Some further updates on return to school
Video Guides
Further to our previous letter, video guides have been posted on MPS Parent Helper Facebook page. These should enhance parent understanding of processes and help ease anxiety parents and children may be feeling about the return to school.
Parents on school campus
We have been asked to explicitly draw parents’ attention to a key part of the council risk assessment which will be strictly enforced.
• Only pupils and staff allowed within the perimeter fenced area of the school. Parents will not be permitted to enter these areas when dropping off or picking up their child.
• Visitors should be discouraged from attending the premises without an appointment.
• All visitors MUST sign in and out of the premises with appropriate times noted and relevant contact details to comply with Test & Protect guidance.
• All visitors will wear face coverings
• All visitors will be asked to sanitise their hands on entry to the building and when leaving.
The only exception to this will be P1 parents on the first day when ONE adult may bring the child to the hall on arrival and enter the playground on collection. The adult must comply with steps above by wearing a face covering and completing paperwork.
If you need to speak to school staff please phone or email. If absolutely essential to meet in person, an appointment must be made in advance.
Parents with children who arrive or leave out-with the designated times, will be required to remain outside the main door in the green zone. If necessary, staff will come out to meet you or bring your child to you.
Please understand that these control measures are in place to comply with council policy and ensure the safety of all.
Breakfast Club
Whilst the council has announced that Breakfast Club will operate, the risk assessment will be monitored closely to ensure it remains safe. In the meantime, pupils should line up on the green markers in the green zone (main door) and wait to be admitted by staff. No child will be admitted before 8.15am. Every effort will be made to ensure that bubbles of children (year groups) are seated together with suitable spacing between bubbles. Children must remain seated until at least 8.40am for older children and 8.50am for P1s before going to the designated zone of the playground to await entry to class. Parents are asked only to use the breakfast club if you really need to. We do not wish this service to become overly busy or compromise the staggered start system.
No Cash
As intimated in the council’s communication, no cash will be handled in schools. Payment for school meals must be made online. The machines that enabled pupils to top up cards with cash have been disabled.
No tuck shop
In order to facilitate staggered lunches, there will no longer be a morning tuck shop. Pupils should bring their own snack.
Playground Games
We are currently considering guidelines for safe playground games and fun but in the meantime, pupils should not bring their own toys or balls.
