Arklow CBS

AUG 2021 Student Return to School Checklist

Student Checklist

Dear parents/guardians and students. Please find below a list of questions, that have been compiled from the various Department of Education & Skills (DES) checklists sent to us.

I have endeavored to answer all the questions as comprehensively as possible. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact me - mwhite@arklowcbs.ie

The following measures are explained in detail within this document:

  • Cleaning
  • Sharing items
  • Contact log
  • Sickness/symptoms
  • Isolation area
  • Hand washing
  • Sanitisation
  • School Protocols
  • Masks
  • Uniform

Have you a system in place to provide students with information and guidance on the measures that have been put in place to help prevent the spread of the virus and what is expected of them?

During their first induction day students will be given a talk by their Tutors and Year Heads on the measures in place in school. The Principal and Deputy Principal will consult regularly with the Senior Management team and with the Class Tutors to ensure that any new guidance from the DES is passed onto students and parents/guardians. Students will meet their Tutor every morning and Tutors will reinforce the protocols and measures in place that students must adhere to whilst in school. The school app, ‘iClass’ and website www.arklowcbs.ie will be used extensively to send messages home regarding same. Students will be expected to adhere to any measures in place in school and it is expected that parents/guardians will encourage their children to fully uphold these measures. Any breaches of these measures will be treated extremely seriously as they are breaches of health and safety protocols.

Have you explained the need for the enhanced cleaning regime to students?

During their first induction day students will be given a talk by their Tutors and Year Heads on the measures in place in school. This will include details of the enhanced cleaning regime now in place in school. Additional cleaning staff have been employed and all areas of the school will be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis.

Students will be asked to buy into this regime by ensuring they regularly wash and sanitise their hands and that they place all rubbish into the bins.

Have you advised students to avoid sharing items such as cups, bottles, cutlery, pens?

During their first induction day students will be given a talk by their Tutors and Year Heads on Covid 19 and what they can do to try minimise the chances of virus spread. Part of this talk will cover the aspect of sharing resources. Students should not share their drinks bottles or eating utensils with each other. Their drinks bottles should be clearly labelled with their names to avoid possible mix ups. Similarly, any school stationery should be clearly labelled with their names and not shared amongst friends.

Have you told students of the purpose of the COVID-19 contact log?

During their first induction day students will be given a talk by their Tutors and Year Heads on Covid 19. Part of this talk will cover the necessity of having a Covid 19 contact log. Roll calls will be called at every class during the school day and a record will be kept of any students leaving the school for appointments throughout the day. Similarly, a log will be kept of teachers present daily. The school office will maintain a log of any visitors to the school, this will include parents/guardians. However, any potential visitor to the school, including parents/guardians must contact the school office in advance to make an appointment. They will be required to answer questions regarding their health prior to an appointment being made. In order to try miminise the number of visitors to the school any parents/guardians wishing to meet with the Principal/ Deputy Principal, or any Year Heads or teachers will be facilitated by a phone meeting as opposed to a face to face meeting.

Have you advised students they must stay at home if sick or if they have any symptoms of COVID-19?

During their first induction day students will be given a talk by their Tutors and Year Heads on Covid 19. Part of this talk will involve the symptoms to look out for and students will be instructed not to come to school if they display any of the symptoms of Covid 19.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.


Most common symptoms:

Fever

Dry cough

Tiredness

Less common symptoms:

Aches and pains

Sore throat

Diarrhoea

Conjunctivitis

Headache

Loss of taste or smell

A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Chest pain or pressure

Loss of speech or movement

Have you told students what to do and what to expect if they start to develop symptoms of COVID-19 while in school, including where the isolation area is?

During their first induction day students will be given a talk by their Tutors and Year Heads on Covid 19. Part of this talk will involve discussing what the student should do if they start to develop symptoms of Covid 19 while at school.

If a student starts to display symptoms, they should inform their class teacher. The student will be asked to go to the school office. The office will bring the student to the isolation area – this is the prayer room of the school and will contact home to arrange for the student to be collected. The student will be required to wear their mask if their breathing is not laboured.

Have you advised students to view the Department of Education’s training materials which are available online?

The following link brings you to some training materials regarding hand washing techniques. It is advisable that students view these prior to returning to school.

https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/how-to-wash-your-hands.html

Have you informed students about the importance of hand washing?

During their first day back, at their induction talks Year Heads and tutor will discuss with students the importance of handwashing. They will also show them the correct technique for handwashing. Posters illustrating this and reminding students to wash their hands will be in the toilets also. It is vital though that parents/guardians reinforce the importance of handwashing with their children. Total support from home is imperative if we are to try stop the spread of the virus.

Have you arranged for students to view the video ‘how to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dry them correctly’ through the use of the HSE video resource?

