RE: Re-opening of Scoil Bhríde Straffan

Dear Parent / Guardian, Staff Member,

I hope you and your families are keeping well and safe. I’m sure that you are feeling disheartened wih the increasing cases in Kildare, Laois and Offaly in recent weeks but we must remain optimistic that with renewed focus on hand sanitization, hygiene etiquette and mask compliance we can flatten the curve again and return the week of the 31st August.
Re-opening the school safely requires the co-operation of all members of our School Community – BoM, School Leadership, Staff, Parents and Pupils. We will all be called on to play our part in ensuring that re-opening of the school is done in a safe manner which prevents the spread of the virus and allows the vital work of Teaching and Learning to proceed with as little disruption as possible.
Our staff lead by our Covid 19 Committee have been working on our school plan for the safe reopening of the school for some weeks now in line with the DES COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of Primary and Special Schools which is on our school app and website.

Presently, the classrooms are being prepared and the “pods” / “bubbles” are being created so that the children can return in the knowledge that their safety as well as the safety of our staff come first.

The Response Plan gives details.
• Physical preparation, signage, hand sanitiser stations,
• Advice, procedures and training for the safe return to working in the school for all school staff and pupils
• General and specific advice on how all pupils, staff, parents and visitors will prevent the spread of the virus
This week we will publish our COVID-19 Policy Statement on the school website and school App. Our BoM will keep you informed as to the progress of our re-opening plans and provide you with the information required by you to play your part in safely re-opening the school over the coming days.
We are really looking forward to welcoming our children back to school and will be doing all that we can to ensure that the return to school is a safe and enjoyable experience for the children. We will be in touch with you again before school re-opens.

Le meas

Mrs. Colleran
Príomhoide

The following websites provide further information on COVID-19 and on government advice and recommendations regarding the re-opening of schools: –
• https://www.education.ie/en/covid-19/
• https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
• https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/backtoschool/

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