Covid 19 Information

Covid 19 Response Plan

Scoil Náisiúnta Na hEaglaise.

Aglish National School. Roll No. 01395H

(Under the Patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore)

Aglish, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford. Phone No. 024-96425

Website; www.aglishns.org E-mail; aglishnationalschool@gmail.com

COVID-19 Response Plan

Aglish N.S.

The purpose of this document is to provide clear and helpful guidance for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in Aglish NS.

It provides key messages to minimise the risk of COVID-19 for staff, pupils, families and the wider community while recognising the importance of education for the health and wellbeing of pupils and society as a whole.

This document focuses on the practical steps which can be taken in our school to minimise the risk of the introduction of infection into our school while recognising that no interpersonal activity is without risk of transmission of infection at any time.

This is a living document that involves all stakeholders as we continue to manage COVID-19 in school.

Underlying Principles

The school has a responsibility to make every effort to ensure the safety, health and well-being of all members of our school community – children, staff and parents. This plan has been formulated to better ensure that the school can exercise that duty of care.
Assuming it is in keeping with public health advice and guidelines issued by the Department of Education and Skills, it is preferable for all children to return to school for all five days of the school week and for a full school day. This plan has been formulated to achieve that aim.
It is not possible to eliminate the risk of infection. However, with the co-operation of all members of our school community, it is possible to minimise the risk of the virus being introduced to school and the consequent risk of its spread.
Some of the practicalities of the proposed actions will be inconvenient but with the co-operation, the flexibility and goodwill of all we will be enabled to ensure the plan can be implemented as effectively as possible.

KEY MESSAGES FOR PARENTS:

The staff and BoM of Aglish NS have continued to work very hard to make sure that the school building and playground are safe for all of the students, teachers and parents. We are continuing to implement routines and rules to keep everyone safe. We will support you to learn these new routines and rules.
School staff know that wellbeing is important and needed for learning to happen. We are prioritising the things that we know will promote wellbeing at this time.
School staff know that parents have made great efforts to support their child’s continued education when schools were closed and that parents have done their best. Teachers will be starting with where every student is at.
Getting back to a school routine, getting enough sleep, eating healthily, taking physical exercise, taking some time to be creative and reconnecting with friends will help everyone to settle back in.
Parents are asked to wear face masks at all times when dropping and collecting children to and from school.

ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL:

The school will be open from 9:10am.

Do not drop any child at the school before 9:10am as we cannot guarantee their health and safety.

Message from Allianz Insurance Group:

"The school will open to receive pupils at 9:10 a.m. No responsibility is accepted for pupils arriving before that time. Classes will commence each day at 9.20a.m. No pupil should arrive later than 9.20am. Classes will end each day at 3.00p.m. and the school cannot accept responsibility for looking after the children after that time. In the case of children travelling by the school bus, the school cannot accept responsibility for escorting them from the bus to the school or from the school to the bus.”

A teacher will be at the school gate to open the school to receive children at 9:10am and to guide children to the correct area.
YOU MUST WAIT FOR THE TEACHER TO OPEN THE SCHOOL GATES BEFORE ALLOWING YOUR CHILD ENTER THE GROUNDS.
No adults are permitted beyond the walls of the school or to congregate at the walls of the school due to social distancing. Please stay in your car where possible. We appreciate your understanding.
Designated Entrance areas:
All pupils will have designated entrance areas on the church side of the school in the infant yard. (In the gate and turn right)
Children will go directly to their classroom door where the teacher will guide them straight into the classroom. They will be supervised by the class teacher and/or SNA. Children will sanitise their hands on entry to the school; they will then take their assigned seat in the classroom. Class begins at 9:20am.
This will be the same for wet days.
To facilitate ease of entry to the school grounds there are designated waiting spots 1 metre apart in the line-up area outside the school gate, we would kindly ask parents NOT TO USE THE SCHOOL GATE AS A DROP-OFF POINT. Please park in the designated parking spaces provided.
We would encourage any child who can, to cycle, walk, scoot, etc. to school. We are still a green school and it will relieve some of the congestion of cars at the school in the morning and afternoon.

