A reminder that parent appointments for pupils in P1 – P7 will be held on line on Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th January between 3.30 and 6 pm.

Please remember to book an online appointment with your child’s class teacher before the booking system closes on Tuesday 26th January at 12noon.

For your convenience the information issued last week has been reposted below

Online-Parent-Teacher-Appointments-Letter-January-2021-1

Video-Call-Information-for-Parents-1

In the event of the online system not working for your scheduled appointment, please be assured you will be contacted by phone the next day by a member of staff to arrange an alternative appointment, which may have to be a telephone conversation with the class teacher.

May we remind you that the school car park is for staff use only and not a designated dropping off point at any time during the day. (Disabled users exempt)

Please be aware of traffic/road signage at the school on Lochardil Road to ensure safety for pupils and community.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Good afternoon all parents/carers,
We are going ahead with our planned dates for Parents’ Evening appointments as arranged at the start of the school year. Due to the unprecedented times we are living in, we are hosting our appointments via an online booking system. Please see attached letter and guidance sheet on how you should book an online appointment for your child(ren).
In the meantime, we hope you all stay safe, well and enjoy your weekend.

Our weekly Kahoot fun is back! starting Friday 22nd January

ELC -P3 Join Mrs MacIver LIVE at 10:00 every Friday

P4-7 Join Miss MacDonald LIVE at 11:00 every Friday

The Kahoot will be held on the Google Meet Link – posted on google classroom .

This is an optional activity to support social wellbeing and have some fun during this difficult time.

Join at www.kahoot.it or with the Kahoot! app. Miss MacDonald or Mrs MacIver will share the Game PIN that you will need on our LIVE google meet. You may find it easier to use a mobile to access the Kahoot quiz so you can still see everyone on the google meet but if you are working of a Chromebook or laptop you can just open a new tab. The google meet link will be the same each week. Hope to see lots of you there .

Highland Virtual Academy Support

HVA COVID Support Teachers will be providing L&T support for literacy, numeracy and IDL. This will be for early, level 1, level 2 and level 3 and can be accessed by pupils in school or at home through YouTube.   The actual L&T session is pre-recorded.

This link will take pupils to the HVA YouTube channel where they can access the pre-recorded sessions  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-t72YCyvmE8OpsZwzgjkfA

Please see the attached letter regarding Direct Debit mandates for Childcare payments.

We look forward to seeing you all on Monday either online or in person! Please read the letter attached so you feel more informed and ready for our next journey ahead. Happy weekend to you all.

All pupils will commence on line learning on Monday 11th January.

Are you prepared? Do you require a device for your child to use at home? We have a limited quantity available, so if you require one please contact the school office immediately to arrange this.

Please see the attached letters from Highland Council for parents/carers and pupils regarding arrangements for returning to school in January 2021.

We urgently require the form below to be completed and submitted should you wish to be considered for childcare in the period of online learning in January 2021.

Please click on this link to access this form

https://forms.gle/77NsuzoLuvfuikdY6

To be completed by today 22.12.20.

As part of my Christmas present to P5, we got an Oxfam advent calendar. Each day we have opened up a gift which will help meets the needs of others in relation to food, water, healthcare, sanitation and education.
We have loved opening them and learning about the difference between needs and wants!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Due to Covid19 restrictions, we have not been able to take part in our usual Christmas services, concerts and sing alongs. Here, at Lochardi, British Sign Language is our L3. We turned this unusual situation into an exciting, positive opportunity to develop and share our BSL skills .

We had great fun learning these Christmas songs and we really hope that this Big Sign Along brings you some Christmas cheer in what has been a difficult year.

Our Christmas lunch was great fun!

So was our Christmas party!

We are very proud of our Malawi inspired Artwork! We have been learning about the Rights of the Child, and the difference between needs and wants. We have been looking at the different ways in which society can help us meet those needs.

We had lots of fun completing a PE and maths based escape room challenge! Well done to Sarah, Sam, Tristan and Ava who managed to escape first!

Grace brought in running medals for us to see, which belong to her and her family. Well done Grace! You are a superstar runner!

Well done to Layla who has achieved her Grade 1 certificate in ballet!

Congratulations Roddy! He was nominated by the boys and girls in P5 to receive our ‘Star Pupil’ award at our virtual Christmas assembly! He was nominated by p5 for this award for being very hardworking, kind and helpful! Well done Roddy!

As you know, the First Minister announced at the weekend that there will be some changes to the way schools return after the Christmas break.  Tomorrow (Tuesday 22 December) a letter will be issued to all parents and carers of children and young people in Highland schools to give you the key information about this.  Please do not contact the school today about the new arrangements, to allow School leaders and staff to focus on planning for the new term.

