The following websites provide further information on COVID-19 and on government advice and recommendations regarding the re-opening of schools:
- School drop off 9.20a.m. to 9.30a.m.
- Stop, Drop and Go (Speed of Movement is Key)
- Children go directly to their fire exit classroom door where they will be received by their classroom teacher
- Everyone will use hand sanitiser provided on entry and exit
- Children and staff wash their hands regularly throughout the day using correct handwashing technique
- Children are asked to have a pencil case with all essentials labelled which will remain in school at all times.
- To collect a child during school hours, please contact the office first.
- Children will be in their class bubbles and pods with classrooms laid out in accordance with Department guidelines
- Each class bubble has their own designated space on yard.
- Our focus will be on finding where the children are at with their learning and then moving them forward.
- The school will be cleaned daily. Students will be required to leave their desk space and chair free of books and other materials at the end of the day, to facilitate daily cleaning
- If showing symptoms, pupil will be isolated in the designated isolation area and parents called. Parents will contact GP. Please ensure contact information is up-to-date.
- If a pupil has travelled outside of Ireland; in such instances pupils are advised to consult and follow latest Government advices in relation to foreign travel.
- Lunchboxes and water bottles, should only be used by one child and should be cleaned daily with regular household cleaning products.
- School bags should be cleaned regularly.
- School uniforms or clothes should be laundered regularly in line with usual good hygiene. If uniforms or clothes are visibly dirty or soiled, they should be laundered.
- Please ensure children have appropriate raingear as the children will be going out in order to ventilate classroom.
- Infants will leave at 2.00p.m. However, for the first week the new Junior Infants will go home at 12.00p.m. Parents of Junior and Senior Infants are asked to observe social distancing on the school yard where they can collect their child from the class teacher.
- At 3.10p.m. children from First Class to Sixth Class will be escorted by their class teachers in two lines, one for the front gate and one for the back gate for dismissal at the end of the day.
- Stop, Pick up and Leave (Flow of Movement is Key)
- Congregation of people at school gates should be strictly avoided.
- Parents are asked not to enter the school building unless it is absolutely necessary and are asked to make an appointment if they wish to speak to a teacher.
- All visitors to the school (parents included) are asked to sign a contact tracing log on entering the school building. All visitors are asked to socially distance at all times and to wear a face mask. They are also asked to sanitise their hands on entering and exiting the building.
- An e-payment system has been set up to reduce necessity to enter the office.
- It is paramount that parents not send their child to school if they feel unwell and are displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
- In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 it is important to know and recognise the symptoms of coronavirus (which includes the DELTA variant).Common symptoms of coronavirus include:
- A Fever (High temperature – 38⁰C or above)
- A new Cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
- Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- Loss of smell, of taste or distortion of taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
- Fatigue
- Aches and Pains
Other uncommon symptoms of coronavirus include:
- Sore Throat
- Headaches
- Runny or stuffy noses
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Diaarrhoea
- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus), self-isolate (stay in your room) and phone your family doctor straight away to see if you need a free COVID-19 test.
- Please email info@kilglassns.ie to confirm that you have read this. Please provide your name and the email address you wish to use for any correspondence from the school. Your email will be used for future contact by the school.
Please find Back to School Advice from the Department of Education. Follow the links provided below for more information.
Please be assured that the staff of Kilglass National School will be focused on finding where the children are at with their learning and then moving them forward. We will be focused on the children’s wellbeing and promoting:
- a sense of safety
- a sense of calm
- a sense of belonging and connectedness
- a sense of self-efficacy and community-efficacy
- a sense of hope
Back to School in September 2021
Back to School – Advice for Parents
The following are some wellbeing advice and resources developed by NEPS for parents:
- How to Calm and Support Your Child – Advice for Parents and Guardians
- Managing Stress and Anxiety – A Guide for Parents
- Reluctant Attenders Info for Parents and Guardians
The following links provide additional information:
- A parent’s guide to close contacts
Information for Parents about the changes to contract tracing and testing for children aged between 3 months and 13 years in primary schools. See the link below.
Information for Parents about Changes to Contact Tracing and Testing for Children
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/contact-tracing/if-your-child-is-a-close-contact/
- Any child with symptoms of Covid-19 need to immediately self-isolate, stay at home, and you should contact their GP for advice and COVID 19 testing.
- Children aged between 3 months and 13 years who are household contacts of a confirmed case of COVID 19 will still have to restrict
their movements and get a COVID 19 test. - From Monday September 27th children who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in schools, childcare facilities, sports, and social settings, will not have to restrict their movements or get a COVID 19 test.
Common symptoms of coronavirus include:
- A Fever (High temperature – 38⁰C or above)
- A new Cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
- Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- Loss of smell, of taste or distortion of taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
- Fatigue
- Aches and Pains
Other uncommon symptoms of coronavirus include:
- Sore Throat
- Headaches
- Runny or stuffy noses
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Diaarrhoea
- Privacy
The school cannot share the name of the child or staff member who tested positive (COVID-19 detected). This information is private and confidential. Close contacts will not be told the name of the person with COVID-19 unless the parent or guardian of the child or member of staff gives permission. - Where do I go for more information?
Up to date information and advice on COVID-19 (coronavirus) is available on hse.ie. If you have any queries you can call HSELive on 1850 24 1850 from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 5pm on Saturday. You can also contact the HSE by email on hselive@hse.ie - Children and Face Coverings
Face coverings are not recommended for children under the age of 13, but some children may choose to wear one. Young children may not follow the advice about wearing a face covering correctly.
Children under 13 on rare occasions may be asked to wear a face-covering. For example, some children may be advised to do this when attending a hospital clinic.
- Useful websites
https://www.gov.ie/en/
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/
Please find the link below which provides an Isolation Guide for Parents and Guardians
Quick Isolation Guide for Parents of Children up to 13 years of age
Please find below a link to a letter from the Department of Education re Antigen Testing.
The Department of Education announced Tuesday evening new requirements in relation to mask wearing indoors for pupils from 3rd to 6th class in primary schools. Please find the following documents attached below: CMO Letter from Dr Tony Holohan to Schools, Government Guidance on the use of face coverings in Primary School and a How to use face coverings guide for parents and children.
Government Guidance on the use of face coverings in Primary Schools
How to use face coverings guide for parents and children
Please note the updated guidelines from the Department of Education below in relation to the wearing of face masks.
Department of Education FAQs in relation to face masks in primary schools