Parents, please make sure to talk to your child regarding road safety: wearing a helmet and Hi-Viz jacket, rules of the road and social distancing whilst coming into the school premises.

Once the gate is open at 9:10am, children can park up their bikes/scooters in the bicycle shelter and go straight to their designated entrance area. No congregating in the shed. (Parents please be aware of the time it takes your child to come to school on the bike/scooter/on foot and ensure they do not come before 9:10am to accommodate the social distancing guidelines.)

School Bus will drop children off in the school bus parking space and these children have their own designated waiting spots at the school gate.

END OF SCHOOL DAY COLLECTION:

INFANT PICK-UP:

You will wait at the school wall on the church side of the yard and your child will be sent out to you when the teacher sees you. Parents, please abide by social distancing guidelines whilst waiting for your child. The children will walk out the school gate (not climb over the wall) and walk through the walkway up to where you are. We will practice this with your child so that they are prepared.

1^st – 6^th CLASS

These classes will be released from their classroom through the emergency exit door on the church side of the school. 1st class will be out first, followed by 2nd, then 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th. Children will be released from the classroom Pod by Pod to maximise social distancing.

Children who get on the school bus will get on like before once they are released from their classroom.
As you can appreciate this format is on a ‘trial and error’ basis and may need adjustment. We will communicate any changes to parents by text.
Again, in the interest of Health and Safety, adults are not permitted beyond the walls of the school and parents of children from 1^st class to 6^th class are not to congregate at the walls of the school due to social distancing guidelines. Please remain in your car.

LUNCHTIMES:

The day will include 2 breaks outside, weather permitting.
The yard will be sectioned off into zones; each class bubble will be required to remain in their zone for the duration of the break.
Due to limited space within zones and to reduce common touch areas children will not be allowed to bring footballs, toys etc. to school or onto the yard.

TOILETS DURING BREAK:

Children will be encouraged to use the toilet before going out into the yard for each break to avoid leaving the yard and potentially mixing with children from other bubbles. In an emergency, children will be allowed into the school building one by one to use their own classroom toilet.

FIRST AID:

Children will be treated for minor first aid such as cuts & scrapes. Plasters will be used where necessary.

Ice packs will be given only when absolutely necessary. In the event of bumps to the head parents will receive a courtesy call.

COLLECTION OF CHILDREN DURING THE SCHOOL DAY:

If an adult has to collect a child during the course of the school day, the following arrangements will apply:

You need to inform the office in advance.
If between 9:20am and 1pm – Please phone the school on arrival and do not enter the school grounds.
If between 1pm and 3pm, please buzz the class teacher at the front door.
The child will be brought from their class to the front door by a member of staff.

ACCESS TO SCHOOL BY PARENTS:

Any parents/guardians who wish to access the school must be by appointment only.
Any forgotten items can be left in a drop box outside the main door. Please ring the office and ensure items are clearly labelled.

SOCIAL DISTANCING:

While there is no social distancing requirement in classrooms from Junior Infants to 2^nd Class, children will be seated in pods.
Within each class from 3^rd to 6^th, children will be seated in groups/pods with a 1m distance between pods as per Department of Education and Skills Guidelines. Teachers will consider the best layout of tables in line with the needs of the pupils within their class and the space available.

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR:

Any pupil who breaks the rules/procedures put in place in our Response Plan will be dealt with according to our Sanctions in the Code of Behaviour Policy.
For the first few weeks back at school as we all settle into the new way of school life, children who break these specific rules/procedures will be given a few chances.
Any behaviours relating to spitting/coughing in another person’s face will be seen as a Gross Misdemeanour and will be dealt with as per the schools Code of Behaviour Policy, e.g suspension. (See Code of Behaviour – Sanctions in Organisational Policies)

HAND HYGIENE

Hand sanitiser will be available at all entry points and in all classrooms, toilets and support rooms
Toilets will be stocked with soap, paper towels and bins to facilitate handwashing
Pupils and staff should perform hand hygiene:
On arrival at school
Before eating or drinking
After using the toilet
After playing outdoors
When their hands are physically dirty
When they cough or sneeze
Any hand to face (mouth, nose, eyes, etc) contact

RESPIRATORY HYGIENE:

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene.

