16th March 2020
Dear Parents
Review of Procedures
I am very aware that COVID-19 is at the forefront of everyone’s mind and wish to reassure you that we are following all the necessary guidelines provided by the Public Health Agency and the Department of Education.
We are now going to close the school on Wednesday 18th March to allow teachers to prepare activities for an anticipated closure. These activities will be communicated to you via our school website and texting service. We plan to reopen on Thursday 19th March, unless otherwise directed to do so. Should you as a parent feel the need to keep your child at home while the school is open, this will be respected.
You can help us to reduce the possible spread of the virus:
Visitors to our school will have restricted access from Thursday. All planned educational visits, including the P7 residential, have been cancelled. It has also been decided to suspend all after school activities until further notice.
I would like to assure those parents of children with underlying health conditions or those families with household members with underlying conditions that I fully support you withdrawing your child from school during this very difficult time. Pupils not present in school will be marked absent using Code “O” denoting an absence for “Other Exceptional Circumstances”.
In the meantime, I will communicate any updates from the Education Minister as soon as they are made available to schools.
I thank you for your understanding during these difficult times and, as we approach the feast day of our patron saint, pray that St Patrick will keep you and your family healthy and safe.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Yours sincerely,
Angela O’Prey
Principal