Onthank Primary Families,

What a lovely week we have all had in welcoming our full school back to Onthank Primary. Our building is once again alive with the sound of happy, excited, and eager young people – a sound we have missed greatly over the past few months! After our first full week back, we thought we would share some frequently asked questions to all our families to help ease our transition to some of our new adaptations.

 

Will my child require PE kit?

No. All physical activity will take place outdoors for the time being. No P.E. kit will be required at this time, but we will continue to review this in line with Government guidance.

• Learners can come to school in clothing that is appropriate for physical education and the weather conditions and we ask that children wear suitable shoes for going outside.
• We are currently timetabling your child’s PE days and their teacher will inform them on which days to wear more suitable clothing for the outdoors.
• Some outdoor lessons may take place in grassy areas. If your child needs to bring in a change of clothes or footwear suitable for outdoors on specific days their class teacher will inform them via the class blog.

What will happen on arrival on a wet day? 

• Parents/carers are asked to arrive no more than 5 minutes before your child’s allocated entry time, where possible. This will help to maintain physically distancing between our families.
• From 8.45am until 9.15am, staff will be at our entry points to warmly welcome and support pupils to their class or a sheltered area at their staggered entry time.
• Only P1-P3 pupil parents/carers are asked to enter the playground via the ‘Enter Only’ gate and follow a one-way system, staying in a physically distant and single file queue to drop off their child. Parents/carers will then leave the playground via the ‘Exit Only’ gate.

 

Can my child bring in a water bottle?

Children are able to drink water throughout the school day. Please send a water bottle with your child’s name clearly marked on it. If children need to refill their bottle the teacher will direct them as to where they should do this in the school.

 

How will my child order their school lunch?

Children will continue to order their school lunch in class with their teacher. EAC are in the process of creating a new online system to order meals. When this is ready for use, children will continue to order their meals online with the class teacher. All school meals will continue to be purchased via ParentPay.

 

Where will I find the most up to date information? 

Our ‘School App’ is where you will find our letters and most up to date information. We encourage all our families to download ‘School App’ onto your mobile device and search for ‘Onthank Primary School’. We also post regularly on our school blog, on Facebook and Twitter. Our blog can be found here: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/onthankps/

 

What do I do if I need to speak with someone in school?

Please call the school on 01563 525477 or drop us an email at onthank.primary@east-ayrshire.gov.uk. We cannot allow parents and carers into school at this time. We want to create an open environment where families feel at ease, feel welcomed and feel valued.  This won’t be for ever but our priority at the moment is keeping our community safe.

 

What can I do to help?

• You could encourage your child to be as independent as possible e.g. tying shoelaces, opening up water bottles etc.
• Maintain physically distancing within and out with the school grounds.
• Download our school app on your mobile device for all of the latest information.
• Check the main school blog and your child’s class blog regularly.

Thank you for your continued support as we all adapt to the new routines and systems that we have put in place to keep everyone safe,

Senior Leadership Team.