Welcome back from Mr Thomas

I hope that you all had as wonderful a Christmas as was possible within the restrictions and I wish all of you the happiest of years in 2021.  You already know that the start of this year and the start of this new term will bring us all challenges.  I am sure that you are as disappointed as all of our staff team are that our whole school community will not be returning together on 6th January.  Normality seems further away somehow, but we must continue to pull together as a community so that our children continue to thrive and their learning continues.  We learned a lot, both as staff and as Parents/Carers during the first National Lockdown and this learning curve has given us a great foundation to offer even better provision during this current National Lockdown.  Our children will also be better prepared for what is to come.

Ensuring that we stick to the Lockdown guidance is the best way out of all of this.  I hope all of the information below is helpful to you.  You should read it, because it is relevant to ALL families.

Below this short statement, you will find a link to a letter from Derek Brown, Executive Director of Education and Families within North Lanarkshire.  This is a follow-up letter to the one sent to all parents on 22nd December.  Please read the letter carefully as it lays out the position within North Lanarkshire around who should attend school and what Digital Learning will be available.

I am sure that you all know this, but I would like to reiterate that we (the school staff) are here for you in whatever way possible.  School is open and we will be available for you.  Please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone (01698 522723) or email (enquiries@johnpaul.n-lanark.sch.uk or ht@johnpaul.n-lanark.sch.uk).

If you require support with internet access or digital devices at home, please do get in touch.

This information is an initial reaction to the new announcements and we will be working hard to make sure you are kept up to date and that things are put in place swiftly.

If you think that you fall under a Keyworker Category, you should have completed a form and returned to North Lanarkshire Council who will confirm you eligibility (via text/email) and if your child(ren) should attend school.  Please do this as a matter of urgency.  The link can be found next to the letter from Derek Brown (below).

All previous school procedures remain in place and are more important now than ever.

• All adults should wear a face covering on approach and within the school grounds – even if you arrive in your car and get out for a brief moment.  It is quite acceptable to forget your mask now and then!  We had a number of adults who were simply refusing to wear a face covering last term.  If you do not have one, one will be offered to you at the gate.
• Social distancing should be observed at all times.  Do not gather within the grounds and/or around the school gate.
• No visitors should come to the school without an appointment or without phoning ahead.
• If your child or anyone in your household develops symptoms, they/you should not attend school and should seek a test whilst the whole household isolates.

6th  – 8th January (childcare provision only)

• We will be working together in school to plan and prepare what our Digital Learning offering is for week beginning 11th January and beyond.
• Children who are at home will not have any home learning provided until week beginning 11th.
• Children who are attending school should arrive at their allocated time (8:50am 0r 9am).  They should be collected at their allocated time also.  This may change as the situation changes.
• Children who are attending school should come in their school uniform.
•  Breakfast Club will operate (from 8:15am) and children will be able to order a school lunch.
• Once we know how many children are attending school we can then plan staffing and rotas to ensure children have a Teacher, but that Teachers also have time for Digital Learning and supporting children at home.  In school, your child may not have their own Class Teacher.

Week Beginning 11th January (and beyond)

• Online/Digital Learning will begin for all children who are not attending school.  If your child is at home, please remember that Teachers will also have children in front of them during the school day and therefore they may not be able to get back to you straight away.  It may be that another Teacher gets back to you on their behalf.
• Our plan would be that, regardless of whether children are in school or at home, they will have access to similar tasks.
• We will ensure regular contact online with Teachers.
• We will have an online assembly (TBC) to welcome everyone back and regular assemblies going foward.
• We will notify you all of what our plan is and what support is available to ensure you and your children can access Digital Learning materials.

Click HERE to read the letter from Derek Brown, which was issued today (5th January 2020).

Click HERE to go to the information and form for Keyworkers.  Remember this MUST be completed.  The original information was sent out to all Parents/Carers on 22nd December.  The information clearly states that children should only attend school if no other arrangements can be made and that parents are keyworkers.