Planning for the reopening of the school is now well underway and we are confident that we will reopen fully and safely later this month. All students will return to school during the week beginning Monday, 31st August. Exact dates for individual year groups will be communicated to you shortly.

The Covid-19 pandemic presents a real challenge for everyone. In the year ahead all members of the school community will have a significant role to play in reducing the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

A range of essential control measures will be implemented to reduce the risk of introduction and the spread of the Covid-19 virus. These measures, which will result in significant changes to school routines, are designed to protect the safety, health and welfare of all members of the school community as far as possible within the school. It is critical therefore that everyone is aware of the control measures and cooperates fully with all health and safety requirements.

Students with symptoms of Covid-19

Students who have symptoms of Covid-19 must not attend school. The student’s GP must be contacted by telephone and HSE guidance on self-isolation must be followed.

The symptoms of Covid-19 are:

• High temperature
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
• Loss of smell, of taste or distortion of taste

Students identified as a contact of a person with Covid-19

Students who have been identified by the HSE as a contact of a person with Covid-19 must not attend school and HSE advice on restriction of movement must be followed.

Students returning from foreign travel

In the remaining weeks of the summer, or at any later stage, it is extremely important that if a student travels to a country that is not on the green list at the time of return to Ireland that the student does not come to school within the 14-day period following her/his return.

Students who may be in a high-risk category

While we are very much looking forward to welcoming all students back, we appreciate that there may be students in high risk categories who feel unable to return. If you believe that your child may be at high risk of serious illness if she/he contracts Covid-19, please inform the school nurses by email at nurses@newparkschool.ie.

We are looking forward to meeting students at the end of the month. We will be in contact again shortly with further detailed information.

Eoin Norton

Principal