Dear Parents
I hope you have all enjoyed the extended Halloween break and managed to get the batteries recharged. It has been a break with a difference for some in our school community with a number of staff and pupils having to self isolate due to COVID-19. Thankfully everyone is making a good recovery. We are looking forward to welcoming the children back to school tomorrow. Teachers as always, are busy planning for lots of learning and fun to take place between now and Christmas. Sadly, due to current restrictions we will be unable to have our Christmas concerts this year but we look forward with hope to celebrating in many different ways in school.
As school reopens tomorrow I urge all parents to once again read the attached guidance provided by PHA in relation to children attending school. If your child displays any of the symptoms related to COVID-19 PLEASE DO NOT SEND HIM /HER INTO SCHOOL. If they feel generally unwell then it is unlikely that they will be up to learning in school and should therefore remain at home. If a member of your household has COVID-19 symptoms and is awaiting test results, please keep your child /ren at home until test result has been received. PHA will then advise on the next steps for your family.
You may have heard Mr Peter Weir, Minister for Education speaking on the news this week in relation to dropping off and collecting children at school. I urge parents to wear face coverings at drop off and collection times and to maintain the 2m social distance where possible. We all need to continue to do the very best we can to keep everyone in our community safe and well in the days and weeks ahead.
The Department of Education is encouraging primary school children, travelling to school by bus to wear face coverings where possible, during the journey. A pack of 10 masks was provided by DE and distributed for this purpose. Parents will need to discuss this with their children and make a decision on the matter.
Please remember to contact the school immediately in the event that your child is self isolating or has tested positive for COVID-19. School may be required to contact parents of children within a particular ‘bubble’. The school secretary will also require this information to update your child’s attendance record with the relevant attendance codes.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support in these challenging times. It is very much appreciated.
Stay safe and God bless everyone.
Mrs Patricia Mc Master
Principal
SCHOOL TEL NO. 02879643346 or email info@stbrigidsps.maghera.ni.sch.uk
