Further Parental Information

Tuesday 11th August 2020

Re-Opening Penicuik High School Session 2020-21

This update outlines information on a range of matters including: arrival at school, health and safety in school, what to bring, uniform, behavioural expectations and general advice.

Key Points at a Glance

• Starting times this week are staggered and are shown below. Staggering next week will change to a permanent system that will be communicated on Friday 14th August
• There will be specific entrances at the front of the school that will be used from now on by different year groups. Hand sanitation stations will be at each entrance. All entrances will be supervised.
• In order to ensure students know where to go for Registration this session, all Year groups will first meet at the front of the school – see below. If the weather is bad we  will have an alternative venue.
• The new one way system will be discussed and a map supplied. Floor markings will also show which way to go. This may mean a longer journey to a class as YOU  cannot just cross a corridor. This will take a few days to get use to and may be modified based on our experience of its use.
• Students must not loiter or congregate inside or outside the building at any time. They must go straight to class via the one way route, When in class they must  ask permission to leave. Students who have appointments MUST sign in and out
• Student do not have to wear uniform unless they wish to. Partial uniform will be acceptable BUT students must wear clothing that is suitable and appropriate for  school – no ripped jeans, crop tops, ripped leggings, revealing clothing. These arrangements are only temporary. Guidance will contact you if we feel clothing is not suitable and formally request that they come the next day in appropriate clothing.
• Students may wear face masks and will be supported if they choose to do so. Many Staff will wear masks and/ or visors in different context that may pose a risk.
• ALL Students must bring a packed lunch to school including a drink. There will not be a formal lunch service and the Bite site will not be open at break time. The  water fountain may be used to fill up water bottles. There must be no congregating at these sites. Floor markings will ask for social distancing. Vending machines will not    be operational at this stage.
• A simple Classroom Covid code to promote key behaviours will be discussed with students and the code will be shared with all students. ALL students must follow the health and safety rules put in place. Any student who deliberately breaks the rules  will be removed and isolated pending a decision on disciplinary  action. Serious breaches could result in exclusion. PLEASE EMPHASISE THE NEED FOR POSITIVE  BEHAVIOURS AT ALL TIMES WITH YOUR CHILD
• A letter will be coming out to all students with arrangements for PE. Please note the instructions in the letter. We will not be able to use the changing  rooms as they are too small for large groups.
• S1 will have a special Re-connection programme and this will include an emphasis on health and safety, school orientation, nurture and resilience and an introduction to their timetabled classes
• All other classes will have a specific health and safety briefing in Registration class and then start their timetabled classes. Staff will be helping them reconnect with school and focus on classroom learning. There will be an emphasis on nurture and resilience for all levels.
• Student re-coursing will occur across these days – generally by appointment and keeping socially distant as appropriate.
• Student are able to bring a bag, See below for information on what they should bring to school.
• The school has restricted access and no visitors are allowed unless they have the permission of the Head Teacher. Meetings with parents will need to be virtual and/or by telephone. Parents will not be able to drop off lunches or PE / other resources. N.B. We will take care of any situation where students do not have lunch.
• If you drop your student off by car please just drop them off in Carlops Rd as normal and move off. Parents must not enter the school grounds and no parents  should congregate or meet outside the school

 

A reminder about our phased re-opening plan?

The following phased return of student has been discussed and agreed by SMT. The phased return allows us to ensure that we can induct and orientate students who have been absent from school for five months. Many of our young people will feel anxious and uncertain about what to expect and what the rules will mean for them as individuals. In particular, we are prioritising the new S1 students who missed out on being in school as part of their transition and those in the Senior Phase S4-6. We will as part of the re-phasing also need to assist young people with re-coursing.

The information given here includes the dates/days different year levels should attend.

Phased Return Details – Re-Connect Programme 2020

Day / Date	Year levels to attend on that date	Other activities
Wednesday 12 August	All new S1 students All incoming S5/6 students only	Re-coursing appointments Re-connect – vulnerable students
Thursday 13 August	All new S1 students All incoming S4 students only	Re-coursing appointments S5/6 Re-connect – vulnerable students
Friday 14 August	All new S1 students All incoming S2/3 students only	Re-connect – vulnerable students Re-coursing appointments S5/6
Monday 17 August	All students  to attend- fully open	Re-coursing appointments (including S4 and S2 issues)

 

Only S1 students will be in each day. The re-coursing discussions will run across the three days Wednesday 12 August until Friday 14 August and into the next week. We will also be picking up vulnerable students for one-to-one support,

The S1 Re-connect programme will work on orientating students to their new school and fully explaining the health and safety rules and processes in place to protect them and others. There will also be a focus on health and well-being taking a nurture approach and building resilience to cope with the new normal in school. If S1 parents/carers have any concerns about their child they should contact the school who will direct their query to the most appropriate staff member. S1 students will also start to experience normal subject classes as we move to full opening on 17 August.

