Dear All,
It is hard to believe but we are now in December and as the weather is now well and truly wintry, it is really important that pupils come to school with a warm and waterproof jacket and appropriate footwear. When we are working indoors, it is extremely important our classrooms are kept well ventilated so the windows will be open throughout the day. Please ensure that your child also brings in a warm jumper/fleece as it can get chilly therefore wearing layers is the best way to keep warm.
Although we still have quite a number of restriction, we will be doing our utmost to make sure pupils enjoy the run up to the festive season. Unfortunately we are still unable to use the indoor hall spaces so will be as creative with the outdoor and classroom space as possible whilst ensuring everyone’s safety.
Homework
- Spelling: will continue until 15th December with pupils writing their new spelling words in their homework jotter on Wednesday each week. At home they should use:
LOOK THINK/SAY COVER WRITE CHECK
to write out their new spelling words three times in neat columns. They should also complete an activity card which will earn pupils 2 credit card points. An optional second activity may be completed for extra practice (and 1 credit card point) but is not mandatory. Completed spelling homework should be returned the following Tuesday to be marked and the next spelling pattern will be given for homework on Wednesday each week.
- Numeracy & Maths: please use the enclosed activity sheet to practise work which has been taught in class. Pupils can write straight onto this sheet so no need to copy into their jotters and this can be returned in their folder on Tuesday of the following week.
- Reading: all pupils have been allocated a reading book which will go home twice per week to be read with an adult. It is extremely important that this activity is done at home as only through regular reading practice, will children improve this valuable life skill! Please ensure your child’s reading book is returned to school on the date written on the bookmark. It would also be helpful if you could initial this when you have heard your child read.
- PE/Health & Wellbeing: this will be an outdoor activity where possible and to that end, can children please come dressed for outdoor PE on the allocated day each week (see dates below). An outdoor kit will consist of trainers, jogging bottoms/leggings, t-shirt, fleece and outdoor showerproof jacket. We have no changing areas at present so children will wear their kit for the day.
| Date |
P.E. / Health & Wellbeing Activity Day |
| 01.12.20 |
Tuesday |
| 10.12.20 |
Thursday |
| 15.11.20 |
Tuesday |
| 23.12.20 to 05.01.21 |
Christmas Break |
| 07.01.21 |
Thursday |
| 12.01.21 |
Tuesday |
| 21.01.21 |
Thursday |
Additional Information
Science – P4 have been enjoying learning on Friday mornings with Mrs Cummings and their class teacher. These lessons will take place both inside and outside so please ensure pupils are appropriately dressed. Mrs Cummings is looking for some household items so if you are able to donate any of the following this would be much appreciated:
CDs, DVDs, plastic disposable sports bottles with lids, corks, old plastic loyalty cards, small wind-up toys, pringle tubes and lids, plastic ice-cream tubs.
Christmas Cards – all pupils can post cards in the postbox between Monday and Thursday where they will then be removed and isolated before delivery on the following Monday. This will be available from Monday 30th November until Thursday 17th December. Please ensure all cards have the name and class clearly on the envelope.
Filmed Nativity – Mrs Hinton and Mr Peacock will be filming our nativity and each class will have a slot for a ‘performance’ of a song. Midlothian Council has organised
Vimeo links for all schools to allow us to share this production safely with parents. Please complete and ensure permission slips are returned to school asap as we cannot include your child in the filming without your permission. Links to the video will be sent to all families involved in December.
Christmas Fun – P4 will enjoy a fun afternoon to celebrate the festive season on Tuesday 15th December 2020. This will consist of watching our panto/Christmas film with snacks and some outdoor games. We ask that children wear their Christmas jumpers to school on the day to bring some festive cheer to the proceedings. We are asking for a £2 per child donation to cover the cost of snacks, donation to mission Christmas and a donation to the Brunton Theatre.
Brunton Theatre Online Pantomime – P4 will have access to this years online pantomime and will enjoy watching this in class (see above).
Loanhead Parish Church – Can you help? Every year Loanhead Parish Church provide support to families in our area. We are collecting toys this Christmas to be delivered to local children. If you can help, please purchase a gift for a child (1 month to 16 years) and please do not wrap it. Hand it in to the school office and we will pass them on. We will be collecting from Monday 30th Novemember to Friday 11th December.
Diary dates:
Monday 30th November 2020 – Friday 11th December, Christmas gift drop off
Monday 30th November 2020 – Thursday 17th December, school Christmas post box
Tuesday 22nd December 2020 – Tuesday 5th January 2021, Christmas Holiday
Wednesday 6th January 2021 – Pupils return
If you have any queries regarding homework or wish to discuss another aspect of your child’s education please contact Mrs Roy or myself by email:
J.watts@mgfl.net
S.roy@mgfl.net
Many thanks for your support,
Mrs Watts & Mrs Roy
