Category Archives: Mr Carberry – Fourth Class

Safety and Control Measures in the Event of a Confirmed Case of Covid 19 in our School

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Dear Parents and Staff

 

 

Re: If we have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school

 

 

We do not have any confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 in the school. However, it is only prudent that we consider what procedures are in place to deal if such a situation were to arise so that all of us are aware in advance of what happens in such an event.

 

Safety and Control Measures

The BoM, school leadership and staff are very conscious of the paramount need to keep all pupils, staff and visitors safe while in the school.  The school is a controlled environment. There are control measures in place to combat the introduction or spread of COVID-19.  These are based on:

 

  • Physical Distancing
  • Hand Hygiene
  • Respiratory and Hygiene Etiquette
  • Face coverings, where necessary.

 

 

When a person displays symptoms of COVID-19

The following steps are taken when a person (child or adult) in the school presents with suspected COVID-19 symptoms:

 

  • That person is moved to the isolated area prior to going home. In the case of children, their parents will be asked to come to the school, take them home and contact their GP for a free telephone consultation
  • If the GP recommends that the person (child or adult) go for a COVID-19 test, that person is now considered a query case for COVID-19 and all of his/her household members are removed from the school and must restrict their movements until the results of the test come back
  • In the case of a negative result (98% of cases), the GP will advise when the person should return to school – usually after 48 hours.
  • In the case of a positive result (2% of cases), Public Health will, by law, be informed. This may take a matter of hours due to legal and volume of work issues.  The risk has been removed from the school as the person who tested positive and his/her household are at home
  • The person tested, or their parents, may well be informed before Public Health. In many cases a social media discussion ensues and anxiety levels are raised among the school community.

 


 

Public Health Intervention

The Public Health Department of the HSE is the agency responsible by law for dealing with positive cases of COVID-19:

 

  • Once notified by the HSE testing regime, Public Health Doctors assume total control of the situation and will carry out a risk assessment. Based on questioning, the person with the positive result they will ascertain if they were within the school setting when they contracted the virus.  If not, there is no need to contact the school
  • If the person was within the school setting when they contracted the virus, Public Health will contact the principal to carry out a Public Health Risk Assessment. This is a set of questions to see who might have been exposed to the virus and who needs to be excluded or tested.  This risk assessment will be unique to each school
  • The principal and BoM have no function in the risk assessment other than to provide whatever information is required by the Public Health Medical Officer conducting the risk assessment
  • The principal and BoM may be asked to assist the Medical Office by sending a message from them to the relevant families identified in the risk assessment. Public Health will not contact other members of the school community
  • The principal and BoM are not permitted to inform members of the school community of the identity of the person or persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 for the following reasons:

 

  • Doctor – Patient confidentiality
  • GDPR legislation prevents the publication of personal data without consent

 

 

 

 

Geraldine Conlon (Chairperson)

Sarah Bradley (Principal/Secretary Board of Management)

 

Information for Fourth Class Parents. G5 – Mr. Carberry

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Dear parent/guardian

My name is Martin Carberry and I will be your son’s 4th class teacher. I am looking forward to working with you in supporting your child’s transition back to school. You can be assured that I, and all the staff at St. Joseph’s, will do our absolute best to make sure your son feels safe and happy in their return to our school.

As you can imagine, life at school will look a little different this school year as measures have been put in place to help minimise the risk of Covid-19. Below are some points that hopefully will help to answer some of the many questions you may have.

