Dear Parents/Guardians,
As you are aware by now, face-to-face schooling will start for our pupils in Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Class and Second Class from next Monday, March 1st. We are delighted to be able to bring these pupils back to school again.
Remote learning will continue for all pupils in Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes until March 15th when, if the number of Covid 19 infections continues to decrease in the community, they too will return to school.
Of course, while we are delighted to welcome our pupils back to school, we must remind parents that children who are displaying any symptoms of Covid 19 or who have been in contact with anyone who has or is displaying any symptoms, should not be sent to school. If a child comes into school with Covid 19 symptoms s/he will endanger the health and safety of all members of the school and wider community and will endanger our ability to keep the school open.
The Department of Education has stipulated that all parents/guardians of children (Junior Infants – Second Class) returning to school on Monday March 1st must complete a ‘Return to Educational Facility Parental Declaration Form’ for each child before s/he returns to school next week. The Class Teachers have put this form up on Class Dojo. If you are unable to print the form at home you can return it digitally on Class Dojo. These forms must be with the school before the children can come into school. A member of school staff will be available to take the forms at the gates on Monday morning.
As happened in the autumn term, we will be ensuring that there is as much physical distancing as is possible in our school building and in the school grounds. We will continue to apply physical distancing in a sensible and practical manner. The arrival and dismissal of pupils will be staggered – as it was in the autumn term. This will lessen the number of people inside and outside the school at these particularly busy times. The times of entry and dismissal will remain the same, for each class, as last term.
All parents/guardians bringing and taking pupils to and from school are asked not to congregate outside the school gates. Also, please wear a mask.
There was a very high level of co-operation from pupils and their parents/guardians in these measures last term and I am sure you will all continue to cooperate also in the coming weeks. The health and safety of our pupils, staff members, the school community and indeed the wider community is to the fore in all of our planning.
The BOM and the school staff aim to re-open the school in a safe and orderly manner, while reassuring the children and making them feel comfortable, safe and relaxed with their friends in this ‘different’ environment. This can be achieved by all of us working towards this goal, which I am sure is common to all in the community.
Thank you all for your co-operation and patience during this latest lockdown. There has been an extremely high level of engagement with the remote learning the teachers have organised for our pupils. Well done everyone! Pupils, parents/guardians, teachers and staff have all worked very, very hard to make the best of the present circumstances.
Mise le meas,
Eleanor Ní Dhuibhir
Príomh Oide
