Information for Parents – Update

Information for parents – an update (13th April 2020):

Many of you will have seen differing reports in the media about when and how schools will re–open once we move from Alert Level 4 to other levels. I would like to add some clarification – my understandings.

The main points:

1. No decision has been made yet about when schools will re–open. This decision will be made based on data about the spread of Covid-19 and how we are tracking in terms of stamping it out. It is unlikely that a decision will be made by the government before 20th April.

2. The very earliest schools would open would be 29th April. And this would likely only be SOME schools, some students and probably not all.

3. The Ministry (and us) are preparing for several possible scenarios – opening only for staff, opening for essential workers’ children, opening in shifts so that children can stay 2 metres apart, opening for just senior students, a combination of distance and on-site learning, staggered opening, not opening for a number of weeks etc. We want to be prepared for whatever the decision is once the informationbecomes clear.

4. There will be ample notice before schools open. They will not be closed one day and open the next. We will be given ample time to ensure that the school has a deep-clean, that our planning for the term is completed and that we put in place any Health and Safety regulations.

5. The Ministry has been VERY clear that we will NOT be moving out of Alert Level 4 early.

6. Chris Hipkins (Minister of Education) this week, is working on guidelines for what Alert Level 3 could look like for schools. We look forward to his guidance on this matter.

7. I have applied to the Ministry for 67 laptops for students in need of these and also for hard copy learning packs to be couriered to them if they do not have a device they can use. My concern is very much I believe (and have believed this from Day 1 of the Lockdown) it is unlikely primary students in Nelson will receive a laptop to use during the Lockdown. The main reason is, as reported in the Otago Daily Times yesterday:

“(At present the Ministry of Education) have 17,000 devices. We estimate we need about 145,000, so we do need to prioritise devices as they become available.”

These will be more than likely to be sent to secondary school pupils and lower decile intermediate and primary schools.

If you have any questions, please do let me know – principal@richmondprimary.school.nz

We look forward to reconnecting with you on our first day of Term 2 (if not before), by distance, on Wednesday 15th April (this week).

Regards

Tim Brenton

PRINCIPAL

By admin School News