LPS Newsletter

Well done to everyone for helping to celebrate World Children’s Day last Friday by wearing something blue. The whole school shared what they have been doing this term with their Buddy Class at a special Friday assembly. Each pair of Buddy Classes have been focussing on November’s UNCRC Right of the Month – Article 24: Every child has the right to the best possible health and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing. Pupils spoke about the healthcare facilities they have access to within their local community such as medical practices, dentists, opticians, hospitals and pharmacies.

Some classes had visits from parents and friends of the school who work in these sectors who spoke about what their job entails. Many thanks to all the guest speakers who shared their knowledge with us.

Welcome to Leith PS Miss Kennedy!

A very warm welcome to our new school administrator, Alex Kennedy, who started with us on Monday. Miss Kennedy is getting to grips with the long list of school systems, routines and procedures and is looking forward to supporting our children, staff and families. I know that you will all give her a great Leith welcome.

Bilingual Parent Morning

Thank you very much to all the parents who were able to attend our session on how best to support children who have English as an additional language. Kim and Maide from the EAL service chatted to parents with the help of translators and ably supported by Mrs Moloney and the pupil Equalities group.

Reminders

SICKNESS – If your child has sickness or diarrhoea please remember that they must stay off for 48 hours. A few children have been coming back to school sooner than the recommended 48 hours and have passed on these seasonal viruses to classmates meaning we have had quite a few children absent recently with similar symptoms.
LUNCHES – Please remember to order your child’s lunches the Wednesday before the commencing week. If you order after Wednesday, your child will only receive a baked potato that week as the food is made to order.
FRIDAYS – Please remember that Fridays are a mandatory part of the school week. A Friday equates to 11% of the school week and is 3/4 of a full day. If your child is absent on a Friday, they miss vital parts of the curriculum including numeracy and literacy lessons. We no longer have Friday assembly or Golden Time so each Friday contains key parts of your child’s learning. Regular Friday absences will result in your child falling behind in their learning and may lead to a referral to the Educational Welfare Service. Every day counts so please ensure you child attends every day including Fridays.
UNIFORM – All pupils should wear their school sweatshirt/hoodie/colours every day. A few children have been turning up in tracksuits citing PE lessons as the reason. Children are permitted to wear tracksuit bottoms if doing gym but should still wear their school sweatshirt/hoodie to school. Pupils are given the opportunity to change for PE which they should have two or three times per week. Pupils are expected to wear their school jumper five days a week. Thanks for your support with this.

Christmas Plans

Here are some key dates for your diaries for next month in the lead up to Christmas.

Thu 8^th December – P4 – P7 trip to the Lyceum to see A Christmas Carol – FREE this year thanks to your votes for free trips using the KPE4 funding and funding from LPPC. [P1-P3 will enjoy a free trip to the theatre in the spring]
Tue 13^th December – Christmas parties in classrooms (PM) Teachers to advise parents next week
Wed 14^th December – Christmas parties in classrooms (PM) Teachers to advise parents next week
Thu 15^th December – Christmas Lunch for pupils. Details on how to order have already been shared. Deadline Wednesday 30th November.
Fri 16^th December – Christmas Jumper Day – wear something festive just for fun.
Friday 16th December – P1, P2 & P3 trip to Leith Academy for pupil Christmas show (AM)
Friday 16th December – Parent Council event with Santa’s Grotto in gym hall – 12.30pm onwards
Mon 19^th December – P1 – P7 trip to St Andrews Parish Church for Christmas Sharing Assembly – 1.45pm – parents and carers welcome
Tue 20^th December – Christmas Movie Day with early finish @1.00pm (note: pupils are having lunch in school before leaving – soup & sandwich)

A Note From Danni, our school Family Support Worker

With the cost of living and energy crisis really taking hold, many families are feeling financially stretched. I wanted to let you know that we offer a Pantry to all those who have child(ren) who attend Leith Primary every Wednesday 2.30pm -3.30pm in the downstairs infant cloakroom – access to this is via the side door at the alley. This is a warm and welcoming place where you pick which food you think your family would like, and we also have some pre loved clothing free to a new home. There are also other supports in the community so please get in touch if you are struggling and we can do our best to help.

I wanted to clarify some supports that are in place at local and national levels. Please note eligibility varies for each support.

Scottish Child Payment: £25 per week per child. This has now been extended to all children under 16. Please check website for eligibility as it is slightly different than usual, for example, you may not be eligible for Free School Meal but will be eligible for the Scottish Child Payment. Applications can be made here – https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment

Scottish Bridging Payment: This will be doubled in December to £260 per child. This benefit is connected to Free School Meals and is an automatic payment. Please be sure you are receiving Free School Meals if you are eligible to receive this payment. Applications and eligibility details for Free School Meals – https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolgrants

Energy Support Scheme: This is a UK wide and every household is eligible. They ways in which you receive your discount depends on whether you are pre-paid, smart meter or monthly. Each provider applies discount different, too. Any questions please contact ChangeWorks – https://www.changeworks.org.uk/

Warm Home Discount Scheme – Each energy provider should offer a discount to those on low income. Each provider has their own criteria and should be available to access and apply for on their website.

Contact Details: 07840258304/Danni@citadelyouthcentre.org.uk

e-Scooters

A recent Police Scotland information sheet has highlighted a marked increase in the popularity of e-Scooters. This information sheet seeks to address some questions regarding the legality of their use in public spaces.

The Department for Transport has issued guidance on the use of “Powered Transporters” (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powered-transporters/information-sheet-guidance-on-powered-transporters)

e-Scooters prohibited in public places

Privately owned e-Scooters cannot legally be used in any public place, including on any footpath or cycle tracks. They can only be used on private land with the consent of the land owner.

The reason for this is because they do not conform to various road traffic laws, including construction and use regulations that motor vehicles are required to adhere to. Additionally, as e-Scooters are classified as motor vehicles they are required to have a policy of insurance.

E-scooter use within school grounds

The City of Edinburgh Council has not provided consent for the use of e-Scooters within school grounds. e-Scooters must not therefore be used within school grounds.

Hazard

Many schools do not permit cycling within the school grounds and will ask cyclists to dismount before entering the site. This is to manage the risk of a cyclist colliding with a pedestrian. A comparable risk exists with e-Scooters, with the potential for them to accelerate quickly placing the operator and user at risk from collision. The fact e-Scooters are quiet and do not present an obvious audible warning also increases this risk.

If a person rides a personal light electric vehicle, e.g. e-Scooter, in a public place then they are committing an offence and could be charged.

Control

Pupils and visitors are advised that E-scooters are not permitted to be used on school sites.