It has been a short week for staff and pupils but we have still been very busy with learning activities across the school. Mrs French and I met with teachers individually to discuss the learning plan for their class until the end of December, plan for children’s individual needs and discuss the health and wellbeing of all learners.
Learning Journals
Following a trial period with some classes, we have decided to extend the use of electronic learning journals from Nursery to Primary 7. At the end of the school year we will ask for parent and pupil views about whether this is continued next session.
An electronic learning journal is an individual digital record of learning achievements. Parents will be provided with a log in to use to access their child’s journal. Learning journals replace jotters coming home and snapshot journals. Staff and pupils can upload photographs of learning activities and scanned pieces of work to share with parents at home. Parents are able to comment on their child’s work and upload evidence of activities and achievements at home to share with school.
Before an electronic learning journal is set up for your child, parental consent is required. Mrs McGee will issue a link to an electronic form for parents to complete.
Staff will be trained in the use of learning journals on Monday 16th November. All pupils with consent will have access to a live learning journal on or before Monday 23rd November.
You can find out more about learning journals at www.learningjournals.co.uk
Harvest Table
The annual Harvest assembly cannot go ahead. However, we are continuing to collect food and other non-perishable items for the Harvest table. This year it will be set up between the MUGA pitch gate and the middle gate from 8.30-9am on Thursday 8th October. All donated items will be collected by an East Kilbride food bank after 9am.
Hallowe’en
There are no activities in school where children would wear fancy dress costumes for Hallowe’en. As a literacy loving school, any seasonal activities would focus on imaginative books, poems and stories. Children should wear full school uniform each day.
COVID Update
Mrs French chaired a Coronavirus steering group meeting on Tuesday afternoon to address any concerns raised by staff, pupils and parents.
The ventilation plan has been updated and will be shared via Twitter. The heating is now on each day but windows are also opened throughout the day. We request that all children wear or bring a jumper to school every day in case classrooms get cooler as we head towards the winter months.
Children are able to start bringing a pencil case to school after we return from October break. There is no requirement to do this and it is personal choice. Stationery packs are still available for those pupils who choose not to bring resources from home.
The review of the dining hall arrangements has been very successful. We have extended the lunch break and reduced the number of pupils in the dining hall at any one time. Children have an allocated seat number in case this is required for trace and protect.
Children in Rooms 9, 8, 6 and 4 have lunch from 12.10-1pm.
Children in Rooms 10, 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1 have lunch from 12.30-1.20pm.
Flu Immunisation
School aged pupils will receive the flu immunisation on 4th November. If you have still to return the permission slip, please do so as soon as possible.
Refunds
Unfortunately we are waiting for the bank to resolve an issue before we are able to issue cheques / cash refunds for residential experiences or the orchestra. Mrs MacKay is working on this and I hope to have a further update on Tuesday.
What’s on next week?
Tuesday – Mrs Duff attending SLC Head Teacher meeting (virtual) all day
Thursday – Harvest Table 8.30-9am
Friday – Mrs Neary retires from Heathery Knowe Primary School and Nursery
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