  • Your son’s classroom will be located in the Green Building, just as last year.
  • His classroom will be G5, which is located upstairs in the building.
  • Your child will enter and exit the school yard everyday through the main gates at the front of the school.
  • On Friday August 28th, I will collect your son and his classmates from the Green Yard and guide them through the procedures we have put in place for lining up in a socially distant matter, entering/exiting the building, location of the new toilets (inside the Green Building) and show them to their new classroom.
  • Students will be shown the procedure for storage of coats and school bags etc.
  • From Monday August 31st onwards, upon arrival to school, children will proceed straight to their new classroom. They will enter the Green Building using the white door. I will be in the classroom as the students arrive.
  • Students of G5 will be seated in groups or pods of between 4 and 6. Pods are situated at least 1 metre from one another and at least 2 metres from my own desk and teaching area as recommended by the Department of Education.
  • Students/staff will be asked to sanitise hands on any occasion they enter or leave the classroom, prior to eating and at regular intervals throughout the day.
  • Each class will limit their interaction with other students as much as possible – our class will remain together throughout the day as well as having a designated area in the yard during breaks.
  • Time will be taken on the return to school to guide children back to the pace of learning and the pace of the school day. We will concentrate on language development (English and Irish) Mathematics, SPHE and PE.
  • Over the coming days other health and safety procedures will be finalised within the classroom and children will be guided on this in order to ensure the upmost is being done to keep our students and staff safe.

 

Looking forward to seeing you all back at St. Joseph’s for this new school year.  It may be challenging but working together we will rise above these challenges and enjoy our school once again.

Regards,

M.Carberry.

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Back to School – Adjustments to the School Day

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Adjustments to the School Day to Facilitate Covid 19 Safety Measures
Due to Covid 19 Regulations changes are being made to the school day. These changes are being made in the interests of health and safety and may be subject to change in line with guidance from the Department of Education and Skills and the H.S.E.

Junior Infants
Thursday 27th August school begins at 10.00 am and finishes 11.30am: Parents and children will enter through the main gate and assemble in the Green Yard in a socially distant manner. The teachers will bring pupils to their classes and parents should remain in the yard for a short meeting to outline Covid 19 Safety Procedures. Children are to wear the school tracksuit. They do not need to take anything to school with them on this day.

Friday 28th August: No school

Monday 31st of August to Friday 11th September school starts at 8.40am and finishes at 12.00pm:
Monday 14th of September and for the rest of the school year 8.40-1.20pm, Main School Gate (Green Yard)

3rd Class
Thursday 27th of August school starts at 12.00 and finishes at 1.30pm: Parents and children will enter through the main gate assemble in the Green Yard in a socially distant manner. Teachers will bring pupils to their classes and parents should remain in the yard for a short meeting to outline Covid 19 Safety Procedures. Pupils may wear school uniform or tracksuit.

Friday 28th August: No School

Monday 31st – August and for the rest of the school year school starts at 8.50am and finishes at 2.30pm

Senior Infants

Friday 28th of August school starts at 9.45am and finishes 11.00am: Children will enter through the main gate and assemble in the Green Yard. Teachers will escort pupils to their classes. Socially distant meeting in the Green School Yard for parents to outline Covid 19 safety procedures 10.30am- 11.00am. Pupils may wear school uniform or tracksuit. Classes will be dismissed at intervals from 11.00am to ensure social distancing

Monday 31st – August and for the rest of the school year school starts at 8.50am and finishes at 1.20pm, Main School Gate (Green Yard)

1st Class and 4th Class
Friday 28th of August school starts at 9.30 and finishes at 11.00: Children will enter through the main gate and assemble in the Green Yard. Teachers will escort pupils to their classes. Socially distant meeting in the Green School Yard for parents to outline Covid 19 safety procedures 10.30am- 11.00am. Classes will be dismissed at intervals from 11.00am to ensure social distancing. Pupils may wear school uniform or tracksuit.

Monday 31st – August and for the rest of the school year school starts at 8.50am and finishes at 2.30pm, Main School Gate (Green Yard)

5th Class and 6th Class
Friday 28th of August school starts at 9.30am and finishes at 11.00am: Children will enter through the back gate and assemble in the Red Yard (entrance via King St.). Teachers will bring pupils to their classes. Socially distant meeting in the Red School Yard for parents to outline Covid 19 safety procedures 10.30am- 11.00am. Classes will be dismissed at intervals from 11.00am to ensure social distancing. Pupils may wear school uniform or tracksuit.

Monday 31st – August and for the rest of the school year school starts at 8.50am and finishes at 2.30pm, Red School Gate (entrance via King St).
*Arrangements for children travelling on the bus and for siblings will be outlined before school begins.