Category: Covid 19 Advice

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Primary 1-4 Playground Pick Up

We hope you all managed to have a lovely September Break and enjoy some of the sunshine.
As you know on our return in August we introduced a range of measures to try and keep our children, parent/ carers and staff safe in our playground at pick up times. Can I please remind you of these measures.
Primary 1-4 playground pick up:
  • Please distance 2m from other adults and children
  • Only one family member should enter the playground
  • We advise that you wear a mask when entering the playground
  • Please do not loiter in the playground or on the school premises after you have collected your child
  • All children should be collected by 3:15pm, in the event of an emergency please phone the school office.
I appreciate your support and for taking a collective responsibility to ensure we follow through with these measures to help keep everyone safe.
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COVID-19 Safety

Our school was recently part of a West Lothian Council Covid-19 safety inspection. In the attached certificate you can see it was recognised that we as a school are doing everything we can to help to try to keep our children and staff safe at this time.
I thought it was important to share this with you as it might relieve any concerns you may have. We also appreciate your support in helping us comply with government regulations and our risk assessments.
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NHS Guidance on Attendance at School

We know that this is a confusing and uncertain time as we learn how to follow the guidance for Covid 19 symptoms and testing. We would request that all families take time to re-read the guidance below, this should support you in deciding your child’s attendance at school. It is important as a whole school community we follow this guidance to keep everyone safe.

The NHS guidance is:

  • Please don’t send your child to school with symptoms which may be coronavirus (a new persistent cough, and/or a high temperature, and/or a loss or change in taste or smell).

 

  • If your child or anyone in your household has symptoms you should ALL stay at home. Find out how to organise a COVID test on NHS Inform or phone 0800 028 2816. If your child has symptoms but tests negative they can return to school once they have had no symptoms for 48 hours and are feeling better. Please show the teacher the negative test result. This helps monitor cases and keeps the school community safe and reassured.

 

  • If you return from an area with quarantine restrictions keep your child off school and stay at home for 14 days. A negative COVID test will not shorten quarantine as it doesn’t show if you or your child will develop the virus. Updated travel information is on gov.scot

When you phone our office to report your child’s office we will ask if your child or anyone in the house have symptoms and remind you of the NHS guidance.

Please find attached the information leaflet:

parents and carers letter good practice schools

Please find track and trace information:

Test and Protect Leaflet – August Update

Test And Protect Step By Step Guide – August Update

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P.E. Kit & P.E. Days

First of all I would like to express my thanks to you in ensuring your child is wearing the correct school uniform. As you know at PUSCPS we take great pride in our school colours and school uniform as it makes us feel part of our PUSCPS family.
As you are aware the current guidelines are children are not to change into P.E. kit. In order to ensure your child feels comfortable on their P.E. days, we would request that that they wear to school on that day:
  • white polo shirt/ t-shirt – with school logo or plain
  • blue sweatshirt/cardigan – with school logo or plain
  • P7 – black sweatshirt/cardigan
  • plain black tracksuit bottoms/ joggers
  • black trainers
  • girls who are wearing a skirt over their leggings can remove their skirt on P.E. days
  • we would recommend that they don’t wear their shirt and tie on their P.E. days
In order to continue with our inclusive ethos and promoting our school identity we would request that children don’t wear branded clothing. Please don’t feel that this needs to be actioned immediately, in the meantime children can continue to wear their normal school uniform on P.E. days until you are able to purchase the extras. If you require support with purchasing this kit please let the school know. We also have nearly new school polo shirts and sweatshirts that can be purchased for a donation.
We would request that on non P.E. days children wear their normal school uniform.
Term 1 P.E. Days:
  • Primary 1 – Mon/Wed
  • Primary 2/1 – Mon/Thurs
  • Primary 3/2 – Tues/ Fri
  • Primary 4/3 – Mon/ Tues
  • Primary 4 – Mon/Wed
  • Primary 5 – Tues/Wed
  • Primary 6 – Mon/Wed
  • Primary 7 – Mon/Wed
Thank you for your continued support with our uniform guidelines and for bearing with us during this slightly different start to the school year.
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Drop off and Pick Arrangements: Nursery

Thank you for bearing with us whilst we organise our routine for children entering and leaving the nursery building. Please find below a reminder of the processes. There are staff in the area and signage on the fence to support you. These processes are part of our school risk assessment and comply with Scottish Government policy and advice.

 

Drop off at nursery: 

  • AM/ Full day places: The nursery opens at 8am and it would be fantastic if all children could be in nursery by 8:45am. If you are bringing a young  school aged child into the outdoor area they must remain beside you at all times and not play with the nursery equipment. All other children should make their way around to their allocated gate.
  • PM places: The nursery opens at 1:15pm and it would be fantastic if all children could be in nursery by 1:45pm.
  • Open the gate into the nursery outdoor area. Please close the gate behind you.
  • As you enter the outdoor area please wait on one of the physically distanced spots and a nursery nurse will greet you.
  • Close gate on the way out, please don’t loiter in this area.
  • Adults should follow 2m physical distancing guidelines when dropping off in the outdoor area. 
  • We would recommend adults entering the outdoor area to wear a face mask.
  • Children will wash their hands when they enter the nursery.

