admin 
It is back to school for thousands of children across the island this morning after the three-week Christmas holiday.
Today marks the start of the Hilary Term which will run for 13 weeks with a two day mid term break scheduled for February 23 and 24.
This is the first time that all students will be attending in-person classes since health officials announced the Covid-19 protocols would be dropped.
Minister of Education, Kay McConney in a Back to School message says her Ministry is ready for a term of renewal.
The new term began Monday with teachers returning to the classroom.
The much-touted National Nutrition Policy for schools along with a Grooming Policy have been introduced this new term, as students return to the classroom following the Christmas break.
That is the word from the Minister McConney.
On the latter, Minister McConney says the Grooming Policy for nursery, primary and secondary schools, updates the previous Code of Discipline and Dress Code which is about 27 years old.
The core values of the Grooming Policy are integrity, personal identity, respect, cultural diversity, courtesy, discipline, gender neutrality and responsibility.
Minister McConney says the two main areas in which her Ministry has received the most inquiries, relate to hair and shoes.
While all schools welcomed back their full body of students, this was not the case for the Ellerslie school.
Ms McConney says work there has been delayed and students are expected back in the classrooms come Monday, January 16.
Ms McConney is calling for cooperation from parents and guardians as this is the first time all students will be attending in-person classes since health officials announced the COVID-19 protocols would be dropped.
The term will end on April 5 for students and April 6 for teachers.
Grace-Anne Smith 