Other year groups will be given full safety briefings before they start moving into subject classes. At S2 there will also be a focus on health and well-being

What time do I come to school this week and where do I go?

S1	Wed 12 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. Staff will be supervising. You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit. You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but we will help you get use to the systems. A one way system will be in place.
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S1	Thurs 13 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Enter via designated door and and go to new Registration class using the one way system.  You will be given a personal Timetable today that you will start following. We will help you find your way around the one way system
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S1	Friday 14 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Enter via designated door and go to new Registration class using the one way system. You will be following your new Timetable. We will help you find your way around the one way system
		School finishes	12:15 pm- leave by the designated door

N.B S1 will attend all three days

 

Other Year Groups

S5 and S6	Wed 12 August	Arrive by 8:45 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. Staff will be supervising. You will receive a personal Timetable You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit. You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but you will become familiar with it. A one way system will be in place.
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S4	Thurs 13 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. Staff will be supervising. You will receive a personal Timetable You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit. You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but we will help you become familiar with the systems. A one way system will be in place
		School finishes	3:30 pm- leave by the designated door
S2 and S3	Friday 14 August	Arrive by 8:30 am	Assemble on front lawn to be put into Registration groups. You will receive a personal Timetable S2 should assemble at the end nearest the HT office and S3 should assemble Staff will be supervising. You will enter by a designated door that you will use from now on. You must always sanitise your hand before entry and exit You must follow the Covid code discussed in registration in every class but you will become familiar with it. A one way system will be in place
		School finishes	12:15 pm – leave by the designated door

 

What will the School Timetable be the first week?

Monday to Thursday			Friday
Registration	As above		Registration	As above
	Until 9:30 am			Until 9:30 am
Period 2	9.30 – 10.20		Period 2	9.30 – 10.20
INTERVAL	10.20 – 10.35		INTERVAL	10.20 – 10.35
Period 3	10.35 – 11.25		Period 3	10.35 – 11.25
Period 4	11.25 – 12.15		Period 4	11.25 – 12.15
Period 5	12.15 – 13.05		School Closes	12.15
LUNCH	13.05 – 13.50
Period 6	13.50 – 14.40
Period 7	14.40 – 15.30
School Closes	15.30

 

Information about staggered lunchtimes and breaks for next week will be sent out on Friday 14-8-20

 

Key Health and Safety Measures

What measures are in place as our young people return?

• Clear Covid classroom code
• Clear Health and safety briefing for all staff and students
• Hand sanitisers at entry/ exit points and every room
• Controlled door entry for each year level at front of school
• Staggered times for starting school/ break times/ Lunch
• Designated wet weather spaces for Groups for lunch – supervision in place
• Spray and paper towels for students to clean desks at the beginning of the period
• One way system in key parts of school to stop large groups congregating while moving
• Adult to adult – social distancing 2M
• Adult to child social distancing 2M
• Face masks/ visors for staff. Students may wear masks
• Relaxed Uniform rules for ease of washing
• Medical isolation rooms available for unwell staff / students
• No sharing of resources/ equipment and where this occurs material available to clean them after use
• restricted visitor access
• No large staff or student meetings that are not risk assessed
• Ensuring good ventilation in rooms
• Signage re hand washing/ social distancing and the one way system
• Limits on the number of people in communal toilets

All of our systems will be under continual review and the dynamic risk assessment will be published t our website early next week

 

Further Lunch information

Students must bring their own packed lunch to school each day including those eligible for free school meals until 18 September. S1 students must stay in school. We are encouraging all student to stay in school during lunchtime. If students choose to leave school to buy lunch they will be expected to wear face masks in shops and MUST not congregate in large groups. The school will be checking on this and Police will also be monitoring the behaviour of young people. Local shopkeepers are also aware of this risk.

If you are experiencing any financial hardship that is affecting your ability to provide food, transport or clothing for your child please contact the school in confidence to discuss.

 

Concerns

If you are concerned about the welfare of your child at any stage please do not hesitate to contact the school who will direct you to the most appropriate staff member.

For any S6 or other school leaver – we are also keen to support leavers who need help in the aftermath of eth Covi19 lockdown. Please email the school if you want to speak to a staff member.

 

 

Please Note: Any arrangements noted here or in later communications may need to be reviewed and revised based on current national or local advice. Where any sudden changes are made we will communicate with you urgently via; Group call, the School website, Twitter and via the Parent Association Facebook page

 

 

 

Craig Biddick

Head Teacher (Acting)

 

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