Please see a link below to a Midlothian Statement that has gone onto the council website regarding the decision made by the DFM not to close schools early at the Christmas Break.
Category Archives: Health & Wellbeing
A Message From Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships
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
Letter to Parents – School Contingency Plan
We have been asked to prepare a school contingency plan in the event of a school closure.
The details of our plan are contained within the letter linked below:
A Message From Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships
Parents/Carer NHS Lothian Public Health Letter
Please find a letter for parents and carers prepared by NHS Lothian Public Health.
2020 08 29 – Letter to parents and carers from NHS Lothian Public Health
NHS Lothian Frequently Asked Questions 9th September 2020
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.
Letter to Parents and Carers, Sunday 6th September 2020
Please find a letter to parents and carers below:
Letter to All Parents for Single Confirmed Case of COVID – Rosewell
Parent Letter from Professor Leitch
Professor Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director, has written a letter to parents and carers. Please find a link to this below:
Coronavirus – Jason Leitch Letter on testing and common colds – 31 August 2020
COVID-19: FAQ for Parents and Carers
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.
Midlothian Response to Depute First Minister’s Statement 23rd June 2020
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.