Phrased Re-opening of Special Classes

As you will appreciate, schools are in an unprecedented situation for which there is no blueprint or recent experience on which to draw for guidance. However, we want to pay tribute to everyone in our school community for the enormous efforts made to ensure the safety of all, within the school and the wider society.

Over the past 11 months, we have learnt of the additional risks to physical health and welfare caused by Covid-19. The fear that schools will become a vector for infection and endangering pupils and staff is a constant strain and worry for us all. In considering the reopening of school buildings and grounds, it must be remembered that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to how schools can deal with or manage this current experience is inappropriate, given the various factors and circumstances in which each school finds itself.

We must remember at all times that the situation in relation to this pandemic is constantly evolving and that the Board of Management (BoM) will continue to review and update plans, particularly in relation to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of pupils and staff, in line with public health and Department of Education and Skills(DES) guidance during this crisis. Indeed, much significant work has been done to date to ensure that any identified risks within the school have been managed in a practical and real way. Supports and resources have been put in place to help alleviate the concerns of staff, pupils and parents.

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 time. This dedication has also been in evidence in adhering to the extra safety measures while the school was open prior to Christmas.

However, there can be no absolute guarantee that schools can be totally COVID-19 safe in relation to the spread of the virus within the school community. The Board of Management 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, in order to 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 the school. The results of the risk assessment and any new or enhanced safety measures to be implemented have been shared with staff.
• School will re-open on Monday the 22nd of February at 9:15am to 12 for the interim period. This will facilitate a transition period for the Pupils to return to school and settle back into new routines and adapt to new protocols.
• Parents are requested to drop and collect their child to and from school.
• There is a Department grant available to subsidise transport.
• School Transport will be mobilised following a review of week 1.
• A Return to Educational Facility Parental Declaration Form will be emailed to Parents in advance of their child returning to school.
• Staff will complete an updated Pre-Return to Work COVID form
• All Staff will wear full PPE to include upgraded medical masks KN95.
• Additional Staff will be on site to provide additional support for the Staff in the Special classes and to provide supervision for breaks. An SNA and a SET Teacher will rotate daily for the interim period and work remotely on site.
• The Principal will be on site for the duration of school opening hours.
• Minimal Staff will be in the school to facilitate the integrity of the bubbles in the two special classes.
• All Staff and Pupils in mainstream will continue to be in our virtual school.
• There will be a cleaner on site to provide an ongoing cleaning service.
• The caretaker will be on site to provide ongoing maintenance.

Staff and pupils who are feeling unwell have a moral imperative to stay at 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 and protective clothing in accordance with identified Covid-19 exposure risks and in line with public health advice
• There is adequate Covid-19 signage and floor stickers 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, screens in office areas to facilitate safe interaction with the public, visitor’s restricted, staggered breaks). Appropriate dispersion measures are used at all entrances and exits
• Assigned and clearly identified drop-off and collection points will be allocated for parents/guardians.
• 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 are used as an alternative to face-to-face meetings
• There is a system in place 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, handwashing 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-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) while at school. All staff and pupils are aware of the relevant steps and procedures

The Board of Management will continue to communicate regularly with staff and parents, and we request that you keep yourself updated with all communications, giving the ever- changing nature of this pandemic. Each of us needs to take personal responsibility for our actions in relation to Covid-19 and we must all work together to ensure the safety of every child and adult in our school community. We would remind all members of the school community of the dangers of spreading this virus through congregation of groups of people. Please be mindful of this in relation to dropping off and collecting children at the school entrance.

While there is undoubtedly a long road ahead, there is hope that better times are imaginable with the availability of vaccines and the roll out of an inoculation programme.

We look forward to meeting you and your child on Monday the 22nd of February.

Yours sincerely,

Blaithin Maguire

Principal

Bláithín Maguire

Principal

Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh

Roll Number: 20017F

041 – 9828091