This means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze.
Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and safely into a nearby bin.

By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and Covid-19.

PPE:

It is not envisaged that PPE will be worn by staff other than face coverings. However, staff who are attending to particular care needs or who are administering first aid will wear appropriate PPE including gloves and face masks.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:

It is requested that children from all classes will bring their own pens, pencils, colours, rubbers, scissors, etc., to school in their own pencil case to avoid the sharing of equipment. These pencil cases will remain in school.
It is further requested that all items have the child’s name on them for ease of identification.

SHARED EQUIPMENT:

Each class bubble will have its own supply of resources (paint brushes, maths equipment, etc) to be used by that class only. Within that class bubble, each pod will have its own supply of resources which will not be shared amongst other pods.
Some classroom equipment needs to be shared including tablets, laptops and the equipment used for structured activities and play in Infant classrooms.
Cleaning of such shared equipment with wipes or other cleaning products will take place when necessary to minimise the risk of the spread of infection.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND LEARNING SUPPORT:

In keeping with our Special Education policy, learning support will be provided by a blended approach of in-class support and withdrawal. The provision of support will be organised to ensure our support teachers will work within the confines of a bubble in so much as possible.

Children with the greatest need will be prioritised when allocating available resources.
Where a support teacher is working alongside a class teacher in a classroom, both teachers must be mindful of maintaining social distance from one another.
Where children receive support in one of the SET rooms, social distancing of 1 metre will be maintained between each child in the group.
The tables and chairs in SET rooms will be wiped clean in between different groups attending.

Children must wear their tracksuits on PE days - Tuesdays and Fridays.
Children should sanitise/clean hands before and after.
Equipment used will be cleaned at the end of each session.

UNIFORMS

Children must wear their school uniform on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays.
Children must wear school tracksuits on Tuesdays and Fridays.
This should facilitate with regular washing.
We would advise that school uniform (tracksuit or uniform) should only be worn during school days and activities. They should be taken off immediately after arriving home and set aside for the next day to minimise contamination.

CLEANING:

The school will take particular care of the hygiene arrangements for hand washing and toilet facilities.
The school will be thoroughly cleaned daily.
Additional cleaning if available will be focused on frequently touched surfaces.
Additional cleaning takes place at 12:30 each day which is focussed on frequently touched surfaces.

TEACHER ABSENCES AND SUBSTITUTION:

In the event that a teacher is unable to attend school, every effort will be made to secure a substitute teacher for the class. If a substitute teacher is not available, it is not appropriate for the class to be divided into groups and accommodated in other classes. Alternative provision will be organised.

CHILDREN WHO SHOULD NOT ATTEND SCHOOL:

If your child is in one of the following categories, they should not attend school –

Children who have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Children who have been in close contact with a person in their household who has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Children who have a suspected case of Covid-19 and the outcome of the test is pending.
Children who have been in contact with a person who has a suspected case of Covid-19 and the outcome of the test is pending.
Children with underlying health conditions who have been directed by a medical professional not to attend school.
Children who are generally unwell.
We ask that all absences are explained by emailing the office aglishnationalschool@gmail.com Please do not send in notes.

DEALING WITH A CASE OF SUSPECTED COVID-19:

Pupils should not attend school if displaying any symptoms of Covid-19.

There will be times the school will need to send a child home as a precaution if they display symptoms of Covid-19. This is for the protection of the child, the children in the class, the teacher and ultimately the whole school community.

