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St John's P.S Gilford
 

Full Return to School

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21st Mar 2021

21st March 2021

 

Update for Parents: Full Return to School (P.1 - P.7)

 

We are delighted that from tomorrow, Monday 22nd March, we will be returning to face-to-face teaching for all pupils from P.1 – P.7. We have very much been looking forward to this day and we would like to thank everyone for the tremendous amount of hard work that has been devoted to home learning. We are excited that all pupils will be able to meet up with their peers again from tomorrow, but we must remember that Covid has not gone away and so we must still adhere to our mitigation measures (outlined below).

 

Some important points to note:

  • A reminder that our uniform alternates between full school uniform worn on Monday, Wednesday & Fridays and P.E uniform worn on Tuesday & Thursdays.
  • A reminder to please ensure that all pupils wash their hands thoroughly before coming to school and should they have a temperature or feel unwell, they must not
  • School meals will be available for all pupils that wish to take them. A set meal will be available each day (please see attached Dinner Menu) priced at £2.60. We shall be reverting back to a two-choice menu after the Easter break. A reminder that all dinner money must be paid for in advance through the EZPayments App. Please log in and ensure there is sufficient credit on your balance before booking meals. Please then top up your account, as necessary.
  • All Parents/Guardians are asked to please adhere to social distancing around the school gate and grounds. Face coverings must also be worn around the gate and onsite. Please ensure this is communicated to additional adults that may drop off/collect your child also.

We would like to thank all those that contributed to our recent Green Day collection for Trocaire. To date, £105 has been collected through money sent in and donations paid via the EZPayments App. To try and further boost our total for Trocaire, we will be holding an Easter Egg raffle in each classroom. Tickets will be available from tomorrow, priced at 20p per ticket. We know that this has always been very popular with the children in previous years, so please contribute if you can.

Finally, please see below for a reminder of the mitigation measures we have in operation in and around our school. We thank you tremendously for your cooperation in adhering to these to help keep our school as safe as we can at present.

  • Hands free, foot operated hand sanitiser stations can be found at all entrances and exits which everyone must use when entering/leaving the premises.
  • Children must wash their hands before leaving home to come to school. On arrival in school, hands will be sprayed with sanitiser as the children enter their classroom. There will be regular hand washing opportunities throughout the day.
  • Appropriate signage is displayed at the school gate, entrance and around the school building. It is our expectation that everyone will read and adhere to these messages.
  • Class bubbles are in operation. The pupils within each bubble will use separate entrances/exits and play in different areas.
  • The school building will open at 55am each morning. P.2, P.4/5 & P.6/7 pupils commence class at 9.00am. P.1, P.3 & P.5/6 pupils commence class at 9.10am. P.1 & P.2 pupils finish at 2.00pm. P.3 pupils finish at 2.10pm. P.4/5 & P.6/7 pupils finish at 3.00pm and P.5/6 pupils finish at 3.10pm. In keeping with advice from the Minister of Education we ask that you please move on and off the school site as quickly as possible and that there is no loitering at the school gates.
  • There will be (where possible) social distancing between pupils and adults.
  • Parents/Guardians are asked not to enter the school building. Should you wish to speak to your child’s class teacher, we ask that you phone the school office to leave a message or make an appointment.
  • If a meeting has been arranged between a parent and teacher, a face covering must be worn within the school building.

We hope that the above information answers any queries you may have, should you have any further queries, please email or telephone the school office where we will endeavour to answer them as best, we can.

We are all looking forward to much brighter days ahead and hopefully our full school return is the first step in marking these. As always thank you for your cooperation, patience and understanding.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Sorcha Lyness

Principal