Author: Mrs Burns

Remote Learning Letter January 2021

Please see information about Remote Learning for next week.  This will be updated each week.

Dear Parent/Carer

As you will be aware, the Scottish Government made some changes to plans for the re-opening of schools in January just after the end of term in December.  Further changes were made yesterday.  I am writing to update you on how these decisions affect you and your child(ren).

Extension to School Holiday and Remote Learning

The Scottish Government has decided that the school holiday period will be extended until Monday 11 January 2021.  All school pupils will start remote learning and teaching on Monday 11 January and this will last until Friday 29 January, subject to further review by the Scottish Government.  We will contact you again about remote learning by Friday of this week.

Nursery (Early Learning and Childcare) can open to children of key workers and vulnerable children only until 18 January.  You will be updated on arrangements for after this date when further guidance is received from the Scottish Government.

Free School Meals

If your child is entitled to free school meals, the direct payments made to you over the holiday period will continue.  This will initially be up to Friday 15 January 2021, and you will be updated on arrangements for the rest of the period of remote learning.

Children of Key Workers and Vulnerable Children

Separate arrangements have been made for children of key workers and vulnerable children from tomorrow (Wednesday 6 January 2021), as required by the Scottish Government.  Children of key workers who have requested a place, and received confirmation that a place is available, can attend their school or nursery (early learning and childcare) from Wednesday 6 January.  Vulnerable children can also attend their school  or nursery (early learning and childcare) from Wednesday 6 January, but only if they are contacted by their school or nursery (early learning and childcare) and offered a place.

From Wednesday 6 January to Friday 8 January, schools will provide childcare and wellbeing support only.  From Monday 11 January to Friday 29 January, schools will provide in-person learning and teaching for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.  Normal school hours will apply, and breakfast clubs will operate.  School transport will run as normal, unless parents/carers are contacted and informed of revised arrangements.  Catering will  be provided for children attending school and nursery (early learning and childcare) as normal and free school meals provided to those entitled.

If you have not received confirmation of a ‘key worker’ place, or been contacted by your school to offer a place to your child, your child must not attend school or nursery (early learning and childcare).

Further Updates

We will continue to keep you updated with information when it is available.

I understand that the changes to school and nursery provision and the short notice are challenging for you, and all members of the school community to deal with.  I would like to reassure you that all of the staff at St Joseph’s will continue to support the learning and wellbeing of all pupils during the next few weeks.

Yours sincerely

Mrs F A Burns

Dear Parent/Carer

As you will be aware, the Scottish Government has introduced a new framework for tackling the Coronavirus pandemic.  This involves each area of the country being placed in a different Level, ranging from 0 to 4.  At each level, different steps are taken to limit the spread of Coronavirus.  This includes some changes in schools.

West Lothian has now been placed in Level 4 from Friday 20^th November, and as from Monday 23^rd November, the following changes will apply in schools:

• Physical Education will now only take place outdoors. While the delivery of PE continues to be a priority, if weather is extremely bad, schools will use their judgement as to whether it is safe for children to be outside. Please ensure pupils are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.
• Non-essential activities or clubs outside the usual school timetable will not take place
• Children on the shielding list should not attend school. Parent/carers of children on the shielding list should contact Mrs Burns

All schools will review the existing measures they have in place to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, and remind all pupils of the importance of complying with these measures.

In line with Scottish Government guidance, face coverings should be worn by parents and other visitors to the school site (whether entering the building or otherwise), including parents at drop-off and pick up.

Please help us reduce the risk to all pupils and their families by encouraging your child(ren) to follow all the instructions they are given to maintain their health, safety and wellbeing.