If a pupil displays symptoms of Covid-19 while in the building, the following recommended procedures will be implemented:

Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately.
We ask that parents have a plan in place for collecting children who may fall ill while at school. If a child falls ill and you are at work it is important that we have the contact details of the nominated emergency contact. Please update these details by emailing the school aglishnationalschool@gmail.com or by phoning 024 96425
Isolation Room/Area:
Isolation Area: Link corridor between old and new school behind partition screen, outside where possible.
In the event of more than one case, we will partition off 2 areas in the link corridor.
The child will be accompanied to the designated isolation area 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.
A staff member caring for a symptomatic pupil will wear a face mask, apron and gloves.
A mask will be provided for the child presenting with symptoms. He/she will be instructed to wear the mask until they exit the premises.
A child who is displaying symptoms should immediately be brought home by parents and call their doctor and continue self-isolation at home.
The school will facilitate the child presenting with symptoms to remain in isolation, if they cannot immediately go home.
The child presenting with symptoms will 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.
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.
Siblings will also need to go home.
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.
Public transport of any kind should not be used. Parents of children availing of the school bus must make arrangements for their child to be collected.
Arrangements will be made for appropriate cleaning of the isolation area, work areas and classrooms involved.
If the child is diagnosed with COVID-19 the HSE/Public Health take control of the situation and will inform any staff/parents who have come into close contact with the child via the contact tracing process. The HSE will contact all relevant persons where a diagnosis of COVID-19 is made. The instructions of the HSE should be followed.

We remind you that the staff of Aglish NS are not medical professionals. At all times we act in the best interests of all the children in the school following the advice of the HSE and training provided by the Department of Education and Skills.

IMPACT OF A SUSPECTED or CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 IN A CLASS:

If the school is notified that a person in your child’s class has a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19:

Public health advice will be sought and followed.

SUPPORTING THE LEARNING OF CHILDREN WHO CANNOT ATTEND SCHOOL:

If a child is not able to attend school for an extended period of time, the class teacher (and/or the Special Education teacher, where relevant) will provide suggested activities to support the child’s learning at home.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS CAN HELP BY:

Updating all phone numbers if changed and ensure that there is an extra emergency contact available for your child.
Ensure to have a plan in place should your child fall ill and need to be collected urgently.
Strictly adhere to drop off times. We appreciate this may cause inconvenience and we greatly appreciate your cooperation.
If you need to send a message to the class teacher please email aglishnationalschool@gmail.com or call 024 96425
Keep up to date with the signs and symptoms of Covid-19.
Teach your child about good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Teach your child good toilet etiquette.
If your child is ill, please do not send them to school.
Avoid congregating at the school wall in the mornings/ collection times.
Access to the building is strictly by appointment only.
Please make sure to provide your child with all they need for school each day.
Please label all of your child’s belongings.
Please explain all absences through email.

We understand that:

Children will have had different learning experiences during the school closure period.
That parents are anxious about their children returning to school. We aim to keep communication in this regard factual, clear and based on the latest evidence and guidance.
Parents/guardians will have concerns re expectations around their children’s learning. The Department of Education and Skills has recommended that the initial focus for schools is on the wellbeing of the children and the transition back to school. Priority subjects will be English and Gaeilge, Maths, SPHE and PE.

PARENTAL CONTRACT

We are asking all parents/guardians to sign the ‘Aglish NS Covid-19 Contract’ acknowledging the seriousness of the illness and agreeing to ensure they do not send their child to school if sick or displaying Covid-19 symptoms.
Please sign and complete the contract and return to the school via email aglishnationalschool@gmail.com or post to the school, Aglish NS, Aglish, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford. If this is not possible, you can put it in an envelope marked ‘CONTRACT’ and put it in the school bag with all the stationary for the new school year on the first day back.

We thank you for your continued support and understanding. We want to make sure that all children can return to school safely, and we will take every necessary precaution to keep our school open.

Kind regards,

The staff and Board of Management of Aglish NS

Signed _______________________ Date_______________

Chairperson, Board of Management

Signed _______________________ Date________________

Principal / Secretary to the Board of Management