 

Pick up at nursery: 

  • AM places: Nursery pick up begins at 12:15pm and all children should be collected by 12:45pm.
  • PM/ Full day places: All children should be collected by 6pm. If you are collecting your child before 5pm and there are children in the outdoor area please wait at the gate and a nursery nurse will approach you. If there are no children in the outdoor area please enter and ring the bell.

 

  • Open the first gate into the nursery outdoor area. Please close the gate behind you.
  • As you enter the outdoor area please wait on one of the physically distanced spots and a nursery nurse will greet you. If there are not enough spots please wait outside the nursery gate until one becomes available.
  • Children will wash their hands before they leave the nursery.
  • Close gate on the way out, please don’t loiter in this area.

Thank you for your support as we continue to put processes in place to support everyone’s safety.

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Drop off and Pick up Arrangements for P1-7

Thank you for bearing with us whilst we organise our routine for children entering and leaving the building. Please find below a reminder of the processes. There are staff on the gates and signage on the fence to support you. These processes are part of our school risk assessment and comply with Scottish Government policy and advice.   

Morning Drop off:  

  • Those children wishing to make use of breakfast club should arrive between 8:10-8:30am.  
  • No adults should enter the playground in the morning.  
  • Adults should follow 2m physical distancing guidelines when dropping off at gates.  
  • Adults should not loiter at the gates, please leave the area once you have dropped your child off.   
  • P1-3 Entrance: Infant Side Gate Open 8:48-9:00  
  • P4-5 Entrance: Kick Pitch Gate Open 8:48-9:00  
  • P6-7 Entrance: Upper School Gate Open 8:48-9:00 

Afternoon Pick Up:  

P1-4 Exit at 3:10-15pm:   

  • One adult per family enters through kick pitch gate.  
  • Leave with your child via the library gate.   
  • All adults should follow 2m physical distancing guidelines.  
  • Adults should not loiter in the playground, please leave once you have picked your child up.   
  • We would recommend parents entering the playground wear a face mask.  
  • The above processes help us to ensure a one way system and support distancing.   

P5-7 Exit at 3:15pm: Upper School Gate   

  • Children with younger siblings can enter the playground to meet the adult.   
  • Adults should follow 2m physical distancing guidelines when dropping off at gates.  
  • Adults should not loiter at the gates, please leave once you have dropped your child off.   
  • One adult per family should pick up the child/ren. 

Thank you for your support as we continue to put processes in place to support everyone’s safety.   

  

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Important Information about the Return to School

Dear parent/ carer,

 

Please find further information below regarding changes to our school day which follows Scottish Government guidance and takes into place our local risk assessment. Please be assured that staff will be available to support with these new routines to our school day, so please don’t feel confused or overwhelmed, we will support you. There will also be signage up to help direct you.

Nursery

Returning and new nursery children will have received a groupcall email with information about start dates, times and routines. This is also available on our blog. The remainder of this letter is mainly aimed at our primary children.

Primary 1

On Wednesday 12th August Primary 1 children should be dropped off by one adult between 9:10-9:30am at the playground entrance to their classroom. You should enter and exit through the library gates. You will have the opportunity to take a photo of your child on the class decking. Children should be collected in the playground at 12pm.  From Thursday 13th they should enter the playground as explained below and collected from the playground at 12pm.  From Friday 14th they can attend Breakfast Club if you wish and will be collected at the normal time, as detailed below.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club will operate between 8:10-8:48am and is open to all P1-7 children. The entrance to Breakfast Club is as normal through the lunch hall doors. If children are attending Breakfast Club they should arrive, as normal by 8:30am and they will be registered. Breakfast will be served in individual packs and the children will sit at a table allocated for their class. At 8:48am the children will enter the playground with a pupil support worker and line up at their classroom door. We would request that Primary 1 children do not attend Breakfast Club on the 12th and 13th August.

Morning routines

The school playground will be closed until 8:48am. Children can enter the playground through their allocated gate between 8:48-9:00am and enter their classroom.

  • Primary 1-3: The Library Gate
  • Primary 4-5: Kick Pitch Gate (including those P4 children in P4/3)
  • Primary 6-7: Upper area side gate

Their classroom doors are labelled with their class name. Children will use hand sanitiser and take off their jacket, etc. Parents as normal, should not enter the playground in the morning. Adults should remember to distance 2m from each other and not gather at the gates. It is very important that children are punctual and arrive by 9am through their appropriate gate. If a child is late, please phone the school and someone will come and collect them outside the office door, this process should only be used in extenuating circumstances.

Staggered Break and Lunch Times

Children will wash their hands/ use hand sanitizer before eating and they will have their break time snack in class. In the playground they will be allocated an area for their class to play and will have a box of playground games for their class. In the dining hall, classes will be allocated a seating area and there will be limited classes in the dining hall at once. School lunches will be served in a disposable box with disposable cutlery. Packed lunches can be brought from home as normal.

