Kirk o’ Shotts Primary Newsletter - Term 3, 2016/17

1. Kirk o’ Shotts Primary Newsletter – Term 3 2016/17 Pupil Learning Primary 1/2 This term for literacy we will be using our new common words to write independent sentences. We will focus on doing this independently in taught writing through new topic work. All children will be working with symmetry using their prior knowledge of shape. Primary 1 will start addition and subtraction.. Primary 2 will continue working on number families to 20. The first two weeks our topics focus will be Maths: all children will be doing symmetry using prior knowledge of shape and also p1 will begin addition and subtraction. P2 continue with number families to 20. Topic work will start with a focus on Scottish Traditions and then move on to ‘People who Help us’. This will be people within their local environment e.g. dinner lady, lollipop person and there will be a hospital for purposeful play in the classroom. Any appropriate items that can be donated would be appreciated. Primary 2/3/4 During the Scottish weeks the class will focus on Scottish produce and recipes. This will compliment their upcoming topic ‘Farm to Fork’. In science the children will be investigating food chains. The children will continue to use strategies in their literacy and for taught writing there will be a focus on recounts and persuasive writing. In maths and numeracy the children will be working with shape and symmetry, division and fractions. In physical education they will continue to engage with ‘Better Movers, Better Thinkers’ with specialist teachers and gymnastics. Primary 5 Another busy term for Primary 5 who will be learning all about Scotland and its heritage. We will be investigating the events that shaped Scotland’s path. We will also look at Scottish artists, musicians, food, culture, cities etc. Scottish poetry and songs will also feature this term where we have been having a great laugh being allowed to speak ‘Scots’. In maths we are learning about money and finance and will be looking at how to save and budget our money and the different methods of paying for things. We now have our new reading books and will be continuing to investigate elements of Scotland and other countries through these as well as all other aspects of our literacy curriculum. We are keeping really healthy with weekly sessions of basketball, swimming and gymnastics and will be learning about the best ways to keep our body and minds energised. Our religious focus this term is on Islam where we will be learning about the key figures and how they influence Muslim life. Primary 6 In Literacy Primary 6 are working hard reading and understanding their novels. They continue to use different strategies to understand what they are reading. The children will be working with the procedures and information needed to complete instructional writing. They will use their topic as a driver. In Numeracy and Maths P6 have looked closely at the use of algebra and although it was challenging they are more confident when finding the value of a letter. This term Primary 6 will also investigate fractions, decimals, percentages and multiplication and division. The P6 topic will be learning all about Natural Disasters which they are all very excited about! So far we have looked at how Scotland's landscape has evolved through millions of years.

2. Kirk o’ Shotts Primary Newsletter – Term 3 2016/17 Pupil Learning Primary 7 This term the Primary 7 class are focussing on ‘Divided City’. This topic will be interdisciplinary linking also to their Scottish weeks investigating factions within society. This will link to their taught writing. In number and maths the children will continue to build on their skills and further develop their mathematical language through number, money, fractions and percentages. In science the children will investigate micro-organisms and reflection and light. The children will also continue with ‘Better Movers, Better Thinkers’ using specialist teachers and develop skills for netball. Additional Dates Fairtrade Fortnight During this period on the calendar all classes have a focus on learning about Fairtrade. What the children learn differs between the classes. Please encourage your child to share what they have been learning. For further information we recommend the following website: www.fairtrade.org.uk/ World Book Day On Thursday 2nd March the children will be celebrating World Book Day. If the children would like and you have suitable items, the children may dress as their favourite character from a book. The clothing must be safe to wear to school and should not include any football colours or cause distress for other children i.e. scary masks etc. Evening Parent Council Quiz Night We would ask as many parents, their friends and children (accompanied) to attend the Quiz Night. This is a fun event with challenging and fun questions for both adults and children and raises funds to support e.g school trips, buses for sports competitions, prizes for children and resources to celebrate or support learning. Further details will follow from the Parent Council. Parent’s Night Please note that this will take place on the 9th March. If you are unable to attend on this date please notify the school and the class teacher will aim to either meet at another time or make a telephone appointment. Open Afternoon Parent’s are invited to attend the second open afternoon this academic year. This will take place on 27th March at 1.30pm. During this time parents have the opportunity to review and discuss their children’s work with their child, take part in supporting their child within the classroom and if required, have an informal chat about the work with the class teacher. This gives parents the opportunity to further support their children’s learning and continue to build on pupil confidence.

