Covid Reopening letter
Please below two important letters sent to parents on 12th March 2021
re Reopening of school
1. Dear parents,
Please see below a letter outlining details re our full return to school on Monday. Please read through the letter and if you have any queries email me on stmaryscbsns@yahoo.ie. The return to school questionnaire must be completed for all pupils before they return. - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgTJ6F2YHgaF6l26DuWaEGKJXYmz-kHdb96EUjLNASUvZX_A/viewform Parents should not congregate outside the school when waiting to collect in the morning and evening and should not enter the school grounds without first contacting the school. Any child or staff member demonstrating symptoms of any contagious illness (particularly Covid symptoms) should not attend school and will be sent home if they do.
Kind regards
Eóin Morrissey
(Principal)
2.
12th March, 2021.
Dear parents/guardians,
Firstly we would like to acknowledge and express our appreciation, and that of the entire Board of Management, for the considerable extra work and personal sacrifices made by all of our parents and staff in order to maintain a degree of teaching and learning during this most recent closure. This dedication has also been evident in adhering to the extra safety measures while the school was open prior to Christmas. We have no doubt, that this compliance has enabled us to re-open the school on a phased basis since the 1st of March (1st and 2nd Class). On Monday next 15th of March all classes 1st – 6th will attend school.
The BoM will continue to work to make our school as safe as possible through the stringent implementation of infection control measures and by putting key safety measures in place to deal with the identified concerns and eliminate transmission risks where possible. Such measures include:
We would also remind parents that staff engagement should be requested through the school and will be facilitated by telephone or email.
While there is undoubtedly a long road ahead, there is hope that better times are imaginable with the availability of and the roll out of vaccines. We wish to reassure you that we will listen to, and seek to resolve any safety issues that may arise or cause anxiety.
If you wish to contact the school you can do so by emailing stmaryscbsns@yahoo.ie or calling 0526121594.
Is mise, le meas,
Eóin Morrissey
Príomhoide
re Reopening of school
1. Dear parents,
Please see below a letter outlining details re our full return to school on Monday. Please read through the letter and if you have any queries email me on stmaryscbsns@yahoo.ie. The return to school questionnaire must be completed for all pupils before they return. - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgTJ6F2YHgaF6l26DuWaEGKJXYmz-kHdb96EUjLNASUvZX_A/viewform Parents should not congregate outside the school when waiting to collect in the morning and evening and should not enter the school grounds without first contacting the school. Any child or staff member demonstrating symptoms of any contagious illness (particularly Covid symptoms) should not attend school and will be sent home if they do.
Kind regards
Eóin Morrissey
(Principal)
2.
12th March, 2021.
Dear parents/guardians,
Firstly we would like to acknowledge and express our appreciation, and that of the entire Board of Management, for the considerable extra work and personal sacrifices made by all of our parents and staff in order to maintain a degree of teaching and learning during this most recent closure. This dedication has also been evident in adhering to the extra safety measures while the school was open prior to Christmas. We have no doubt, that this compliance has enabled us to re-open the school on a phased basis since the 1st of March (1st and 2nd Class). On Monday next 15th of March all classes 1st – 6th will attend school.
The BoM will continue to work to make our school as safe as possible through the stringent implementation of infection control measures and by putting key safety measures in place to deal with the identified concerns and eliminate transmission risks where possible. Such measures include:
- All relevant policies and practices are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in line with the Government’s “Work Safely Protocol”. Our Covid-19 Response Plan and risk assessment are our commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff, pupils and others who visit our school.
- A pre-return-to-work form has been completed by all staff in advance of returning to work
- You are required to complete a ‘Return to School Questionnaire’ prior to your child returning to school (1st and 2nd Class by 01/03/2021 and 3rd - 6th Class by 15/03/2021). Please complete the form at the link attached. This will then automatically be shared with the school. A separate form is required for each child. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgTJ6F2YHgaF6l26DuWaEGKJXYmz-kHdb96EUjLNASUvZX_A/viewform
- Staff and pupils who are feeling unwell have a moral imperative to stay at home and any pupils who display symptoms of any contagious illnesses will be sent home
- The concerns and needs of vulnerable and at-risk staff will be managed in line with approved policy and procedures
- Staff are being provided with all necessary PPE in accordance with identified Covid-19 exposure risks and in line with public health advice
- There is adequate Covid-19 signage on display throughout the school. Visible signage is in place that identifies general cleaning protocols, processes, and practices
- Appropriate social distancing is maintained and necessary controls are in place to reduce transmission risks (face masks, visitors restricted etc.). Appropriate dispersion measures are used at all entrances and exits
- The school will operate a staggered start and end time for school – Boys whose surname begins with letters A - L will start school at 8.50 and will leave school at 2.30. Boys whose surname begins with letters M - Z will start school at 9.00 and will leave school at 2.40. We will continue to allow boys on the bus come into school at their allocated time as agreed with Andy McCoy when he returns on 15th March.
- Parents will not be allowed in the school yard – parents and pupils must retain a 2m social distance while waiting outside the school in the morning and evening. If you need to collect a child early this should be organised before hand by contacting the office. All visitors must wait outside the school while waiting to collect your child. Parents should not enter the school building under any circumstances
- All pupils will be allowed to enter either front and back gates from Monday 15th when all classes return. Boys will continue to enter the school building using the same doors.
- Please ensure that your child brings back all books which he was using during lockdown
- Please ensure that your child has new hand sanitiser with them and that they have their own supply of pens, colours and stationary as sharing will not be permitted
- Pupils will not be required to wear masks – however any pupil who wishes to wear a mask may do so.
- The school maintains a log of contacts to facilitate contact tracing
- Specific procedures are in place for the reception of goods and deliveries
- Digital tools and communication systems will be used as an alternative to face-to-face meetings for the foreseeable future
- The school email will be used to keep staff, pupils and parents up-to-date with the latest public health advice and the BoM has taken swift action to implement all recommended public health measures as they are updated. Regular and transparent briefings/communications are provided to staff and parents
- Appropriate cleaning, hand washing and hygiene procedures are in place. There is also a cleaning schedule of any surfaces or equipment that is shared or used regularly by staff and pupils
- There is a plan in place as to what needs to be done if a staff member or pupil develops Covid symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) while at school. All staff and pupils will be made aware of the relevant steps and procedures
- The school’s Code of Behaviour has been reviewed to include behaviours expected which are specific to Covid
- Staff and pupil safety is a priority at all times and anyone who expresses a safety concern is listened to with empathy and understanding. Health and wellbeing are at the centre of our decision making.
We would also remind parents that staff engagement should be requested through the school and will be facilitated by telephone or email.
While there is undoubtedly a long road ahead, there is hope that better times are imaginable with the availability of and the roll out of vaccines. We wish to reassure you that we will listen to, and seek to resolve any safety issues that may arise or cause anxiety.
If you wish to contact the school you can do so by emailing stmaryscbsns@yahoo.ie or calling 0526121594.
Is mise, le meas,
Eóin Morrissey
Príomhoide