Break Times

  • 10:30-10:45am – P1, P2/1, P3/2, P4/3
  • 10:45-11:00am – P4, P5, P6, P7

Lunch Times

  • 12:00-12:45pm – P1, P2/1, P3/2, P4/3
  • 12:45-1:30pm – P4, P5, P6, P7

 

End Of Day

Primary 5-7 will leave school through their allocated gate at 3:15pm and at 12:25pm on a Friday.

  • Primary 5: Kick Pitch gate
  • Primary 6-7: Upper area side gate

Primary 1-4 should be collected from the playground by one adult. The playground will open at 3:05pm and at 12:15pm on a Friday. Adults should enter the playground through the infant side gate and leave with their child/ren via the library gate. This is to avoid congestion and support distancing between adults.

The children will exit from their class door as normal between 3:10-15pm (12:20-12:25pm on a Friday) and the teacher will match them up with their adult. We ask that you exit the playground immediately after collecting your child/children.  Adults should maintain 2m physical distancing from other adults and not congregate together in groups. The whole of the playground should be used to help with physical distancing. Please ensure your child is collected by 3:15pm as collection of children will not be available by the office.

Parking

A reminder that the turning circle is a drop off point. The staff carpark and delivery area should not be used by parents and carers. This is very important for the health and safety of our families accessing the school.

Home Learning

On Wednesday 12th August P5-7 children should access their previous class Team on Glow, using their log in details. For example Primary 7 will access their Primary 7 Team. They will find the learning for Wednesday in the transition channel in their Team. For example Primary 7 will go to the Into Primary 7 Transition Channel.

On Wednesday Primary 2-4 will bring home with them their learning tasks to complete at home on the Thursday when they are not in school.

Home learning choice boards will resume after the September Break weekend.

Access to the Building

In line with the risk assessment, communication from parents/ carers to the school should predominantly be done via the school email address or phone call. Parents will only have access to the building though pre-made appointments, please do not arrive at our office without a pre-made appointment.

Please find below previous information as issued on 5th August.

Is it safe? Risk assessments have been completed
When do children come back? 11th August – is an in-service day for school and ELC staff

12th August – ELC children who already attend on a Wednesday should attend for their normal session, P1 (9:10-12:00pm), P2, P3 and P4 (Full day)

13th August – ELC children who already attend on a Thursday should attend for their normal session, P1 (9:10-12:00pm), P5, P6 and P7 (Full day)

14th August – All school children to attend

From Monday 17th all school and ELC children to attend full time
What should children bring? We are asking children to bring as little as possible to school.

Children can/should bring:

·       a waterproof coat and any other appropriate clothing to be dry and warm outdoors as we will be outside as much as possible

·       a labelled water bottle and this should be filled at home each day.

·       a packed lunch if they wish (school meals are still available).

·       Pencil cases with their school supplies (the school can also provide these free to families). This helps us to limit the sharing of resources

·       school bags with just their essentials.

·       a snack for break time, which they will eat in the classroom.

 

Children should not bring:

·       a change of shoes – on the return to school children will not be changing into indoor shoes, they will wear their black school shoes indoors and outdoors.

·       PE kits – on the return to school, children will not be changing into gym kits. Please ensure on their P.E days they wear/ bring trainers. (They might want to wear their school sweatshirt and tshirt on P.E. days). P.E. will initially take place outdoors, as much as we can.

·       Additional items from home such as games, toys, etc.
What will be different? Children will have:

·       to sanitise/wash hands regularly and will spend as much of their day as possible with their class group and their teacher.

·       a staggered start and end time to the day- details to follow by the end of the week.

·       staggered lunch and break times – details to follow by the end of the week.

·       go straight into their class at the start of the school day – details to follow by the end of the week.

·       limited mixing between classes or large gatherings.

·       an allocated gate to enter and leave at the start and end of the day.

Parents/carers will be asked to:

·       not gather in the playground or outside the school gates and to maintain 2m distancing at all times

·       not enter the school unless you have an appointment but instead to communicate using emails or by telephone.

·       adhere to specific arrangements for P1 parents/carers on their child’s first day to enable a smooth transition, adults will not be able to come into class but we will arrange a transition area to support children with the move into school on their first day. ELC induction for new children who are staring with our ELC will be shared individually with parents/carers.
What will be the same? Children will still be able to:

·       wear their school uniform

·       see their happy, smiley, welcoming staff ready to care for and teach them. We will all support them to settle back into school life.

·       order lunches as usual on iPay. All families now will have to use iPay to make payments, as cash will not be accepted at the office.

·       go to Breakfast Club each morning, from 12th Aug.

·       order milk for their snack.

 

During these unprecedented times things can change and we appreciate your continued understanding with this, however these are the plans in place for starting back.

 

Please be patient with us as we find our new normal and establish new routines to help with everyone’s safety. We are super excited to open our doors and welcome all our school and nursery children back.

 

Kind regards,

Miss Burton

Head Teacher

 

6th August Letter

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