P3 Homework w/b 24.8.2020

Hi all,

Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and start to the week. Today I have sent home the first lot of homework. Your child has been sent home with a blue jotter. In the front of  jotter is a spelling sheet on silent -b which is our sound from last week for a bit of consolidation and in the back is a maths/numeracy grid. Only one of the numeracy activities needs to be done each week and once an activity has been completed confidently it can be coloured green. If there is any written practise you wish to do this can also been done in the back of the jotter. I have opted to limit it to only a reading book and one homework jotter coming home so as to reduce any risk around COVID 19. All reading pages will be updated on this page. I had originally planned to use Google Classroom for everything however we are currently in the process of updating passwords at the request of glow and I know many parents prefer to minimise screen time too. At the present moment I will be sending homework out on a Tuesday and will be asking for it to be returned on a Friday. Whilst I know that unfortunately this gives a reduced amount of time in which to complete it, it allows the jotters and books to have the recommended quarantine period before marking them. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Also a quick reminder that tomorrow is our PE day so children must be dressed appropriately.

Reading

Polka Dots

Bertie Wiggins’ Amazing Ears

Tuesday- Chapter 1

Wednesday-Chapter 2

Thursday -Chapter 3

Spots

Key to Trouble

Tuesday –  p1-8

Wednesday – p9-16

Thursday p17 – 24

Friday (will be read in school) p 24-32

Stripes

Survival Adventure

Tuesday –  p1-8

Wednesday – p9-16

Thursday p17 – 24

Friday (will be read in school) p 24-32

Zig-Zags

A Fright in the Night

Tuesday – p1-6

Wednesday – p6-12

Thursday – p13-18

Friday (will be read in school)- p18-24

Waves

Camping Adventure

Tuesday – p1-6

Wednesday – p6-12

Thursday – p13-18

Friday (will be read in school)- p18-24

Lightening Bolts

Strawberry Jam

Tuesday – p1-4

Wednesday – p5-8

Thursday  -p9-12

Friday (will be read in school) p13-16

Can I also ask that you are going over your child’s key words every night with them. This can be through just simple flash cards and book hunting or more active learning such as splat, twister, noughts and crosses, connect four. If you need any other ideas don’t hesitate to ask. If you find you are missing the keywords for your child’s stage email me at: k.ramsay@mgfl.net and I will get you a copy sent home.

Children in some of the groups levels do not carry key words and instead we are looking at Fry’s first and second hundred common and tricky words. These can be easily googled and youtubed but again if you would prefer a printed copy email me and I will send a physical copy home.

Have a wonderful week everyone,

Miss Ramsay

P3 Update – Lunches, PE etc

Hi all,

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely yet somewhat unusual summer. We are feeling very much back in the swing of things here at Loanhead and have really enjoyed our first week back. It has been lovely to see all the children’s little faces and bring the school building to life again.

Just a quick post to keep you up to date with p3 life.

PE and Learning Outdoors

Our PE day this term will be a Wednesday. Can you please ensure your child comes to school in suitable clothing for outdoor physical exercise as we will not be changing into PE kit in school.

We are also trying to ensure we are doing as much learning outside as possible to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 and encouraging children to be outside at break time as often as possible. Can you send your child to school with a warm, water proof coat to ensure they are as comfortable as possible outside. Of course children won’t be outdoors on a day like today with heavy showers but with a light drizzle we are still aiming to be outside.

Milk

Milk letters were sent out today. If you wish for your child to have milk can you ensure that payment is returned to the school office in an envelop no later than Monday the 24th of August . Unfortunately any payments not in an envelop or paid after this date cannot be accepted.

Payment can also be made through ParentPay.

Lunches

Below you will find a picture of the school lunch order form we are completing with children each day. You will see they have a variety of options. As this is a free option for p1-3 your children are entitled to this. You are, of course, welcome to continue providing your child with their own lunch. However,  what we are finding in class is that as children aren’t used to the school day any more many are getting very hungry by the time the afternoon comes. A suggestion has been for children to bring a morning snack and a small afternoon snack and have a school lunch or in addition to a packed lunch provided from home.

 

Toys

To minimise possible infection of COVID 19 we are asking children do not bring any toys to school. This includes plastic toys. Even though they are able to be wiped down children inevitably share with others during play and as we are limiting shared use of resources to prevent potential cross infection your support with the issue of toys in school is greatly appreciated.

Homework

I have had some parents and children asking about whether homework is going to be physically sent home or if it will be sent online. I have not made a decision on this until I can communicate with all staff on what our intentions are as a school to keep it consistent, particularly across siblings. I appreciate your patience whilst we sort this out.

Contact me

If you ever need to contact me my school email address is k.ramsay@mgfl.net. Feel free to email me any questions you have, I will always try to help where I can.

This past week has definitely been a learning curve but it has been thoroughly enjoyable getting to know your children a little bit better. This class has such a great energy and they are such friendly, funny characters. I am sure we are going to have a great year together!

Have a lovely evening,

Miss Ramsay

 

Spring activity ideas for the holidays

Hooray for the holidays! Although it does feel very different.  We all hope that you are staying safe and healthy.   There will be no official classwork set on Google Classrooms, although there may still be the odd fun activity.  We have, however,  put together a whole school Spring learning grid (click the link below) with some ideas to keep your creative juices flowing and for some fun family time if you run out of ideas.

