Common Cold and COVID-19 Symptoms

Please see attached letter from Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director, Scottish Government to all parents and carers.

Coronavirus – Jason Leitch Letter

This letter provides advice to parents and carers on key differences between symptoms of the coronavirus and the common cold and how to manage minor illnesses which are common at this time of year.

The number of positive COVID-19 cases among school age children remains very low. The Government believes that slots for testing for COVID-19 maybe being used by children who are self-isolating with the common cold, a virus which often circulates when schools return.

The letter from the National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch, is designed to provide reassurance to parents and carers and to help them avoid unnecessary absences from school on the part of their children.  We hope you find it helpful.

Thank you for you cooperation and understanding.

As you will be aware from updated Scottish Government Guidance issued earlier this week; from Monday 31 August, face coverings should be worn by staff and pupils when:

• adults and young people in secondary schools (including ASN schools) are moving about the school in corridors and confined communal areas (including toilets), where physical distancing is particularly difficult to maintain;
• adults, young people and children aged 5 years and over are travelling on dedicated school transport.

Pupils should ensure they:

• bring their own face coverings to school;
• store these safely in a washable, sealable bag or container when not in use;
• wash reusable face coverings in hot water at the end of each day; and
• safely and hygienically dispose of disposable face coverings after use.

If, for some reason, your child will be unable to wear a face covering e.g. for medical reasons, I would ask that you provide a note on Monday for their Pupil Support Teacher and that position will be respected.

Please remember that a face covering can be as simple as a scarf, snood or other piece of cloth which covers the nose and mouth.

If you require further information, Please contact your child’s Pupil Support Teacher or Stage Head.

I take this opportunity to thank you for your co-operation with this important matter.

2019-20  – Sixth Year Hoodie / Prom Money Refund / Caritas Award

All hoodies, prom money deposits and Caritas medals/certificates can be uplifted from outside the front of the school on Friday 28^th August at the designated times given below.

To ensure social distancing guidelines are being observed, we ask that you adhere to the uplift time and that you arrive at the school yard in socially distanced small groups. Please do not arrive in large groups. On collection, we request that you make your way promptly off the school campus.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday. For further information, please contact the school on 01698 274976.  

3.30 – 3.40pm    Registration Class 6.1

Erin Corella, Kirsty Cowan, Amber Donaghy, Aidan Donnelly, Hadia Elahi, Jennifer Fairley, Ellie Gilmour, Callum Hall, Emily Higgins, Stephen Higgins, Alana Hillcoat, Lauren Howley, Jude Macauley, Emma MacIntyre

3.40 – 3.50pm    Registration Class 6.1

Justine MacDonald, Amy McGuigan, Carly Nimmo, Kayleigh Jo O’Neill, Martin Oates, Michael Owens, Rachel Phillips, Nadine Robb, Holly Sommerville, Jemma Steele, Louise Stewart, Simone Wallace.

3.50 – 4.00pm      Registration Class 6.2

Jack Anderson, Aqdus Aziz, Carly Brock, Holly Canning, Grace Clark, Finlay Collins, Spencer Connor, Niamh Cusick, Courtney Devine, Aleena Farooq, Areeba Farouq, Emma Formosa, Amie Gallacher

4.00 – 4.10pm     Registration Class 6.2

Lucy Gilchrist, Aidan Greenan, Hayden Hamilton, Amy Higgins, Sophie Ho, Rio Kerr, Demai McGowan, Stephen Muir, Nathan Noble, Aidan Quinn, Areeba Ramzan, Natalia Slazak, Lewis Smith

4.10 – 4.20pm      Registration Class 6.3

Maariya Amjad, Cara Baldwin, Aaron Blair, Alisha Boota, Louise Callaghan, Amy Carson, Abbie Cunningham, Eve Dalgarno, Amy Louise Docherty, Raymond Ferguson, Antony Gallagher, Thomas Harvey

4.20 – 4.30pm      Registration Class 6.3

Johanna Hughes, Niamh Hughes, Lewis McCallum, Niamh McGinn, Ellie McParland, Aimee Pollock, Liam Poutney, Sarah Shannon, Nicole Trower, Emma Walker, Charlie Watson, Nathan Welsh

We have introduced staggered dismissals during the course of the day to  ensure pupil safety. Less crowded corridors improve social distancing measures in the school.

The following rota will be adopted for dismissals at break, lunchtime and end of the school day. This rota applies to all days of the week.

Break

S1 – S3 classes will be dismissed at 10.30am with the S4 – S6 following at the normal time of 10.35am.

Lunchtime

S1 – S3 classes should be dismissed into lunchtime at 12.25pm with S4 – S6 following as normal at 12.30pm.

End of the School Day

S4 – S6 classes will be dismissed at 3.40pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 2.50pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

S1 – S3 classes will remain in class until the normal dismissal time on these days of 3.45pm and 2.55pm, respectively.

 

 This means that the students in S4 – S6 with SQA exams to face next year will dismiss early from class on fewer occasions than pupils in S1 – S3. In addition,  at the end of the school day, younger pupils will remain in class until the normal end of day dismissal time.

Here are  some more educational talks that will happen this week.

The BP inspire me series features BP employees sharing their inspirational stories, related to eight key skills identified as essential for success in education and employment. Next week sees the final week of this talk series.

Each session gives an insight into one of the skills when the speaker will bring to life how they have cultivated this through their experiences and how it helps them in their career today and its relevance to the workplace. These skills have been identified as a universal framework of essential skills by the Skills Builder Foundation.

Below are the dates and times for the bp inspire me series:

Date	Info	Link
Tuesday 25th August 14:00-14:45pm	Skill: Creativity Before taking on her current role, Carol ran bp Shipping and was the chief operating officer for IST oil. She has more than 20 years in the energy industry, many in supply and trading. Previous roles, include chief operating officer for natural gas liquids, regional leader of global oil Europe and finance. Carol also served as the head of the group chief executive’s office. Carol will talk about her experiences in the energy industry and share examples of creativity and innovation during a time of transition in bp and the energy industry.	https://bit.ly/2OFvafR
Thursday 27th August 14:00-14:45pm	Skill: Leadership Kerry leads people and culture at bp. As a key enabler of business delivery, people and culture aims to create an inclusive culture and collaborative and agile workplace which enables emotionally connected leaders and dynamic teams to work together to help bp achieve its purpose – reimagining energy for people and our planet. Kerry will talk about leadership in the context of the energy transition and reinventing bp.	https://bit.ly/39evOdW

I write to ask all parents and carers to follow the clear guidance from North Lanarkshire Council and avoid parking too close to the school when dropping off or picking up children.  All parents/carers are forbidden from using the school car park to drop off and pick up children except in emergencies e.g. accident in school.

This is Council policy which the school is required to enforce as part of the Covid-19 mitigations designed to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

Parking dangerously is leading to significant risks related to congestion, double parking and pupil safety because parents and carers are parking too close to the school . This is also causing major problems to local residents,  a significant number of whom have complained to the school about the matter… including some who are also parents of children at the school.

Regrettably, a significant number of parents and carers have continued to ignore this request about parking and I appeal to all parents and carers once again for your co-operation with this vital request.

**Only school buses and taxis are allowed access to the school car park to drop off or collect children.**

Once again, I ask that all parents and carers take care to park at a safe distance from the school. By doing so you will reduce the risk to all  – yourselves, pupils and local residents.

Please follow the NLC guidelines to maintain safety for the school and the surrounding community.

A few reminders about hygiene in the Library! 

The Library will still be open for pupil use.  Sterile gloves will be available for pupils to  wear when accessing books of their choice. They can then be disposed of after use.  All books returned  will be quarantined for 72 hours before being re-shelved.

SEE HERE FOR PRIZE OPPORTUNITY

** Please don’t forget to return your borrowed library books to the library. When you bring them back, your name will be entered into a prize draw to have the opportunity to win something special! Three have been returned already, many more to go!**

Dear Parent/Carer

Please note that an important letter about a change to the school timetable, which takes effect from Monday 17th August, is being emailed to all parents for whom we have an email address and is attached below.

