Dingwall parents of school pupils urged to play part stopping spread of Covid-19

PARENTS of pupils at a Ross-shire school are being asked to play their part reducing the risk of coronavirus transmission by socially distancing at the school gate and considering whether they need to be there in the first place.

Dingwall Primary School says the community can an important role to help stop the spread by considering whether they need to drop children off at the school gates.

In a letter to parents, head teacher Kevin Raistrick said: "Obviously it is not sensible for nursery and Primary 1 children to be dropped off in the street, but please consider whether you need to come into the playground to drop off or collect your older children. If you are happy to let them walk at least part of the way, then it limits your interaction with other adults. If you do need to come into the playground, then please continue to socially distance."

The school asks parents of any child showing any Covid-19 symptoms not to send them to school. Symptoms include a high temperature, a new persistent cough and losing the sense of taste or smell.

Anyone with these symptoms is asked to contact the NHS to arrange to be tested by phoning 0800 0282816 or going to www.nhsinform.scot.

Mr Raistrick said that while so much has changed at school, other fundamentals have remained the same: "Your children still come to school to learn and play and socialise with their friends.

"We have all taken many steps on a journey since lockdown began in March, and with each easing of restrictions we all feel a mixture of relief and nervousness. Coming back to school is just the same. The children have feelings of happiness mixed with some anxiety and as adults we all feel just the same.

"As a school we are doing everything we can to make your child’s return a happy and positive experience as well as working within the guidance to keep us all as safe as can be. Thank you for supporting us with the phased return on Wednesday and Thursday. I am very glad that we decided to take this approach as it has clearly enabled the children to have a more relaxed and less anxious return to school."

Challenges include the inability to hold assemblies or PE indoors – a growing concern with the approach of winter. There is also a major restriction on having any external visitors into the school, "and for the next while this may mean a change in some of the usual experiences we are able to offer your children".

He told parents that one of the biggest impacts is the requirement for all staff to leave the building by 3.30pm which affects classroom preparation and holding meetings. He said: "Due to the hard-working and committed nature of all our teachers, I am hoping that this is not something that will directly impact on your children."

More coronavirus news from Ross-shire

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.