Teachers start to return
Teachers were welcomed back to schools across South Lanarkshire this week as preparations for the return of pupils began.
A draft recovery plan has been drawn up by the council which is based around safety, wellbeing, physical distancing and hygiene.
Come August and the return of pupils though, things will be a lot different to normal.
Over the next few weeks and before the summer holidays, more children will be allowed to return to school for childcare, similar to that which has been offered to key workers up and down the region.
An initial impact assessment on reopening schools highlighted 34 areas that schools and councils would have to consider as they draw plans together and South Lanarkshire Council’s executive director of education, Tony Mcdaid, explained what that will mean for the school community here.
He said:“since the First Minister announced the intention to‘re-start school education for almost all children and young people in August,’we have been working to help staff prepare for a phased and limited return over June as we prepare for what will be a new model of learning in August.
“We are engaging with the professional associations and trade unions, facility services, NHS Public Health, head teachers, staff, elected members, parent groups and children and young people to help prepare the way forward.
“This week sees the first of our phased return for staff with a small number of senior management teams in school.
“During the week beginning June 8, staff are returning, where appropriate, on phased basis on a rota system to support the re-start in August.
“Guidance on a phased return to school has been issued to support school staff in relation to preparing for a safe return with risk assessment, safe systems of work and on what daily cleaning regimes are in place.
“There continue to be many questions that require answering but we are working together to find solutions for the safe return of staff, children and young people to school in August, based on national scientific and medical advice.”