Advice Letter to Parents/Carers from NHS Health Protection Team (Sun 27 Sep)

 Lothian NHS Board

Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

Telephone 0131 536 9000, www.nhslothian.scot

 

Confidential

Advice to All Parents - Positive Case

Date             27 September 2020

Dear Parent/Carer

We recognise that there are ongoing cases identified at the school and would like to provide reassurance that all necessary measures are in place and NHS Lothian Health protection Team is working closely with the school and CEC to remain vigilant and responsive.

A risk assessment has been carried out by Public Health and the school.  Young people and staff who have been in direct contact with the case have been identified and told to self isolate.

The school remains open and if your young person has not been contacted then they should continue to attend school if they remain well.

We urge all parents to ensure that their families are following all of the national guidance to help your community reduce the risk of further cases. Please see advice below on how to stop COVID-19 spreading.

What to do if your young person develops symptoms of COVID-19

−     If your young person develops symptoms of COVID-19 they must not come to school. They should stay at home for at least 10 days from when their symptoms started. Anyone with symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. Find out more on NHS Inform.  

−     All other household members must stay at home for 14 days.

−     The 14-days start from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

−     Household members should not go to work or school. No one should visit your house. No one should leave your house to go to shops, public areas, or use public transport.  See website below for more information.

−     https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-test-and-protect/pages/who-needs-to-self-isolate

−     Staying at home for 14 days will help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Symptoms of COVID 19

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

−     a new continuous cough and/or

−     a high temperature and/or

−     a loss of, or change in, taste or smell (anosmia).

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your young person develops symptoms you can seek advice from NHS Inform.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

·         regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

·         use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

·         wash your hands as soon as you get home

·         cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

·         put used tissues straight in the bin and wash your hands. 

Further Information

Further information is available at:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

Yours sincerely

Dr Duncan McCormick

Consultant in Public Health Medicine

Your Ref      HPT/DMC/fs

Our Ref        Health Protection Team

Enquiries to Health Protection Team

Extension    35420/35422

Direct Line  0131 465 5422/5420

Email health.protection@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk          

Letter to Parents/Carers from R Hunter, Head Teacher (Sun 27 Sep)

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to update you about the positive COVID 19 cases in our school.  I would firstly like to thank everyone for their support and understanding at this time. 

We have reviewed all risk assessments in partnership with Health Protection Lothian we are satisfied with the infection control measures we have in place.  They are in line with Scottish Government guidance and are being carefully followed by all staff.

Unfortunately, the virus is still spreading and we all need to do as much as we can to contain it.  I would like your help to make sure that our young people, unless exempt, take extra care by wearing face coverings and follow all other national guidelines including not visiting other households.  It is very important that young people and adults do not gather in large groups and we are actively discouraging our young people from doing this, especially at lunchtimes and before/after school. 

Please also remember that if you take your child for a test, they should not return to school until a negative result has been confirmed or in the case of a positive test, they should stay at home for at least 10 days from when their symptoms started.

In my time at the school the Gracemount community has always been one that has come together in times of need and working together has never been more important. I want to thank you again for your support and patience.  This is very much a community effort and I am committed to keeping our school community as safe at this challenging time.

Please get in touch if you have any questions, feedback or comments. 

Yours faithfully

Ross Hunter, Head Teacher

COVID-19: Letter to Parents, Carers & Staff from NHS Lothian (21 September 2020)

Lothian NHS Board

Waverley Gate

2-4 Waterloo Place

Edinburgh

EH1 3EG

Telephone 0131 536 9000

www.nhslothian.scot

 

CONFIDENTIAL

To All Parents/Carers and Staff

 

Date          21 September 2020

    

Dear Parent/Carer and Staff,

There has been a small number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 within Gracemount High school.

 

A risk assessment has been carried out by Public Health and the School.  Young people and staff who have been in direct contact with the case have been identified and told to self isolate.

 

The school remains open and if your young person has not been contacted then they should continue to attend school if they remain well.

 

What to do if your young person develops symptoms of COVID-19

 

·       If your young person develops symptoms of COVID-19 they must not come to school. They should stay at home from when their symptoms started, self-isolate, and get tested for COVID-19. Find out more on NHS Inform.  The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

o   a new continuous cough and/or

o   a high temperature and/or

o   a loss of, or change in, taste or smell (anosmia).

 

·        All other household members of your young person (including yourself) must also stay at home and self-isolate as well until the result of the test is received. The household should then follow the advice that will be given with the test result.

 

·         If the test is positive, your young person should remain in self-isolation for at least 10 days from the date their symptoms started, and the rest of the household must remain in self-isolation for the full 14 days from the day when your young person first had symptoms:

 

o   Household members should not go to work or school. No one should visit your house. No one should leave your house to go to shops, public areas, or use public transport.  See website below for more information.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-test-and-protect/pages/who-needs-to-self-isolate/

o   Staying at home for 14 days will help stop the spread of coronavirus

 

o   If someone else in the household goes on to develop symptoms of COVID-19 in this 14 day period, then they should continue to self-isolate and arrange to be tested.

