Dear Parents,
We have been asked to bring to your attention an update from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education and Skills (DES). Please click on the link below to view the letter dated 10 March 2020 from the Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, Dr Tony Holohan which has been circulated to all schools. Parents, staff and students are asked to note the following:
- decisions regarding responses to Covid-19 should be proportionate, necessary and based on specific public health advice. No other response is appropriate.
- the school will be contacted by the HSE if there is any action to be taken in relation to our school or our students. The school should not take unilateral action.
- please follow the HSE.ie website for accurate and informative information regarding Covid-19
CMO Letter to Schools 10 March 2020
Please see also supporting letter from the Secretary General at the Department of Education and Skills Sean O Foghlu:
DES Secretary General Letter 10 March 2020
Please note that updated guidance has issued on talking to children and young people about Covid 19. You can access and download this guidance in both Irish and English from the Department of Education and Skills website below under the heading ‘Talking to children and young people about Covid-19’.
The Department of Education and Skills would also like to direct your attention to a child-friendly interview that Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn did with RTÉ’s news2day programme last week, that may also be a useful resource when talking about Covid-19 with children and students.
https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0306/1120692-news2day-coronavirus/
The HSE and DES are liaising continuously and GCC will follow the most up to date and appropriate advice that these bodies provide. We will continue to update parents, staff and students through our school website and by text. Thank you as always for your continued support of and cooperation with our school.
GCC Senior Management