Dear
Parents of 1st & 2nd class children,
I hope you are all
well and looking forward to our return to school. I know I am. I am excited
about welcoming back my 2nd class and welcoming my new 1st class.
I understand that
some of you children and parents may be feeling a little apprehensive or
anxious about coming back and that is only natural. It will certainly be a
return to school like no other year!!
We have been
working hard to ensure that our classrooms and our school are safe environments
and adhering to all the guidelines. You will already have received lots of
information from Mrs.Ginty on the school website.
- The classroom has
been deep cleaned by professional cleaners as has the entire school.
- There is a
sanitising station on entry to the classrooms and also at the toilets in the
classroom.
- All the staff
have worked hard over the summer and reconfigured all of the available space in
our school.
- The classroom has
been cleared of all unnecessary items and children will be well spaced out and
have plenty of room.
- There will be a
basket on each child's table for their own belongings - books, folders, copies
etc.
- Teachers' desks
have perspex screens which will enable children to approach in a safe manner.
- Children may
bring their own mini sanitiser and/or wipes(labelled), if they wish and keep it
in their baskets.
- Children can
bring in lunch boxes and drinks as normal which they will keep in their bags.
- There will be no
formal homework for the first few weeks to allow children to settle back into
school life.
- Classrooms will
be cleaned to a high standard daily.
- Our class will
finish school each day at 2.40pm. You will have already received information
about this.
What can you do to
help?
- Can you please
ensure that ALL your child's belongings are labelled including jumpers and
coats. This is imperative this year.
- Ensure your
child's uniform is clean each day. It would be advisable to change child out of
uniform each day after school until next morning. Washing uniforms regularly is
at your own discretion.
- Please ensure
lease and photocopying money of 50 euro is in an envelope clearly labelled.
This money must be paid next week as requested due to the costs of extra
textbooks and materials to be purchased this year. Mrs. Ginty and Mrs. Finlay
will be in charge of this next week.
- If you need to
contact me during school hours send me in a written message with your
child or leave a message with Mrs. Finlay and I will get back to you as
soon as I can.
It is completely
normal for your child or indeed you to be feeling anxious about returning to
school. To be fair, all we have heard for the last few months is Covid.
As adults, we all
need to reassure children that we are working very hard to keep them safe and
they do not need to worry. They need to come back to school, have fun, learn
new things and follow the simple Covid rules that will be explained to them by
their teacher.
Children have been
absolutely fantastic through all of this. They have done what has been asked
from them, doing their work, staying away from friends and being very good.
They should be very proud of themselves and know that they have helped to
suppress the virus.
I look forward to
seeing all the boys and girls on Tuesday. It will be different and perhaps a
little strange and emotional. But we will all adapt very quickly.
Kind Regards
Katrina
Coyne