 

·       If your young person’s test is negative, they can come out of isolation and return to school if they are well enough to do so (as per standard school illness policy), and they have not had a fever for 48 hours. The rest of the household can also come out of self-isolation and return to their usual activitives.

 

·       It is important that anyone with one or more of the COVID-19 symptoms gets tested, so that anyone who tests positive knows to continue to stay at home (with their household) and self-isolate. This will help stop the spread of coronavirus.

 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your young person develops symptoms you can seek advice from NHS Inform.

 

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19. Do:

·         regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

·         use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

·         wash your hands as soon as you get home

·         cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

·         put used tissues straight in the bin and wash your hands.

Further Information

For School related Coronavirus FAQs: https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Parents/Schools/Pages/default.aspx

 

For general Coronavirus FAQs and information:

https://www.parentclub.scot/topics/coronavirus/coronavirus-faq?age=0

 

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-1

 

Yours sincerely

Dr Duncan McCormick

Consultant in Public Health Medicine

Your Ref      HPT/DMC/fs

Our Ref        Health Protection Team

Enquiries to Health Protection Team

Extension    35420/35422

Direct Line  0131 465 5422/5420

Email health.protection@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk       

Note: you may have to open links in this document in a new browser window to view them.

COVID-19: Message from Ross Hunter, Head Teacher and NHS Lothian (Mon 21 Sep 2020)

Message from Ross Hunter, Head Teacher and NHS Lothian

 

We are aware of a person in the school who has tested positive for COVID-19. We have been working closely with NHS Lothian Health Protection Team and are following all national guidance.

 

A number of people have now been contacted because they have been in close and sustained contact with the case, and the tracking process is now complete. These contacts will need to self-isolate and appropriate guidance and advice has been given.

 

If you have not been contacted directly to tell you your child is a close contact, your child should attend school as normal.

 

Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures are in place in line with national guidance. The school is safe and remains open.

 

If you have any concerns in the meantime, or if you need to book a COVID-19 test because your child has developed symptoms (high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste) please visit the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot or for non-clinical advice call 0800 028 2816.

 

Please note that a test should only ever be booked if you or your child has these specifics symptoms.

 

Remember to stay at home if anyone in the household has symptoms of COVID-19.

 

For further information you may find this Frequently Asked Questions document useful :

https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Parents/Schools/Pages/default.aspx

 

Best wishes,

Ross Hunter

Note: you may have to open any links in this document in a new window to view them.

Welcome letter to all S1 Parents/Carers

 

17 September 2020

For the attention of all S1 Parents/Carers,

 

I’m delighted to be writing to you as Head Teacher of Gracemount High School and formally welcoming you all to our school community.

 

Gracemount High School is a school I am very proud of. We are a Gold Award Rights Respecting School and we place the rights of all our young people, their families and our staff at the heart of our school. Our approach is simple. We value responsible, respectful and safe behaviour and we expect all young people to be able to demonstrate these behaviours in school and in the wider community.

 

Our S1 pupils are now settling back into to schooling after being out for so long. Understandably, many have found this transition difficult and Mr Whale, Year Head has been working incredibly hard to develop a longer-term strategy to support our S1 cohort. Details of this will follow.

 

Most of our S1 pupils are demonstrating very positive, caring and kind behaviour. We are using Class Charts to record positive behaviours in school. If you haven’t already done so, I would encourage you to sign up. This is an easy and effective way to track behaviour in school.  You should have received sign up details from the school but if you require help, please contact the school office.

 

Unfortunately, there are reports of several S1 pupils causing concerns with their behaviour at lunchtime. There will be an increased staff presence at lunchtime in the community and pupils who are failing to uphold the expectations of the school will be prevented from leaving school grounds and parents will be contacted. Concerns are around littering, anti-social behaviour, and returning late to school.

 

Our school is very proud of the work it does and every person associated with the school contributes to our ethos and reputation. With your support, I am sure we can go from strength to strength and make sure this is a school our community can be proud of.

 

I look forward to getting you know you all over the course of the next six years as your child progresses through our school. Please never hesitate to be in touch. My staff and I are here to help and support in every way we can.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Ross Hunter

Head Teacher

Letter to Parents, Carers and Staff (COVID-19 Cases)

Lothian NHS Board

Waverley Gate

2-4 Waterloo Place

Edinburgh

EH1 3EG

Telephone 0131 536 9000

www.nhslothian.scot

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

To All Parents/Carers and Staff

 

Date             11 September 2020

Your Ref      HPT/RO/fs

Our Ref        Health Protection Team

 

Enquiries to Health Protection Team

Extension    35420/35422

Direct Line  0131 465 5422/5420

Email health.protection@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk          

 

 

Dear Parent/Carer and Staff,

 

 

There has been confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the school.

 

Young people who have been in direct contact with the confirmed cases have been contacted and will be staying at home for 14 days. No staff contacts have been identified.