Stay safe

All Loanhead Staff

Loanhead Spring learning grid

Dear Parents…

Dear parents,

You might be inclined to create a minute by minute schedule for your kids. You have high hopes of hours of learning, including online activities, science experiments, and book reports. You’ll limit technology until everything is done! But here’s the thing…

Our kids are just as scared as we are right now. Our kids not only can hear everything that is going on around them, but they feel our constant tension and anxiety. They have never experienced anything like this before. Although the idea of being off of school for weeks sounds awesome, they are probably picturing a fun time like summer break, not the reality of being trapped at home and not seeing their friends.

Over the coming weeks, you will see an increase in behavior issues with your kids. Whether it’s anxiety, or anger, or protest that they can’t do things normally – it will happen. You’ll see more meltdowns, tantrums, and oppositional behavior in the coming weeks. This is normal and expected under these circumstances.

What kids need right now is to feel comforted and loved. To feel like it’s all going to be ok. And that might mean that you tear up your perfect schedule and love on your kids a bit more. Play outside and go on walks. Bake cookies and paint pictures. Play board games and watch movies. Do a science experiment together or find virtual field trips of the zoo. Start a book and read together as a family. Snuggle under warm blankets and do nothing.

Don’t worry about them regressing in school. Every single kid is in this boat and they all will be ok. When we are back in the classroom, we will all course correct and meet them where they are. Teachers are experts at this! Don’t pick fights with your kids because they don’t want to do math. Don’t scream at your kids for not following the schedule. Don’t mandate 2 hours of learning time if they are resisting it.

If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: at the end of all of this, your kids’ mental health will be more important than their academic skills. And how they felt during this time will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during those weeks is long gone. So keep that in mind, every single day.

Stay safe. x

From all of us in the Loanhead Primary Community

19.3.20 NEW update from Midlothian council regarding school closure

The following statement was sent to schools this evening. At the bottom of the statement are links to parental guidance and advice which will be very useful in this time. We will keep you updated as, and when, we know anything else.

All schools will be closed to Primary Pupils and S1-3 Pupils with the following exceptions:

· Saltersgate School will remain open to support our children with severe and complex needs. The Head Teacher will be in contact with individual families outlining the individual arrangements which will be in place.

· All Secondary Schools will be open to S4-6 Pupils only in order to complete any SQA mandatory coursework and assessments prior to the published deadlines. Please refer to individual High School Websites for further updates. We are planning a phased approach to distance learning however priority will be given to S4-S6 to begin with.

· We are now focussed on planning for the families of staff belonging to the following groups key worker groups: Emergency Services, NHS, Health and Social Care Partnership including Care at Home, Teachers and Council Staff who have requested assistance with Childcare in order to ensure that we deliver critical services. This requested provision will be delivered through 4 secondary and 4 primary schools acting as Hubs. Individual Schools will be in touch with the individual families to alert them to the arrangements which will be put in place.

· Free School Meals: We are currently working with catering services in order to finalise arrangements for the distribution of food for children entitled to free school meals and further information will be communicated as soon as plans have been finalised.

Public health advice and guidance should continue to be followed for staff and pupils with underlying health conditions and self-isolation.

As you will appreciate there is significant planning needed to move this forward and we will continue to update our website to keep you informed.

You can listen to the Deputy First Ministers announcement at this link:
https://news.gov.scot/speeches-and-briefings/statement-on-covid19-managing-the-impacts-on-scottish-education

Andrew Sheridan
Schools Group Manager (ASN & Inclusion)

Guidance for parents and carers in the event of school closure due to Coronavirus

A1 – Midlothian SLT Telephone Helpline info 2020

COVID-19 Information and links for parents/carers

When the school closes on Friday, pupils will be sent home with learning packs for the next week which should be done at home.  The weeks to follow (except for holidays) will involve digital learning via Glow-Google classroom.  Our staff have varied experience with this and we all learn and teach differently both in the classroom and online.  We appreciate your support, patience and understanding during this time.

As well as digital learning passwords, this letter was sent home on 18th March to give information about how to access Glow and Google Classroom within Glow. Digital Learning Letter 18.3.19 Pupils/Parents have teacher emails and can contact their teacher during school hours.  If you have any technical issues or questions please contact Mrs Hinton who will try her very best to help you. k.hinton@mgfl.net

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A list of websites that you can use to support learning can be found in pupil packs or Click here 

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Midlothian Speech & Language Therapy Department offer a weekly telephone help line, for parents and professionals to ring us to discuss any concerns they have about a child’s speech, language and communication skills.

INFO POSTER CLICK HERE

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Primary 3 Announcement (19/3/20)

Hello everyone,

As you may have heard, all schools will be closing after this Friday and online learning will be utilised to help children continue learning. This news is likely to be a source of uncertainty for many, however I would like to assure all of you that I will be doing whatever I can in order to make this period a success. I will personally be prioritising making the online learning experience personal for Primary 3, and I will try and implement little touches to Google Classrooms that reminds P3 children of their classroom. If technology allows it, this will include morning greeting videos that run down the school day and a guitar and singing video a week. I consider these little touches to be of importance as I want everyone in Primary 3 to feel reassured that their teacher is still there for them and that we are still working together as a class socially.

For those of you who had children in school yesterday, you should have received a digital learning bookmark which contains usernames and passwords for SumdogEducation City and Google Classrooms. If your child has not been in school and is unlikely to be before Friday, I can provide these by email.

On Friday, I will be handing out packs for a week of home learning. This will include general Primary 3 tasks for next week while teachers set up for digital learning for the rest of the school year. This will also include one of your children’s jotters for writing in at home.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask at s.mcgaff@mgfl.net.

Thanks a lot,

Mr McGaff