Dear Parents, Children and Staff,
I hope you’re enjoying your midterm break and that the sun is shining through wherever you are. I’m pleased to let you know that the Government has this week accepted the recommendations of the NPHET to remove remaining Covid-related restrictions relating to mask-wearing and physical distancing in schools. Importantly for children, this means that from Monday 28th February, children from 3rd to 6th classes will not be required to wear masks in school and will not need to be confined to pods. If members of staff or children wish to continue wearing face masks or coverings, they may of course do so and we will continue to provide masks where needed.
This lifting of remaining restrictions will allow us to begin resuming normal school routines and normal teaching and learning activities – next week we look forward to dressing up for World Book Day on Thursday 3rd (watch out for Fantastic Mr. Fox!) and the exciting visits of story teller Pat Ryan and Irish fantasy author SK Marlay. We also look forward to the beginning of Seachtain na Gaeilge next week in the run up to the national festivities for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th and the bonus public holiday on the 18th, so lots to look forward to!
Continued use of good infection prevention and control measures such as handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and ventilation is advised so we will continue with these measures and I’m assured by the Department of Education that funding for PPE, sanitiser and enhanced cleaning will continue.
Please note that the requirement to stay at home if you have symptoms remains – for children and staff alike – and children who are asymptomatic household contacts should still restrict their movements for 7 full days (or 14 days where it’s not feasible for the positive case to self-isolate). One of the key messages to manage the risks of COVID-19 is to do everything practical to avoid the introduction of COVID-19 into the school. If infection is not introduced it cannot be spread. The HSE will continue to support the provision of antigen tests to primary school children and staff – the Antigen Free phone number is: 1800 110055 or parents may order antigen tests online via www.hse.ie/schooltest. Please continue to let us know in the office where children are testing positive for Covid-19 and we will all remain vigilant for symptoms and can follow up appropriately. I’ve attached the latest isolation guides for your reference or for more see www.hpsc.ie.
Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your patience and cooperation,
Principal Dermot
Isolation quick guide Adults and children from their 13th birthday (2) Isolation quick guide under 13s (1)