Castledockrell National School
Reopening information for parents Underlying Principles
What’s happening? School will be a bit different this year, especially at the beginning, but the children will get used to it very quickly. Explain to your child that things will be a bit different, but try not to create worry. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back and we will be focusing on building relationships, routines and resilience during September. You will have heard lots of talk of bubbles and pods in the media; our bubbles are our two classrooms; Bubble 1 is the junior room (infants-2nd), Bubble 2 is our senior room (3rd-6th). The senior room will also be divided into two pods (groups where they sit and work) 3rd and 4th class will be one pod, and 5th and 6th class will be another. What You Can Do to Prepare:
Drop-off and Collection Schools must “limit interaction on arrival and departure from school.” Protocols for Arrivals:
Protocols for Dismissals:
Collection of Children during the School Day If an adult has to collect a child during the course of the school day, the following arrangements will apply:
Cleaning
Symptoms of COVID-19
Children who should NOT attend school:
Supporting the Learning of Children who cannot attend school If a child is not able to attend school for an extended period of time, the class teacher (and/or the SEN teacher) will communicate regularly with the parents and suggest activities to support the child’s learning at home via email and SeeSaw. Uniforms At the time of writing this we have received no guidance regarding school uniforms from the Department. We ask that children wear their school uniform to school and wear their school tracksuit the following day. Alternating days will allow for uniforms to be washed, steamed or ventilated. We also ask that children change out of their school clothes straight away when they get home and not to wear the uniform, school coat, school bag in other settings (e.g. to the shops, clubs) If anything about this changes we will let you know. Children will all be assigned a designated coat hook to hang their coat each day, these hooks will be spaced apart from other children’s hooks. Shared Equipment By necessity, some classroom equipment needs to be shared including I Pads, computers and the equipment used for structured activities and play in the junior room. Cleaning of such shared equipment with wipes or other cleaning products will take place at regular intervals to minimise the risk of the spread of infection. Physical Education (PE) Where possible, PE will take place outdoors. All pupils and teachers will sanitise hands before and after PE sessions. Equipment will be cleaned take after each use or equipment will be put aside for 72 hours. We await guidance and directives on external coaching. Swimming lessons would normally take place during Term 1 but we have decided not to proceed with same, we will review this in Term 2. Lunch Time and Break Time All children will eat their lunch in their rooms at little break and big break (as normal). Class teachers will supervise. Usual wet day supervision protocols will apply; children may read/play games in their seats while supervised by teacher on duty. At break time Bubble 1: Junior Room pupils will remain on the lower basketball court and lower pitch, while Bubble 2: Senior Room pupils will remain on upper court and upper pitch. Each Bubble will exit and enter via the back door in each classroom. Children and teachers will sanitise hands before and after yard. At the end of break time all pupils will line up on their designated lines. Learning Support In keeping with our Special Education policy, learning support will be provided by a blended approach of in-class support and withdrawal. When Ms. Johnston is working alongside a class teacher in a classroom, both teachers will be mindful of maintaining social distance from one another.
This is very much a working document and it is only when we get back to school that we will know how it all works. This may lead to changes in the overall plan and we thank you for your support and cooperation. One thing we know for sure is that we are all looking forward to welcoming everyone back on Thursday, 27th of August. Thank you. On Behalf of the Staff and Board of Management The following websites provide further information on COVID-19 and on government advice and recommendations regarding the re-opening of schools: -
There is lots of hard work going on behind the scenes in Castledockrell National School in preparation for our reopening on Thursday, 27th of August. Thank you to the Board of Management and the parents for all of their efforts and ongoing support.
Congratulations to Shifra and Luke on your First Holy Communion. Enjoy your special day. |
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