The following link brings you to some training materials regarding hand washing techniques. It is advisable that students view these prior to returning to school. https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/how-to-wash-your-hands.html

Students will most likely be shown this video again at some stage during their first week at school. Students will also be told the importance of correct hand washing technique.

Again, it is vital that any information given in school regarding trying to stop/minimise the spread of the virus is continually reinforced at home.

Have you shown students how to use hand sanitiser correctly and where hand-sanitising stations are located?

On their induction day, Year Heads and Tutors will inform students of the locations of the sanitising stations. These are clearly visible around the school anyway as they are located at the entrance to each classroom and at the entry and exit points of the school. Proper hand sanitising technique is shown on the backboard of the sanitising units. However, at their induction day students will be told how to correctly apply the sanitising solution. Again, support from home is vital here and parents/guardians should continually be reinforcing the correct techniques with their children.

Have you told students when they need to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser? This includes:

  • before and after eating and preparing food
  • after coughing or sneezing
  • after using the toilet
  • where hands are dirty
  • before and after wearing gloves
  • before and after being on public transport
  • before leaving home
  • when arriving/leaving the school /other sites
  • after each class
  • after touching potentially contaminated surfaces
  • if in contact with someone displaying any COVID-19 symptoms

During their induction day Tutors will go through all of the above with students. Posters around the school will also give information on same. It is vital also that parents/guardians continually reinforce the importance of good hand washing and sanitising method measures with their children.

Have you told students of the importance of good respiratory measures to limit the spread of the virus, including?

  • avoid touching the face, eyes, nose and mouth
  • cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or a tissue
  • dispose of tissues in a covered bin

During their induction day Tutors will go through all of the above with students. Posters around the school will also give information on same. It is vital also that parents/guardians continually reinforce the importance of good respiratory measures with their children.

Have you advised students that when they are moving to an elective subject they would, where practicable be seated with members of their main class cohort?

During their induction day Tutors will give students information on the protocols in school. Part of this will include discussing with students the need to sit in the same area as their base classroom mates during subjects such as art and woodwork. So, students from 1A would sit with other students from 1A in one area of the classroom etc. Teachers will continually remind students of this at the start of every elective subject. The aim of this is to try minimise the amount of contacts students have in a school day.

Have you encouraged walking or cycling to school as much as possible?

During their induction day Tutors will talk to the students about Covid 19. Walking or cycling to school is the better option if it is available as it means the students are out in the air and not near others. Certainly, the sharing of lifts with other students should be avoided if possible.

Additional Information

  • All students will be assigned to base classrooms. They will have most of their classes in these base classrooms. Classrooms have been laid out according to DES guidelines. Students must go to their base classrooms first thing in the mornings and not congregate around the school.
  • Students must use the entry and exit doors closest to their base classrooms in order to enter and exit the school. This will minimise the number of other students they come in contact with.
  • PE will be taking place this year. Students will travel by bus down to Coral Leisure Centre. Students will be allowed to wear their PE gear into school on PE day and to keep it on for the duration of the school day as changing rooms are unavailable. If a student has PE at 8.55 then they should go straight down to Coral Leisure centre and not come into school.
  • Lockers are not in use for this school year. This is reflected in the reduced Levy payment.
  • Coats can be hung on the back of chairs in the base classrooms. It is advisable that all students wear their school jacket (only school jacket is acceptable) to school as classroom windows and doors will remain open throughout the day to allow for continued adequate ventilation of rooms.
  • Teachers will discuss with students' what books/copies/materials etc. they require for their classes. There is no need for students to bring all their books with them on day 1.

Students will be required to be super organised and ensure to bring the correct books/copies/materials etc. to school with them from home daily as per teachers' instructions. It is important that parents/guardians play their part here and assist their child in ensuring they have the correct books/gear/materials required for the following school day.

  • The canteen will continue to operate and the pre-order system, whereby students place and pay for their lunch at small break will form an important part of their action plan.
  • Whilst there will be hand sanitising units all over the school it is still advisable that students should bring their own hand sanitiser. Students should also bring sanitising wipes and tissues with them to school and store them in a zip lock plastic bag.
  • The DES have recommended that face coverings be worn in situations where a social distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained. So, students will be required to wear a face covering throughout the school day. Students should have a few face coverings of their choice in a zip lock plastic bag. If disposable masks are to be used, then these must be changed on a regular basis and disposed of in the proper manner. If washable ones are to be used, then they should be washed daily. For any printed face coverings, the graphics must be of an appropriate nature.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/aac74c-guidance-on-safe-use-of-face-coverings/

  • Full school uniform should be worn at all times, no exceptions.

Any students not adhering to the Health and Safety measures we have implemented considering the Covid 19 pandemic will have their parents/guardians contacted immediately. Instances like this will be treated with the utmost seriousness.

Enquire
Contact
Arklow CBS,
Coolgreaney Rd,
Arklow,
Co. Wicklow,
Y14 RV04

0402 32 564


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