Category Archives: Health & Wellbeing

A Message From Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships

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Friday 30 October 2020

 

Dear Parent/Carer

We are delighted our schools are open, allowing children the chance to continue their education and meet up with friends in a safe environment.

We have already seen some changes in the national guidance all schools in Scotland are following, and we will see further change from Monday 2 November.

As you will likely be aware, the Scottish Government is placing each local authority area within new framework Levels from 0 to 4.  At each level, different steps are taken to limit the spread of coronavirus.  This includes some changes in schools.

Midlothian has been placed in Level 3, and as from Monday 2 November, the following changes will apply:

  • all staff and pupils should wear a face covering in classrooms during lessons in the senior phase (S4-6)
  • parents or guardians should discuss with their GP or clinician whether children with the highest clinical risk (shielding) should still attend
  • Face coverings should be worn by parents and other visitors to the school (whether entering the building or otherwise), including parents at drop-off and pick-up

All schools will review the existing measures they have in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus, and remind all pupils of the importance of complying with these measures.

Please help us reduce the risk to all pupils and their families by encouraging your child(ren) to follow all the instructions they are given to maintain their health, safety and wellbeing. Many thanks for your co-operation.

 

Best wishes,

 

Fiona Robertson
Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships

A Message From Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships

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I’m writing to thank parents, carers and pupils who are helping keep local people safe and ultimately saving lives by complying with national coronavirus restrictions. I am sure you will appreciate the significant effort of all of our staff working in schools to do the same. However, I also need to stress we must remain vigilant as local cases of coronavirus are rising. As is the case across other areas in Scotland, this is, in part, because of transmission within local gatherings.
 
We continue to work alongside NHS Public Health and Police Scotland to protect local people.  Please remember the restrictions in place on indoor gatherings in private homes. You should not meet anyone from outside your household inside your home or their home. This ban includes extended family members although you are permitted to provide care or support to a vulnerable person in their home and there are exemptions for childcare and tradespeople doing essential work. The rules on indoor gatherings apply to you and your family, including your young people over the age of 12, so we ask you to help them understand the rules and set an example for them too.
 
Where there are breaches of the legislation, Police Scotland will engage, explain the legislation and encourage compliance and will use enforcement action as a last resort.
 
We know that the overwhelming majority of people of all ages are following the rules and realise not meeting friends and family is hard, particularly on young people. However, to reduce the number of transmissions of the virus  and keep schools open, all of us, young and old, need to do our bit by complying with the rules.
 
Thank you again for you and your family’s continued support.
 
Fiona Robertson
Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships

NHS Lothian Frequently Asked Questions 9th September 2020

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NHS Lothian have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions which bring together some of the questions parents and carers have asked since schools started back following the summer break.

If you have other questions please look at the NHS Inform website or ask at school. We will contact NHS Lothian Health Protection Team if we need help giving you an answer.

COVID-19 FAQs for parents and carers 080920

COVID-19: FAQ for Parents and Carers

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NHS Lothian have prepared a frequently asked questions document for parents and carers about COVID-19.

These Frequently Asked Questions bring together some of the questions parents and carers have asked since schools started back following the summer break.

If you have other questions please look at the NHS Inform website or contact school. The school will contact NHS Lothian Health Protection Team if we need help giving you an answer.

COVID-19 FAQs for parents and carers

Midlothian Response to Depute First Minister’s Statement 23rd June 2020

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RESPONSE TO DEPUTE FIRST MINISTER’S STATEMENT – TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2020

You may be aware that John Swinney, the Depute First Minister has, this afternoon, made a statement in the Scottish Parliament about all children and young people returning to school on 12 August. The Depute First Minister indicated that the Scottish Government’s planning assumption is now to have all pupils returning to schools 12 August, if it is safe to do so. He has also indicated that this will be conditional and dependent upon scientific and health advice. Clearly, our schools are delighted at the prospect of welcoming all of our pupils back to school in August with the knowledge that it is safe to do so.

 Midlothian Council’s local delivery plans to deliver a blended learning model will remain in place as a contingency and essential preparation in case they are needed. We would like to assure you that all Midlothian schools have a robust blended learning plan ready to be implemented should that be the requirement.

We are now urgently considering the implications of this announcement on our plans for August. It is clear that final decisions on a full return will not be confirmed until during the summer holidays. We are awaiting further specific guidance and will be in touch with you again as soon as we can.   We continue to work on the assumption that staff will return to school on the 10 August 2020 and pupils will return on the 12 August 2020.

We appreciate that this is a fast changing situation and you will be keen to know what this means for your child/children. As this change has to be achieved safely, it inevitably remains conditional and dependent upon ongoing scientific and health advice, therefore we are committed to continuing to share information with you as soon as we can, including during the summer holidays.