I hope that our newsletter today can answer some of the questions I know you have around our eventual return to school and nursery. I have spoken to some of you this week and I know that many of your concerns centre around the numerous rumours flying around social media. So I hope to tell you the truth as I know it today, mid-June. Please keep in mind that these plans could change at any time, led by advice from the Scottish Government or local authority.
We intend to return to school and nursery in line with all establishments in Scotland in August. Over the past few weeks our staff have been working hard, to modify our school and nursery environments. Whilst this may be one of the more obvious changes, please keep in mind this is not all we are concerned about.
In our attempt to Get It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) we continually keep in mind key Health and Wellbeing Indicators, often shortened to SHANARRI (ask your child about these – you may even be treated to a wee SHANARRI song!). In this period of change in education, we continue to keep ALL of these indicators at the forefront of our planning. So, what does SHANARRI look like in Kirkshaws?
SAFE – All classrooms have been changed to accommodate 2m social distancing. All excess furniture has been removed to allow for a deep clean daily. Pupils will have their own tray of resources that they will not share with anyone else. Our learners should not bring a pencil case to school. We will provide everything they will need; pencils, rubber, sharpener, etc. At the moment, advice is that children should not bring school bags or lunch boxes to school. Packed lunches should be brought to school in a plastic bag, which will be binned immediately after lunch. We expect school dinners to continue, serving a reduced menu daily. Children will be socially distanced when eating lunch too. Movement around each classroom and around the school will be kept to a minimum. Your child’s safety in school is paramount in all of our planning, but this is not all we are considering. Please read on to find out what else we are focusing on.
HEALTHY – Frequent hand-washing and spending time outdoors have been key features of a healthy lifestyle during this time. We will, of course, continue to promote these, but we will be considering much more. Our normal health & wellbeing curriculum will continue to be taught, encompassing all aspects of Curriculum for Excellence including; Mental, Emotional, Social & Physical Wellbeing, Choices & Change, Physical Education, Food & Nutrition and more.
ACTIVE – PE and playtime will not look the same as it did back in February, but we will ensure your child is not cooped up at a classroom desk for their whole school day! We will take every opportunity to take our learning outside and include physical activity and active learning regularly. Children will play in their designated playgrounds, which have not changed, but they will not visit other classrooms or playgrounds; staying instead in their own ‘bubble’. Some traditional games, such as tig, will need to be modified, but I know our young problem-solvers will come up with modern alternatives!
NURTURED – We have all been going through a time of rapid change. All school and nursery staff have been undergoing training during our time working at home, to equip us to care for and protect your child as they transition back to us in these unprecedented times. We do not underestimate the upset some children will feel being separated from their families for the first time in several months. We need you to trust that we believe your child’s emotional wellbeing is most important at this time. We will care for them as our own. We will work hard to re-establish those close relationships which are so important here in Kirkshaws.
ACHIEVING – Your child has the right to an education and this has not changed. We are committed to ensure they continue to receive a broad general education. At the moment, it is planned that all pupils will receive a minimum of 2 full days in school each week. Teachers will plan tasks to be completed during their days in school and nursery and also activities to complete at home throughout the week. Some, but not all, of this work may involve using digital technology. If you do not have internet access or a suitable device at home, please notify me by email (gw09nicolsonalison2@glow.sch.uk). NLC are planning to help here by providing devices on loan during this time to primary school pupils.
RESPONSIBLE – As our children learn the new rules around school and nursery in 2020, they will step right back into their roles of decision-makers. New pupil voice opportunities will empower our learners to shape the rules and routines of the new-look environment.
RESPECTED – Nothing has changed here. Your child is unique and special. We know that all our children will return to school and nursery, having had different experiences during Lockdown. All opinions and viewpoints will be listened to and accepted as we re-connect and enjoy each other’s company once again.
INCLUDED – We are a community who are proud of our identity. Despite all the rumours flying around just now, WE HAVE NO PLANS TO CHANGE OUR SCHOOL UNIFORM. The key thing moving forward is that children should come to school wearing CLEAN CLOTHES and these clothes should be washed on their return home. If you find this difficult, and need to dress your child in casual clothes some days, we will not pass comment on what any child is wearing. However, we will continue to promote our school uniform and look forward to seeing all our children return in full uniform on their first day in August. (All schools are making their own decisions around uniform, so please do not worry if you see other instructions on social media.) Should national or local guidance change around this, we will update you on our position at the earliest opportunity.
AND FINALLY – WHAT DAYS WILL MY CHILD BE AT SCHOOL OR NURSERY AND WHO IS THEIR TEACHER/KEYWORKER?
I am sorry, I cannot tell you this yet. Despite what you may have heard, North Lanarkshire has not finalised a model for our return. I have been told I should not expect any definite decision until the final week of term. I am also in the process of finalising staffing arrangements. As a result, I expect to send out notifications of classes, teachers and days you should attend by email in the week beginning 22 June. We will send out a test email, followed by a text this week. If you receive a text, but not an email, please get in touch to update your email address (gw09nicolsonalison2@glow.sch.uk).
I look forward to welcoming our new P.1 boys and girls for a short visit this week. We also plan to invite our returning nursery children to see the changes in their environment too. New nursery boys and girls will also be invited to visit in August for an induction visit before they start properly.
As always, please do not sit at home worrying about any of this. Pick up the phone or drop us a line and we will answer your questions to the best of our knowledge. It is also worth keeping an eye on NLC official channels on Twitter, FaceBook and their website.
#InThisTogether #PartnershipWorking
