COVID - 19 Update

Dear Parents

The Staff of Sacred Heart PS. would like to thank you for collecting the learning packs for your children. I personally want to thank all teaching and non-teaching staff for their usual dedication and commitment to your children and the school.  It has been such a difficult week for the whole community. 

As you know the Minister of Education has outlined that schools are closed to pupils from Monday 23^rd March to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and we would all agree this is the only way to keep everyone safe. Last night the Department of Education sent out guidelines on COVID-19 for schools. This can be viewed on the DENI website.

From Monday 23^rd Sacred Heart PS. will be open for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers from 8.40 am – 2.40 pm. for child-care duties rather than teaching duties. The Northern Ireland Executive has asked parents to keep their children at home and schools to remain open for those children who absolutely need it.

The list of key workers are:

• Health and Social Care. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, home carers and staff required to maintain our health and social care sector;
• Education and childcare. This includes pre-school and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who will remain active during the Covid-19 response;
• Public safety and national security. This includes civilians and officers in the police (including key contractors), Fire and Rescue Service, prison service and other national security roles;
• Transport. This will include those keeping air, water, road and rail transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response;
• Utilities and Communication. This includes staff needed for oil, gas, electricity and water (including sewage) and primary industry supplies, to continue during the Covid-19 response, as well as key staff in telecommunications, post and delivery, services and waste disposal;
• Food and other necessary goods. This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution and sale, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (e.g hygiene, medical etc);

If you believe you are in one of these above categories and you do not have any alternative childcare provision, I would ask you to email the two email addresses provided by 3pm Sunday 22^nd March:

emcginn404@c2kni.net

amcelhone621@c2kni.net

It is important that we all follow the guidance from the Public Health Agency and DENI. The safety of the children, your families, staff and their families is paramount in this most challenging and difficult time. If we have any children who are to avail of this, we need to ensure that we comply with Public Health Authority Guidelines and we will be seeking appropriate advice and contacting you.

At this time, let us keep each other in our thoughts and prayers!

Kind regards,

E. McGinn.