Letter from Mrs. Andrews.

30^th August 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We’re almost there!! August is drawing to a close and we are ready to open our doors once again. All staff members have been extremely busy getting the building ready for our pupils and everywhere has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.

Please read the complete response plan for the safe reopening of our school which is now available to view on the school website.  Below is a brief summary of the main points contained in the plan. Refer to the full plan for the details.

• Pupils are returning to school for induction days on a staggered basis with separate arrangements for new junior Infant pupils.
• Drop off at the gates for all pupils maintaining 2m distance. Surname A-L from 9.00am to 9.10am and surname M-Z from 9.10am to 9.20am. Pupils go directly to classroom. Only children allowed on school grounds (with the exception of junior infant parents for the initial two weeks).
• Children must not be on school grounds before 9am by order of the Board of Management.
• There are staggered pick up times. Pick up where directed maintaining 2m distance. Junior infant, senior infant and first class parents/guardians/minders only allowed on grounds waiting in designated area. Adults are reminded to wear face covering.
• Pupils are encouraged to walk to school if possible. Drivers are asked to drop and go where/when appropriate. A temporary car park has been constructed for staff cars to help with traffic flow and physical distancing at drop off and pick up.
• To collect a child during school hours please inform class teacher by note or by email. Report to reception and secretarial staff will bring the child to you. There will be no access to classrooms for parents or visitors except in exceptional circumstances.
• To communicate with a class teacher, parents can email or send in a note. Teacher will respond by return email or will contact you by phone.
• All staff have completed COVID induction training
• Outdoor learning will be prioritised where possible. Pupils must have a proper coat every day.
• Uniform/tracksuit. See arrangements on plan
• Staff will wear a mask and/or a visor where physical distancing is not possible
• Pupils in classes from third to sixth are required to socially distance. There is no requirement to socially distance in infant, first and second classes.
• Classes (bubbles) are organised into pods (groups). Contact between bubbles will be minimal even at breaks. Pods are 1m apart in classrooms and will work within that pod in so far as is possible
• Hand washing/sanitising schedule is in place. See plan
• It is not necessary or recommended for children to bring their own sanitiser. There is sanitiser in all classrooms at all entrances/exits.
• All pupils must have an individual supply of labelled stationary/supplies to be kept in school. Pupils may not share belongings.
• Pupils bring school bag on first day only with books/supplies. No bags required for remainder of September. Lunch box and water bottle only to be brought. Lunch boxes to be washed daily.
• No homework for September
• Pupils should stay home for 14 days after returning from a country not on the green list
• Pupils must be kept home if displaying any of the following – a high temperature, a new cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, been living with someone who is unwell and may have coronavirus.
• If showing symptoms a pupil will be brought to sick bay and parents called.

We look forward to seeing all our pupils back with us this week. We especially welcome our new junior infants and we wish the very best of luck to our outgoing sixth class as they begin secondary school.

With very best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Mary Andrews

Principal