School Closures Due to COVID-19

Dear Parents,

Our Board of Governors have issued the following urgent letter:

St. Mary’s P.S. Altinure

70 Monadore Road

Park, Claudy, Co. Derry

BT47 4DP

Principal: Mrs Mary Redmond                                                                

16^th March 2020 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

SCHOOL CLOSURE

As you are aware, Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th and Friday 20th March are due to be normal teaching days. However, in-light of ongoing health concerns, we have made the decision to change these days to staff development days.

On these days, children will stay at home while our staff will be making preparations for remote learning, in the event of our school closing due to COVID - 19/ Coronavirus. 

While closure of schools is imminent and following the recent statements by the Archbishop Eamon Martin, the First and Deputy First Ministers and the INTO (teacher’s union), our teachers and classroom assistants have been working diligently to prepare learning materials for our children. We will continue to work on these learning packs and plan for and trial remote teaching and learning strategies over the next few days. 

We are conscious this decision has been made at very short notice and we apologise wholeheartedly for this and any inconvenience caused to you. We know you will appreciate that this is an unprecedented and critical situation for us all. It is our aim to keep the health and well-being of our children, staff, families and local community at the forefront of all our decisions and actions as we attempt to navigate these uncharted times. 

We take this opportunity to remind everyone that social distancing is now the most sensible and responsible way to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Even though your child or you may not be showing any signs/ symptoms, you may still be carrying the virus and risk infecting others including those more vulnerable than you. If you have any concerns, please access the most up to date advice on the Public Health Agencies Website https://www.publichealth.hscni.net 

As a Catholic school, we encourage you to follow the guidance of Pope Francis and pray for those who are ill, for medical staff, for decision makers and for those who are working to guarantee public services. We pray that everyone in our entire community remains safe over the following days. 

We will keep you updated using the school texting service, the school website and the Parents Association Facebook page. An update will be issued on Friday 20^th March.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Roisin McInroy Chair of Governors                  Mrs Mary Redmond   Principal