Dear Parents/Guardians,
Recently, the Minister for Education, Northern Ireland, Peter Weir MLA, made a statement outlining that over the coming days and weeks the impact of the spread of the Covid -19 will be extremely significant for everyone in our community.
The overriding priority is to reduce the spread of the virus. Using social distancing and effective hygiene are the best ways to do this. This is why Churches, Schools, Community and Sporting Organisations are closed.
You also can play your part: limit unnecessary journeys, avoid crowded spaces, practice good hand washing hygiene, spend precious time with your children and keep in contact with your child’s teacher as they endeavour to support you through home packs and online activities as has been previously communicated.
At this time, we are mindful of the additional pressures and expectations on the medical and caring professions. As a Community, we will seek to support front line service workers: doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, etc to enable them to support the most vulnerable people. To that end it is necessary to support identified Key Workers. (See link below to the Northern Ireland Department of Education website, for more information)
We will observe the advice regarding social distancing. Keeping the numbers of children and staff very low and limiting contact between them as much as possible. Whilst open as normal, 9 to 3.00 to facilitate Key Workers, we will not be able to operate anything like a “normal” school day. There will be no school transport and a packed lunch will be required. We already have a significant reduction in staffing and this will probably continue to get worse over time.
It is important that we are made aware of the number of children of Key Workers who will be attending school tomorrow, Monday,23rd March. Please email this evening by 8 pm to the address below, with the following information:
- Parent’s Name
- Names of Children + Classes
- Parent’s Occupation
- Contact Details for all with Parental Responsibility
- Pick up arrangements for home time
I would advise that sending children to school could potentially facilitate the transfer of the virus so only use the service if you would otherwise be dependent on Grandparents or vulnerable adults to look after your children.
I would also ask that all who are designated as “Key Workers” continue to lobby for COVID-19 virus testing to facilitate the management of our response to the virus.
In the interim keep safe and thank you for your continued support in these most challenging times.
P Mc Donnell
https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/list-key-workers