We have a very limited amount of devices at school. Please get in touch with the school office on 01463 230250 to let us know if your child will not have access to any form of device or internet connection for the forthcoming period of home learning.

Any support appreciated

As we are all likely to be doing more of our shopping online. A really simple and FREE way to support us during this difficult time is to sign up to easyfundraising. 

Every time you do your online shopping via easyfundraising, retailers donate money to Lochardil Parent Council and it’s completely free!

Please sign up by clicking below and download the app:

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/lochardilpc/?utm_campaign=raise-more&utm_content=c19-f1&fbclid=IwAR2ksY0jPCGooek7gxfolXQZD_4J0G3tK4fNRwxlB2vlqsvzT-dpfKQ61ZM

Please be reassured we will share further information and guidance on Monday & Tuesday next week in response to what this latest announcement from Scottish Government regarding new restrictions means for us at school and the continued learning for all our pupils after the Christmas holidays.

We are ready for this! We will ensure you as parents/ carers, and all our children, feel as informed and prepared as possible before we finish on Tuesday to start our festive break. We will update our Blog and through our usual communication channels to ensure everyone receives the key messages. Please also check the Highland Council website for up-to-date information for our area.

Remember we are a strong community and will continue to support each other to ensure we remain as safe and connected as possible during these uncertain times. Please be reassured we will continue this journey together working with each other for strength, support, guidance, and importantly to continue the education and wellbeing of our young people who are the heart of all we do.

Familiarise yourself with the latest Scot. Gov. guidance available on their website and through National/Local media. Thanks again for continuing to keep our school community safe during these times.

Culduthel Christian Centre have organised a family “Nativity Trail” around the area. There is a box at the church to collect the information to help you navigate around homes in the area to see pictures of the Christmas story displayed in windows.

Thank you to Rev Macleod and the CCC congregation for sharing this with us and supporting us with our Christmas service today.

We have enjoyed making our Christmas crafts this week.

‘inSpires’ at Inverness Cathedral are putting together a 3-day event – Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December (from 10am to 1pm each day).  We are offering FREE toys – board games, books, soft toys etc., which have been donated to us from individuals and MFR Cash for Kids. As well as this we will be able to give FREE FOOD BAGS, and WINTER JACKETS for children.

‘inSpires’ would love to see you … and hope that you can pop by and enjoy a festive mince pie and tea/coffee.  There is no need to register and we will open the doors from 10am to 1pm each day, Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 December.

The Highland Council have asked all schools to share the following information with parents/carers.

Who needs to self isolate?

Everyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 – a new, continuous cough; fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste – should isolate straight away and arrange a test via www.nhsinform.scot or, if you can’t get online, by calling 0800 028 2816.

People who live in the same household as a person with symptoms should also isolate straight away.

If the test result for the symptomatic person is negative, and they are not already isolating as a ‘close contact’ of a confirmed case, they can end isolation and return to work or school when they are well enough and have not had a fever for 48 hours. The rest of their household can end isolation straight away.

If the test is positive, the symptomatic person should remain in isolation until 10 days from symptom onset, or longer if certain symptoms persist. The rest of the household should remain in isolation for 10 days from symptom onset in the symptomatic person, even if they don’t have symptoms themselves. 

More information can be found here: – https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-test-and-protect/pages/who-needs-to-self-isolate/

Now that the dark & icy weather is definitely with us, this a good time to remind everyone of general road safety measures to keep everyone safe.

If driving children to school, please remember to park safely and sensibly by not parking on or near street corners, not to block driveways and not to stop on the lines outside the school gates.

Remind children about crossing roads safely and to take extra care when checking for traffic which cannot stop so quickly on icy roads.

Cyclists (and pedestrians) should wear clothing which is clearly visible to drivers, and bikes should be fitted with front and rear lights.

Be aware that roads may not have been gritted by the time your children are coming to school, so watch out for black ice and take extra care.

We want everyone to arrive safely for school so please remind children (and adults!!) of good road safety practices.

Let us all do our bit to keep everyone safe.

As we approach the end of our Term 2 we would like to confirm school will close to pupils on Tuesday 22nd December 2020 and reopen for Term 3 on Wednesday 6th January 2021. Please continue to support our school to stay safe by adhering to the Scot. Gov. guidelines and remember F.A.C.T.S.  Thanks to everyone for looking after us and our community here at Lochardil Primary.

