Dear Parent / Guardian,

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 Tuesday next, 1^st September.

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 ask your cooperation in dropping and collecting the children at their designated spots. Unfortunately parents will not be allowed to enter the school building. Please say goodbye to your child at the designated spot: pupils in senior infants, 1^st and 2^nd class – bottom yard inside the school gate – parents cannot pass the coloured chain. Pupils in room 15 and 16 (prefabs) say goodbye at the gate closest to the Gaels – parents cannot pass the cones. Pupils from 4^th to 6^th class – please say goodbye at the school railings – parents are not permitted to pass the senior school gate. We stress the importance of parents observing 2m social distance from each other and not to gather at the gate.  We greatly appreciate your patience with this.

 

Some Questions Answered

Do children need a schoolbag? YES.

Do children need their own pencil case? YES. This will be left in school and children will not be allowed to share the contents with others.

Do children need to wear a uniform?  YES – your child should wear his/her uniform or tracksuit every second day. Please ensure your child changes out of their uniform as soon as they go home.

Does my child need to wear a mask? No.

Do children need a lunch? No, Glanmore Food will continue to provide school lunches (unless your child did not avail of this scheme last year)

Anything else? You might like to send a packet of tissues in in your child’s schoolbag.

 

Staggered Times

The pupils will enter and exit the building at staggered times to ensure the health and safety of all our pupils.

Class	Start Time	Finish Time
Room 4 Room 12, 13, 16, 20, 28	8:50	1:30 (infants) 2:30
Room 5 Room 11, 15, 21, 29	9:00	1:40 (infants) 2:40
Room 2 & 3 Room 10, 25, 27	9:05 (after first fortnight)	1:40 (after first fortnight) 2:45

Early Start operates at different times – you received a letter with those details earlier this week.

Hygiene

The following items will be in place for the children’s return:

• Hand sanitising stations will be available in every classroom and at every entrance/exit point in the school.  Staff will remind children to regularly sanitise, but it would be very helpful for you to prepare your child in being mindful of this also.
• Pedal bins will be available in every classroom.
• There will be hot water available in all sinks.
• The school will be cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis.
• Pupils in primary schools are not required to wear a mask.  All staff will wear a mask/covering where a distance of 2m cannot be maintained from a pupil/other staff member.  Staff members may also wear protective face shields when not wearing a mask.
• Uniform/tracksuits can be worn on alternative days.
• Tissues will be provided in all classrooms, but it would be recommended for pupils to bring their own little packet to have convenient to them.

 

Bubbles/Pods

Each classroom will be regarded as a bubble.  Pods will be smaller groups within a bubble.  Junior Infants to second class are not required to be divided into pods, whereas 3^rd-6^th class are.  Pods will normally be 4-6 pupils.  Pods will sit together and each pod will be placed at least 1m away from all other pods in the classroom.  Each bubble will have their own distinct section to play in at yard time.

 

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.

I appreciate that at the moment this may all seem somewhat complex and rigid, but all staff will be there to guide and support you and your children through everything in the first few days.  This plan will be reviewed regularly and may require adjustments as we progress through the year.  I again greatly appreciate your patience with this and I know that with your full support of these measures, your child will adjust without any anxiety or uncertainty.  We are all working towards the one goal together – to keep the school open for the children and to maintain that lovely, happy atmosphere that we always have in our school.

 

 

Kind regards,

Gerry Berry                                                   Alma Quinn

Chairperson                                                  Principal