Burns’Competition Winners
I would like to congratulate the winners and runners up from each class and from the Communication centre. They did a fantastic job of performing Scots poetry to the panel of judges who were very impressed and had a very difficult time judging.
On Friday 27th January we enjoyed a further Burns’ Afternoon where the winners and runners-up were given the opportunity to recite their poems to family and members of the local community.  I would like to thank Mrs Weidner, and the P7 pupils for hosting this event.

Communication
We have developed a new school blog/website which is available at:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/crosshousepsecccoms2016/
Here we will post information about the primary school, Communication Centre and Early Childhood Centre. We would like to know whether you would be happy for children’s photos to be included on the site bearing in mind it is a public site. We would not name children or have anything other than photos of children enjoying the various lessons and activities at school.

We are in the process of developing a Facebook page also which will hopefully help with day to day information and updates. Again we would like to hear if you would be happy for children’s photos to be included, again without naming children.

Football
The football team played their first round in the McWilliams Cup and performed brilliantly and enjoyed a resounding win over St Patricks in Troon. They are waiting to hear when the next round in the soccer 7s will be. 
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Eco-school 
Mrs. Johnson has handed over the baton for leading the ECO committee to Mrs. Morris and Mrs. J. Wilson.  I would like to thank them for coming forward to support this important part of school life. The new ECO committee will be formed soon and the teachers hope to hold an Earth Day on 21st April.
Kilmarnock Rotary quiz On Wednesday 8th February Abbie McEwan, Joshua McEwan, Kristopher Paterson and Joe Spencer represented Crosshouse Primary School at Kilmarnock Rotary Quiz for P7s in Kilmarnock and the surrounding area. They performed really well and have each been presented with a commemorative photograph and certificate.
Dyslexia Friendly School The steering group have been very busy and our Coats boxes are coming along nicely. Thank you to those of you who made donations of ear defenders and fidget toys to support this development. The DFS policy has been drafted and will be brought to the next parent council meeting. The action plan has been formulated and our bid for Dyslexia Friendly School Bronze award will be submitted by 22nd March. Thanks to Miss Finnigen for taking the lead on this initiative and putting in many hours to support its development, and to Mrs. Tweedie and Mrs. Brown for all their support and time they have committed. Thanks to Mrs Wallace and Mrs Brown for the mother and daughter laminating service! It is very much appreciated.
World Autism Awareness Week - Onesie Wednesday!
27th March - 2nd April is World Autism Awareness Week. Autism is close to our hearts here at Crosshouse and we would encourage all parents to support us. We would like to invite you to send your child to school wearing his/her onesie for Onesie Wednesday on 29th March and bring £1 which will be donated to the National Autistic Society.  The mainstream pupils will also have an opportunity to participate in Autism awareness sessions throughout this week.
 Book Fair
Scholastic Book Fair will be in school for the parents’ evenings (Thursday 30th March).  Children will have a preview visit with their class either on Friday 24th, Monday 27th or Tuesday 28th March.  Book tokens from World Book Day can be put towards a book here.

Health Week
Health week will be during week beginning 5th June. If any parent has a particular skill or talent that they could offer experiences for classes please let the school know. Mrs Allan is coordinating this event.

Sainsburys Active Kids
The Early Childhood Centre are collecting vouchers, these can be handed into the school.

Big Pedal
This year the Big Pedal will be run over 2 weeks from the 20th to 31st March, with the fundraising Superhero Day being on the last day Friday 31st March.  The JRSO’s encourage as many pupils, staff, parents and grandparents to cycle or scoot to school during this 2 week period!  All Parents, staff and children are also invited to dress up as their favourite superhero, decorate their bikes and donate £1 on the last day. (Make sure capes do not reach pedals/chains) All money raised for Sustrans will enable thousands of children to have an active, fun and sustainable school journey.
STEM STEM week is week beginning 20th March.  Each child will participate in a Science, technology, engineering and maths afternoon.  The classes will rotate round the activities.  Activities like building pyramids from dowelling, designing and building playgrounds using K’Nex material, making bouncy balls and planning a birthday party within a budget will be used to develop skills.  If any parent or carer has expertise in any aspect of STEM and could run an activity or even talk to the children about their job, please get in touch and we would be happy to organise an event. 
Spare clothes Our supplies of spare clothes are diminishing. Some people may forget to return items that their child may have had to borrow. Any donations of socks (boys and girls) or tights and pants age 7-9 particularly welcome.
Spring Holiday The school will close for the Easter holidays on Friday 31st March at 2.30pm and pupils will return to school on Tuesday 18th April.  
Kind Regards,
Tina Gaitens Head Teacher

Dates for Your Diary

Tuesday 7th March			Individual & Families Photos by Tempest
			3.15 to4.15 - Afterschool Tri-golf P 3 P4 
Wednesday 8th March			Primary 1 & Primary 7 Group Photos
			3.15 to 4.15 - Afterschool Street Dance club P5-7 
Tuesday 14th March			3 to 4.30	Girls Football Cluster Group P4 P5
			3.15 to4.15 - Afterschool Tri-golf P 3 P4
Wednesday 15th March		P7CC Transition to Loudoun Academy
			Dancefest show 7 – 9.30pm
			Primary 5 & Primary 5/4CC to Science Centre
Week of Monday 20th March   STEM Week
Tuesday 21st March			3.15 to4.15 - Afterschool Tri-golf P 3 P4		

Wednesday 22nd March		P7CC Transition to Loudoun Academy
			3.15 to 4.15 - Afterschool Street Dance club P5-7
Thursday 23rd March			Scholastic book fair arrives – classes will visit
Week of Monday 27th March	Big Pedal
Tuesday 28th March			3.15 to4.15 - Afterschool Tri-golf P 3 P4
Wednesday 29th March		P7CC Transition to Loudoun Academy
			Onsie Wednesday - World Autism Awareness Week 
			3.15 to 4.15 - Afterschool Street Dance club P5-7
Thursday 30th March			Easter Service at Church 11am
			Parents Evening 3.30 till 8pm	
			Book Fair available at Parents Evening

Friday 31st March		Super Hero Day “The Big Pedal” come dressed as your favourite super hero
			School closes at 2.30pm

Tuesday 18th April			School re opens
Wednesday 19th April			P7CC Transition to Loudoun Academy
Thursday 20th April			Nessie uplifting “Spring Clean Bags”
Advance Notice
Wk begin 5th June			Health Week
Wednesday 7th June			Sports
Monday 12th June                  	 P7 Residential – Dumfries House.