Children in one part of Wales will definitely start next term online.
Powys Council is the first to announce its plans saying pupils will return remotely on January 7 and will only go back to classes in person from January 10, if it is safe.
Meanwhile, a fifth council has announced it is ending face to face term early in response to fears over the new Omicron variant before Christmas.
Conwy Council told parents that today will be the last day in school with a return to remote learning next week - a move which was also adopted by Anglesey, Denbighshire, Wrexham and Ceredigion councils. All those local authorities' term ends on December 22.
Read more Pupils in Wales struggled with online learning during lockdown as study reveals impact on wellbeing
Powys said it will use January 5 and 6 as planning days, as requested by Welsh Government, before pupils start term online from January 7.
Yesterday the Welsh Government told headteachers to delay the start of next term for pupils and use the first two days back for planning, including possible remote teaching.
In a letter to headteachers, Education Minister Jeremy Miles said the two days could be used to organise online learning, although the aim was to have children back in classrooms by January 10 where possible.
Powys Council said: "It has been agreed that Friday, January 7, 2022 will see all schools deliver blended learning to learners but will be open for vulnerable children and children of key/critical workers."
Council education cabinet member Phyl Davies said the pandemic continued to place additional stresses on everyone, particularly parents and carers.
He added: “The spring term will soon be here and it only right that we inform parents and carers what the plans are for when learners return to their education settings after the Christmas holidays.
“It is our intention that all learners will return to their education settings on Monday, January 10, 2022. However, this will be dependent on Coronavirus levels in the New Year so it is important that families do everything that they can to keep themselves and others safe."
Many schools have been struggling with staff and pupils off and a shortage of supply cover. Pupil attendance is down. Anyone testing positive for Covid now will be self isolating on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Headteachers’ leaders and unions have called for tougher safety measures in schools next term.
The Education Minister said the only changes will be asking secondary pupils to test three times rather than twice a week for Covid, the re introduction of staggered start and end times to the school day and masks to be worn in communal areas by secondary pupils, staff and visitors.
January’s GCSEs are still planned to go ahead from January 11.
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