Please take a few moments to answer some questions about homework and digital learning.  We want to review our Homework Policy.  In light of the steep learning curve we all had to endure during lockdown with digital learning, we want to understand how families deal with the digital aspect of homework.  Your opinion is very important and so we ask that you support us be completing the questionnaire.

We will ensure that any decisions we make regarding homework will take account of the views of the majority.

Our Survey will close on Sunday 4th October 2020 Thank you!

You can complete the survey below…

Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Tomorrow will be a Non-Uniform day and children can dress down to come to school.  We are trying to boost our school funds and so any donations would be welcome.

Normally we suggest £1 per child, but we realise that there are lots of financial pressures on families.  In order to support this, please note…

• Every child can take part regardless of whether they make a donation!
• Donations can be any amount – more or less than £1
• Payments can be made online or by bringing in cash.  Cash will be handled properly and safely within the COVID restrictions.

THIS IS NOT A FUN DAY.  The children will follow their normal timetable for a Wednesday but will have some extra play time in the afternoons.  You do not need to send any money into school for taking part in activites.

Strictly no football colours to be worn (in line with North Lanarkshire Policy).

Thank you for your continued support.

Please take a moment to read the information contained in a letter from Mr Thomas to all Parents/Carers and those who support our families with The School Run.  Please click on the link below…

Car Park August 2020

It is important that everyone reads this and does their bit to contribute to Health and Safety!

Letters have been sent out on behalf of both Father Morris and Father Bogan regarding First Holy Communion for children who are now in P5 but were to receive this Sacrament in May 2020.

Click on the link below the name of your parish to access the letter.

ST. COLUMBA’S PARISH

St C P5 Communions 2020-21

ST. GABRIEL’S PARISH

St G P5 Communions 2020-21.doc

We are happy to answer any questions as are both Fr Morris and Fr Bogan.

Join us on 9th September 2020 at 6pm

We realise that not everyone will be able to join us for one reason or another, but we wanted to offer you a general update on how the new term is going, how the children are settling, what some of our routines are and perhaps answer some general questions you may have.  The meeting is not compulsory and if you cannot make it, please do not worry!

Details on how to join us for our Virtual Meeting are set out for you below.  If you have any issues, please try to contact us at school prior to the meeting.  You will need to download Microsoft Teams from you app store to either your PC/Mac Laptop or Desktop Computer or your iPhone/Andriod/iPad/Tablet.  Please do not worry about whether you have a webcam or camera as this is not necessary to be part of the meeting.

Doing some of this now will help you with the digital element of your child’s Homework!

Please see the information below.  This is primarily for P1 Parents but will affect everyone who uses the car park towards the end of the day.  I encourage you to read over the information directly below this post if you have not already done so!

Please note that the ENTRY & EXIT GATES and our ONE WAY SYSTEM continue to be in place for the foreseeable future.

Thank you for all that you continue to do to support our efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Once again, thank you to everyone for the patience and consideration you are showing, particularly at drop off and pick up times.  The mornings seem to be calm although today there was a busy spell with lots of cars in the car park!  I continue to ask you to be considerate in your parking choices and I ask you not to let your children exit the car onto the road and into the way of oncoming vehicles!

Please take the time to read the information below which includes some reminders as well as some additional information.  Thank you all for your continued support and the sensible way in which you are responding to our new routines.

However, please adhere to the one way system in place at our gates at all times!  We have had a number of adults waiting until staff are distracted before entering through the EXIT GATE!  We have all of these procedures in place for the benefit of everyone.

Breakfast Club opens at 8:15am and runs until 8:50am.  Children who attend Breakfast Club should purchase a breakfast.  This is free to all P1-3 children and anyone in P4-7 who is in receipt of a Free School Meal.

Breakfast Club costs £1 for one child.  If you have more than one child, it costs £1.50 for 2 children and £1.80 for 3 children, for those who are required to pay.  If your child is not in P1-3 or they are not in receipt of a Free School Meal, you should ensure that they have sufficient funds on their account by topping up online.  Please see below for information about Parents Portal and online payments.

THANK YOU!

A HUGE Thank You to all of our children, their Parents/Carers and our Staff Team for such a successful return to school last week!  It really was so great to see you all again and have our St John Paul II Family back together again.

Our Primary 1 children did an amazing job for their first three days at school.  We do not underestimate what a change it is for them and we will continue to support them as we move forward together.

The Car Park was the safest it has been in such a long time and that is because people have been sensible!  Obviously, when the wetter and colder weather arrives, we expect this may well change the circumstances within the Car Park.  However, we will consider alternatives if the Car Park has an adverse effect on our ability to be safe and to socially distance.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Please remember that our staggered start and finish times for the school day still apply and they will do for some time to come.  Your child will continue to either start at 8:50am and finish at 2:50pm or start at 9am and finish at 3pm.  This is to comply with social distancing and guidelines from the Health and Safety Executive to reduce the flow of traffic around the school campus.

8:50am – 2:50pm Lourdes/Knock/Medjugore

9am – 3pm Fatima & Guadaloupe

MORNING SOFT START: From 8:50am, all children can enter the building and settle in their classes. 

Please remember the following…

• Entry to the school building will be appointment only – although contact should mostly be made by telephone.
• Do not arrive at the school earlier than your allocated time, unless your child is going to Breakfast Club.  No access will be given to the playground before the allocated times.
• Breakfast Club opens at 8:15am.  Staff cannot be expected to provide childcare before this time.  Do not send your child to school for the opening of Breakfast Club if they are not attending Breakfast Club.  All children are expected to have Breakfast!
• Social Distancing between adults is imperative – especially at busy drop off and collection times.  1m distance should be maintained between adults who are not from the same household.
• DISABLED PARKING BAYS are for the use of those who have are registered for this.  Badges should always be displayed and other drivers should refrain both from using these spaces and parking across them when others are parked.
• Where possible – try to do the following…
  • If your child is old enough – arrange to drop them without entering the campus
  • If not – adopt a ‘kiss and drop’ approach, spending no time standing at the gate once your child is safely within the school grounds.
  • At the end of the day – make an arrangement to meet your child outwith the campus.  Make use of the safe crossing patrol and meet your child in the grassy area across from the school.

The weather forecast is highlighting some spots of potential rain.  As you know, Government guidelines encourage schools to make more use of outdoor learning.  The information circulated about PE indicated that we will be having lessons outdoors from this coming week.  Please, once you have read the information in this post, scroll down a little further to remind yourself of the advice for PE.

It would be wonderful if ALL CHILDREN arrived at school prepared for Outdoor PE.  Obviously, our intervals take place outdoors too.  Therefore, please ensure your child has a suitable waterproof (even if this is stored in their school back for emergencies!)

We will obviously take a sensible approach to playing/learning outdoors and if the weather is too inclement, we will make alternative arrangements.  However, we are preparing to persevere a little more with light rain and colder weather.  Preparing your child for this will help a lot.

PARENTS’ PORTAL

North Lanarkshire Council, like most other Scottish Local Authorities, has adopted Parents’ Portal as the main way to communicate with families as well as make it easier for families to do certain things relating to education and children in school.  A letter was sent out last week to all P2-P7 Parents/Carers.  P1 information will be sent out once a glitch in the system has been fixed.

This platform will be used to…

• Make payments for things such as meals/snacks/trips
• Update your contact details and other emergency contacts
• Make appointments for Parents’ Night (when they are permitted!)

More applications are being added all of the time.  Please do try to sign up for this as it we will be relying on it more and more, especially in the current situation.

Once again, thank you for everything you are doing to co-operate with us!  Please scroll down a little to see the PE Information.

Have a great week!