3. Kirk o’ Shotts Primary Newsletter – Term 3 2016/17 Important Dates: January Thursdays P5 swimming block Week Beg. 9th School focus – Celebrating Scotland Week Beg. 16th Visit from S1 pupils to Primary 7 Week Beg. 16th Infant registration 16th Mobile Library visit P1/2 18th Parent Council Meeting 9am. February Thursdays P5 swimming block 3rd Scottish Assembly 1.30pm. 13th & 14th School Closed 15th School Open 16th School Closed (Staff In Service Day) 22nd Parent Council Meeting 9am. 23rd Parent Council – Spring Disco 6pm – 7.30pm Week Beg. 27th School focus – Fairtrade Fortnight March Thursday 2nd P5 Last swimming day 2nd World Book Day 9th Parent’s Night 15th Parent Council Meeting 9am. 22nd Evening Parent Council Quiz Night (children, parents, friends) 27th Open Afternoon (All parents welcome to review children’s work) Week Beg. 27th School focus – Finance Week 31st School closes 2.30pm April Tuesday 18th April School Opens 18th Primary 7 – Kilbowie Week Please note these dates may be subject to change. The school will contact parents of any changes to dates. Parents may also contact the school. Tear off slip --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scottish Assembly – 3rd February 2017, 1.30pm I will/will not be able to attend the Scottish Assembly on the above date. Number of people attending ____ (maximum 2 per family) Signed: _______________ Date: __________ Child’s Name: ____________________________________________________ Please return by Tuesday 31st January 2017. Thank you.

4. Kirk o’ Shotts Primary Newsletter – Term 3 2016/17 • Additional Dates • Celebrating Scotland • As you will be aware the children regularly learn about different cultures and religions throughout the school career. An important part of this learning is gaining knowledge of scottish history and culture. Children can visit these areas throughout the school year but there is a focus for all classes for two weeks in January. To share their experiences the children would like to invite parents to attend a short Scottish Assembly on 3.2.17 to be held within the school. Due to health and safety we will only be able to invite 2 adults per family. Please complete the tear-off slip to confirm if adults will be attending. This enables the school to provide seating. Children may wear something e.g. tartan on this day (a hair bow, tie etc.). Please do not feel obliged to buy anything specially for the day. • General Reminders – Please: • Ensure all children’s items of clothing, especially jackets and jumpers, are clearly labelled with their name. (We currently have a pair of girls boots which need to be claimed if parents would like to contact the school). • Regularly check children’s hair for headlice and treat according to pharmacist recommendation. • Keep the bus parking area clear for the safe collection and dropping off of children. • Pop a pair of soft shoes in your child’s bag if they are wearing wellies or heavy boots. This is more comfortable for them during the day inside school. • Be aware that there is no adult presence in the playground before 9am. • If possible make an appointment to talk to a member of staff. • Do not encourage children to cross the car parking area independently. We have a number of concerned parents contacting the school as children are walking between parked cars. Please park appropriately. • Contact the school if you have any concerns or positive feedback to ensure we can address these immediately. • Child Protection • In Kirk o’ Shotts Primary School Mrs Shanks is the named person who is responsible for Child Protection. Mr Murray and Mrs Towers are also trained to support in Mrs Shanks’ absence. We have recently discussed with the children the purpose of child protection, the training and responsibility of all staff and their role and the procedures we follow to ensure we are able to support them. All staff who work in the school receive child protection training. This is revisited each year and new staff who start in the school during the year also receive training. All staff working with children in a North Lanarkshire establishment are required to be disclosed prior to appointment. Any visiting adult who does not have their disclosure may not be left alone with children. We would ask that adults do not enter the school unless they are accompanied by a staff member. This protects both our children and any allegations against adults. During inclement weather children may enter the school at 8.45am. Parents may, on occasion, wish to take their child into the building or e.g. bring their lunch to them. Please leave these at reception. The school Child Protection Policy is available for viewing on the school website: If you would like a hard copy of this please contact the office and the school will provide one. We may, on occasion, contact parents when a child or staff member has raised a concern within the school to ensure that the parent is aware of the concern. We may also on occasion contact other agencies. Generally any concerns are quickly resolved. We aim to regularly update school policies, following consultation with children and the parent council. These have been and will continue to be added to the school website as they are reviewed.