Latest Updates – Phased Return to School
Category : Boarding , Early Intervention , Post Primary , Primary , Principal's News
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I hope this email finds you and your families safe and well.
I email to confirm that Holy Family will re-open next Thursday 11th February.
Please see attached the Letter to Principals from the Department of Education & Skills which was sent to the schools yesterday evening. It gives the basis for the reopening and references important documents to help schools prepare.
We are very busy studying this documentation from the Department of Education and will update our Covid 19 Response Plan to ensure to the maximum extent possible, the health and safety of our pupils, staff and extended families.
I will be sharing this updated plan with you and sending you regular updates as we move closer to Thursday 11th. We will translate the key messages for parents and pupils into ISL and upload them to our website.
The Guidance on re-opening of Special Schools states that only 50% of pupils can attend school every day. I will be sending you our schedule for this attendance as early as possible next week. It is likely, but not confirmed as yet, that our Early Intervention & Primary pupils will attend on alternative days e.g. Monday/ Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday. Pupils will attend for either 2 days or 3 days each week. All pupils will have the same time in school over a 2 week period. On the days the class group is at home online or remote teaching will continue to be provided.
Post Primary Classes are likely, but not as yet confirmed, to attend either for 3 days or two days in sequence every week i.e. Mon/Tues/Wed or Thursday/Friday. All pupils will have the same time in school over a two week period. There may be special provision for 6th year Exam pupils to attend on a fulltime basis. This is a model that best fits with Boarding. On the days the class group is at home online or remote teaching will be provided.
We hope that all pupils can return to our school. I would be grateful if you would let me know by Monday 8th February at the latest if your son or daughter will not be returning to school. We need this information to finalize our planning and to notify our bus escorts.
Please email this information to accounts@holyfamilydeafschool.ie for the attention of Deputy Principal Eugene Doyle.
If your son or daughter is not returning to school, we will endeavour to put supports in place for the days they are not attending live schooling. But this will very much depend on the availability of staff to provide this support. It will not be possible for the class teacher to teach students in school and at home at the same time.
School Transport
I understand that grants can be provided to parents/guardians if they wish to bring their own children to school rather than use school transport for this limited period until all schools reopen.
I hope to be able to give you more information and share links to School Transport to apply for this grant as soon as possible.
Illness
It is of HUGE IMPORTANCE that your son or daughter DOES NOT COME TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE SICK. Please err on the side of caution if your child is unwell. I will be directing bus escorts not to allow any child who is unwell onto the school buses.
We MUST keep our school community safe!
Short videos for parents from public health doctors will be circulated to reaffirm the importance of keeping COVID-19 out of education facilities by keeping symptomatic children at home
Every Parent MUST complete and RETURN the attached declaration form.
It is also available at this link:
Parents of children returning in this phase will be asked by the school to complete the declaration form at the attached link: This form is to be used when children are returning to the setting after any absence.
You can email this completed form to info@holyfamilydeafschool.ie or the child can return the form on his or her first day back to school.
If your son or daughter becomes unwell during the school day, You MUST be in a position to collect your son or daughter. Sick pupils are not allowed to travel on school or public transport.
I hope this information is helpful and I will continue to share our plans as they develop with you in the coming days.
Please also check our Website for updates.
Kindest regards,
Eimear
