Dear Parents and Carers,

Last evening Dr. Melisa Giglio gave an excellent parent webinar on discussing the challenges with change, COVID-related anxiety, and the consequences of COVID on child development. You can access the recording by clicking here.  It is also on the parent portal.  Dr. Melisa Giglio then shared numerous approaches to support our students through these changes.  I highly recommend this webinar for any family adapting to our new situation.

Regards

Andy Thompson

Dear Parents and Carers,

I want to clarify the latest EDB guidance to all schools outlining the removal of all their COVID restrictions and requirements. From Thursday, 16 March I am pleased to clarify the end to:

• Students undertaking daily RAT tests.
• The recording of student's daily temperature.

If your child feels unwell with symptoms such as sore throat and/ or fever, they should not come to school and seek medical attention if necessary.  They should return to school 48 hours after they are symptom free.

If you child is asymptomatic COVID-positive they continue to attend school as normal.

Regards

Andy Thompson

Dear Parents and Carers

What a great occasion Wednesday was to see so many children without masks and to see their smiles and happy faces. The Government has sent a clear message by removing masks entirely - this includes on crowded buses and MTRs - so we have the freedom now to take advantage of resuming previous ways of learning and teaching.  With this, can come some delight but also some worry or lack of confidence from parents and students. Some children feel unsafe without a mask and worry they may still catch COVID or germs. For others they are more comfortable wearing masks, it has become a habit.

Mask wearing has impeded language skills and social skills so we will be working with our students in a supportive and caring manner to help them adjust to this change.  Below I have set out steps we will take and have given suggestions for parents and carers.  
 

Role of Teacher and Students

We want to work with our community to support our students in feeling confident and secure to remove their masks as this will have a positive impact on their education and wellbeing. 

• Speak to the children about personal health and hygiene and ways to avoid the spread of germs. 

• Reinforce that school is cleaned regularly and that this is a safe, friendly environment.

• Encourage the students to come out of their comfort zone and try some mask-off time within the school day - For eg, putting masks under their chins for a little while in the playground or in class when they have discussion time. Small steps!

• Encourage all children during the physical part of PE/games activities to put masks under their chins or take masks off. As the weather gets hotter and more humid, this is essential.

• Encourage children to talk again in small groups and socialise as they eat their lunch.

• Encourage greater mask-off activity in class throughout the transition time. Give praise and encouragement for being brave and independent with personal health and hygiene.

• Choose certain playtimes or lunch times to be mask-free, increasing frequency over the transition weeks.

• Of course, if your child has some mild respiratory symptoms and you would like them to wear a mask for a couple of days for their protection and the protection of others, that is fine and some staff may do the same. This is not a long-term option.

The Role of Parents and Caregivers

• We would encourage you to retrain your child/ren about appropriate health and hygiene practices when sneezing, coughing, blowing noses and washing hands, etc. 

• Reduce the talk about the ‘fear’ of germs or COVID and instil confidence and praise for small steps being taken to be mask-less and enjoy the freedom and joy it brings.

• Please keep children home if they feel sick or are unwell. 

• Give the children your support to follow the steps above as outlined in the student section and praise them for being brave and trying new things.

• Continue to do RAT testing and temperature checking and record these on the APP until we are instructed by the government to cease doing so.

Schools around the world have all adjusted back to normal ways of learning and teaching and I feel we need to as well, for the benefit of our students. This transition will be easy for some and more difficult for others.  We are here to help and support you and are excited to be able to offer the quality face-to-face mask-less experience that your children need and deserve.

I thank you for supporting the return of a mask-less school for your child. It will have such huge benefits, which in my view vastly outweigh the health risk.

As always, please reach out to me if you have any concerns or questions.

Regards

Andy Thompson

Dear Parents and Carers,

As of this morning the Hong Kong Observatory has raised the T1 signal and the T3 signal is scheduled to be raised between 12 pm and 2 pm.  The Hong Kong Observatory further predicts that Severe Tropical Storm Ma-on will be closest tomorrow morning, Thursday 25th August.  Therefore the possibility of a T8 and /or extreme rainfall warning is likely. Please read the school procedures below so you are informed of the school arrangements across possible scenarios: 

What if a thunderstorm warning, the amber rainstorm or the T3 signal is raised before or during school?

School remains open and travel arrangements are unaffected.

What if a red/black rainstorm signal or a Typhoon 8 is hoisted before School?

• School will be closed for the day.
• Parents will be messaged on the parent app and website updated.
• Learning will be shared via an App message to all parents.  Y4 to Y6 students will also receive their learning via their email.  More detailed information to follow if this event occurs .
• If the signal is hoisted during your child’s journey to school we will be able to look after your child until you can collect your child.

What if a T8 signal is to be issued during school hours?

The Hong Kong Observatory may announce that a T8 will be hoisted within 2 hours,  the school will message parents and begin implementing the safe release of students and staff to travel home. 

What if a red/black rainstorm signal is hoisted during school up to 1:45 pm?

For their safety, students will remain in school and lessons will continue as normal. 

If the signal is lowered to amber before 1:45 pm  students will be dismissed as normal.  Please note that we must make a decision to cancel school buses by 1:45 pm at the latest.  

What if a black or red rainstorm signal is still in effect at 1:45 pm?

To keep everybody safe, ESF School policy is that all students will remain at school under our supervision until the red or black rainstorm is lowered to amber.

The immediate thought when an extreme weather warning happens at the end of the day is how and when students can get home. ESF policy states that nobody should travel and students can only be released to their parents or another person with their parents permission, ideally by a whatsapp message, that can be read easily by the school.

Please be assured we fully appreciate the disruption and complications this causes.  We work closely with our bus companies to delay the cancellation of buses.

How will my child get home when the extreme weather warning is lowered after 1:45 pm?

Buses will have been cancelled in this scenario so all collection of students will be by a parent or another person with their parents permission, ideally by a whatsapp message, that can be read easily by the school.

I fully appreciate the challenges inclement weather causes however be reassured that the safety of our students is the number one priority.  We will work with all families within our safety parameters to ensure your child is safe as a result of a severe weather signal raised.

Regards

Andy