Dear parents,
I hope you are all keeping well, in what is strange and unusual times.
Work packs available for collection on Wednesday 13th January from 9.30am to 2pm in the Queenora entrance
Just to remind parents that learning work packs for Nursery to Primary 7 may be collected between 9.30am and 2.00pm on Wednesday 13th January from the Queenora entrance. Please wear a face covering (if you are not exempt) and social distance when collecting these for your child(ren). The work pack for Nursery to Primary 4 will cover a two week period and the Primary 5 to Primary 7 work pack will cover a 4 week period. Please do not feel you need to do everything in the written work packs or upload them onto Seesaw, just do what you can with your child(ren).
MS Teams meet ups for pupils in Primary 5, Primary 6 and Primary 7
Pupils in Primary 5, Primary 6 and Primary 7 will have another opportunity to meet up online using MS Teams on Wednesday 13th January with their teacher and their classmates. Please find the help sheet for parents below about how to use MS Teams. Click on the link to access the help sheet: Accessing Teams at Home for Live Meet ups - Parent Help Sheet.pdf
School staff will help key workers' children who are in school to login to the MS Team meet ups with their class.
Primary 5 will have a meet up on Wednesday 13th January from 10am to 10.30am.
Primary 6 will have a meet up on Wednesday 13th January from 11.30am to 12noon.
Primary 7 will have a meet up on Wednesday 13th January from 2.00pm to 2.30pm. (Please note the slightly later time)
If are currently trailing MS Teams meet ups with the Key Stage 2 classes and hope to extend this to other classes within the school soon.
Remote learning plan
Class teachers are uploading learning materials to Seesaw each day, this will include Numeracy, Literacy and topic based work for Primary pupils. Teachers will direct pupils and parents to the learning activities for the time that school is closed.
You have already received login information for Seesaw, Mathletics and MyOn/ Accelerated Reader. We have compiled a summary sheet of all remote learning logins for each individual child. If you have lost your login details please contact Mrs Taylor.
Every child is encouraged to read each day. Pupils can use their MyOn login details to read books online. Pupils can login into MyOn by accessing the website. (https://www.myon.com) Pupils in Primary 3 - Primary 7 can also complete Accelerated Reader quizzes online using the following link: https://ukhosted14.renlearn.co.uk/2235527/
Pupils can also access Mathletics by using the following website - https://www.mathletics.com/uk/
Attendance
Each day we have to submit attendance figures to the Department of Education of the number of pupils who are actively engaging with remote learning and those who have not been engaging. If for any reason your child is not consistently engaging in their online remote tasks we will contact you to offer support and guidance. Should any family have difficulty completing the work please contact the class teacher rather than remaining without support. We will do what we can to help you.
Key workers and vulnerable children application for week beginning 18th January 2020
The key worker/vulnerable child online application form for the week beginning 18th January is now open and will close on Friday 15th January 2021 at 12noon (please note the deadline).
We have had a higher number of applications for key workers and vulnerable pupils to attend supervised learning in school in comparison to the previous lockdown. We are therefore using three classrooms (P6 classrooms and the P7 classroom) to supervise the pupils learning. Pupils will be split into their different Key Stages.
A number of parents contacted myself over the weekend to ask for their child to be added to the list of key workers children as they missed the deadline for the return of the online form. On this occasion we have granted all requests, but it resulted in the staffing rota being changed and another classroom to be used. Therefore, in incoming weeks we will unfortunately be unable to fulfil any additional requests for key worker provision after the online form has closed at 12 noon each Friday.
How will key workers/vulnerable pupils be supervised in their learning?
Children will be supervised in three groups depending on the numbers which are in school on any given day. Children will aim to complete the same activities in the course of the day as their peers at home. Children will be supervised by classroom assistants. Teachers will generally not be available for supervision in order to protect the online support and feedback they are giving all children. However, some teachers and myself will be available onsite to direct and guide the classroom assistants. In accordance with DENI guidance there will be no face-to-face teaching at this time.
What does my child need to bring with them?
Pupils should wear their school uniform (it can be their PE uniform) and bring a warm coat for going outdoors. Snacks, a drink and a packed lunch will also be required. Due to the rise in the number of key workers children we are allowing pupils to bring in their own device for logging on to remote learning if they wish. These devices will be brought home each evening. The device should remain in the classroom throughout the day. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage which may happen so we ask you to remind your children to take good care of these devices. No-one else will have access to your child’s device except if they need adult assistance in logging on. You should also ensure your child has their logon details for Seesaw, Mathletics or MyOn. Supervisors will assist your child to log onto their online platforms and be therefore to offer support and guidance. Any pupil who does not wish to bring in their own digital device into school, we will provide with an ipad/digital device for your child. Written work packs will be available for collection from Wednesday 13th January, after which pupils should bring their written work pack to school each day.
What are arrival and pick –up times for key worker/vulnerable pupils?
Those children who are attending school for supervised learning should arrive at 9am and come in through the main front door.
- Supervision will end each day at 1.15pm for children in Nursery.
- Supervision will end each day at 2.00pm each day for children from P1-P3.
- Supervision will end each day at 3.00pm each day for children from P4-P7.
- If you are a keyworker and you are collecting a child at 2.00pm it is advised that you take any older siblings home at that time too.
General Information
Teachers will be available to remotely support your child’s learning for the duration of the school day. It may not always be possible to get back to you straight away so we would appreciate your patience. Please do not expect a response to queries outside of school hours as teachers have planning, assessment to attend to as well as staff meetings.
We are very aware of the logistical difficulties home learning can pose for parents. We acknowledge the possible pressures in some households as sibling vie for the use of technology. Please do not put yourself or your children under undue stress to complete all activities, just do what you can.
If you have any issues regarding your child’s well-being at this time please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Taylor on [email protected] or telephone 02870832194.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Taylor