Families on low incomes in receipt of free school meals can apply for a COVID winter hardship payment from Scottish Government

Families with children in receipt of free school meals due to reasons of low income are eligible for a £100 per child Covid winter hardship payment from the Scottish Government.

There are no restrictions on how families choose to spend the additional payment. The payment is per child not per household. However, P1-3 pupils receiving free school meals due to universal provision, not due to low income, are not eligible.

In Highland, the Highland Council will administer this payment on behalf of the Scottish Government. Eligible households do not require to apply for this payment, the Council will contact those families directly with payment details.

Households who think they are maybe eligible for the Covid winter hardship payment and have not received notification of an award by Monday 21 December 2020 should contact the Councils Welfare Support Team on or email

welfare.support@highland.gov.uk

Who is eligible for free school meals due to low income?

Families with children in receipt of free school meals due to reasons of low income are eligible for the Covid winter hardship payment. Eligibility for Free School Meals based on low income, is where the household is in receipt of:

• Income Support
• Universal Credit (where the monthly earned income does not exceed £610).
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit, but not in receipt of Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £16,105 (as assessed by the HMRC)
• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and an income below £7,330 (as assessed by the HMRC)
• If you are 16 to 18 yrs old and receive any of these benefits in your own right, then you can claim for yourself
• If you are an asylum seeker receiving support
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

The payment for the £100 per child Covid winter hardship payment will be made prior to Christmas for those who were in receipt of free school meals due to low income on 30 November 2020.

Households who apply and awarded free school meals due to low income after

30 November 2020 will be eligible for the Covid winter hardship payment up until 22 December 2020. Those eligible families will be notified, and an award will be made no later than 15 January 2021.

A cash payment via PayPoint voucher will be made to eligible households. Vouchers will be redeemable at local PayPoint outlets. A small minority of households will receive payment via Post Office Pay-out and will be advised in their notification.

Please avoid standing in the staff carpark behind the playground fence at drop off and pick up times.

It has come to our attention again that staff cars have been damaged and pedestrians are using the the road in the carpark as a walkway which is unsafe for all.

Please see below times that Santa will be passing through our area. Remember to give him a big wave and cheer as he passes by.

LOCHARDIL    – Sun 13^th Dec

16.00  – 16.30

Broom Dr, Laggan Rd , Balnakyle  Rd,  Drumdevan Rd, Torbreck Rd               

16.30 – 17.00

Darris Rd,  Balnakyle Rd , Stratherrick Rd , Ardness Pl                                                                 

17.00 – 17.30

Stratherrick Rd, Grigor Dr, Sratherrick Rd .                          

17.30 – 18.00

Lochardil Rd ,  Drummond Rd.  Broom Rd  

The Rotary Club Santa Sleigh will be in the Lochardil area on Sunday 13th December at 4pm to approx 6pm.

Further details of other areas and times can be found on the Rotary Club of Inverness Culloden Facebook Page.

Due to Covid restrictions & regulations, the Rotary Club please ask that children & parents/carers should wait for Santa to reach them at the side of the road/end of a cul-de-sac etc and not rush forward to meet the sleigh. Also in line with the guidance, this year children will not be allowed on the sleigh with Santa.

The elves will be collecting for Rotary Club charities (with socially distanced buckets!!)

Please give generously and enjoy the festive cheer.

We are really in the Christmas mood now after wearing our Christmas jumpers, having our Christmas lunch, making baubles for our classroom door display and filming our BSL Christmas song! We all looked very festive and are full of good cheer!

Many children have asked about giving out Christmas cards and we have just had clarity that this will be permitted.

Children should only give cards within their class. They should be brought in this week to be left in a tray to quarantine for a 72 hour period and they will be distributed to the recipients next week.

Please handle this as you would your regular mail and adhere to government guidance on handling items.

Wednesday 9th December will be the school Christmas lunch for those who returned a slip.

Pupils are all invited to wear something festive if possible.

As per the school calendar the class Christmas parties will go ahead on the following dates ;

Monday 14th December P6, P5/6 and P5

Tuesday 15th December P4, P5/4 and P3

Wednesday 16th December P2 and P1

Thursday 17th December P7

The parties will be held in your child’s class and they will not mix with the other class of the same stage as per previous years due to current guidelines.

We ask children to take a small amount of party food in a suitable container/bag to enjoy on the day. This is for themselves only and not to be shared. Please remember that we operate a strictly no nuts policy.

Children are permitted to take juice (not fizzy) in their water bottles on party day only.

We are looking forward to seeing the children in their party clothes (optional) and ready to have some fun (not optional!).