Dear Parents,

As you know there is an ongoing outbreak of a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) internationally and Ireland is affected. Details of affected areas where COVID-19 is circulating in the community are available on HSE.ie. The HSE HPSC is monitoring the situation and updating its website www.hpsc.ie daily.

All schools – including Scoil Chormaic – are being guided by the advice and direction of the HSE via the Department of Education. Any decision regarding school closures will be made by the Department of Education and advised to schools.

At this moment in time there is no directive that schools close and schools are advised to continue as normal – with a high degree of vigilance in terms of our hand washing/hygiene practices and good cough/sneeze hygiene.  

Steps we are taking in Scoil Chormaic:

In an effort to play our part in containing the spread of COVID-19 and to protect our school community, we are taking the following steps:

• The Ceili scheduled for Thursday, March 12th, and the Seachtain na Gaeilge Song Show for Friday, March 13th, will now be rescheduled for a later date.

• The school will restrict participation in events and activities outside the school between now and the Easter holidays.

• Additional cleaning has commenced in the school and additional hand washing and cleaning procedures have been implemented across the school. In addition, the school has purchased hand sanitiser for use by staff, children and all visitors to the office.

• Participation by parent volunteers in the school is being restricted between now and the Easter holidays. Please restrict your visits to the school where possible.

Working at home in the event of a school closure:

We are putting together contingency plans in the event of a sudden school closure. Work packs are being organised and will be sent home with the children in the coming days. Children should complete the work that has been set for them. Direction on the work to be completed will be posted on the school website and parents will be linked to it by text message. More information on this will be sent to parents tomorrow.

Important information in relation to COVID-19:

The HSE website outlines the symptoms and steps to follow if you have been to an affected area or have been in contact with a confirmed case:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

The Department of Education has a number of resources on their website to keep you informed:

https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Announcements/information-for-schools-preschools-and-third-level-institutions-on-the-coronavirus.html#4

The Chief Medical Officer has the following advice to parents of school children:

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/National-Emergencies-Public-Health-Issues/letter-cmo-to-parents-020320.pdf

Information for schools/parents:

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/Advice%20for%20schools%20preschool%20settings%20and%20parents%20V3.pdf

The following videos can be used to go through handwashing steps with your child: