

 

COMMUNICATION

• Information will be shared on Class Dojo, School App for Parents and Laurieknowe School blog, we may also use email and Group Call as necessary.
• We will keep you updated with information and any changes to our plans, to help us to do so, please ensure that we have up to date contact details, both telephone and email where possible.
• Parents and Carers are able to contact school through email or telephone. You can contact both Deputes through the main office or on Class Dojo.  Class teachers can be contacted in the same way.  We will endeavour to respond as quickly as we can.
• If communication is urgent or confidential, please call school: 01387 252604

Please use the link to see the guidance issued to school by Dumfries and Galloway Council:

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

We hope that this information goes some way to reassuring you about the return to school.   We appreciate the challenges that the changes to some of our routines will cause, however at this time we must ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our school community.  We appreciate you support in adhering to this guidance.

We look forward to welcoming our children back on Wednesday.

Headteacher