Dear parents/guardians,
Thank you for your help and cooperation in getting the school reopened yesterday. It was great to see the children coming back into the school and settling into their new classrooms. Following a long few months it was vital for children, their families and the wider community that the education system restarted and it is similarly vital that we keep schools open heading into the autumn.
There are a few points to note below.
Both gates, on Hospital Hill and Church Road, are open to allow access to the school in the morning and the evening. (The Church Rd. gate is generally quiter). Parking can be tight so consider walking where possible.
Allowing for the rain, the longer morning entry time, from 08.40, has gone well. The children now know which door they will enter through and can make their way there in the morning. Teachers will continue to be present at the front and back gates and on yards in the mornings to guide children and to help with hand sanitising.
Junior Infants will be going home at 12 for the first two weeks. From the 14th of September they will then finish at 13.30 with the Senior Infants. When collecting infants please be concious of maitining social distancing. All our other classes are finishing at 14.30. Teachers will be pausing class exits from the school building to ensure that the classes are kept separate.
At 14.30 in particular can we ask that parents and relatives who are collecting children do not congregate around the main gates. In line with Public Health advice schools are trying to make sure that there are not crowds forming during drop offs and collection. Parents can space themselves along the fence. Teachers will wait with the children until they are collected so if there are several people already at the gate collecting a child please hold back. Also some children walk home so they should be given space to make their way out to the footpaths.
Our general advice regarding face coverings is that they are recommended in the school grounds where social distancing of 2m cannot be practised, for example at collection time at 14.30. In the school building face coverings must be worn by parents and visitors when calling to Helen's Office. Access to the school is strictly by appointment and arrangements can be made with Helen to meet your child's teacher.
By working together on this we can ensure the continuing success of the reopening.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh,
Tomás Moriarty