Dear Parents
I hope everyone is keeping well and safe in these challenging times. The school staff have been very busy over the last number of weeks preparing for the reopening of school. We aim to open at full capacity on Monday 31st August. This letter outlines some of the important changes to school life that you and your child/children need to be aware of.
What we have done.
- Removed furniture to maximise space.
- Removed any shared work spaces and resources
- Installed soap and sanitizing stations
- Additional cleaning procedures – Teachers, SNAs and cleaner will all have additional responsibilities in terms of cleaning. Cleaning will be rigorous and every day.
- Deep clean before opening of school
School Day
- School will begin at normal time: 9:20. 3rd – 6th use gate on right hand side. Jnr – 2nd gate on left hand side.
- Pupils will go straight to their line (no play time before school). Please arrive on time. Pupils who arrive early will have to wait in line until school begins.
- We will be using all three entrances to the school.
- 1st/2nd – emergency entrance on priest side
- Jnr/snr – main door
- 5th/6th – main door
- 3rd/4th – Emergency door at astro
- Senior infants will begin school Monday 31st We are then asking senior infants to remain at home on Tuesday 1st September.
- Junior Infants will begin Tuesday 1st September at 10am. One parent will be allowed accompany their child into class and remain for no more than 5 minutes. This will be done in groups of 5. Junior Infants will finish at 12pm for the first two weeks of school and 2pm thereafter.
- Junior and senior infants will begin school at 9:20 as normal from Wednesday 2nd
- To cut down on congestion in the mornings we are encouraging students who can walk or cycle to school to do so.
Classrooms
- Junior/Senior Infants –Ms. Kelly
- 1st/2nd –Ms. Feeney
- 3rd 4th –Ms. Lowther
- 5th 6th –Mr. O’ Connor
- Junior – 2nd class will not social distance however furniture has been removed in these rooms to maximise space.
- 3rd -6th will be in pods and at 1m distance
- Break times will be split – Junior end and Senior end using the Yard and MUGA– each class bubble will be kept away from each other at all times
- At the end of day pupils will leave the building class by class starting with youngest and go straight to car
Covid Symptoms
- Cough – Temperature – Shortness of breath – Loss of Taste/Smell
- If a pupil or any member of the household is displaying any of these symptoms they must stay at home.
- If a pupil displays any of these symptoms in school they will be isolated immediately and you will be called to collect them. Area will be cleaned appropriately.
- If your child is displaying symptoms they must visit the doctor and will either be recommended a COVID test or receive a note to say they are safe to return to school.
- In case of a positive Covid test the HSE will be informed and we will follow advice form there in terms of closure
- There is no grey area here. We will be very strict on who can and cannot come into the school.
What you can do
- The best way to keep COVID 19 out of the school is to keep it out of the community
- Follow Government and HSE guidelines at all times
- Prepare Kids for school
- Hand washing/ sanitizing procedures
- Coughing sneezing etiquette
- Take your child’s temperature before school
- Prepare pupils for the fact that teachers will be wearing face coverings and in some cases full PPE
- If you need to enter the school ring and make an appointment
- Drop off and go in the mornings – please do not congregate at the school gates
- Lunches (provided) make sure pupils can open and close their lunch boxes and drink bottles
- Coats will be kept in school bag – please keep a spare plastic bag for wet days
- Pencil cases – everything needs to be clearly labelled – there will be no sharing of resources
- Ensure your child has everything they need for school each morning – books etc.
- There will be an increased emphasis on wellbeing when school returns. Take time to talk to your child about how they’re feeling about returning to school.
Our ultimate goal is that the school opens fully and remains open. This can only be achieved through a community effort. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school and will be doing all we can to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Please email bonniconlonns@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
___________________________
Emmet O’ Connor
Príomhoide
Dear Parents,
We hope everyone is keeping well and safe in this difficult time. As you know the school is now closed officially until the 19th of April and this may be extended further. In response to this the staff are putting together a plan of exercises and activities for each class. This will be posted here on the school website under teacher names and will be updated fortnightly.
I must emphasise that you view these exercises and activities as a menu rather than prescribed work. You are and always will be your child’s primary educator. You can decide what activities to take on and what to leave out. As teachers and parents we understand the challenge that faces all of us. This is not home schooling, it is at best ‘distance learning’. Your child will not fall behind, this is for the most part revision and what we have missed out on will be made up in time.
Having said this, structure on the day may help to minimize stress. We will post, on this website, our ideas on what can be done to make the best of this situation. Each class teacher will suggest reading, writing and maths activities along with some project work and challenges. It is so important that the pupils read every day, independently or with a parent. Older pupils can keep a diary every day or practice free writing. Learning tables and counting forwards and backwards will be very beneficial along with some practical hands on maths activities via cooking, time schedules, shape hunts, estimating distances etc.
The Online Resources section of the drop down menu will give guidance on activities that can be done throughout the day and details for websites which we feel may be beneficial. 1st to 6th class will be signed up to Mangahigh.com. This is an online maths programme where teachers can set assignments and challenges. You will receive a text with your child’s login details and this site will be updated regularly.
Parents are welcome to email the school with any questions or suggestions. Also if you would like to email pictures of artwork, science challenges, physical activities or anything creative we will post it on the website. Parents will receive a text every time the website is updated and please keep an eye on the twitter account for useful tips and ideas.
Please be assured that whatever you do with your child at this time is enough. The most important thing at the moment is the wellbeing of both our pupils and parents. Look after yourself. Minimizing stress is absolutely vital in a time like this for maintaining a positive mindset.
Take Care,
Staff of St. Joseph’s N.S. Bonniconlon
CALENDAR
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