MINISTRY OF EDUCATIONDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION 17th March, 2020 Dear Parent(s)/ Guardian(s),  I would like to assure you that the safety, health and well-being of our students, staff and public school families, is our top priority.  The Ministry of Education has been working closely with the Ministry of Health to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) within our schools and community. To date, no known cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Bermuda.  As reported yesterday, public schools will remain open. We will continue to receive daily reports from the Ministry of Health and principals. Should there be any confirmed case(s) in any of our schools, families will be notified and decisions will be made according to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, following a risk assessment in co-ordination with the Department of Health. To reiterate, decisions on school closures will be science-based and made in co-ordination with the Department of Health. Earlier today, the Department of Education provided a press release on the preventative measures that have been put in place in all of our schools. They include:  Daily monitoring of students and staff illness and/or absenteeism  All flu-like illnesses on school grounds are to be reported to the Department of Health Schools Coordinator  Encouraging sick staff and students to stay at home  Stepped up cleaning and disinfecting of common areas (three times a day)  Isolation and removal from school premises of anyone found to be ill with flu-like symptoms  Suspension of field trips and sporting events until further notice  Suspension of assemblies  Asking students and staff to practice social distancing  Schools requiring students and staff to wash their hands before entering classrooms, particularly for classes involving contact with equipment that other students will be using during the day  The cancellation of all overseas school trips  Suspended school PTA and PTSA meetings  Parents and staff are asked to inform the Department of Health and school leaders if they have been in contact with anyone who has recently been in a high-risk country, and  Establishing communication policies and infrastructure for rapid dissemination of information to staff and parents.  Additionally, the Department of Education, along with schools are devising contingency plans to support children’s continued learning in the event that schools are closed. Preparation includes the development of hard copies of learning packets and/or improved support for information technology for remote learning. Internet access, an email address and a student and parent PowerSchool account are needed for remote learning. Remote learning involves each student receiving weekly teaching assignments, to login PowerSchool when required, to complete assignments during the week, to communicate with other students if asked, and to continue the learning process. This continuous learning by each student will be critically important for upcoming pre-scheduled tests and examinations.  We are also asking that non-essential visitors, volunteers and contractors do not visit schools until further notice.  For your information, please also review the Ministry of Health School Guidance on Covid-19 and the CDC Considerations for School Closure Documents currently on the Department’s website.  I understand that this is a difficult and worrying time for many students, staff, and parents. We, therefore, commit to regular communication and updates with you and to continue to make informed-decisions in the best interests of staff, students and their families.  Kind regards, Dr. Llewelyn Simmons Acting Commissioner of Education 

March 16th 2020 Dear Students & Parents, We understand the ongoing concerns expressed around the global outbreak of COVID-19. Please be assured the Child Health team continue to focus on education and early identification of COVID-19 in Bermuda.In addition to the guidance sent home last week: Regular and thorough hand-washing with soap and water Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. Cleaning frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant wipes. Using at-least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t immediately available Cover your cough or sneeze.We would like to encourage the following: Practice social distancing as much as possible. Stay at home when sick and cover coughs and sneezes to help prevent the spread of germs. If you experience cough, fever, or shortness of breath, stay at home and call your GP for advice.We are also aware siblings may return home after college and university closures abroad. The returning resident may be expected to self-quarantine and monitor theirhealth for 14 days. Other household members will be allowed to continue to go to work and school while this person is at home.We will continue to provide weekly health education newsletters. Stay informed and follow advice from the Government website: www.gov.bm/coronavirus 

March 16, 2020  Dear Parents/Guardians Re:   Hotdog and Pizza Lunch for March 19, 23 and 25, 2020 As Bermuda is preparing for the fast changing situation of the COVID-19, I regret having to form you that the hotdog and pizza lunches will be postponed until further notice. Hotdogs will only be served to prepaid orders on Tuesday March 17, 2020.This postponement will take effect from Thursday March 19, 2020.  All prepaid orders will be honored when we re-open the hot lunch program. 

March 11, 2020 Dear Parents / Guardians, Our school is working closely with the Department of Education to protect the health and safety of our students and staff. The Department of Education is in turn working closely with the Department of Health.The following measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our school community should it emerge in Bermuda: We have instituted a robust and more frequent cleaning program. Our custodians are now cleaning throughout the day – after recess, lunch and at the end of the day - with special attention given to frequently touched surfaces.  We are ensuring that our supplies of soap, paper, cleaning and disinfectant supplies are fully stocked and sufficient for a minimum of two weeks at all times. Our teachers have been asked to remind students to wash their hands frequently and for the younger children to supervise their hand washing We have reviewed/are in the process of reviewing our crisis management plan The Department of Public Works has/shall inspect(ed) water levels in our tank(s) to ensure a sufficient supply in the coming weeks.While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in Bermuda, its emergence in other countries – and the possibility that it could enter Bermuda –  requires us to take simple and effective measures to prevent its spread and that of any other respiratory virus. Please be assured that if there was a confirmed case of the virus in our school we would notify staff and parents/guardians within the school community. As parents and guardians you can play an important role in Bermuda’s preparedness should the virus enter our community.  All students and staff are being asked to practice the following key hygiene principles* and we would appreciate your assistance in reinforcing them within your household. Wash your hands frequently – with soap and water – or use hand sanitizer if hand washing facilities are not immediately available. Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in a bin  People who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting.  Pupils, student, staff and visitors should wash their hands: Before leaving home On arrival at school After using the toilet After breaks and sporting activities Before eating any food, including snacks Before leaving school Use an alcohol based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available  (Please supervise young children) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands Avoid close contact with people who are unwell Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfacesIf you or your child has recently returned from a country affected by the COVID-19 virus, please be sure to take appropriate measures as advised by the Department of Health.  For more information, visit https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus Thank you for helping to keep our community safe and healthy! Regards,Trina P. Cariah(Principal)

February 17, 2020Re: LockdownDear Parents, Please be informed that West End Primary was placed on lockdown this morning from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 10:45 a.m.  A disturbance occurred outside of the school property; which posed a potential threat to the surrounding area.   To err on the side of caution, the school was placed on lockdown and the authorities were contacted. Once given the ‘all clear’, the lockdown was lifted. When situations like this arise, our school is committed to the safety of all our students.  Please contact the school if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely,Trina P. Cariah (Principal)

You are invited to stop by and visit to see how West End Primary puts learning into action! 18th February, 202019th February, 20209:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.(441)234-0006 

January 29th, 2020Re: Progress ReportsDear Parents, Please be advised that progress reports will no longer be sent home as a hard copy.  On Friday, January 31st, you will be able to access your child’s progress report. In the email you will find step by step instructions on how to access your child’s progress report on your PowerSchool account. If you have never accessed your child’s account; please you may request assistance via email at help@moed.bm  Kind Regards,Trina P. CariahPrincipal

28th January, 2020 Dear Parents & Guardians,  Due to the weather forecast, West End Cross Country has been postponed until tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th January, 2020, starting at 12:00 p.m.ALL children from Primary 1 to Primary 6 will be involved in the competition. All children need to wear West End Primary’s P.E. uniform and West End Primary’s tracksuit, or navy or royal blue track suit to school.  Please send an extra set of clothing just in case they get caught in a rain shower while on the course. Please ensure that children who suffer from asthma, have their asthma pumps at school. Lunch will start at 10:50 a.m., so please ensure that your child has a healthy, lunch, (THAT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE HEATED), extra nutritious snacks and extra water. Please come out and support your child/children,and don’t forget to enter the parents’ race!!  Your child/children would love to see you participate!!