Yours sincerely

Mrs F Burns

Head Teacher

Dear Parent/Carer

We have worked hard in St Joseph’s Primary School to ensure a safe environment for all pupils and staff, and we are very grateful for the support we have received from pupils, parents and carers.  It is important that we continue to work together to reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

I am writing to remind you that it is essential that pupils do not attend school in the following circumstances: –

• Pupils must not attend school if symptomatic. Pupils who develops symptoms of Covid-19 (a new, continuous cough; fever; or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste) must self- isolate straight away, stay at home and arrange a test.  If the test result is negative, pupils can end isolation and return to school when they are well enough and have not had a fever for 48 hours. If the test is positive NHS Lothian Public Health will confirm the dates of self-isolation which will be 10 days from when symptoms started. Please inform the school of a positive test result as soon as possible.
• Pupils who live in the same household as a person with symptoms must also self-isolate straight away and stay at home.  They must not attend school.  Only the person with symptoms should be tested.  If the test result is negative, the rest of their household can end isolation straight away.  If the test result is positive, the rest of the household must remain in isolation for 14 days from when symptoms started, even if they don’t have symptoms themselves, as they may be incubating the infection.
• Pupils must self-isolate and stay at home if advised by Test and Protect contact tracers.
• Pupils returning from outside the United Kingdom must self-isolate and stay at home for 14 days, unless the country they return from is exempt.
• Pupils must inform a member of staff or responsible person if they feel unwell while in school with symptoms of COVID-19, and follow any instructions they are given.

You can book a test through www.nhsinform.scot or by calling 0800 028 2816.

General advice on Coronavirus (COVID119) is available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-general-advice

I do appreciate these rules can appear quite complicated, but they have been put in place to protect the health and well-being of pupils and staff, and also their families.  It is vitally important that they are followed by all members of the school community if we are to stop the spread of coronavirus. Please remember to wear a face covering when dropping off and picking up children and collect P3-7 from in front of the school gate

Your continued co-operation and support are appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Mrs F Burns

Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer

We are very pleased that since schools have re-opened, almost all children and young people in West Lothian have had the opportunity to return to their schools.  Although there has not been a return to normality in our schools, pupils have been able to resume their studies, and also meet up with their friends, in a safe environment.  Our staff have been delighted to return to school with pupils.

We have already seen some changes in the national guidance that all schools in Scotland are following, and we will see further change from Monday 2 November.

The Scottish Government has introduced a new framework for tackling the Coronavirus pandemic.  This involves each area of the country being placed in a different Level, ranging from 0 to 4.  At each level, different steps are taken to limit the spread of Coronavirus.  This includes some changes in schools.

West Lothian has been placed in Level 3, and as from Monday 2 November, the following changes will apply:-

• all staff and pupils should wear a face covering in classrooms during lessons in the senior phase (S4-6)
• parents or guardians should discuss with their GP or clinician whether children with the highest clinical risk should still attend

All schools will review the existing measures they have in place to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, and remind all pupils of the importance of complying with these measures.

Please help us reduce the risk to all pupils and their families by encouraging your child(ren) to follow all the instructions they are given to maintain their health, safety and wellbeing.

Yours sincerely

Mrs F Burns

Head Teacher

2020 08 29 – Letter to parents and carers from NHS Lothian Public Health (2)

Dear Parent/Carer.

Father Sebastian has contacted the school to arrange the new date for First Communion for the children who should have received the Sacrament in June of this year.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, arrangements have been made for a maximum of 3, possibly 4 children to receive the Sacrament on Saturday mornings in November.      Please email the school inbox with your preferred first and second choice of dates from those indicated below.

The dates are 7th, 14th,21st and 28th of November at 10 o’clock Mass. You may wish to defer this until June 2021, if so please inform us of your decision to do so.

Thank you

Mrs F Burns

Head Teacher

Good morning,

Just a reminder that the children will be on holiday on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd of September and will return to school on Wednesday the 23rd.  The nursery will be remain open.   The weather forecast is good, so have a lovely weekend

Regards

Mrs Burns

Dear Parent/Carer,

good morning and welcome to the first day of the new school year.    It has been a lovely, calm day, our pupils have settled and responded well to the new routines.   It is great to see everyone looking so smart in their school uniforms.  Thank you for all the effort you have gone to and for supporting us to make sure everyone is kept safe.   We are looking forward to seeing the P5-7 pupils tomorrow.

We wish every success to our former P7s who are starting S1 in St Kentigern’s Academy and Whitburn Academy.  Enjoy the next phase of your learning and remember to Dream, Believe, Endeavour, Achieve!