Plean Athfhillte na Scoile / School Return Plan

I hope you are all enjoying the return of the lovely weather! Our staff have been busy in school this week, planning and preparing for the return of our pupils next Wednesday. DE and EA have issued some guidance regarding the return to school and we have taken time over the past few days to consider our own school context and to draft a plan for returning to school accordingly.  

Dátaí Tosaithe / Start Dates

All classes will return to school on Wednesday 1st September.  

Ar Maidin / Morning Arrangements

The school day will begin at 9am and children can be dropped off from 8.45am onwards. Parents of pupils in Naíscoil & Ranganna 1&2 are welcome to drive down into the school car-park and to safely hand their child over into the hands of our assistant Áine at the gate. Please wear a mask when on school grounds and please drop your child off swiftly, as we want to avoid people congregating in the yard. Pupils in Ranganna 3-7 should be dropped at the main gates and shall walk down the walking track to their classroom, where their class teacher will be waiting for them.

NB: Our new Rang 1 pupils will begin at 10am on their first day only.

Bolgáin Ranga / Class Bubbles

In light of the high rates of Covid in the local area and in light of the presence of several positive cases within our school community this very week, we have taken the decision to maintain the class bubble formation when we are indoors, however the children will mix with children from other classes when outdoors. This means that school meals will continue to be served in each classroom, but that the children will mix freely during outdoor playtime.  

Dinnéar Scoile / School Dinners

If you are entitled to but have not already applied for Free School Meals, please do so as a matter of urgency. If you wish to pay for your child's dinners, we will continue with the Parentpay system this year - details will follow.  

Am imeachta / Home-time

Pupils in Rang 1 will finish at 12 noon every day until Friday 17th September. From Monday 20th September onwards, Rang 1 will remain at school until 1.30pm. Pupils in Rang 2 will finish at 2pm. The Ace Coaches bus for pupils in Ranganna 1&2 will leave the school at 1.45pm and for pupils in Ranganna 3-7 @2.45pm. The school day will end for pupils in Ranganna 3-7 at 3pm. We will be sending details of designated collection points before our return.  

Covid-19

Covid-19 has not gone away and rates in the Mid Ulster area have been consistently high in recent weeks. Please remain vigilent and please do not send your child to school if your child or anyone they have been in contact with display syptoms of the virus / receive a positive test result. We ask parents to work in honest partnership with us and to take a cautious approach to the new term. The last thing we want is a series of isolations or at worst, a school closure. We each have a role to play in keeping the school community safe and in ensuring that we can remain open for face to face teaching for all pupils. More detailed guidance on how we will deal with positive cases / close contacts / symptomatic children will follow next week.  

I hope that you all enjoy the final weekend of the holidays and on behalf of all in our school community I will finish with some final words ....  

TÍR EOGHAIN ABÚ!