Plan for the Safe Return to school.

The following arrangements have been put in place for the safe return of children and staff to Glenmore NS.

This plan may be subject to change, if necessary.

Further, more detailed information is available in the schools Covid Response plan including Covid Policy Statement, Reopening of school logistical plan, risk assessment and cleaning schedule. These are available by clicking on the Covid-19 tab at the top of the page. These will also be emailed to parents.

Before coming to school we ask parents to ensure that:

1. All children use the bathroom and wash hands properly with soap.
2. Bring lunchboxes and drink bottles that have been properly cleaned & sanitised.
3. All homework books have been sanitised before putting them into schoolbag.

On arrival to school:

1. Drop off time is between 8.50 am and 9.00 am only. There will be no supervision before this time.
2. Wear an appropriate face covering when approaching the school gate area.
3. Take children to the school gate only.
4. Leave immediately.
5. Observe social distancing rules.
6. On arrival to school children must go immediately to their play area.
7. When the bell rings, children stay in their play area until their teacher arrives to bring them inside.
8. On wet days they may go directly to their classroom.

Collection from school:

1. Parents must not enter the school grounds.
2. Junior & Senior Infants will be brought to the gate at 1.40pm.
3. Children who travel by bus will leave the school first, escorted by a teacher at 2.25pm
4. 1st & 2nd class children will be brought out to the gate at 2.30pm.
5. 3rd & 4th class children will be brought out to the gate at 2.35pm.
6. 5th & 6th class children will be brought out to the gate at 2.40pm.
7. If parents are collecting children from more than one class, we ask that they wait in the car for the older children.
8. Do not linger at the school gate, leave immediately.

Collecting or dropping off children during the school day:

1. Send in a note/email or make call to arrange collection time.
2. Children will be brought out to the gate by a teacher.
3. On return to school, drop children off at the gate.
4. Do not enter the school grounds without prior notice.
5. If you must enter the school grounds, a face covering MUST be worn.
6. Please use hand sanitiser provided.

Lunchboxes, school bags and books:

1. Please ensure that these items have been cleaned and sanitised before and after use at home.
2. Homework books will be minimised to avoid cross contamination.
3. Cover books in vinyl covering/contact so that they can be wiped down easily.

Uniform:

1. Children are asked to come to school in their uniform/tracksuit each day as normal.
2. Ensure it is visibly clean.
3. Wear the school uniform/tracksuit in school ONLY. Do not wear uniform at after school activities or when visiting relatives or shops/supermarkets.

First Aid:

1. Should your child fall or injure themselves while in school, first aid will be administered. Teachers will wear face coverings, gloves and further PPE if necessary when treating your child.
2. As usual, if there is any injury to the head, parents will be notified immediately.

Classroom Layout:

1. All classrooms will have minimal furniture to avoid clutter and create space.
2. Children are ask to leave toys, teddies and novelty items at home.
3. Sharing of pencils, pens, colouring pencils will not be allowed.
4. Children from 3rd -6th class will be in pods of up to 6 children and will be seated there for several weeks.

Ventilation:

1. Doors and windows will be open for periods to allow fresh air to circulate around the room.
2. Opportunities for breaks outside will be taken by teachers, to allow for the ventilation of classrooms during the day.

Lunchtime & food:

1. Children must wash/sanitise their hands before and after eating.
2. Plenty of time will be given for eating lunch.
3. No food is to be brought outside.
4. Children must use the bathroom before going out to play.
5. Children must go to their play area and stay there for the duration of break-time/lunchtime.
6. At the end of break, when the bell rings, all children must stay in their play area until they are collected by their class teacher. They will then be brought inside.
7. After playtime, hands must be washed/sanitised. This will be closely supervised.
8. Break times will not be staggered. All children are expected to stay in their play area.

Under no circumstances is a parent to bring a child to school if –

• if the child is exhibiting any symptoms of Covid 19
• If the child has a temperature, is sneezing, coughing, who has been vomiting or has diarrhoea.
• If the child was sent home from school the previous day with diarrhoea or vomiting.
• If a child has been outside of the country in the 14 days prior to August 27th, they are not to attend school but must isolate
• If the child has been in contact with any family member and or other person who has Covid-19

Dealing with a suspected case of Covid 19:

Pupils should not attend school if displaying any symptoms of Covid-19. If a pupil displays symptoms of Covid-19 while in the building, the following are the procedures that will be implemented:

1. Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately.
2. The child will be accompanied to the designated isolation area via the isolation route by a member of staff. The staff member will remain at least 2 metres away from the symptomatic child and will also make sure that others maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from the symptomatic child at all times.
3. A mask will be provided for the child presenting with symptoms, if one is available. He/she should wear the mask if in a common area with other people or while exiting the premises.
4. An assessment will be made as to whether the child who is displaying symptoms can immediately be brought home by parents and call their doctor and continue self- isolation at home.
5. The school will facilitate the child presenting with symptoms to remain in isolation, if they cannot immediately go home, and will assist them by calling their GP.
6. The child presenting with symptoms should be advised to cover their mouth and nose with the disposable tissue provided when they cough or sneeze and to put the tissue in the waste bag provided.
7. If the child is well enough to go home, the school will arrange for them to be transported home by a family member, as soon as possible, and advise them to inform their GP by phone of their symptoms. Public transport of any kind should not be used.
8. If they are too unwell to go home or advice is required, the school will contact 999 or 112 and inform them that the sick child is a Covid-19 suspect.
9. Arrangements will be made for appropriate cleaning of the isolation area and work areas involved.

• Cough - this can be any kind of cough, usually dry but not always
• Fever - high temperature over 38 degrees Celsius
• Shortness of Breath
• Breathing Difficulties
• Lack of smell.

Symptomatic people appear to be most infectious for other people in the early days after symptoms begin. Infection can also spread from people in the day or two before they get symptoms and it can spread from some people who get an infection but have no symptoms or such mild symptoms that they take little notice of them (asymptomatic spread). People are no longer infectious for other people 14 days after they have developed symptoms.

Please Click HERE and HERE for Government advice for parents of school children

Information of Isolating and Quarantine

HSE Directions and Advice for parents of school children