Dear Parent / Carer
You will be aware that the UK and Scottish Government have made the decision to close schools tomorrow (Friday 20th March) in response to the spread of Covid – 19 (Coronavirus). Further guidance will follow tomorrow for parents and carers who are frontline key workers and are unable to access alternative childcare. I would like to reassure you we have plans in place to make sure our pupils have every opportunity to continue their education regardless of the circumstances we may face. Please see the Remote Learning Policy which reflects a clear commitment to reinforce skills and give our pupils access to learning activities which will meet their needs, building upon prior learning.
Our staff will follow the class timetable as far as possible with reinforcement and consolidation of skills and concepts. All classes from Primary 1 to Primary 7 have a Google Classroom, which can be accessed via Glow. Please use the links below to assist you and your child when using Google Classroom.
Please ask the children to log in and each classroom will have instructions for the pupils thereafter. Regular online teacher check-ins with pupils will provide direction, give feedback and offer an opportunity for pupils to ask questions.
If you indicated that you required a device for home learning, you may sign this device out from the school from 2pm onwards tomorrow (Friday). The children will be issued with a pack of home learning jotters for literacy and numeracy in order to record any written tasks set by their teacher. Reading books to cover the period up to Easter have been issued and we will make arrangements to refresh the reading books after the Easter holidays. If your child has been absent you can collect the home learning packs and reading books from school from 2pm tomorrow (Friday).
I want to thank you for your recent understanding as we have made changes to planned events. We want to ensure we are helping protect our community as well as our pupils. I also want to thank all staff in St. Mark’s for their dedication and determination to respond quickly and effectively to the current situation. As a school community we are following Pope Francis’ suggestion to offer a decade of the Rosary daily to pray for all affected by this situation. May God bless you and your loved ones at this difficult time.
Yours sincerely,
Anthony Hutcheson
Head Teacher
