School closure: Message to Parents

Dear Parents and Guardians, 
We are in unprecedented times. The announcement to close the schools at such short notice came as a shock to all of us. I know that the teachers and LInda the Home School Liaison Teacher has have been  working hard to give you guidelines on how to work with your children over the next couple of weeks. Take things easy and slowly. Don't try to tackle everything all at once. Remember that the children were due to be on holidays on Monday and Tuesday of next week in any event so 'school work' can begin in earnest on Wednesday. Use the time to read and play board games with your children. Try to enjoy it. Let them help you make the dinner and maybe learn to cook and bake a cake. They might even do a bit of hoovering!!!
The main point of all of this is that you and your family remain safe during this difficult time. We are greatly  reassured that the children will get through this with out too much difficulty. Young children are vectors not victims. Even if they do get the CoVid 19, their symptoms are generally very mild. But we know that they can transmit to each other and to their loved ones, who might be vulnerable to a more serious reaction. Closing the schools is a really serious measure taken by the government, because of the possible consequences  of the pandemic. In order for this measure to be effective, it is really important that the children are not mixing with each other. It is a time for social distancing.. Avoid situations where the children will be playing together or interacting. They will want to be with their friends. This is not the time to allow for that to happen. What parents do now in the community by keeping their children apart from other children will be critical in slowing down the spread of this virus. 
It is very important that as parents you support this measure  and continue to ensure that the children follow the hygiene rules of the HSE.  
Best of luck over the next couple of weeks . We will be in touch. 
Email me at [email protected] if you have any concerns or I can help you or your family in any way 
This too shall pass! 

Colette ​