Dear Parents,
Re: INDEFINITE,FORCED SCHOOL CLOSURE
Next week, Our Lady of the Assumption stops operating as a school and we will become a ‘last resort, emergency childcare’ facility.
We will not be providing an education, just childcare and we will operate between 9.00am and 3.30pm
It is NOT compulsory for children to attend.
Breakfast and after school club will not operate from Friday (today)
As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID 19 virus
The government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend
The fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in education all settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society
Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid 19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home
If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be – our care provision is an absolute last resort!
So far the number of children on our list far exceeds the 10% projected by the Government. Please consider your children, other children and the staff at the school before asking for a place for your child. We already have a reduced staffing structure because of the need to self-isolate or because of underlying health conditions.
Please, therefore, follow these key principles:
1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they MUST be.
2. Parents should do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus.
They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
3. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then school provision will be available for them.
4. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
Please remember, the whole point of the enforced closure, is to reduce the potential spread of the coronavirus, we should not be used for convenience. We will be very strict on this.
Where one parent is not a key worker, please endeavour to make your own arrangements to keep your child safely at home.
If you are working from home, your child MUST stay with you.
If you feel you meet the criteria and feel it is absolutely necessary to take up a childcare place, then please complete the new form which will be sent out/available at the office from lunchtime today. This MUST be completed by 3pm today in order for us to cater appropriately as far as staffing levels for next week.
We will require proof of your ‘key worker’ status, such as a work identification pass / work email / letter from employer which states your job title
NB: If parents do not consider all these aspects very carefully then there is definite possibility that school may not be able to open at all due to inadequate staffing levels. Above all we need to ensure the utmost safety of children who should be here. If we feel that numbers are too great to offer a safe environment then we will have to close and direct to other provision.
In the same way – please do not expect to arrive at the school on Monday able to bring your child without confirmation from us that their place is secured. We do not want anyone to be left in this position.
With my many thanks for your support in such difficult times
M Haggerty