PDF = Timetable Parent Letter

This change – to double periods throughout the school for all pupils – is for reasons of Health and Safety related to Covid-19. This means no change for students in S5/S6 but does represent a change for all other pupils.

PS. If you have not already provided the school with an email address, please do so as a matter of urgency.

Thank you.

As previously stated, pupils should attend school wearing their PE kit on days when they have PE. We are keen to ensure appropriate dress at all times around the school when they are in other classes but recognise that the weather is very warm at present. Consequently, shorts can be worn under jogging bottoms or leggings so that pupils are able to wear more sporting attire during PE. After PE class they can return to their original clothing.

The authority is currently looking at the issue of  the safe use of changing rooms but, until more information becomes available, the current approach of asking pupils to wear PE kit to school on days when they have PE will continue.

Thank you for your  cooperation.       

Dear Parent/Carer

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I am writing to you to update you on the plans for school returning next week. North Lanarkshire Council is fully implementing Scottish Government guidance for the return to schools. It is important to emphasise that we will be implementing as many measures as possible to mitigate risk.

We, at Taylor High School, will do everything we can to welcome our pupils back safely. I understand that some young people will have anxieties about returning to school and that parents and carers will also have concerns. The health and wellbeing of young people is our priority. It is expected that all pupils will be able to return to school unless advised otherwise by a medical practitioner. If there are any specific health issues you wish to discuss with us then please contact the school Tel. 01698 274976.

Every school has carried out a risk assessment for returning next week and an enhanced daily cleaning regime will be in place. Cleaning staff will focus on touch points during the day as well as at the end of the day. It will also be important that pupils, and staff, play their part by taking appropriate responsibility for their own personal hygiene.

Pupil Return

Schools in North Lanarkshire will return on a phased basis from Wednesday 12 August, following an in-service day for staff on Tuesday 11 August.

The arrangements are as follows:

Wednesday 12 August: First Year, Second Year, Third Year.  Thursday 13 August: First Year, Fourth Year, Fifth Year, Sixth Year. From Friday 14 August: All pupils attend normally.

The school has signage to assist with the safe movement of pupils around the building and allow space for physical distancing where possible. Signage indicates the direction of travel and a ‘keep left’ policy is in place in corridors and stairs. Pupils will be asked to use the following routines for entering and exiting the building:

Entering the Building

First Year

Pupils in First Year should wait in the main yard outside the main pupil entrance each day on arrival using the coloured circles now painted in the yard to ensure social distancing. When the first bell sounds, they will be escorted into the building to class by a member of staff. This approach will operate on day one and thereafter until further notice.

Second and Third Year

Pupils in Second and Third Year should enter the building through the main pupil entrance on the side of the building and use the school canteen area and school theatre to assemble each morning until the first bell sounds. Staff will be in attendance to ensure social distancing is maintained where possible.

Fourth Year

Fourth Year students should enter the building through the main pupil entrance at the side of the building and proceed straight to their first class of the day. Once again, until advised otherwise, this routine should be maintained each day.

Fifth and Sixth Year

Fifth and Sixth students should enter the building via the new main entrance at the front of the building and proceed straight to their first class of the day. This routine should also be maintained until further notice. Pupils will be instructed to use hand sanitiser every time they enter and leave the building.

Exiting the Building

When exiting, pupils will normally leave the building through the closest available exit under the direction of staff in that area. Break and Lunchtime At break time all pupils must remain on campus at all times. In order to mitigate the risk of virus transmission, pupils will be encouraged to spend break times outside in the school yard in line with Government guidelines unless the weather is very inclement.

At lunchtime, in line with normal practice, First Year pupils will not be allowed to leave the school grounds. However, in addition to this, we would advise that pupils in all other stages should also remain within the school premises. If any pupil must leave the school at lunchtime, he or she must comply with Scottish Government guidance regarding social distancing and the wearing of face coverings in shops and certain other premises.

