Carrigboy National School

Dear Parent / Guardian, Staff Member,

RE: Re-opening of Carrigboy National School
I hope you and your families are keeping well.
As you are aware, our school has now been closed since 12th March due to the COVID-19 situation. We are now hoping to re-open our school safely, in line with current guidance and recommendations.
Re-opening the school safely will require the co-operation of all members of our School Community - BoM, School Leadership, Staff, Parents and Pupils. We will all be called on to play our part in ensuring that re-opening of the school is done in a safe manner which prevents the spread of the virus and allows the vital work of Teaching and Learning to proceed with as little disruption as possible.
We have been working on our plan for the safe reopening of the school for some weeks now and have published the DES COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of Carrigboy National School. Details include

" Physical preparation, signage, hand sanitiser stations,
" Advice, procedures and training for the safe return to working in the school for all school staff and pupils
" General and specific advice on how all pupils, staff, parents and visitors will prevent the spread of the virus
" All touch surfaces to be cleaned and sanitised every day.
" Increasing Separation. This will be achieved by re-configuring the classrooms to maximise physical distancing. Each class will be referred to as a bubble and we will ensure that there is as little contact as possible between children in different bubbles. We will have 4 bubbles.

" Infants with Ms Matilda
" 1st 2nd Ms Mee, Ms Hurley
" 3rd 4th Mrs Paterson
" 5th 6th Mr Cronin

" Pupils will only use external doors to enter and exit their classrooms. There will be no pupils going through the internal corridors.

" Efforts will be made to limit the amount of items going between home and school.

" We will also maintain our online presence through the EDMODO learning platform to ensure pupils who are unwell and unable to attend school can stay in touch with their class.
" Break times will be staggered to ensure classes can stay apart.
" Pupils are to only use their own belongings and should not share any items.
" There will be separate arrangements for the Junior Infant families for their first day at school. Ms Matilda will be in touch closer to the 27th.
" While all children will be welcome back to school, we would remind parents that, where children are displaying colds, coughs or flu like symptoms, they should not be sent to school. Children who display such symptoms in school will be isolated and parents asked to collect them from the school.
" Children who have travelled from countries not on the Green List should not attend school during the 14-day self-isolation period

" Further information on COVID-19 symptoms in children is available at: -
" https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/if-your-child-has-symptoms.html
" Teachers will make children aware of the proper hygiene procedures regarding hand washing and etiquette related to sneezing, coughing or spitting. We would be grateful if you could also emphasise safe behaviour in this regard to your children at home as part of the preparation for returning to school.
" Our aim remains to re-open the school in an orderly safe manner, while reassuring the children and making them feel comfortable, safe and relaxed with their friends in the new school environment. This will be achieved by all of us working towards this common goal.
We have also published our COVID-19 Policy Statement which is attached with this email. Our BoM will keep you informed as to the progress of our re-opening plans and provide you with the information required by you to play your part in safely re-opening the school.
We are really looking forward to welcoming our children back to school and will be doing all that we can to ensure that the return to school is a safe and enjoyable experience for the children. We will be in touch with you again before school re-opens.


Le meas

Finbarr O Sullivan Michael Cronin
Cathaoirleach, An Bhóird Bainistíochta Príomhoide






The following websites provide further information on COVID-19 and on government advice and recommendations regarding the re-opening of schools: -
" https://www.education.ie/en/covid-19/
" https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
" https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/backtoschool/

Dear Parent / Guardian, Staff Member,

RE: Drop-off and Collection Routines

The BoM and the School Staff have been working to ensure a safe return to school for all pupils and staff in two weeks' time. We have now finalised our plans for drop-off and collection of the children every day.
Carrigboy National School appreciates your support as we try to safely reopen the school building. If at all possible we request you not to come onto the school grounds or into the school building unless it is essential. We appreciate that dropping off the Junior & Senior Infant pupils to the school gate is essential, but for the older pupils it is desirable that they are not escorted to the school gate. Working together we hope to be able to progress the reopening in as safe a manner as possible for all.
We would ask all parents to familiarise themselves with the following drop-off and collection routines for the safe delivery and collection of pupils from school. Please be patient as we endeavour to embed these necessary precautionary and protective practices at the beginning of the school year.

It is imperative that
" adults do not come within 2m of each other.

" all parents adhere to the drop-off and collection plans as outlined below

" Meetings with school staff can be made by appointment only and all visitors to the school building must sign the register and wear a face covering.
Drop-off Plan
Children to come to school between the times of 9. 15 am to 9. 30 am.

All pupils to use external classroom doors only.

Unfortunately there can be no morning play in the the yard before school.

Junior Infants ( Ms Matilda has been in contact about the first day)
Senior Infants are to walk from school gate and into their classroom and take their seats.

1st 2nd classes are to walk from their drop off point to their classroom and enter the external door and take a seat in their classroom.

3rd 4th classes are to walk from their drop off point to their classroom and enter the external door and take a seat in their classroom.

5th 6th classes are to walk from their drop off point down in front of the school to their classroom and enter the rear external door and take a seat in their classroom.




Collection Plan
Infant can be collected at the school gate but we ask parents to maintain social distancing.

It is desirable for all other pupils not to be collected at the gate.

1st 2nd will leave the school at 3.00 pm
3rd 4th will leave the school at 3.05 pm
5th 6th will leave the school at 3.10 pm.


Additional Information

We have got no direct guidance on uniforms. It is recommended they are changed more frequently if possible. Obviously uniforms that are stained with body fluids must be changed immediately.

There will be no written homework for the first two weeks.

We will be talking to all pupils about the new routines and procedures needed to keep everyone safe.


Thanks for your continued support.

le meas,

Finbarr O Sullivan Michael Cronin
Cathaoirleach, An Bórd Bainistíochta Príomhoide