COVID-19 Daily Updates

We will regularly update this post with any communications regarding COVID-19 to help to keep you all as infomed as possible during this developing situation. We urge you to check the most recent guidance should you have queries/concerns.

Wednesday 25th March 2020:

We hope that Distance Learning is going well for our families.  We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone, and it is a new way for all learners and staff to work.  We have been delighted to see so many children uploading their learning tasks and engaging with their class teachers so far this week.  The Learning Folders on the Google Drive

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RdHuULixXpVh7i9E4Dxc4rcoIoJkIAVR?usp=sharing

should be used at this point rather than teachers sending class activities – we aim for this to happen after the Easter break.

As you may be aware, some of our school staff are supporting the Woodburn Hub, which has been created to care for the children of Front Line staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Mrs Renton and Mrs Orr are based at Woodburn  and our staff are volunteering here on a daily basis.  Whilst staff are in the Hub other school staff may comment or reply to your child’s work on Seesaw.  If you are experiencing difficulties with the Seesaw app, please contact your child’s class teacher or email KingsPark.ps@midlothian.gov.uk.

Thank you for your continued support during this time.

 

Friday 20th March 2020:

Please find attached a letter which gives you further information regarding Distance Learning at King’s Park.

Distance Learning letter

You may need to copy the link into your browser.

Passwords for GLOW and Seesaw Home Learning have been sent home with all children who are in school.  Those who have been absent will receive these through the post, along with your child’s written Progress Report.

We know that some of our children benefit from using Social Stories; please find attached four different scenarios linked into the Emotion Works cogs.

ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (3) cORONAVIRUS ISOLATION (2) SCHOOL CLOSURE CORONAVIRUS (3) SOCIAL DISTANCING SCHOOL CLOSURE (3)

We will continue to update this page regularly throughout our school closure.

 

Thursday 19th March 2020:

The following update has been issued by Midlothian Council tonight:

From Monday 23 March until further notice:

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

The following attachments have been provided to support families during this time:

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

COVID19 advice for supporting children and young people

 

Wednesday 18th March 2020:

We have issued Home Learning Seesaw codes for each pupil from P1-P7.  These are unique codes, which will allow your child to access their Seesaw profile at home.  Accompanying this was a leaflet explaining what Home Learning is. A copy of the leaflet is attached here:

Seesaw Home Learning Parent Information

Any families who have not already signed up for their Family account have also been reissued with this information.  Pupils who are absent or are in Self-Isolation will have this information posted to them.

We know that this is an uncertain time for many of our families and we are keen to work as a school community to support those who need it.  Any donations of food you may be able to donate will be collected and distributed to some of our families this Friday.

 

Tuesday 17th March 2020:

Please find attached a link to a letter issued by Fiona Robertson (Executive Director Children, Young People & Partnerships).  A copy of this letter was also sent via pupil school bags.

Parent-Carer_COVID19_Update_March20201

Parents and Carers are urged to follow guidance issued by Health Protection Scotland.  Further information can be found here: NHS Inform (www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus).

We are continuing to support and encourage handwashing with all pupils. The following link has been shared with most classes but could be used to remind children at home.  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/

Update regarding School Lunches:

Midlothian Council have advised us today that kitchens will be providing packed lunches to children instead of hot meals from tomorrow.  P1-3 lunches are free and P4-7 lunches are £2.10 each (unless you qualify for Free School Meals).  Children will still choose their lunches through Parentpay Classroom Selection as usual.