Dear Parents 23 March 2020
RE: Coronavirus – Key Workers
I write to you regarding the ongoing confusion and developments in relation to the Coronavirus and the provision for ‘Key Workers’. All schools are now closed as we know but the Department of Education has instructed that schools reopen to facilitate care arrangements for the children of ‘Key Workers’.
As a school we are keen to show our unreserved support for the ongoing challenge our healthcare services are currently facing. We realise we have a vital role to play in providing support for our community.
However, with the lack of clarity and without a detailed operational plan and appropriate protective measures in place we feel we cannot safely provide care arrangements for the children of ‘Key Workers’ by Monday 23rd March.
All local principals have agreed this, having met on Friday 20th. We are currently working together to put safe and supportive measures in place for everyone. It is a huge ask to be informed on Friday and expected to be operational on Monday morning under such difficult circumstances.
We need time to undertake a risk assessment in our school to ensure we are complying with the Public Health Authority guidance relating to Personal Protective Equipment and Social Distancing. We will also need to contact parents/guardians to find out who is a ‘Key Worker’ and with no other childcare options.
We will take time to follow DE/CCMS/EA guidance and initiate a plan, which may involve working with other local schools, to facilitate a very limited number of places which will be guided by the number of staff available. Such places will be strictly for the children of ‘Key Workers’ who have no other childcare options.
The guidance released to schools on Friday evening states, ‘the Executive 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.’
I will keep you fully informed of developments and I will be in touch again as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding at this challenging time.
Best wishes,
Mr Monaghan
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