Dear Parents and Carers,

• Thank you for all you are doing to help arrive and leave safely. I am very pleased to say, we all seem to have settled into a good routine. Footprints have been sprayed on the pavements to help guide social distancing. We shall see if we can find more visible ones to help more.
• The City of Edinburgh Council are asking everyone to drive less, both to allow more space for people to physically distance themselves from others, but also to reduce pollution and improve air quality around schools. Everyone appreciates your cooperation in promoting walking, cycling and scooting instead of driving to school. The council have produced a video to promote this https://edinburghtalksclimate.dialogue-app.com/cycling-a-family-routine
• Lessons on wearing coats have been well received by Primary 2 classes. They have reminded all of us to wear our coats when we are outside. Well done P2!
• PE: In line with national guidelines all PE classes are being taught outside in the playground. The focus for teaching and learning is on promoting health and well-being, with particular reference to the importance of maintaining good levels of fitness for life. A combination of individual type activities alongside small games are also being used in order to help develop children’s personal skills in key areas such as teamwork, confidence building and resilience. We are trying to do all our PE outside, however, this may change when guidance from Scottish Government changes.
• Black Lives Matter: one of our parents has shared this super Guide for Parents and the company have granted permission to share it with you via their website at https://yoopies.co.uk/c/press-releases/blacklivesmatter Thank you to the parents who have offered their help to work on this, I am delighted you can. Information to follow soon.
• Last week I said guidance on absences due to children having a cold would be updated. I emailed a letter from the Scottish Government about this on Monday. In short:

Cold-like Symptoms

• If  your child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and they and you do not need to self-isolate. Your child can go to school if fit to do so. Further information and advice please visit the Parent Club website at: www.parentclub.scot or www.nhsinform.scot

COVID-19 Symptoms

It is important that all of us continue to be vigilant for the symptoms of COVID-19 and understand what actions we should take if someone develops them, either at school or at home.

The main symptoms to be aware of are:

• new continuous cough
• fever/high temperature
• loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste

If there is anything I, or another member of the school team, can do to help please let us know via admin@bruntsfield.edin.sch.uk

Kind regards,

Carol Kyle