School Uniform/Equipment

Pupils should wear their school uniform including tie. The position regarding all aspects of clothing worn to school will be kept under regular review in light of advice from North Lanarkshire Council and/or Scottish Government. The current advice is that school uniform can be worn safely and that normal washing of school clothing should be sufficient mitigation of risk. The school has a supply of both the junior and senior tie available and will sell them as normal at the usual price of £6 for a senior tie and £4 for a junior tie. Given that the health and safety advice in June pointed away from wearing ties and that not all parents may have bought a tie by Wednesday of next week, the school will be happy to sell new ties to any pupil who requires one on their first day back. Clearly older pupils may continue to wear their existing tie with the exception of Fourth Year students who should purchase a senior tie if they have not already done so.

School bags, pencil cases and lunch boxes can be brought into the building but items should be limited where possible. Pupils are asked not share stationery. Bags should not be placed on desks or tables. They should be placed on the floor. Hand Sanitising stations are located at key locations throughout the school. However, we would encourage pupils, where possible, to carry their own small bottle of hand sanitiser for personal use. All pupils should bring an outdoor jacket to school to allow for the possibility of spending more time outdoors than would normally be the case.

Drop off/Pick up

Contract school transport will be available as normal for eligible pupils. Scottish Government guidance states that school transport should be treated as an extension of the school building, i.e. that no physical distancing is required. Parents and carers are reminded to ensure that they apply for their child to travel on contract transport if eligible to do so – this usually means those who live in Cleland, Dalziel Park and the top end of Newarthill.
School buses will drop young people off in the bus bay and pupils will walk to their respective entry point.
We would ask that parents dropping pupils off by car should do so as far away from the school as possible. The car parks around the building are for staff only and will not be available for drop-offs and pick-ups until the school is able to operate normally once again.
We would encourage young people to walk to school if at all possible.

Parents/Visitors to the School

At this time it is not possible for parents/carers to visit the school. If you have any enquiry, please contact your child’s pupil support teacher by phone and they will call you back as soon possible. Parents/Carers should not enter the building or the school grounds at any time. However, in exceptional circumstances, an appointment to attend the school for a meeting may be agreed with school staff. This is likely to be outwith the pupil day. Please note that a face covering must be worn at all time by visitors to the school.

School Life

No assemblies will take place at this time and there will be no gatherings of large groups of pupils. Smaller groups may come together at various times but this will be limited.
At this point we have been advised that it is unlikely that school to school travel will take place for senior students wishing to access subjects at a local school. The authority is urgently implementing a solution for this issue using appropriate technology.
At changeovers the timing of the school bell may be altered slightly to allow for staggered movement around the building. Pupils will be issued with further information about this next week on their first day.

Physical Education

Guidance from the Scottish Government advises that Physical Education lessons should take place outdoors at this time. In addition, the relevant advice indicates that the use of changing rooms should be eliminated until further notice.
This means that young people, on days when they have Physical Education classes involving working outdoors, should attend school dressed in their PE kit. For boys this should consist of plain white t-shirt and black jogging bottoms. For girls this should consist of plain white t-shirt and black leggings/jogging bottoms. Pupils will need to be prepared for inclement weather and should also bring an appropriate outdoor jacket and wear suitable footwear. If the weather is very inclement, outdoor work will not be possible. In those circumstances, pupils will remain in the building and use class-based resources prepared by Physical Education staff.

Personal Protective Equipment

Scottish Government guidance states that pupils do not routinely need to wear face coverings. However, should pupils wish to do so, the wearing of face coverings is acceptable. Staff will not be required to wear face coverings provided physical distancing can be maintained from pupils; however they may choose to do so. Where that is not possible, and staff are closer than two metres for 15 minutes or more, staff will be required to wear face coverings. Pupils must respect the 2m social distancing guidance in relation to all members of staff at all times while at school. I ask parents and carers to reinforce the need for this with their children.

And finally….

We will be delighted to welcome our young people back to Taylor High School next week. The world we live in is constantly changing with regular updates on the corona virus. Parent and carers will be updated on any changes to the guidelines via future communications of this kind.
All pupils will be met by a member of staff on their first day and issued with their timetables and all of the information that they will need for returning to school. We will continue the practice of issuing homework diaries to all pupils free of charge.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support during this very difficult time. We have missed our young people and pray that we are moving to brighter times for everyone.

 

Taylor High New Term Information