Céad Míle Fáilte!
A big Ballylinan welcome back to all our pupils and their families. A special welcome to all our pupils starting ‘big’ school for the first time! In this school we have an exceptionally friendly, warm and welcoming environment that we treasure. Our sincere wish is that your child learns and thrives here.
Covid Protocols
Government guidelines require us to return with the same protocols in place as before the summer. We all hope that as vaccine levels continue to increase, we will be able to return to ‘normal’ at some stage. For now, we must remain cautious.
Sanitising will be required. While we have lots of sanitiser available, it is very helpful for your child to have a little bottle to hand.
Interaction will be limited within classrooms and rooms will have little or no interaction with other rooms during the day.
Face coverings will be worn by school staff in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Guidelines state that face coverings for children are not required. If you wish your child to wear one and s/he can manage successfully, they are welcome to do so.
What if my Child is Unwell?
If your child has any of the common symptoms of Covid-19 (temperature, new cough, changed sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath) isolate your child and call your doctor.
If your child has any other symptoms (such as sore throat, headache, runny or stuffy nose, feeling sick, diarrhoea) call your doctor and do not send your child to school.
We have had exceptional cooperation from parents and this contributed to the fact that we needed no intervention from Public Health last year. There is no guarantee that it will be the same this year, so we continue to rely on your cooperation. We really appreciate it. If you have any queries at all, please contact the school and we will be only too glad to help.
You will be required to complete a Return to School Declaration on the Aladdin app when your child is returning from an absence (not after a weekend).
Arriving in the Mornings
Please note that Junior Infants should arrive between 9:30 and 9:45 on Friday, 27th August only. From then on, arrival is as for others as follows:)
Pupils may arrive at any time between 9 and 9:15 and they will go straight to their classrooms through designated entrances, all at the rear of the building:
Athy End: Ms. Twomey, Mrs. Donnelly, Mrs. Sukprasert and Ms. Lacey
Ballylinan End: Ms. Goff, Ms. Cunningham, Mrs. Moriarty and Ms. Hogan
Middle Door: Ms. Murphy, Mr. Curry
It is preferable that the children can make their way without you; it will reduce the risk of adults coming into contact. While such contact would be casual and outdoors, we strongly recommend that adults use face masks if they have to leave their car. If your child is able to get out of the car with their belongings unaided, please use the drop off area. This means drop and go. Please do not delay or get out of your car for any reason. Drop and go!
Departing in the Afternoons
Your child will exit from the door by which they entered in the morning. Infants finish at 2 p.m. (except Junior Infants for first two weeks) and all other classes at 3 p.m.
Those making their way home independently will walk to the front via the Athy end.
If your child is in 4th – 6th Class, please wait at your car. Your child will exit by the same door they entered and make their way to your car. There will continue to be extra space for cars to the rear at the Athy end.
If your child is in 1st – 3rd Class, you may wait in a physically distanced manner on the courts to the rear of the school. Your child will exit and make their way to you.
It is strongly recommended that you wear a mask. Although we have a large area at the rear of the school, make sure not to congregate in close proximity to others. Please do not approach the doors, the teachers will send your child to you. We ask for your patience, particularly for the first few days while we get used to these arrangements.
We can’t change these arrangements if it is very wet, do have a coat to hand!
Schoolbags
Once your child has brought their books to school, schoolbags will not not be needed as often as usual. Details to follow.