Dear Parents/Carers,

 We trust that you all had an enjoyable break and are now settled back as we come to the end of our first week of term.  This is always a busy term ahead and although current restrictions are once again requiring us to make changes, the list of dates appears to be just as extensive.  There have been very few changes to the Council position statement and risk assessment. There is a lot of new information in this week’s update and I would draw your attention particularly to the list of dates for the coming term.  These are mostly tentative and we will provide updates of any changes and also additions over the coming weeks.

 Christmas is usually the school’s best opportunity to raise school funds and in the absence of traditional events; Christmas Craft Fayre, concert etc, we are looking for alternative fundraising opportunities to fundraise.  On 30^th November, St Andrews Day, we are holding our Tartan Day. Pupils are invited to wear tartan in addition to or in place of their uniforms and to take in a donation toward school fund. We are very grateful to the Parent Council who are supporting us financially to provide Christmas parties for all pupils.

Blythswood Appeal

Just a reminder that P3 are organising our Blythswood appeal again this year and the deadline for any donations is this coming Wednesday.  Donations of full boxes or individual items are all gratefully received.

School Meals

There is no change to the current canteen menu.  While the menu often changes in October, this year the existing menu will run until Easter.  A reminder please to go through the choices with your child to ensure that they are choosing something they like and also that adheres to any dietary requirements they may have.  Our school cook is currently off work and it is not always possible to substitute ingredients at the last minute.

Dates for you Diary

3rd November	STEM visits for P5-7 P5 in the morning, upstairs P6 & P7 in the gym pm
9th and 17th November	Flouride Varnishing P1-4
12th November	Three R’s COP26 Walk Pupils are challenged to create a resdesigned/recycled outfit from turning shirts to skirts, trousers to shorts, embelish no longer wanted items, jumpers to tshirts, t-shirts to buffs – the ideas are endless.  (Pinterest is great!)  Children are encouraged to wear these to school and we will do a village walk, promoting Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to raise awareness of the Climate Conference
14th November	Remembrance Parade – Somerled Square Selected P7’s participating
19th November	Children In Need – further information to follow
24th November	Staff will upload photos onto Google Classrooms to give you some glimpses of classroom life, in place of our usual open event
26th November	Each pupil will take home 3 Key Assessment tasks from this term for parents to look at, comment and return, again in place of our open event
26th November	Light Up Portree Event – Pupil Singers involved, further information to follow
30th November	Tartan Day – Pupils to dress up to raise money for school funds
30th November and 1st December	Virtual Parents Night – further information to follow
3rd, 10th and 17th December	Christmas Craft Fridays
10th December	Christmas Jumper Day
20th December	Online Panto  Virtual Dance Festival
22nd December	Last day of term Christmas walk
TBC	Carolling in the Community – a new alternative to our traditional Christmas concert – further information to follow
Christmas Parties	Primary 1     Monday 13th December (pm) Primary 2     Tuesday 14th December (pm) Primary 3     Wednesday 15th December (pm) Primary 4     Thursday 16th December (pm) Primary 5      Friday 17th December (am) Primary 6     Monday 20th December (pm) Primary 7    Tuesday 21st December

Head lice

A reminder to parents as well that pupils should be checked regularly at home for head lice.  We are no longer permitted to share when cases arise but just ask that everyone continue to check as a matter of routine.

Makaton

Our Makaton signs of the week for this week are ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’ and ‘thank you’.

As always, please be in touch with any questions or comments.  We always look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Sara