Updates from the principal and Board of Management
Frequently Asked Questions.
Our Parents Association have been gathering some of the questions and concerns that parents have about about re-opening Creagh National School. We will answer as many of these as we can in this section. You can send additional questions to creaghnsonline@gmail.com and we will answer them as soon as possible.
Click on the question to read the answer
Will the school be reopening for all classes/Children on the 1st of September?
Yes, We are currently planning for Creagh National School to be opening fully for all children and staff on Tuesday the 1st of September. Classes will be invited to attend a brief induction session for approximately 30 minutes on Monday 31st August. Times and details below.
Will the classes remain the same as last year?
There will still be 16 mainstream classes, two of each class stream. Some classes have been reconfigured and classrooms have been re-allocated to make physical distancing possible. (See D.E.S. Checklists for Physical Distancing)
What will the classrooms look like in September?
We have removed all the excess furniture from classrooms as per the D.E.S. advice. From 3rd to 6th class, children will be seated 1 m. apart. See the D.E.S. Illustrative Primary classroom layouts document for examples.
Will the children still have to wear the school uniform?
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Will there be specific Drop off and collection points for children?
- Each Class (Also called a bubble) will be allocated a specific gate and area in the playground. More details to follow.
- Children will be directed to their assembly areas, where they will stay apart from other classes/ bubbles.
- Teachers will collect their classes and lead them into their classrooms.
- Children from 1st - 6th class are expected to enter the school grounds unaccompanied.
- Parents of children from Junior infants - 1st class may accompany these younger children to the allocated areas in the playground but they must ensure to stay 2 m from other adults. Parents of these younger children will collect their children from these allocated areas at the end of the school day. Physical Distance rules apply at all times for adults.
- Children from 3rd - 6th class will leave the school unaccompanied through the same doors and gates that they entered in the morning. Parents can arrange to meet them accordingly, preferably not at the school gates. We are encouraging children to walk to school if possible.
What are the times of the school day? Will all classes begin at the same time?
In order to ensure that social distancing can occur and children can enter the school premises in a manner that complies with health and safety guidelines, it will be necessary to stagger opening times in the school.
- The school day for 1st to 6th class begins at 9:20 am. and finishes at 3 pm.
- The school day for Infant classes begins at 9:25 am and finishes at 2:05 pm
- For the first two weeks, Junior Infants will begin at 9:40 am and finish at 12:20 pm.
While children are in bubbles during their time in the classroom, will they be allowed to mix with other classes in the playground?
Each class/bubble will be allocated a specific area of the school grounds to play in/ assemble in. Bubbles /classes will not be allowed to mix with other classes as per D.E.S. advice.
What is the procedure if a child begins to show symptoms during school?
At all times the school will follow the guidelines as laid out in the D.E.S. Covid Response Plan (Appendix 7, p. 44)
- The principal will accompany the case to the isolation area (Keeping a distance of 2 m apart and wearing a mask)
- The affected person will be reminded to avoid touching other people/surface/ objects and to cover their mouth and nose with disposable tissues when they cough or sneeze, disposing of the used tissues in a bin afterwards and washing their hands.
- The parents/guardians will be contacted immediately by the school secretary and asked to collect the child at the main entrance . The child will remain in the isolation area until collected.
- When leaving, the child will be provided with a disposable mask and led to the exit to meet their parent/guardian.
- The isolation area will be taken out of use until cleaned and disinfected.
- The classroom space will be cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible.
- A follow up assessment will occur to identify an actions needed.
- The H.S.E will inform any staff/parent who have come into contact with a diagnosed case via the contact tracing process.
- The H.S.E will contact all relevant persons where a diagnosis of COVID-19 is made.
- The instructions of the H.S.E. will be followed at all times and staff and pupil confidentiality is essential at all times.
will there be hand sanitisers in the classrooms?
There will be hand sanitisers in every classroom in the school and at all exits/entrances. Children will be encouraged to wash their hands during the school day also. Additional hand towel dispensers have been sourced to facilitate this.
How will children bring all their books to school on the first day? Can parents carry the books for them?
- Older children will bring in their books / copies / supplies in a staggered manner. They should bring half of their books on Monday the 31st and the other half of their books on Tuesday the 1st.
- Parents of children from Junior Infants to first class can bring carry the books as far as the designated area where they will be collected by the class teacher.
- The school has purchased storage boxes for each child so there is no need for parents to supply these.
Will my child be wearing a mask when they go back to school? Will the staff in the school be wearing masks?
