COVID Update #3 2022
Monday 28th February, 2022
COVID SAFE RESTRICTIONS
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
As you would all be aware, yesterday the community was notified of its first positive case in Year 3B. As a result, the class were identified as close contacts and required to test and isolate for 7 days.
I understand there is much uncertainty around the guidelines and they are changing almost daily but as of the Premier's announcement today, here is a summary of some important points:
DEFINITIONS OF CLOSE CONTACTS IN SCHOOL SETTINGS
- 15min Face-to-face contact without masks between the person who tested positive and another person without a mask.
- More than 2 hours in a small indoor space or classroom environment where masks have been removed by the exposed person and the person who is COVID positive (others wearing masks in this scenario ARE NOT considered close contacts).
- Social close contacts who met the close contact definition (Eg. schoolyard friends with 15min face to face contact while playing or eating).
ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS
- If you are considered a CLOSE CONTACT, you are required to test and isolate.
- It clearly states in the link here from WA Health the requirements of other household members of a close contact.This includes siblings, mum and dad or any other person living in your household.
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/quarantine-isolation
To summarise:
- If there is no interaction with the person who is a close contact from other household members (eg. siblings), then those siblings/other members of the house DO NOT have to isolate.
- If you cannot restrict interaction between the close contact and other household members (eg. young children), then other household members must isolate.
This is a circumstance only parents can navigate. You will have to decide whether isolating the close contact from the rest of the other members in the household is possible. If it is, then siblings and other household members can go about their normal days including school. If it is not possible, then siblings and other household members must test and isolate for the 7 day period.
MASK WEARING
- As of this Thursday 3rd March, ALL children in Year 3-6 are MANDATED to wear masks. Staff will be asking children in these year levels to ensure their mask is worn correctly and appropriately.
- As a school CEWA have provided masks for any children who lose or break them.
- Parents are welcome to have younger children in K-2 wear masks but we also understand this is a difficult task. Our staff will do their best to support your child.
- In essence, this means that children who wear a mask in class correctly and appropriately, will NOT be considered close contacts and do not need to isolate if there is a positive case.
EDUCATIONAL CONTINUITY
- K-3 SeeSaw
- 4-6 Microsoft Teams
- Tomorrow, we will send home iPads for all children in Year 4-6 (in preparation for isolation. iPads to be brought to and from school daily). Learning packs will be sent home for K-2 to supplement the remote platform.
- Attached below is a summary of the current guidelines.
ISOLATION AND EDUCATIONAL CONTINUITY
- Isolation is ONLY required for close contacts as directed by the school or WA Health. Otherwise school remains open.
- Children isolating will access the remote learning platforms.
- The paper copies of learning packs being sent home are ONLY to be used to supplement the SeeSaw and Teams platforms.
- Siblings of close contacts who cannot be separated and also need to isolate can also access the remote platform and work packs.
- School remains open for all other children and the education program is continuing at school. Should parents make the decision to keep their children home, then they will be marked as absent. The learning packs are not designed for these children.
NOTIFYING THE SCHOOL OF SIBLINGS ISOLATING
- If siblings are having to isolate as they have a close contact in their household, please inform mailto:admin@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au and the classroom teacher directly so they can continue the education program via SeeSaw or Teams.
RETURN TO SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS AFTER ISOLATION
- If you are isolating due to being a close contact it is a requirement to return a negative test before returning to school.
- PCR on Day 6 of Isolation or RAT on Day 7.
- Evidence or confirmation of the negative result needs to be provided by parents.
- We have created an online form for this process to occur. A link will be sent to all parents whose children are isolating under direction. Please complete on Day 6 (PCR) or Day 7 (RAT).
If you are isolating due to being COVID+, then a negative test is not required.
The above are the current guidelines and may be subject to change in the near future. Given the rise in cases across the state and country, I am sure this will continue to provide many challenges for us as educators and you as our families and children.
Please download and print out the attachment below and stick it to your fridge!!!! It is a copy of what is written above.
Should you wish to contact me, I am happy to discuss any of the above. Please either phone the office on 9562 9500 or email mailto:jason.baker@cewa.edu.au We will continue to update you with changes via SMS and our social media channels.
Best wishes
Jason Baker
Principal
CONTACT US
Mon-Thur: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 3:30pm
Email: admin@stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stfrancisbutler.wa.edu.au
Location: 1051 Connolly Drive, Butler WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9562 9500
Facebook: facebook.com/stfrancisbutler
ST ANDREW'S CATHOLIC PARISH
Email: pp.clarkson@perthcatholic.com
Website: http://www.standrewsclarkson.com/
Location: 53 Belleville Gardens, Clarkson WA, Australia
Phone: (08) 9407 7512
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standrewsclarkson/