It is great that we are starting school again and we look forward to welcoming the Primary pupils back from this Thursday 13th August and the Nursery pupils starting to return from Monday 17th August.
As you can imagine there is a lot of information still to share with you regarding our return, here is the most important information with more to follow in the coming weeks:
Drop off and Pick up arrangements
The school will be supervised from 8.45am each morning so primary pupils can be dropped off between 8.45 and the morning bell at 9.15. There will be no breakfast club for the foreseeable future due to current restrictions. School finishes at 3.15.
Please be aware that the car park will be even more crowded so it may be worthwhile for parents to park in the layby above the school in order to avoid manoeuvring among a lot of cars and people.
Please adhere to social distancing by staying in your car if there is a difficulty with social distancing at the front door. Primary pupils will enter the school through the front door and nursery pupils through the side door. It is expected that parents will not enter the school building unless in exceptional circumstances.
If pupils are using school transport they are requested to sanitise their hands before entering the bus. Please be aware the driver will be wearing a face covering.
Primary 1 pupils will finish school at 1pm until Friday 28th August. Parents are reminded that they will need to make arrangements for their collection at this time.
Health and Safety Measures
The school has a full time day cleaner in addition to the evening clean. This means that a very high level of hygiene will be maintained through the school building at all times. Pupils and staff will be washing their hands very regularly and practising good hygiene such as sneezing into the crook of the elbow – staff will support and explain these measures carefully to children. Anyone who wishes to wear a face covering can do so.
Inside the school will be clearly signposted for moving about and teachers will explain the procedures to pupils.
Anyone who is feeling unwell should not come to school. The most common Covid-19 symptoms are cough, fever/high temperature, loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste.
Breaktime and Lunchtime Arrangements
Both primary classes will share the playground and follow the same timetable. Pupils should take a bottle of water and a snack for breaktime to school each day. Please note there is no tuckshop at the moment. For this term, packed lunches will be provided (menu to follow on Facebook). Pupils will have their lunch in the dining hall in a group with the rest of their class. If it is a fine day we will be able to take lunch outside.
Possessions and Clothing
Outdoor learning will have high priority this year. Could you make sure your child comes to school suitably dressed for being outside for longer durations. The school has a supply of wellingtons and waterproofs for those that need them. Please ensure that the possessions your child takes into school are kept to an absolute minimum.
PE lessons will take place outdoors initially so please ensure your child has suitable joggers, trainers etc for this activity. It would be preferable if they had a pair of joggers they could leave at school as lessons may take place on any day of the week and wearing jeans will not be acceptable. The Gym teacher will visit the school on some Fridays.
Staffing update
We are delighted that Alex Purbrick and Tegan Patterson are joining the Primary team as job share Learning Support Workers. Robert Szocs will be working as day cleaner.
Communication
We will continue to communicate with you through a range of media, including our closed Facebook groups, our website, email, and paper (when necessary/on request), telephone and face-to-face.
Parentpay
Parent pay will operate the same as last year. The school will add on your child’s attendance so you can see how much you owe. School dinners cost £2.20 per day for P4 – 7. P1-3 school dinners are free. Milk for Primary pupils costs 90p per week.
FREE School meals and Clothing Grant
Please see the SIC website for more information.
What’s On
A future newsletter will detail what’s on this term at a later date
Please remember support is available for children and young people and families where there are worries and concerns about returning. If you have any concerns or anything else you would like to discuss please get in touch with Wendy Fraser to discuss these concerns. Please remember that actual meetings in the school will be in exceptional circumstances.
We look forward to seeing the pupils on Thursday.
Kind Regards
Wendy Fraser
Head Teacher
