Gardiner Street Primary School

Archive for the ‘Senior Infants’ Category

Room 5 have been improving their tennis skills every Thursday with coach Luke. 

In E2, Ms. Carmody’s class are watching out for signs of Autumn. We have been learning that pine cones fall from pine trees in Autumn. We think that the pine cones smell very nice and that they look like pineapples. The scales on the pine cone remind us of the steps of stairs. 

Pine cones that are closed up have seeds inside. The cone protects the seeds from cold temperatures. We have left them near the warm radiator so that they will open up. We can’t wait to shake out the seeds inside! 

Dear Parents / Guardians, and Children,

We cannot wait to see you all and to welcome you back! School re-opens on Thursday, August 27^th. 

Until then we want the children to enjoy the last few days and look forward to meeting your friends and your teacher!  There is no need to worry as we have everything put in place for a happy return.   We will be focusing on children’s well being and the well being of the entire School Community.  

The Board of Management and Staff have been working very hard over the last few weeks.  We hope that we have thought of everything but if not please ring the school (018722894) and we will be happy to listen to your comments. 

Each and every one of us has a role to play in keeping Covid-19 out of our school

What are we aiming to do?

As we open our school in a changed world, we have 2 aims: 

1. With your help and cooperation our aim is to open the school and stay open.
2. We will endeavour to keep staff, children, parents and grandparents safe.

 

We are guided by the following principles from the advice from the Department of Education:

• Adherence to relevant health and safety requirements
• Supporting the wellbeing of learners and school staff
• Ensuring equity and consistency in curriculum provision and in pupils’ learning experiences
• Supporting pupils where they are at in their learning and providing them with what they need in order to flourish and be successful
• Establishing curriculum and instructional priorities and planning accordingly
• Developing and supporting collaboration with parents and agencies, in order to maximise outcomes for all pupils in a fair and equitable way.

 

See Below: 

1. HOW WILL WE KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE?
2. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN ENTERING THE SCHOOL:
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLAYING OUTSIDE:
4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN GOING HOME:
5. BOOK RENTAL FOR 2020 / 21
6. WHO WILL MY CHILD’S TEACHER BE NEXT YEAR?
7. UNIFORM, TRACKSUIT, COATS AND SCHOOL BAGS
8. DAY ONE – 27^th August 2020

 

1. How will we keep your children safe?

.Board of Management:

• The Board held meetings and assisted in putting together theCovid Response Plan and Sanitising Arrangements for the return of the Staff and the children.
• The Board approved that each cleaner will do extra cleaning every day.
• The Board also approved hiringa First Aid Person to look after the children at Play Time.
• The Board is also looking into investing in AWNINGS/ covers for our soft playgrounds so that we can have the children outside.
• The Board approved reducing the BOOK RENTAL for one year only. See below….

 

Staff: 

• The Staff will wear masks in the morning and afternoon.
• They will use visors in the classrooms.
• They also have portable Perspex screens so that if they are working with small groups or an individual child everybody is safe.
• They will also show children what “Hygiene Etiquette” means and will encourage children to wash their hands as often as possible.
• Each teacher has access to a thermometer (contactless) and he /she will practise taking temperatures, in a fun way, with the whole class so that the children are used to it. Temperatures will only be taken if a child feels unwell. 

 

PARENTS:

• We ask parents to WEAR A MASK IN THE PLAYGROUND AND STAY 2 METERS FROM THE NEXT PARENT.
• Parents may NOT ENTER THE SCHOOL BUILDING.
• PARENTS, wishing to see the PRINCIPAL, SECRETARY,  or a CLASS TEACHER must ring and make an appointment.
• PARENTS, wishing to see Anita, will sit under the shelter and she will come out to deal with your queries.  Anita will use visor and will use a table with a Perspex screen. 
• If a pupil feels unwell the child must be kept at home.  No exceptions.
• If your child has
  • • a high temperature,
    • a new cough,
    • breathing difficulties or
    • loss of taste or smell –

these are symptoms of Covid-19.  You should contact your GP immediately and your child should not attend school. 

• If a pupil has Covid Symptoms and is awaiting the test, their siblings (brothers and sisters) do not attend until the results of the test are known. If any member of your family is awaiting the test or test results then the children must not attend school. 
• If a child is unwell in school he/she will need to be isolated from the class and sent home immediately. Please keep your child at home if he/she is unwell. 

 

CONTACT TRACING LOG: Who signs the Contact Tracing Log? 

• Parents – meeting the Principal, Eileen O’Doherty, and any teacher or SNA. 
• Parents – meeting School Secretary, Anita,
• Parents – meeting Ellie, the Home School Community Liaison Teacher.

 

CHILDREN: 

Our aim is to make our new routines “normal” for the children.

• Children’s hands will be sanitised at entry points to the school (by SNAs) in the morning and (by Resource Teachers) at lunchtimes. Children’s hands will also be sanitised as they leave the school.
• Liquid Soap will be provided for children in the toilets.
• Automatic Sanitising Stations have been set up and will be used by children moving to resource rooms.
• Teachers will encourage children to follow the hygiene etiquette.
• Each pair of Teachers has a thermometer (contactless) and if a child feels unwell the temperature will be taken.
• FOGGING MACHINE / SANITISING MACHINE will be used in all rooms once a week after school.
• Children 3^rd to 6^th will need 2 sets of stationery (pen, pencil, eraser, pointer, 12 inch ruler and colours)
• One set of stationery for school only
• One set of stationery for home only.

