School Update and Home Learning Packs W/C Monday 22nd February 2021

Dear parents/carers,

School update from the Northern Ireland Executive

On Thursday afternoon the Northern Ireland Executive announced that there will be a phased return of pupils to school in March. As yet we have received no official information to school but I am writing to parents to explain my understanding of what is likely to happen based on the news from yesterday, Thursday 18th February 20201.

Primary school pupils in P1 to P3 will return to full-time face-to-face teaching from Monday 8th to Friday 19th March 2021. From Monday 22nd to Friday 26th March 2021 remote learning will resume for all pupils in P1 to P3. The Northern Ireland Executive has stated that this is to enable the return of some pupils in post primary.

Primary 4 to Primary 7 pupils will continue with remote learning until Friday 26th March when the Easter holidays begin. 

Tobermore Primary School have been in favour for a full return for all pupils as the best possible way forward to support the needs of our pupils both academically and emotionally. However, Thursday afternoon's announcement does not mean that all of our pupils will be returning at the one time but it will be gradual return.

The Education Minister said today that his main objective was a full return of all pupils to school as soon as practicably possible after the Easter break, but this had to be balanced against the public health position.

Here is an outline of what is likely to happen over the incoming weeks:

Week beginning Tuesday 22nd February - Friday 26th February

• All pupils learning remotely from home and school is only open for key workers/vulnerable pupils. 

Week beginning Monday 1st March - Friday 5th March

• All pupils learning remotely from home and school is only open for key workers/vulnerable pupils.

Week beginning Monday 8th March - Friday 12th March

• Pupils in Nursery, Primary 1, Primary 2 and Primary 3 in school full-time for face-to-face learning.
• School also open for key workers/vulnerable pupils for children in P4-P7.
• Home Learning Packs fo P4 - P7 can be Collected on Monday 8th or Tuesday 9th March for the next 3 weeks.

Week beginning Monday 15th March - Friday 19th March

• Pupils in Nursery, Primary 1, Primary 2 and Primary 3 in school for full-time face-to-face learning.
• School also open for key workers/vulnerable pupils for children in P4-P7.
• Please note that school is closed for St Patrick's Day on Wednesday 17th March.

Week beginning Monday 22nd March - Friday 26th March

• All pupils learning remotely from home and school is only open for key workers/vulnerable pupils.
• P1 to P3 pupils will be sent home with Home Learning Packs on Friday 19th March.

Easter holidays Monday 29th March - Friday 9th April

• All pupils off school on their Easter holidays and school is closed.

This is far from an ideal situation but we are looking forward to welcoming back our Primary 1 to Primary 3 pupils back to full-time face-to-face teaching on 8th March. I will keep parents and carers informed of any information that is released by the Department of Education and Education Authority.

Work packs ready for collection on Monday 22nd February and Tuesday 23rd Febrary for all pupils from 9.30am - 11:00 am 

**If it does not suit you to collect the work packs on Monday 22nd February you can collect the work pack any day between 9am to 3pm.**

If you have any further questions or I can be of any support, please contact me on icheevers766@c2kni.net 

Yours sincerely,

Mr Cheevers