Wishing you all a happy new year and hoping that 2022 will be a good year for our whole school community. We would also like to send a message of support to those of you who have faced loss, illness and disappointment over the holidays.
We are still facing many challenges due to the pandemic but the Christmas spirit was alive and well in Lucan CC as we approached the holidays and we have every confidence that the respectful, supportive and caring atmosphere that we value so much, will continue to blossom in our school in the year ahead.
Our school will re-open on Thursday 6th January 2022 from 8.50am. Please arrive on time and ready for all of your classes.
Students displaying any Covid-19 related symptoms should not attend school. Parents should communicate absences through the front office as usual. Email: admin@lucancc.ie Phone: 016282077
Students are advised to gradually return books to their lockers, rather than try to bring in everything tomorrow – teachers are aware of this. The canteen will be open as usual. Individual teachers will advise about the running of extra-curricular activities but it is unlikely that any will restart until next week at the earliest. Our house-keeping team have been busy this week getting the school ready for reopening.
A reminder of our Covid protocols:
- Wear a mask covering mouth and nose – students MUST have their own supply of suitable masks.
- Despite the heat being on, with doors and windows open, it is cold in many rooms – we advise students to dress warmly in full uniform, with layers and school coats;
- Supplies of hand sanitiser and wipes are available in classrooms – please use appropriately;
- Remember to practice distancing in classrooms and all indoor areas, especially if eating during break-times;
- If you are absent from school but feeling well enough to engage with your learning, please check with a classmate and on your Teams class page for work assigned. This will help you to keep up with the coursework as much as possible.
As we anticipate a large number of staff and student absences this month we advise the following:
- Students – keep a book, past exam papers or other independent work in your school bag in case a teacher is absent due to illness and not able to assign work;
- Parents/guardians – we will be doing our utmost to continue with the full timetable for all students and will contact parents if this is no longer possible. Please monitor school messages for ongoing updates. We will follow the guidance from the Department and DDLETB when making any decisions of this nature.
In challenging times such as these, it is most importance that we can operate our school in a safe manner while keeping the wellbeing of our students and staff a priority. We will try to communicate with you as early and as often as possible regarding this continually evolving situation. Thank you for your help and support.
Diane Birnie
Principal
Additional information
In a Memo to all Principals received on 5th January 2022, the Acting HSE National Clinical Director of Health Protection issued the following Return to school guidance from HSE Public Health:
Infection prevention and Control Measures:
1) Before attending school:
Symptoms – Please make sure all staff and families are aware not to attend school if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
Symptom profiles are available here [symptoms] and we advise parents to take a precautionary approach, particularly for children less able to articulate their symptoms, that if a child appears unwell, observe them at home and contact their GP as appropriate.
Close contacts – Please remind all staff and children that if they have been told by the HSE services that they are a close contact of a case of Covid-19, they need to adhere to the advice on the HSE website in relation to restricted movements and testing. Children under 13 years who are household close contacts must restrict their movements for 14 days and they are offered PCR testing at day 0 and day 10. On receipt of a day 10 not-detected PCR test result, they may exit restricted movements.
It is important that anyone who has been identified as a close contact, is very aware of COVID-19 symptoms, and isolate and undergo testing should they develop any symptoms.
2) Re-enforcing general public health messages
In addition to ensuring that staff and children do not attend school if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 infection, please ensure all staff and children are reminded of the importance of abiding by the national public health measures currently in place at all times e.g. vaccination (including boosters), social distancing, use of face masks, hand hygiene, ventilation and minimising social contacts.
