Holy Family Senior School in Portlaoise is to shut its doors today and will not reopen until January 6 2021 due to Covid-19 cases.
In a message sent to parents this afternoon, principal Roisin Brennan and Deputy Principal Dermot O’Connor informed them of the move that will impact students from third class upwards.
Holy Family Junior School, which caters for children from junior infants to second class, have confirmed that they will remain open.
They told them that she had been informed by ‘Public Health’ that the safest way to protect the whole school community is to close.
Online learning will kick into action from Monday and that will be in effect until December 22 – the day the Christmas holidays are to begin.
It is not known how many cases are in the school at present, but the decision to move learning online is described as a proactive rather than reactive measure.
The decision has been made on the direction of public health officials which left the Board of Management and principal with no other alternative.
Principal Brennan and Deputy Principal O’Connor said: “We have been informed by Public Health that, learning from other cases, it has been decided that the safest way to protect our whole school community is to close the school as and from this evening and reopen on January 6th as planned.
“A more detailed letter from Public Health will be sent later today or in the morning.
“Public Health say this measure is proactive and not reactive.
“For next week our remote learning plan will be in operation.
“While we are disappointed not to be spending the run up to Christmas with our pupils we must adhere to the advise of the Public Health doctors.
“Our priority always is to do everything possible to keep others safe and well.
“Kind regards, Ms. Róisín Brennan/Mr. Dermot O’Connor.”
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