March 16th 2020
Dear Parent/Carer,
We would like to update you following the latest national advice relating to the illness COVID-19 caused by the virus called coronavirus. Parents and carers are naturally worried about the implications for their children and families. We would like to reassure you that our primary concern is to implement any necessary measures to protect children, staff and visitors in our school. We are in constant communication with our cluster feeder schools, Public Health Wales and the Local Authority regarding the health and safety of pupils in our schools.
In line with tonight’s guidance regarding social gatherings, we will be cancelling the Easter Eggstravaganza and postponing Pod Pysgodyn’s performance of Joseph. Sports club will be cancelled until further notice.
School Closure
As we continue to follow UK, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales advice, the Council has advised us that all schools should open as normal. The situation is being kept under continuous review and we will advise you immediately if something changes. We are now formulating plans to mitigate the impact of school closure on the continuity of learning for children. Should the school close, we are developing plans to ensure your child will have access to a range of learning activities that you can use at home with your child. This work will continue behind the scenes as the situation across Swansea and Wales remains under review.
Self-isolation
The latest information is that you should immediately self-isolate at home for 14 days if you, or a member of your household, have a recent onset of:
- High temperature and/or
- A new continuous cough
We will authorise any pupils’ absence taken for self-isolation. Your support with this matter is greatly appreciated and absolutely vital. This will protect others in the community while you are potentially infectious. Our understanding is that NHS 111 will give advice regarding the need for testing and possible hospitalisation if the severity of your symptoms worsens during this self-isolation period.
Advice for children
Always
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- Bring to school your own disposable tissues and follow the advice “Catch it! Kill it! Bin it!”
- Bring to school your own water bottle
Never
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- Share any food or drinks with anyone else
Advice for parents and carers
Always
- Speak with your child about good hygiene as above
- Visit the following sites for the latest information
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://gov.wales/coronavirus
https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-educational-settings-guidance
- Update the school about any illness in your family or any concerns you have about contact with the coronavirus
- Stringently follow the guidelines on self-isolation with your children
Never
- Be drawn into speculation or believe false information on social media
Please be reassured that we will do whatever is necessary to protect the interests of our school community and we will keep you updated at each stage. The safety of all our community is our utmost concern at this time and we will support your decisions to take the safest option.
Latest Update from the Local Authority (Received 16.03.20)
We want to reassure residents that, in collaboration with our partners, all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the wellbeing of our communities.
At the moment council services remain open. Following the government announcement today we will be assessing the position and making further detailed announcements tomorrow.
Government guidance is that schools should remain open for the time being. The message to parents is that, as in other areas of Wales, schools will open tomorrow as normal and the position will be kept under continuous review.
Residents and parents are urged to follow the Government’s revised social distancing guidelines and anyone who is experiencing symptoms should continue to follow Public Health Wales advice which can be found here: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
Kind Regards
DECaswell