 

The school remains open and if your young person has not been contacted then they should continue to attend school if they remain well.

 

What to do if your young person develops symptoms of COVID-19

 

·         If your young person develops symptoms of COVID-19 they must not come to school. They should stay at home from when their symptoms started, self-isolate, and get tested for COVID-19. Find out more on NHS Inform.  The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

o   a new continuous cough and/or

o   a high temperature and/or

o   a loss of, or change in, taste or smell (anosmia).

 

·         All other household members of your young person (including yourself) must also stay at home and self-isolate as well until the result of the test is received. The household should then follow the advice that will be given with the test result.

 

·         If the test is positive, your young person should remain in self-isolation for at least 10 days from the date their symptoms started, and the rest of the household must remain in self-isolation for the full 14 days from the day when your young person first had symptoms:

 

o   Household members should not go to work or school. No one should visit your house. No one should leave your house to go to shops, public areas, or use public transport.  See website below for more information.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-test-and-protect/pages/who-needs-to-self-isolate/

o   Staying at home for 14 days will help stop the spread of coronavirus

 

o   If someone else in the household goes on to develop symptoms of COVID-19 in this 14 day period, then they should continue to self-isolate and arrange to be tested.

 

·         If your young person’s test is negative, they can come out of isolation and return to school if they are well enough to do so (as per standard school illness policy), and they have not had a fever for 48 hours. The rest of the household can also come out of self-isolation and return to their usual activitives.

 

·         It is important that anyone with one or more of the COVID-19 symptoms gets tested, so that anyone who tests positive knows to continue to stay at home (with their household) and self-isolate. This will help stop the spread of coronavirus.

 

 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your young person develops symptoms you can seek advice from NHS Inform.

 

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19. Do:

 

·         regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

·         use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

·         wash your hands as soon as you get home

·         cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

·         put used tissues straight in the bin and wash your hands.

 

 

Further Information

For School related Coronavirus FAQs: https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Parents/Schools/Pages/default.aspx

 

For general Coronavirus FAQs and information:

https://www.parentclub.scot/topics/coronavirus/coronavirus-faq?age=0

 

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

 

 

Yours sincerely

Dr Richard Othieno

Consultant in Public Health Medicine

 

Message from Ross Hunter and NHS Lothian: COVID-19

We are aware of further person(s) in the school who has tested positive for COVID-19. We continue to work closely with NHS Lothian Health Protection Team and following all national guidance.

A number of people are currently being contacted because they may have been in close and sustained contact with the case and will need to self isolate.

They will be given appropriate guidance and advice.

An update will be sent to you as soon as the tracking and tracing process is complete.

 If you are not contacted, your child should attend school as normal.

If you have any concerns in the meantime, or if you need to book a COVID-19 test because your child has developed symptoms (high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste) please visit the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot or for non-clinical advice call 0800 028 2816.

Remember to stay at home if anyone in the household has symptoms of COVID-19.

For further information you may find this FAQs useful https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Parents/Schools/Pages/default.aspx

Ross Hunter & NHS Lothian.

NHS Letter - Positive COVID Case in Gracemount High School

 Lothian NHS Board

Waverley Gate

2-4 Waterloo Place

Edinburgh

EH1 3EG

Telephone 0131 536 9000

www.nhslothian.scot

 

 

Confidential

Advice to All Parents - Single case

 

Date          6 September 2020

Your Ref     HPT/DMcC/fs

Our Ref      Health Protection Team

 

Enquiries to Health Protection Team

Extension   35420/35422

Direct Line  0131 465 5422/5420

Email health.protection@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk         

 

 

 

Dear Parent/Carer

 

There has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school.

 

Children who have been in direct contact with the confirmed case have been contacted and will be staying at home for 14 days.

 

The school remains open and if your child has not been contacted then they should continue to attend school if they remain well.

 

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 

 

−      If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 they must not come to school. They should stay at home for at least 10 days from when their symptoms started. Anyone with symptoms should get tested for COVID-19. Find out more on NHS Inform.   

 

−      All other household members must stay at home for 14 days. 

 

−      The 14-days start from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

 

−      Household members should not go to work or school. No one should visit your house. No one should leave your house to go to shops, public areas, or use public transport.  See website below for more information. 

 

−      https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-test-and-protect/pages/who-needs-to-self-isolate/

 

−      Staying at home for 14 days will help stop the spread of coronavirus. 

 

Symptoms of COVID 19

 

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

 

−      a new continuous cough and/or

−      a high temperature and/or

−      a loss of, or change in, taste or smell (anosmia).

 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

 

If your child develops symptoms you can seek advice from NHS Inform. 

 

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

 

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

 

Do

·       regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 

·       use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

·       wash your hands as soon as you get home

·       cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

·       put used tissues straight in the bin and wash your hands. 

 

 

Further Information

 

Further information is available at: 

 

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

 

https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Alison McCallum 

Director of Public Health and Health Policy