Glencryan School

Akira, one of our Primary 7 pupils, used her choosing time in school last week to write this great song all about Coronavirus.  I am sure you will all agree that not only is Akira a great song writer but she has given us all lots of great advice for the current situation we find ourselves in!  Well done Akira!

Coronavirus – A song by Akira

I think the Coronavirus is bad.

When it is over I’ll be glad!

Corona corona virus. 

We wear a mask to keep the virus away,

so we feel ok!

We sanitize our hands to keep them clean

Lets work together as part of a team!

Since we launched our school app in February of this year we have already had 198 downloads from staff, family and friends of the school community. Can we please invite those of you have not yet joined to follow the instructions below to download and join the app.  Once you have the app installed you will see lots of information regarding whole school events, calendars and any special announcements or letters, you can also set the app up to notify you when any new information  is downloaded to it.

Dear Parent/Carer,

You will probably be aware that within the school we operate a Uniform Exchange Scheme. Despite the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in, due to Coronavirus restrictions, Glencryan School will continue to operate this scheme. We have many items of uniform, all freshly laundered and in good condition, which have been donated by parents. If you require any items please contact the school and we will check our availability. If you have any items you wish to donate to school please send them into school with your children. Items handed in will be quarantined and washed before being redistributed. Thank you for your continued support.

Amanda McBain

Depute Head Teacher (Secondary Department)

There is a change to the Lunch menu on Friday this week.  The choices are

Fish and Chips

Hot Dog and Chips

Burger (beef or quorn) and Chips

Quorn Dippers and Chips

Baked Potato

Chicken Noodle Soup

Dear Parent/Carer

As you may know the council took the decision on 24 February 2020 to incorporate “full cost recovery for school meals”.  The school meal service is subsidised by the council and due to extreme financial pressures can no longer sustain this level of costs.

When COVID hit in March 2020 the service postponed the increase which should have happened on the 1 April 2020. The price increase will now be applicable from 26 October and the new price of a 2 course primary school meal will be £3.00 and the price of a secondary school 2 course meal will be £3.05. A 3% annual inflationary rise will be incorporated thereafter.

The new school meal price still represents value for money and cannot be compared to the previous subsided price. Both the Primary and the Secondary meal price includes a two course lunch. In a primary school the choice is soup and main course plus water or milk or a main course and sweet treat plus water or milk. Also to reassure parents/ carers that the school meal service has worked hard to provide a safe working environment and staff are working to COVID 19 protocols.

Your child may be entitled to free school meal and essential clothing grant.  You can check your benefits and how your application is processed via the council’s website at

https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=545

ALL Primary 1 to Primary 3 pupils are automatically entitled to receive a free school meal but must be included in your application form.

You can also download the Free School Meals & Clothing Grant application form from the website details above.

If your application for Free School Meals is accepted then the school will be notified immediately.

If you require further information on Free School Meals application, please contact:

Free School Meals

Ground Floor

7 Scot Street

Motherwell

ML1 1SX

Tel: 01369 403203

Yours sincerely

Anne Hanlon

Business Manager
Facility Support Services

Parental Drop-off and Collection

Dear Parent/Carer,

As the weeks have progressed we have improved the arrangements for parents and carers who are transporting their children to school.

We now have a one-way system in place, designated parking bays for parents and carers, a Waiting Area for pupils, a designated crossing point for pupils and a walkway for pupils to enter the building safely. We also have several members of staff, in high visibility vests, on hand to support the smooth running of the Parental Drop-off and Collection arrangements and to ensure pupil safety.

In good weather these arrangements have worked well but as we move into the autumn and winter months, with dark mornings and afternoons and a deterioration in weather, I feel that there are improvements we could make to improve pupil safety.

From Monday the 7^th September, can parents and carers please accompany their children to the Pupil Waiting Area in the morning and collect them from the Pupil waiting Area in the afternoon. When accompanying your children, please wear a face mask, unless medically exempt, and maintain social distancing, where possible. Can parents and carers please return to their cars promptly and leave the school car park immediately.

If you wish to discuss this matter further please do not hesitate to contact me here at school.

Thank you for your continued support, especially in these difficult and trying times.

Amanda McBain

DHT (Secondary Department)

It has been agreed the In-Service day that had originally been scheduled for 12th August will now take place on Thursday 24th September. This means pupils will finish school on Wednesday 23rd September and return to school on Tuesday 29th after the September Weekend break.

Dear Parent/Carer 

Please see below an Open Letter to parents from Professor Jason Leitch

Common Cold and COVID-19 Symptoms

I understand these last few months have often been challenging, particularly for parents and carers. Now that schools and nurseries have returned I am writing to provide some advice where a child or young person in your care presents with symptoms of the common cold or similar bugs during this pandemic.

Following the return of schools after a prolonged break, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate. In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education. In other cases, for instance where they have quite a heavy cold, they may need to take a day or two off to recover.

This is not the case for children and young people with potential COVID-19 symptoms, they are required to self-isolate and seek a test through nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.

In order to ensure your children do not miss out on their education, it is important to be clear about how COVID-19 symptoms differ from those of other infections that we normally see circulating at this time of year.

COVID-19 Symptoms

It is important that all of us – including those who make up the community around a school – are vigilant for the symptoms of COVID-19 and understand what actions we should take if someone develops them, either at school or at home.

The main symptoms to be aware of are:

• new continuous cough
• fever/high temperature
• loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste.

If a young person or a child in your care develops any of the above symptoms, they should self-isolate and you should book them a test as soon as possible at NHSinform.scot/test-andprotect, or by calling 0800 028 2816.

We recommend testing only for those with a continuous cough, fever, or loss of or change in the sense of taste or smell. The UK senior clinicians continue to keep the symptoms for case definition under review and will continue to use evidence to adjust these if it becomes necessary.

It is essential that people who have COVID-19 symptoms, or who share a household with someone who has symptoms, do not attend school, nursery or other childcare settings, and must self-isolate along with all members of their household. If the test is negative, self-isolation can end for everyone. If the test is positive, Test and Protect will give you further advice.

Cold-like symptoms

If, however, your child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and they and you do not need to self-isolate. Your child can go to school if fit to do so.

The Scottish Government appreciates the huge effort being made by parents, carers and school staff to ensure the risk of COVID-19 is minimised and to support children’s education.

For further advice please visit the Parent Club website or NHS Inform.

Professor Jason Leitch National Clinical Director Scottish Government