Corona Virus Update Fri 20th Mar 2020

In a letter tonight from the Permanent Secretary of Education, Derek Baker, schools will be open on Monday 23rd March from 9am - 3pm for children of key workers and vulnerable children. It is important to stress that this provision is a last option when all other avenues for childcare have been exhausted. We need to minimise the number of children coming into school to keep risk to a minimum.

At Killylea Primary School, we will be open on Monday 23rd March and will operate Breakfast Club from 8am [£1.25 per day]. School will open at 8.40am as normal and will close for all pupils at 3pm. We have been advised that a school meal will be available on Monday but will be informed then what the arrangements are going forward. 

We are being asked to provide a "supervised learning environment". What this actually means is unclear and it may take some time for routines to be put in place once further guidance is received. Teaching staff are already committed to providing online support to pupils and parents on a daily basis.

We need to take into account the availability of staff in the event of staff becoming ill or having childcare arrangements.  It may also be the case that pupils may be asked to attend neighbouring schools if numbers exceed provision or compromise PHA guidance.

This is a challenging time but staff are committed to supporting key workers as best as we can.

Please follow PHA guidelines so that a child is not being sent into school if feeling unwell and risking the health of other pupils and staff.

Also if you are a key worker working shifts and you are at home then your child should be at home too. It is not expected that all key worker children will be attending school every day or necessarily for whole days.

PLEASE EMAIL PRINCIPAL BY 4PM SATURDAY TO ALLOW FOR PLANNING. WE WILL NEED YOUR NAME, ROLE, NAME OF CHILD[REN], IF FREE SCHOOL MEALS, DAYS AND TIMES ATTENDING.