August 25th, 2020

26/8/’20
Dear Parent / Guardian, Staff Member,
Welcome Back!!
The BoM and School Staff are looking forward to welcoming all our pupils and parents / guardians back to school for the 2020/2021 school year on Monday next, 31st August.
We are satisfied that we have control measures in place to ensure that this will be a safe re-opening.  It will take some time for all of us to get used to the “new circumstances” as we become familiar with the new routines and procedures designed to keep everyone safe and to prevent the spread of the virus.  There will, undoubtedly, be some unforeseen challenges and we will deal with these as they arise.
We would like to thank you for your co-operation in making preparations to date and look forward to working with you as we assist the children adapt to the necessary changes.  We are also conscious of the fact that our pupils have not been in school since March and that they are looking forward to coming back to school to meet their friends again.  We are aware that our new pupils are beginning a school year at a challenging time and have made plans to ensure that their arrival will be as free from stress as possible.
 
In addition to the Re-opening Plan which we posted on the 17th of August, we wish to draw your attention to the following items please:
 
 
New Junior infants
On Monday morning the Junior Infant teacher Mr. Foy and the principal Mrs. O’Hara will meet and welcome our new Junior Infants at their designated entrance (small gate at far right of wall)
 
To avoid congestion, we ask that parents of new Junior Infants wait until 9.30. By then, the Senior Infants and 1st class will be in their classroom and we will minimise the chance of congestion.  Unfortunately, parents of new pupils will not be permitted into the classroom.
 
Homework
 
There will be no homework issued for the first week and we will inform you of our plans for homework thereafter.
 
Book Rental
Books will be distributed to pupils on their return to school, on receipt of payment. Books will remain in school at the pupils’ desks.
Pencil case
Children will be asked to leave their pencil case in school. It will not be taken home daily.
Runners
We ask that pupils bring runners to school daily as there will be a necessity for movement breaks outdoors, due to the movement restrictions within classes/bubbles.
Ventilation
Some classroom windows will be left open as per guidelines to allow the circulation of fresh air and will also be opened fully at break times to ventilate the rooms.
Wet Day Supervision
In the case of wet days where the children will not be able to go outside at breaktimes, the class teacher will remain with the class indoors. Activities will be made available to individual pods. An SET teacher will be paired with a Class Bubble also to assist the class teacher on those days.

Reminder of updated Arrival and Collection routines
Entrance and exit doors for each classroom
 
Junior/Senior Infants/ 1st class will use the Infant door
2nd/3rd/4th will use their usual door
5th/6th will use main door/office door
Reach Class have their own door
 
Entrances & Exit Points to the school grounds
Class/ Bubble: 2nd 3rd 4th.........Left of main gate
Class/ Bubble : 5th 6th ..............Right of main gate
J/S/1st and Reach Class.........Small entrance at far right of wall

 
Arrival at school
 

• The children will be able to line up on the yard at their designated entrance door any time between 9.10 and 9.20 so as to avoid any congestion.
• Footprints will be painted on the yard, spaced 2 metres apart so children can line up socially distanced.
• We ask for co-operation with these times as it will mean that the numbers congregating on school grounds at any one time will be minimised.
• No pupils are permitted on the school yard before this time and consequently there will be no playing in the school yard in the mornings.
• The class teacher will invite the children to enter the building via their designated entrance point at the appropriate time.
• It is imperative that adults do not come within 2m of each other.
• Parents may not try to have meetings with members of staff in the playground at drop-off and collection times – meetings between parents and teachers can only take place by prior arrangement. This may have to be more restrictive depending on guidance - it is quite possible that the recommendation will be for remote meetings/telephonic communications.)
• No adults, other than staff members, should enter the building.
• Messages for teachers can be sent by phoning the school office.
• Unfortunately, it will not be possible for parents/guardians to come onto the school grounds before/after school. To minimise the risks, and to help us to maintain social distancing, the children may not come onto the school grounds before the school doors open at 9.10a.m

 
 
Break/Lunch
We will continue to have 2 x 20 minute breaks as before. However, these breaktimes will be staggered. The school yard will be divided in 2 to allow 2 Bubbles to play in the yard at each break. Bubbles will not interact in the yard at breaktime.
 
 
End of School Day

• Adults, who are collecting their children from school at the end of the day, should wait in their car or beside their car.
• When the school day for that class is over the following arrangements will apply –
  • Jun/Sen Inf and 1st-   the class teacher will line the children up on the footprints in front of their  classroom and will release the children into the care of the adult who is there to collect them.
  • For the first week, Junior Infants will go home at 12 and the teacher will accompany them to their parent/guardian
  • 2nd – 6th Class – the class teacher will allow each pod to leave the classroom separately in order to minimise contact.

 
 If you have any further queries in the meantime, please leave a message on the school landline 044 9222512 or send a text message to the school mobile 087 1131259.
 
 Yours sincerely
 
David Gavin      
Chairperson Board of Management                                                                                    
 
Pauline O’Hara   
Principal