Good afternoon, everyone!<\/p>\n
Here we are – Friday already.\u00a0 We have seen some lovely weather this week, so I hope you have managed to get outside, even for just a little while.\u00a0 I have been taking my dog, Max, for a walk as my daily exercise and I’ve even started jogging for a little bit of our walk!\u00a0 This is NEW for me, so I’ll see how long I can keep it up!\u00a0 We are learning to adapt to very different situations these days and I know we are all trying to make the best out of where we find ourselves now and will continue to help each other in this too. Some wee changes we put in place just now might actually be good for us longterm!<\/p>\n
I am in touch every day with the whole staff team. We are all safe and well and want you to know we are missing you, but we will continue to work away behind the scenes to make sure you have all your home learning needs.\u00a0 We continue to upload learning ideas to the Piota Schools App and the school website every Sunday night, but we are trying to think of other ways we can support you too…<\/p>\n
I went into school earlier this week and gathered together some jotters and pencils.\u00a0 The KeyStore across from our school has very kindly agreed to hold these items behind the counter for you.\u00a0 If any family from Kirkshaws, or St. Timothy’s, goes in and asks, you will be given what you need.\u00a0 There are jotters with blank, lined and squared paper, so don’t be stuck.\u00a0 If you need paper or a new pencil, just ask! However, this does not mean I am expecting you to be completing loads of written work.\u00a0 Absolutely not! Some children enjoy writing or drawing, others prefer learning by DOING.\u00a0 Both ways of working are absolutely fine and you should continue with what works best for you.\u00a0 In school we try to teach SKILLS FOR LEARNING, LIFE AND WORK.\u00a0 This is your ideal chance while at home this term to practise those skills that don’t fit naturally into a lesson in the classroom.\u00a0 I’ve seen some fabulous photos and videos of children who have learned how to ride a bike, bake a cake, learn a new sport, design a small plot in the garden, learn new artistic skills, the list goes on!<\/p>\n
Please continue to send us photos or documents to show us what you’ve been up to.\u00a0 It gives you a wider audience to celebrate your achievements, gives learning a purpose in some cases and keeps us up to date with your progress.\u00a0 This can be done through Twitter, or by email, however we are looking at extending the ways we can communicate with each other.\u00a0 From next week you will be provided with email addresses for your own teacher, as well as those for the Management Team.\u00a0 While Mr Sharp, Mrs McGarry and I love seeing all you have been up to, we know you want to show your own teachers too.<\/p>\n
We are also hoping to make use of Glow more over coming weeks.\u00a0 This can be used to chat with your teachers and classmates about your learning and you can also send documents back and forward easier.\u00a0 Please make sure you can access your Glow account this coming week, then we’ll be ready to explore it a bit more during the week starting 4th May.\u00a0 Mr Sharp has been busy making videos to help you do this, so don’t worry – help is at hand.<\/p>\n
Some families have been asking if I have any ‘inside information’ about a return date for school. I do not. I am watching the news with interest, just as you are.\u00a0 We will be in touch whenever we hear of any firm plans for a change to lockdown procedures.<\/p>\n
I know that many of you are most concerned about the transition plans we had in place for our P.7 pupils and our new P.1s.\u00a0 Any pupils moving to Coatbridge High School should take a look at their Twitter feed and school website as there is lots of valuable information being posted there to help you prepare for next session.\u00a0 We have our Kirkshaws Induction Packs all ready to be delivered to our new P.1 intake.\u00a0 These will be delivered by hand during the week beginning 4th May.\u00a0 As always, we are at the end of an email of you want to get in touch.\u00a0 Leave a contact telephone number if you would rather talk to us in person.\u00a0 Don’t worry… let us try to help!<\/p>\n
Finally, I have some exciting staffing news to share.\u00a0 Mrs Harkness returns from her maternity leave on Monday.\u00a0 This will not affect the learning taking place in Room 2 at this time, as Miss Giuliani is staying with us and will continue to prepare the learning for P.2\/1 at this time. Also, many of you will remember Mrs Mitchell who left in August 2017 to go on a secondment. This week we are delighted to welcome Mrs Mitchell back as Principal Teacher in Kirkshaws.\u00a0 I know you will all be desperate to welcome both ladies in person when we get the chance to get together again.<\/p>\n
But for now, make the most of this lovely weather while it lasts, take a break from home learning over the weekend and stay safe!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Good afternoon, everyone! Here we are – Friday already.\u00a0 We have seen some lovely weather this week, so I hope you have managed to get outside, even for just a little while.\u00a0 I have been taking my dog, Max, for a walk as my daily exercise and I’ve even started jogging for a little bit of our walk!\u00a0 This is NEW for me, so I’ll see how long I can<\/p>\n