Dear Parents,
Just in case someone missed the email that went out concerning the Coronavirus, please read below for the important information.
CURRENT SITUATION
A pandemic plan for all WA schools is in place and is being updated by senior CEWA staff in consultation with the Department of Education (DoE) and Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA). The Prime Minister has introduced measures placed on international arrivals into Australia. This means a mandatory 14-day self-isolation requirement has been placed on all international arrivals into Australia effective from 9pm (WST) on Sunday 15 March. From today, Western Australian schools are required to introduce new precautionary measures. As with all Australian travellers, students and staff who return from international travel must selfisolate for 14 days. This includes all parents, contractors and school visitors. Ideally, students or staff members in the same house as a person self-isolating should make alternative residential arrangements to mitigate any possible spread of the virus. If this is not possible, staff and students residing in the same residence as a self-isolating person MUST ensure they do not have any contact with the individual. Our community/society is reliant on the honesty and commonsense of each individual family in preventing the spread of coronavirus.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
The Chief Health Officer for Western Australia, Dr Andrew Robertson, has clarified that the basis on which he would direct closure of a school would be a positive COVID-19 test result in a school. The education sector in Western Australia is working collaboratively to respond to advice provided by the WA Department of Health. There is agreement nationally and at a state level that there is no need to close schools as a pre-emptive measure at this point.
STAFF AND STUDENT HEALTH IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY
The current focus is on minimising and preventing transmission and making sure that our school system is prepared for a possible case. Whilst we will not be immune – we will be well prepared. To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID -19 in WA schools. If there is a confirmed case, the Chief Health Officer will provide advice on temporary school closure while an assessment and tracing of exposure is conducted. A thorough clean would be carried out to make the school safe for the return of students and staff.
LARGE GATHERINGS
As you would be aware, the Australian Government has announced that all organised, nonessential gatherings attended by more than 500 people must be cancelled from Monday 16 March 2020. As a result of the above information,
Our school will not be holding assemblies for the remainder of term one.
Year 4-6 students will not be participating in the interschool swimming sports in Bunbury.
It is important to acknowledge that it can be normal to feel worried or anxious about this situation, parents and children alike. If your children are worried about this virus, you can help them by providing reassurance and perspective. Also remember that speaking with them about increased hand-washing, covering their mouth when coughing, sneezing into their elbow and general good hygiene practices will help them feel empowered in this time.
Our school has formulated a Response Plan to deal with further developments in the COVID-19 Coronavirus situation in Western Australia. If there are school closures, educational programs will continue to be provided, and you will receive further information about this.
If you would like to talk to your children about the virus, here are some useful resources: - How to talk to your kids about coronavirus https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/how-talk-your-kids-about-coronavirus-ease-their-fears-ncna1129851
- This is a comic for children explaining the coronavirus https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus
- A 4-minute animated clip for children on coronavirus https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/
For the latest information on the virus, preventative measures, or what to do if you or your child become sick, please visit: https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus
Finally, we would like to reinforce a few very important points.
· If you or your child are sick, please do not come into school.
· If your child has a pre-existing health condition it is totally up to you whether your child attends school.
· If you have been overseas recently, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
· Reinforce with your child the importance of washing their hands.
In Kindy we are:
- Encouraging washing or hand sanitizing hands when children enter Kindy for for the day.
- Reinforcing good hygiene practices- before eating times and after play sessions. - The children are learning to count to 15 or sing a simple song such as the alphabet song before rinsing the soap off their hands.
- Washing popular toys daily and the bulk of the toys weekly.
- Classroom surfaces have been given extra attention with appropriate cleaning products.
- We always reinforce the ' keep your hands to yourself policy'- it's challenging with the 4 year olds but we are trying to be more vigilant and encourage safe behaviours.
Overall during these times, I don't want to cause panic or fear amongst the children, but I still want to follow the right procedures to make sure Kindy is still a happy and safe place to learn.
Thank you,
Miss Horrocks.
