Returning to School Advice Documents for Parents and Blog refresh

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Dear Parents/Carers,

As our schools are now preparing for a full return next week, our blog will revert back to content for Balmedie School – thank you to all those accessing the blog for support and we hope you found this site useful during the lockdown and holiday period.

A number of support pages, in particular Ellon cluster resource references and home learning links, will remain and can be openly accessed at any time, however, fresh content will now generally focus on the Balmedie School and school community as originally designed.

In the event that Ellon schools move back in to a blended learning model then the blog will go back to being used as an additional communication resource to support all cluster schools.

As a final schools cluster post, please find below the latest update/links from Aberdeenshire Council on returning to school and school transport updates for parents (please note the letters containing the web links will have previously been released by your school this week).

 

Update letter released from 5.8.20 from Laurence Findlay Director of Education & Children’s Services

Parents.Carers.Covid19.Letter 200805

 

USEFUL LINKS FROM THE LETTER ABOVE

30.7.2020 – Frequently asked questions for parents on children returning to school

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/25386/covid-faqs-schools.pdf

 

30.7.2020 – Scottish Government statement and advice of schools re-opening

https://www.gov.scot/news/schools-to-re-open-full-time/

 

30.7.2020 – Scottish Government guidance for schools on re-opening

Full Document

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-preparing-start-new-school-term-august-2020/

Summary Document (27 key points)

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-preparing-start-new-school-term-august-2020/

 

30.7.20 Aberdeenshire Council Local Phased Delivery Plan Final Publication

A general overview of council and school responses to COVID-19 contingency planning including full guidance and draft risk assessments for use in schools.

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/media/25374/aberdeenshire-local-phasing-delivery-plan-schools.pdf

 

4.8.20 School Transport Update Letter (issued by schools earlier this week)

Covid-19: Parental Guidance on Aberdeenshire Council School Transport August 2020

COVID19 – PARENTAL GUIDANCE ON SCHOOL TRANSPORT – Aug 2020 (003)

 

FURTHER USEFUL LINKS

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/schools-covid-19/

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/childcare-and-early-learning/

 

 

Balmedie End of Term Messages

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We made it!

Congratulations to all Primary 7 children – it was great seeing you all today to collect your leavers gifts and we wish you all the very best as you move ‘on your way’ to your next schools. Please come back and visit us in the future!

There is a new page for all returning pupils now set up where you can meet your new teacher for next year – go to the ‘Balmedie School and Nurseries – Meet the Staff’ page.

As we couldn’t have the Leaver’s/End of Year Assembly we would normally be used to, please find a few messages and videos below (albeit a little later than planned 🙂 )…

Please see below for the final/updated P7 Leaver’s video…

Thank you to all Balmedie Staff for your amazing support and have a great summer break!

Stay Safe and Happy Holidays one and all!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Balmedie School Recovery Plan and School Handbook

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Dear Balmedie Families,

 

Please find below a full account of our Balmedie School recovery plans.

 

School Recovery summary and update letter – 202007021732_Parent Letter from Mr Ford 2 July 2020 (1)

Balmedie School Recovery Plan – Balmedie School Recovery Plan – Information for Parents

School Recovery Plan (Appendix C) – School Recovery Plan – Appendix C Balmedie Mapping Exemplar

Revised School Handbook – 202007021702_BalmedieSchoolHandbook2020

 

We are all gearing up for a 100% capacity return from Wednesday 12th August and couldn’t be happier if we are all back in school together – we have really missed you all.

We hope the information provide above will provide the answers to any unanswered questions you may have about returning your child to school and about all of the school planning which has been taking place over the past few weeks & months. Rest assured that if further changes need to be made we will be there to support, inform and guide you every step of the way.

For now, please enjoy the last day of the school year – have a safe and happy summer! 🙂

A Message from Cllr Gilian Owen, Ellon & District Ward

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Good morning,

 

As the end of term approaches I just wanted to email you all again and to pass this on to all your Teams, Parents/Carers and your young people.

I really want to personally thank you on behalf of the Education & Children Services Committee we all know you who have all gone above and beyond to deliver detailed contingency planning at the same time as continuing to support children and young people across Aberdeenshire. You are all our unsung heroes and have also been delivering much more than simply childcare to the children of keyworkers and have taken great strides in innovative approaches to learning and teaching, all the while supporting your own families and communities.

This pass few weeks have been very weird and most of our young people have been fabulous in what must have been strange times when they have been cocooned in their homes with only their close family for company.  NO school, no grandparents and no friends, so very hard for us all but even more so for the young people.

All being well we shall all be moving from Phase 1 to Phase 4 and on the 12th August all children and young people will return, I understand that Teachers, Staff, Young People and Parents/Carers will naturally be anxious but please understand everything is being done to ensure that there is a swift transition.

I wish you all a restful few weeks, time for you all to re-charge you batteries ready for next adventure of re-opening your school. Thank you are all a credit to Aberdeenshire council.

 

Many thanks

 

Kind regards

 

Cllr Gillian Owen

Ellon & District Ward

Chairman Education & Children Services

Ellon Family Learning Team – Poll Results and Updates

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Hello there,

 

You may remember a short time ago the Ellon Family Learning Team circulated a poll to identify what information and support would be most useful to parents in the Ellon cluster. Please see the below video link which has been developed in direct response to the poll findings. On this video you will see some helpful information hints and tips from different services who work across the Ellon cluster. The main theme of this video is supporting positive mental health in young people.

 

We are hoping to deliver some additional inputs over the summer relating to further issues highlighted in the poll. As we will not have access to the school email mailing lists during this time, if you would like to be notified of any Family Learning Opportunities throughout the summer period please register your interest with myself on d.mackay@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

I hope you find it useful, Enjoy!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHBtqxGo028&feature=youtu.be

(N.B. If you require more time to read or take notes from the slides, the video can be paused and restarted when ready.  Presentations are available by email if you find they are not accessible to you in this format, please contact me on the above email address.)

 

Best wishes for a great summer break,

 

Debbie Mackay – Community Learning & Development Worker

On behalf of the Ellon Family Learning Team