23rd August 2021.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope you are all keeping well, and enjoying the last few days of our summer holidays.

I look forward to welcoming all our pupils back next Tuesday 31st Aug 2021. The school reopening plan for the coming year is a continuation of the plan implemented in August 2020 in response to the Covid pandemic. Our classes are colour coded, with individual PODS operating in all rooms. All our teachers are looking forward to welcoming our pupils back.We will continue to operate a staggered start and finish time and would ask all parents to support and adhere to the drop off and collection times, and refrain from congregating at the school gate. Our school will continue to be a Parent Free Zone as part of our measures against the virus entering our school. We hope you all understand why this is necessary for the time being. As was in place last September, there will be a clearly marked route for each class when they return with coloured arrows directing pupils to their classrooms. Children are required to go directly to their classroom, and there will be no waiting in the yard in the mornings.

I think the most important thing for all of us is the safety of our children. Our school will continue to put in place every possible measure to prevent the spread of Covid. School is a place for children to learn, to engage and to socialise, and we hope that our pupils will enjoy the year ahead. Thankfully, we have managed to get through last year and have learned how to cope and function while the virus remains in our community. We will continue to place the health and wellbeing of all our pupils and staff at the forefront of everything we do.

For our new 2nd class pupils, next Tuesday is a very big milestone in their education. Starting in a new school can be very daunting for pupils and parents. I would like to reassure our new parents that your child will be looked after, respected and made feel part of our wonderful school community, and all efforts will be put into ensuring that our new pupils get off to a great start in St. Oliver Plunkett B.N.S.

Staggered Start & Finish Times:

School Gates will open at 9am to facilitate children travelling on the bus. Please ensure children are not dropped off or arrive at school before this time. Children who do not travel by bus should arrive at the school at the designated start time outlined below.

Mrs. Kelly’s Class (2nd/3rd) & Ms. Corbett’s Class (4th/5th):

· Start Time: 9:10am.

· Finish Time: 2:50pm.

Mr. Forde’s Class (3rd/4th) & Mr. Keena’s Class (5th/6th ):

· Start Time: 9.20am.

· Finish Time: 3pm.

Please ensure your child is dropped off and collected at the designated times.

Siblings attending school at different time slots: both children can arrive at the earlier timeslot daily to accommodate drop off and collection for parents.

Coloured Arrows Entry/Exit System:

· Mrs. Kellys Class(2nd/3rd) Pupils will follow the YELLOW ARROWS.

· Mr. Fordes Class (3rd / 4th) Pupils will follow the GREEN ARROWS.

· Ms. Corbetts Class (4th/5th) Pupils will follow the BLUE ARROWS.

· Mr. Keenas Class (5th/6th) Pupils will follow the RED ARROWS.

As part of our ongoing safety and hygiene measures we have allocated a box for each pupil to store all their books/stationary in during the year. Children can bring in all their books on the first day and each pupil will be given the books that are covered on the book rental scheme. Children will receive these books once the book rental fee has been paid so please ensure payment is made as soon as possible. School fees can be paid through E-Payments or if parents/guardians prefer to send in cash, please ensure you label the envelope with your child’s name and the class teachers name. Please ensure all pupils items are labelled clearly, including school uniform.

Children are asked to bring a small handtowel with them each day for handwashing/sanitizing. Please ensure that this towel is replaced regularly for hygiene purposes.

I will be keeping in touch with our parent community by way of regular emails throughout the year. I would ask all parents/guardians to make sure the school have the correct email address.

I look forward to seeing you all next Tuesday morning.

Kind Regards,

Sinead White, Principal.

St. Oliver Plunkett B.N.S.

Moate.