COVID 19 (Corona Virus) UPDATE

It is disheartening to have to open the newsletter with explaining the changes to routines and activities that have been by the Corona Virus at OLV. Our community involvement and support is what makes our school such a wonderful place.

Let me begin by explaining that the risk of catching the virus is minimal but should be treated seriously. Our school and schools systems are responding to the expert advice of the medical and education officers of the Federal and State governments.

One of the recommendations is to limit the contact with each other - social distancing. It is recommended that we keep our distance and reduce the physical interaction with each other, so no hand shaking or morning hugs for your friends -- foot or elbow bumps instead, please. 

The aim is to reduce the speed and affect of the growing spread of the virus amongst the community. With this in mind it is with sadness that the following changes to our activities need to be made.

The following planned activities will be cancelled or put on hold till after the Easter holidays (when a new assessment of the situation will be made):

• Monday morning Liturgies
• Friday Assemblies
• Friday Stations of the Cross
• ANZAC Liturgy (April 8)
• Yr 3 & Yr 4 Stations of the Cross (April 6)
• P&F Meeting (March 23)
• School Cross Country (April 8)
• Easter Parade ( April 9)
• 1-2-3 Magic Parenting Program (March 24 & 31, April 7)
• Diocesan & Polding sports trials
• Visits to AVEO

The other important recommendation is to heighten our awareness of personal hygiene. To this aim we have done the following:

• placed posters in each class and around the school to explain the best method to wash hands and what to do when coughing or sneezing;
• ordered replacement  timed "knobs" to replace the difficult to manage cam action taps in the children's toilets;
• provided each class and office with hand sanitiser for regular use;
• increase and targeted cleaning services
• encourage and practise "social distancing"

We are considering the risk of volunteers and outside specialists being within the school precinct for non-essential interaction. This might affect our lunch time dancing, our music tutor and NDIS specialists who service the school. 

It is also recommended and strongly insisted, that if children or parents feel sick in any way, they should stay at home.

The Catholic Schools Office is posting an "UPDATE" each day at 4:00pm on their Homepage. It is highly recommended that parents visit this page for the latest news and how it affects our school community. The link is:

https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/

Our teachers will be using the some of te following resources to describe the virus to thir students. Youo might like to share them as well. They might help allay some of the anxieties your children may have.

With everyone's cooperation we will be able to manage the spread of the virus.

Good luck in the shops :)

SCHOOL CLOSURE

Yesterday, all principals and CSO Executive staff of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan schools particiaptied in a video link conference regarding the implications of the Corona Virus. The main message was that Catholic Schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese will remain open till the Easter break unless things change dramatically. We will be given advice closer to Easter about what the situation will be after the break. But, at this point in time, school will resume after the holidays on Monday, 27 April 

CHLDREN'S UNIVERSITY

We had a wonderful response by families that are interested in having their children explore the endless learning opportunities that children experience outside the school day. Whilst unfortunately, the Newcastle University representative is unable to present children with their passports personally (due to the restrictions of the virus), all those that expressed interest will receive their "Learning Passports" on Thursday 26 March at lunchtime.

1-2-3 MAGIC

As mentioned above we have had to postpone this parenting program being offered by the Family Action Group. It will not run here at school this term. After the holidays we will assess if and when it can be provided. Apologies.

SELF ISOLATING

One of the recommendations to counter the spread of the C19 virus is to SELF ISOLATE if you suspect or are showing signs of illness. Some parents have decided to do this already due to the risk categories they might be in - immunosuppressed, diabetic, heart conditions etc. Teachers are planning to develop work programs to provide some focus for learning activities which children can do at home. If you do decide to SELF ISOLATE please call the office if you require some work to be sent home. You must however send a note to the school explaing your reasons for self-isolating, especially if you do not fall within th eguidelenes of travel or contact with infected people.

Here is an example of how children might spend their day in self-isolation:

SUCCESSFUL FOUNDATIONS

As you are aware, our Kindergarten child have been participating in  the Successful Foundations program during the first 5 weeks of the term. The researchers behind this program would like to hear our Kinder parents' opinions of it.
 
Please find a Survey Monkey link from our Education Officer-Early Learning, Kim Moroney; Dr Cathie Harrison and Project Officer-Early Learning, Bridie Stanger; inviting you to complete a survey about your child’s  involvement in the Successful Foundations Action Research Project.
 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VCT68DY
 
Thank you in advance for completing the survey by Friday 20th March 2020.We look forward to hearing your feedback regarding Successful Foundations.