Back to School September 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

As the beginning of the school year approaches I am happy to say that we are all looking forward to a happy and healthy year here in Holy Spirit G.N.S.  I hope you have all enjoyed a well deserved rest over the Summer and that our girls are looking forward to the school return.  In this Komeer I am including practical information that you will need to know before your daughter comes back to school.  I am also including helpful documents and links.  Please read the message in full and look at the links/documents.

Book Rental and Resources:

The Book Rental and Resources fee covers books, workbooks, pupil insurance, photocopying and art supplies amongst many other classroom resources.  It is E60 for the year which equates to E1.50 a week.  The fee is due from September 1st.  If you have any issues with payment please contact me in confidence to set up a payment plan. There will be a raffle for those who are fully paid up before the Halloween break.

Homework Journal and Copies :

As I informed you all last July we ordered the copies and homework journals for the children from 1st-6th class .  Each child from 1st - 6th class will require this bundle of copies and homework journal to use in school and at home.  As the school is supplementing the cost of this bundle we are able to charge the very small fee of E4 per bundle. This fee is separate to the Book Rental and Resources. I would like to point out that if you were to buy this bundle in the shop it would cost a lot more than we are charging.  Your daughter can bring in the money to the class teacher and then they will be given their copies and homework journal.  

Where to line up next Wednesday 1st September:

There is a map of the school yard attached below and you will be able to see where your child will line up next Wednesday 1st September.  There will also be staff in the yard to direct the children.  Please remember that the children go directly to their lines due to Covid 19 restrictions.

List of Teachers:

There is a list of the teachers for this coming year attached below.  Please note that there have been some changes to the list. Please take note of the name of your child's teacher as you will need it to fill out the health declaration. We are sorry to say that Mr. Walsh has decided to move on from our school.  We are sorry to lose such a great teacher but we wish him well.  He will be missed! Lucky Leitrim!

School Calendar:

I attach a copy of the school calendar below.  You were given a hard copy of this with the school report last June but I know only too well from my own house that they can often go astray!  You can also see the school calendar on the website www.holyspiritgns.ie if you ever need to check it.

Staggered Start/Finish Times:

Junior Infants

Week 1: 10.00a.m. - 11.30p.m. finish (Wed 1st - Fri 3rd Sept)

Week 2: 8.55 a.m. - 12noon finish (6th-10th Sept)

Week 3 :8.55a.m. - 1.35p.m.(from 13th Sept on)

Senior Infants

Start: 8.55a.m.

Finish: 1.35p.m.

1st and 2nd Class

Start: 8.55a.m.

Finish: 2.25p.m.

3rd - 6th Class

Start: 9 a.m.

Finish: 2.35 p.m.

Covid - 19

As you are all very aware we are still facing into a year with Covid-19 restrictions.  While we try our best to keep everything as normal as possible for the children, we are also focusing on being able to keep the school open throughout the pandemic but we need cooperation and support from the parents/guardians to do this. It will be much the same as last year. We need you to do the following in order to keep our school open:

1. The school opens at 8.55am.  Please do not come to the school before this time. Please send your daughter directly to her line.  Do not stand near the lines.       We are operating a 'Drop &Go' system.  Please leave the yard immediatley when your child is in her line. 

2. Please be on time to collect your child (times are above).

3. All adults and children over 13  MUST WEAR A MASK WHILE ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.  This includes the yard.  Anyone not wearing a mask will be        asked to leave the school grounds immediately.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  We are still asking people to wear masks whether they are vaccinated or not. If you are     unable to wear a mask please ask someone else to bring your child to school.  Observe social distance at all times and no congregating.  Please respect this     as it is in the interest of the children's, parent's and staff health. It will also help us keep our school open.

4. As per advice from the Department of Education all contact with your teacher should be via email or phone.  Please do not approach a member of staff on          the yard to discuss any issue. Please phone the office on 018420207.

5. Lunch will be provided for the children in the school building as normal.

6. We will operate as before with Pods and bubbles. We have further enhanced our cleaning regime.

7. Any child who appears unwell in any way will be sent home immediately.  Medical advice must be sought from your GP and the child must be minded and            observed for 48hours after they are sent home.  There are no exceptions to this.

8. Children who seem even a bit unwell in any way should not be sent to school under any circumstances.

9. If anyone in your house has symptoms or children are a close contact they should not be sent to school until they are given the all clear by the HSE.

10.  We never mean to cause offence so please don't be insulted if we ask people to move away from the lines, to leave the yard or to stop congregating.  I               have instructed the staff to do this and they will only be doing their job.

EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO SIGN A RETURN TO SCHOOL COVID DECLARATION FOR THEIR CHILD BEFORE THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL. THE FORM CAN BE FOUND IN A LINK ON THIS KOMEER AND IT WILL BE ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE ALSO  WWW.HOLYSPIRITGNS.IE  

PLEASE LET OTHERS KNOW THEY MUST FILL THE FORM.  I WILL ALSO HAVE PAPER COPIES AVAILABLE ON WEDNESDAY MORNING 1ST SEPTEMBER. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN PEN.

It is only through your constant support and agreement that we will remain open.  We did really well last year. Please follow the above.  Please also find our Covid -19 Response Plan and Risk Assessment attached.

Kindest regards, 

Emma Conroy

Pupil Return to School Declaration August 2021

H.S.E. Advice Videos for Parents for Return to School

H.S.E. Information Posters for Parents

Multi-Lingual H.S.E. Advice for Parents for Return to School

Tips on Handwashing to prevent Covid -19