Letter to parents 26/6/2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

A group of Principals from our local schools met recently to discuss the implications of the DE publication, ‘Northern Ireland Re-opening School Guidance: New Day’ which was issued on Friday 19th June 2020.

After much discussion and with due regard to the CURRENT guidance, principals reached the following decisions to help us move forward during this time of continued uncertainty. I have shared this information with the school Governors and the Chairperson has agreed that the guidelines below are a guide until further directives are issued from the DE.

• Schools in our area will open on Monday 24th August for an induction week which will focus on helping our pupils settle back into the new school day and to familiarise them with the adapted school environment. Children will attend for part of the week and specific dates and times will be issued in due course.
• Various options for re-opening are being discussed and explored. We will communicate with you our most viable option based on physical capacity, pupil numbers and availability of staff. We as Principals are acutely aware that the situation may change significantly over the summer, if for instance, social distancing requirements are removed altogether, resulting in options being amended and revised.
• Arrangements regarding staggered pupil arrivals and collections may be necessary and details will be communicated to you in due course.
• All parents will be required to remain outside the school buildings, unless specifically requested to enter or an appointment has been arranged.
• Pupils are asked to wear a clean school uniform every day. PE clothes can be worn only in the event of a clean school uniform not being ready for the next school day. Please ensure that your child/ren change out of the school uniform immediately on arrival at home.
• School bags or other items from home should not be brought into school. The only exception to this is a pencil case with items appropriate for your child’s needs (the school can provide these). This will then be kept in school and will be used solely by your own child.
• Packed lunches should be in disposable packaging. Lunch boxes will not be permitted.
• No guidance has yet been issued to schools regarding transport or school meals. Details will follow as soon as they are known.
• Please continue to reinforce the practice of thorough and regular handwashing, appropriate social distancing, along with, ‘Catch it, bin, kill it’. Our school will further reinforce these practices by having clear policy and procedures in place when your child returns.
• We will continue to furnish you with updated information. It is essential that you access and follow school communications, eg. School Web-site, School email, Facebook, Twitter and School Text. Please make this a priority.

Please be aware that this information is subject to change in the light of evolving DE Guidance.
Our sincere hope is for a full return in September if guidance allows, this is what we as a school are aiming for. We will strive to keep you fully informed of any relevant developments and we deeply appreciate your continued support and patience throughout this time.

We look forward to welcoming you back to our school in a safe and ready environment.

Best wishes,

Mrs S. McCafferty