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Will there be any homework when the children return to school?
Our initial priority is to get children back safely. There will be no formal homework for the first week until routines have been established.
Will my child be sharing books with any other children in their class/ bubble?
The school has invested hugely in expanding our supply of rental and banks of books. In the past, banks of books were shared between classes. Each class will now have it's own supply of each book. Every child will be given their own individual copy of each book which they will store in their own box.
Does the School have A plan for blended learning?
IF THE SCHOOL HAS TO CLOSE, THERE IS A PLAN FOR BLENDED LEARNING ARRANGEMENTS. IF THIS SITUATION ARISES, ALL CLASSES WILL USE SEESAW.
Will the school be offering after school clubs from September?
There will be no homework club or after school clubs operating in the school. This will be reviewed and may change after half term.
Will the late starting time for infant classes last all year?
It is intended that the later start for infant classes, that has been carefully considered as a necessary arrangement children get used to new routines, is a temporary measure. It is hoped that the school will revert to a common entry time for all classes as soon as infant children are comfortable enough to move quickly into classrooms with little need for parental assistance or company. The speed at which this occurs will depend largely on the co-operation of our parents in putting these routines and practices in place.
Will the parents have to wash uniforms every night?
There is no expectation for parents to wash uniforms every night and the school is in no position to police such a matter.
Do children have to wear the school uniform on Monday 31st for the induction meeting?
No. Children are not required to wear the school uniform on Monday the 31st of August as it is not a full school day but they may wear the uniform if they wish.
What time is my child expected to be in school on Monday the 31st and where should they go on arrival?
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Click on the image to see information regarding the timetable and reception areas for induction day.
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Will children still be doing P.E. in school this year? Will they need a school uniform?
P.E. is considered a vital element of the primary school curriculum and in line with guidance from the D.E.S., children will attend PE classes every week. P.E. classes will take place outside and the strands covered will include athletics and outdoor pursuits with minimal use of resources/ materials as advised by the D.E.S. Children in senior classes should still wear the PE uniform on their designated P.E. days.
Will my child need a school bag?
Children will need a school bag. These are not considered as high risk. All lunch boxes/ drinks bottles and books/ supplies should be carried to and from school in the child's school bag rather than in a carrier bag or by hand. This is to ensure ease of application of hand sanitiser on arrival and dispersal from school.
Do I need to purchase a box for my child's books?
You do not need to purchase a box for your child this year. The school has purchased boxes for all the children in the school.
Do I send my child to school if they have a runny nose?
You do not have to keep your child at home if they have a runny nose.
If your child has any of the following symptoms:
If your child has:
Please see the following document from the D.E.S. for further advice regarding Covid-19 and your child.
If your child has any of the following symptoms:
- a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
- a new cough
- loss or changed sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
If your child has:
- been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus
- been living with someone who is unwell and may have coronavirus
Please see the following document from the D.E.S. for further advice regarding Covid-19 and your child.
should i send hand sanitiser into school with my child?
No. We would prefer if you do not send hand sanitiser into school with your child. We have 44 hand sanitiser stations in the school. This is ample to supply all the staff/ children and visitors. Each room in the school and all the exit doors have been furnished with sanitiser stations. There are also three working taps in each classroom, with warm running water, for children to wash their hands.
What is the correct way for my child to use hand sanitiser?
The poster attached shows the correct procedure for using hand sanitiser. These posters will be displayed throughout the school. It would be great if you could practice this with your child.
Is there a particular way my child should wash their hands?
The D.E.S. has issued a video outlining the best handwashing procedures for preventing the spread of Covod-19. There is a link to this video below. The school also have posters circulated throughout all the sink areas with a child friendly reminder on correct hand washing. This is also available below.
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Hand Washing Poster
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Hand Washing Video
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Return to school advice for Parents/ Guardians from the D.E.S.
Video Advice for Parents/ Guardians and Pupils
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Advice for Jun Inf - 2nd Class
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Advice for 3rd class - 6th Class
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Advice for Parents/ Guardians
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The following documents contain important advice for parents on Covid-19 and the return to school. Click on the images to download the documents.
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All videos and other materials/ resources from the D.E.S. supporting the return of children to school are available on https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/
Other Documents / Guidance from the D.E.S .
The Department of Education and Science has published a suite of Documents and guidelines to assist schools with re-opening safely post the Covid-19 exceptional closure. Our school will be guided by the advice of both the D.E.S. and the H.S.E. in order to ensure that Creagh National School will fully re-open for all staff and pupils on the 1st of September.
