Lifting of Restrictions for Schools.
Dear Parents
I have received a Guidance Letter from the Dept. of Education, asking
that school life return to normal. It states that in general, schools
should now resume normal routines and normal teaching and learning activities.
The requirement to stay at home if you have symptoms remains – for students
and staff alike.
Our School will continue to promote good hygiene by hand washing or use of
hand sanitisers.
Mask wearing is no longer a requirement for staff or pupils in school. Staff
and pupils can continue to wear a face covering/masks if they wish to do so.
While the wearing of face masks is no longer a requirement, I would encourage
mask wearing for pupils for the next while as we monitor cases in the
school. Staff and pupils are still testing positive with Covid.
Ventilation of corridors and classrooms is still essential, and Windows will
continue to remain open. Classroom Pods or social distancing will not need to
be established or maintained. School cleaning regimes will continue along with
handwashing and sanitising.
Singing and normal class activities along with extracurricular activities
are allowed to resume.
As part of the transition arrangements the HSE will continue with the
current processes to support the provision of antigen tests to primary schools,
special schools, and childcare settings. The Antigen Free phone number is: 1800
110055 or parents may order antigen tests online via www.hse.ie/schooltest. The
call centre opening hours will be altered slightly and from next week onwards
will be 8:45am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Participation in antigen testing is voluntary, therefore it is not necessary
for parents to share information with the school about whether they have
requested antigen tests, nor to confirm negative antigen tests. Children who
are well should continue to come to school whether they participate in antigen
testing or not.
In school, realise that coming out of restrictions causes anxiety as
entering into them. We will gradually return to normal while trying to keep
everyone safe.
My thanks to you as parents, all for your co-operation and goodwill in
keeping our school safe over what has been a very long and challenging period.
Yours Sincerely,
John Murrell Principal.
