March 26th 2020

Dear Parents / Guardians,

As announced on Tuesday by the Taoiseach, schools will not be re-opening next week. We will remain closed until April 20th at the earliest. This is difficult news for the pupils, their families and the school staff, but it is necessary to help contain the spread of Coronavirus. We will do our best as a school to stay in touch with the school community and help the pupils continue on their learning journey. In my previous letters I had included some information on educational sites that are available and allow free access during this period of closures and our plans going forward if the closures are extended. If at any point you would like to get in touch, please do not hesitate to email info@ccbs.ie

I hope that you and your families, neighbours and friends are all well.

I am acutely aware that our student population may be faced with their own personal challenges as the days and weeks pass. Some homes have met with unemployment, a reduction in household income, increased anxieties, newly structured childcare arrangements, lack of contact with loved ones, sickness and uncertainty as well as having family members providing acute care at the front line. It is a very challenging time for us all.

Teachers will continue to engage and prepare work. I know that distance learning may not be a solution for everyone as it requires a device such as a laptop or tablet and access to internet and this may be difficult for some families. However, we can all only do our best in these circumstances and once the children are keeping well physically and mentally, the school work is secondary. Learning can happen in a variety of settings and in many different ways. I can appreciate that you may be feeling overwhelmed right now, struggling with “expectations”. Please do not feel under pressure, all you can do is your best, we are all doing our best.

We hope you all keep well and we look forward to being back together as a school community as soon as it is safe to do so.

Le gach dea-ghuí,

Cora Fagan