Dear Parents/Carers,

I would like to begin by thanking you all for your continued patience while the school is partially closed, your dedication to your child’s home learning and most of all for your ongoing support for the school.  This unprecedented, and what I am sure will be a considered momentous period in our lives, has been very demanding but hopefully there will soon be some light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Schools, like yourselves, are eagerly anticipating the Prime Minister’s briefing this coming Sunday which should provide us all with a clearer direction of travel for the coming weeks and months. Education settings across the country are already beginning to consider potential strategies for a gradual increase in pupil numbers, while maintaining the safety of pupils and staff.  Unfortunately we will not be able to proceed with any firm plans until we have additional information and guidance from the Government.  I want to reassure parents that as soon as we know more about how we reopen the school safely, you will be one of the first to know.

 

We have been receiving an increasing number of requests from parents who are Key Workers to provide a place at school for their child(ren).  Throughout the partial closure of Glebelands, we have always ensured that a place has been made available for children of Key Workers and those with an Education Health Care Plan.  As numbers steadily increase, I am requesting that parents let school know a week in advance if your child will be attending school and on which days.  This is most important as it will allow us to ensure that an appropriate number of staff is on site, while ensuring that there is safe social distancing between our staff and pupils. Please contact Mr. Kitchener with your requests.  His email address is mkitchener@glebelands.leicester.sch.uk

 

I would also like to ask all parents to make contact with your child’s teacher if you have not recently done so. It is important for parents and children to continue to communicate with their class teacher so that news can be shared and any questions answered.   All families of the school should by now have received either an email, telephone call or Class Dojo from a member of staff. If you have not been in contact, can I request that you email your child’s teacher by the end of this week. Email addresses can be found on the school website.

 

This coming Friday is a national bank holiday and will celebrate the 75^th anniversary of VE Day. Given the significant reduction in demand for school places, Glebelands will therefore be closing for the day.  I would request that families who are doing anything special at home to celebrate the occasion send me or their class teacher a photo or two.  Under normal circumstances the whole school would have been decked in bunting with a ‘street party’ in the school grounds, children wearing 1940’s costumes and traditional games being enjoyed.  I would like to create a display at school showing what the children have been doing to commemorate the event, and which they can enjoy when they return.  You can email your photos to me directly at llee@glebelands.leicester.sch.uk or Dojo them to your child’s teacher.

 

In the meantime, I wish the whole Glebelands community a safe passage to the easing of the lock-down, when hopefully we too can look back at this difficult time and smile with a sense of victory.

 

Yours sincerely

L. Lee