St. John Paul II Primary School & Nursery Class, Viewpark

Our March Newsletter is now available to download.  Please make every effort to read through as there is something of interest for everyone!

March 2023

North Lanarkshire Council have introduced another method for pupils to apply for their free bus travel card.

Parents simply need to fill out an online form, which can be accessed on the link below:

Activate Free Bus Travel – Young Scot card (office.com)

Please note this is only for P1-P6 Children aged between 5 – 10. The P7’s are dealt with a different application process.

Any parent who has already applied and received a blue saltire card for their child need not re-apply.

North Lanarkshire Council have announced the following information which affects our Nursery Class:

Due to the Association of Heads and Deputes of Scotland withdrawing from the industrial action on Tuesday and Wednesday, St. John Paul II Nursery Class will now be open on the two days of Industrial Action.  In a change to the previous message… There will NOW BE LUNCH PROVISION on these days and so children NO LONGER NEED TO bring a Packed Lunch.

The school (P1 – P7) will remain closed on the 28th February and 1st March.

See the full message from NLC below:

Further industrial action over the national pay offer has been announced by teacher unions, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March 2023.

• All primary, secondary and ASN schools will be closed to pupils.
• Some of the term-time, school-based nursery classes will be closed to pupils.*

* Due to the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS) withdrawing from participating in industrial action, the following term-time, school-based nursery classes will be open on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March:

• Alexander Peden
• Baird
• Calderbank
• Cambusnethan
• Honeywell
• Mossend
• Muirhouse
• New Monkland
• St Bartholomew’s
• St Gerard’s
• St John Paul II
• St Thomas
• Stane
• Stepps
• Tannochside
• Tollbrae
• Townhead
• Westfield

Please note that this is a fluid situation and this page will be updated.

The 23 family learning centres and 23 full-time nurseries will remain open on both days.

The intended school closures may mean that you will need to consider additional childcare arrangements over these dates.

LUNCH PROVISION WILL TAKE PLACE AS NORMAL

Families in receipt of free school meals based on low income will be reimbursed through a direct payment to bank accounts or via Paypoint voucher to postal addresses which may take up to five working days.

This is a situation that may be subject to change and parents/carers will be informed at the first opportunity if there are further changes to the school day.

Lunches

I hope this all makes sense!

The Parent Council are planning three Movie Nights in February.

Each night will be for specific year groups.  Children get to vote on the movie they want to see during the school day.

Hot Dogs, Popcorn and Drinks are for sale on the night for £1 each, with Goodie Bags for 50p.  Each night, doors open at 5:30pm with the children being collected at 7:30pm.

Tuesday 7th February 2023 – P1, P2 & P3

Thursday 9th February 2023 – P4 & P5

Thursday 16th February 2023 – P6 & P7

All movie nights run from 5.30 – 7.30pm

Letters were sent out in bags today (Wednesday 18th January) regarding this term’s after school offering.  Please note the following important information…

• All forms should be returned by Monday 23rd January at 3pm.
• Forms received after 3pm on Monday 23rd January will not be counted.

There are good reasons for having a cut off date!

1. We have a lot of children in school and a lot of return slips to deal with.
2. Some clubs have a limited number of spaces.
3. If a club is over subscribed, we may need to split the children into groups and offer smaller blocks.
4. For health and safety reasons, we need to ensure that there are enough adults to supervise each club.

We are asking for your co-operation and help:

• Return the slip on time and not after the date!
• Remember that these clubs are run on a voluntary basis by school staff.
• Every effort is made to offer at least one place to every child who requests one.

THIS YEAR’S P1 ENROLMENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN PERSON.  YOU SHOULD ATTEND YOUR CHILD’S CATCHMENT SCHOOL TO ENROL THEM FOR P1.  Please see below for times at St. John Paul II.

Information for parent/carers about the registration of children in schools can be obtained from any school or by visiting https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/primary-school-registration-p1.

Information on submitting an early entry request can be obtained from any school or by visiting https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/early-entry.

Information on submitting a placing request can be obtained from any school or by visiting  https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/placing-requests

Choosing a school booklet can also be downloaded from the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/11/10093528/0

Parent/carers who wish to defer entry for their child to Primary School and who wish to apply for an additional year of part time pre-school education should register their child for school as described above and complete the deferred entry application form which can be obtained from the Primary School.

Enquiries regarding Deferred Entry should be directed to the Head of Establishment in the first instance.

Further information regarding your catchment school can be obtained by visiting https://maps.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/public/inyourarea and selecting school catchments.

Well, it’s back to school time! We hope you’ve all had a fantastic time over the Christmas holidays and we’re looking forward to seeing you all again tomorrow at 9am. Breakfast club will be open from 8.15am as usual.

We are on Week One for lunches this week, here is the menu.

On behalf of all the staff, wishing you all a very Happy and Holy Christmas. Hope Santa has been good to you all and that your day is filled with love and laughter! 💚🎄🎅🏻❤️

For those who find this day difficult for whatever reason, know that you’re in our hearts and prayers today! 💙💛

Thanks so much for all of your support this term. Thanks also for all the kind words, cards and gifts that were handed in – while never expected they are hugely appreciated! 💙💛