Covid Surge and class closures

***Class closures listed at bottom of this post. Updated last at 17:00

23rd Jan 2022

Dear Parent/ Guardian

Thank you to all parents who reported the positive cases over the weekend and please continue to do so. We had been warned by Health Officials, the EA and the media that a post-Christmas Covid surge was likely to happen and indeed St Francis’ Primary School is right in the eye of the storm right now.

We seem to be experiencing our most challenging period since the start of the pandemic with regards to infection rate.  Only this time it is having an adverse impact on staffing which is directly impacting our ability to keep classes open.

Many classes are reporting to their teachers the results of weekend Lateral Flow Tests. I would encourage children to take a lateral flow before returning to school tomorrow to give the school the best change at keeping transmission manageable.  

Parents can continue to support our school by keeping children who are unwell at home and also keeping children at home if there is a positive case in the house. (I know this is outside the guidance but it would help us in school).

This situation is particularly difficult for the school to manage but I am confident that with the support of our parents, and our very flexible staffing team, we will be back to normal soon.

Many thanks for your support and continued cooperation.

Orla O’Dowd

Principal

Classes closed due to Covid staffing pressures

Rang 1 – Closed Monday 24^th Jan – Wednesday 26^th Jan.  Plan to reopen on Thursday 27^th January.

P4 MMM - Closed Monday 24^th Jan – Wednesday 26^th Jan.  Thursday and Friday plans to be confirmed.

P5 DC - Closed Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th. Hopefully reopen Wednesday 26th but will stay in touch.