 

  SOCIAL DISTANCING:

• The children in Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Class and Second Class do not need to be socially distanced but they will stay with their class bubble and will not mix with other classes.
• The children in 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes will be in pods in the classrooms and will be socially distanced as far as possible. The children will not mix with other classes.  They will stay with their own class bubble. 

 

2. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN ENTERING THE SCHOOL:

New Junior Infants 9.30 a.m.: FIRST  DAY ONLY. Class teachers will greet parents in the playground. Children and parents will line up in the playground.  If too many parents arrive together. Resource teachers (per class) will bring children into the classroom.  

CHILDREN WILL NO LONGER LINE-UP IN THE PLAYGROUND.  They will now go straight to the classes.

Please try to follow these ENTRY POINTS AND TIMES

If parents have a number of children in the school please send all children to school at the same time. 

 

CLASS	TIME	Entry Point
Junior Infants	8.40 a.m. after Day 1	Main Playground
Senior Infants	8.40 a.m.	Main Playground
1stClasses	8.40 a.m.	Main Playground
2ndClasses	8.45 a.m.	Door on the Lane
3rd Classes	8.45 a.m.	Main Playground             For  Room 13  Door on the Lane                For Room 8
4th Classes	8.45 a.m.	Main Playground
5th Classes	8.40 a.m	Main Playground
6th Classes	8.40 a.m.	Main Playground

 

 

 

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNCH TIME & PLAYING OUTSIDE:

Children will stay with their CLASS BUBBLE during playtime.  The Jesuit Community has given us the use of the beautiful Jesuit Garden for the children’s playtime.  We thank Fr. Gerry and Fr. Richard.  The use of the garden has meant that we have normal play times and we have more space. 

 

1^ST LUNCH:  9 CLASSES – ( 4 CLASSES STAY IN THE PLAYGROUND)    AND 

 (5 CLASSES USE JESUIT GARDEN)

• The playground has been divided using coloured spray paint.

 

 

2^nd LUNCH:  10 CLASSES  –( 5 STAY IN THE PLAYGROUND)    AND

     (5 CLASSES USE JESUIT GARDEN)

• 5^TH and 6^TH CLASSES will use Jesuit Garden. 4^th classes will alternate each week in the garden.

 

• 4^th class, 3^rd, 2^nd will use

 

Mrs. Silvia Onciu will help with FIRST AID in the event of a child falling. 

 

 

4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN GOING HOME:    We ask parents to please collect the children at the appointed time below:

   INFANTS

Time	Classes	Exit
1.20 p.m.	Junior Infants	PLAYGROUND
1.30 p.m.	Senior Infants	PLAYGROUND

 

  1^ST TO 6^TH

2.20 P.M.	1ST CLASSES	PLAYGROUND
2.30 P.M.	2nd CLASSES and 3rd Class — EX2	EXIT from door in the Lane
2.30 p.m.	3rd Class  Room 13 4th Classes	Main Yard
2.30 p.m.	5th and 6th	HALL EXIT

 

5. Book RENTAL for 2020/21

 

The Board of Management has agreed to reduce the BOOK RENTAL FEE from €45 for one year only.

The arrangements for 2020 / 2021are as follows:

• First Child pays €25
• 2^nd child pays €5.
• 3^rd child pays €5
• 4^th child pays €5.

NO FAMILY WILL BE ASKED TO PAY MORE THAN €40. 

 

6. Who will my child’s teacher be next year?

 

Room No	Class	Teacher
1	Junior Infants	Kim Horan
2	Junior Infants	Rachel Hetherington
3	Junior Infants	Alison Kohler
5	Senior Infants (Room 3)	Shane Brady
E1	Senior Infants (Room 1)	Elizabeth Cox
E2	Senior Infants (Room 2)	Emma Carmody
Room 9	First Class    (E2)	Nicola Murphy
Room 10	First Class    (E1 )	Karen Sheridan
Room 11	First Class (Room 6)	Stephanie Goggins
Room 8	Second Class (Room 9)	Nora McGinley
Room EX1	Second Class (Room 10)	Rachel Calvey
Ex2	3rd class (Room 16 + Half Rm. 15)	Fiona Gorman
13	3rd Class (Room 11 + Half Rm. 15)	MoyaFeighery
Room 15	4th Class (Ex 1)	Sarah Manning
Room 16	4th Class (13)	Sally Byrne
A1	5th (A6)	Emma Cullen
A2	5th (A5)	Sharron Downey
A5	6th (Room A1)	Aine Doyle
A6	6th (Room A2)	Aine Egan

 

.

7. UNIFORM, TRACKSUIT, COATS AND SCHOOL BAGS

• Children will wear the uniform every day except P E Day when the children wear the tracksuit.
• Children will need a schoolbag.
• Both the child’s coat and schoolbag will be stored in a bag on the coatrack each day to avoid touching other bags or coats.

 

DAY ONE –  27^th August 2020: 

PLEASE provide your child with a mask.   This will be worn in the morning coming to school.  It will be stored in a special bag provided by the school.  . 

The School will provide a set of 5 masks for every child so that parents will have no expense.  The masks should be washed and reused.   Your child will receive his/her masks on Day One – 27^th August, 2020.   Please put your child’s name on the masks. 

 

We thank you all in advance for your co-operation and help in fighting to keep Covid-19 out of our school. 

Until we actually get to welcome you back on Thursday 27th September, 

Stay Safe , 

Have a wonderful few days, 

Eileen O’Doherty

Principal