Together Again: our re-opening plan for the 2021-2022 school year

Together Again

Our re-opening plan for the 2021-2022 school year.

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We look forward immensely to a full re-opening of the school. A key continued mantra of the Department of Education in terms of resettling back in, re-engaging distantly and building resilience with students, parents and staff is to ‘slow down to catch up’.

In achieving this, NAIS Dublin will follow the Department of Education’s guiding principles: • • • •

Implement a Balanced Approach; Apply Common-Sense; Create Awareness; Do Everything Practical to Avoid Introduction of COVID-19 into the school; • Stay at Home if Unwell; • Keep doing the key measures to keep us all safe.

By evolving these guidelines, we will all learn to re-adapt calmly to a new evolving normal. We are continuing cautiously in order to maintain an ease of practice and community efficacy that was built last year. This is what Together Again, endeavours to do.

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Healthy Policies

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Screen All students must arrive on campus

with their temperature already checked at home.

It is also mandatory for primary and secondary students (Grades 3 to 12) and recommended for primary students (Grades 1 and 2) wear face masks throughout the day.

2. the day. Face masks are mandatory for all secondary

Protect Student will be placed in "pods" throughout

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students and staff and will be worn throughout the day.

Clean Enhanced disinfecting and deep cleaning in all areas of the school with additional focus on all frequently touched surfaces.

4. etiquette will be enforced and hygiene supplies will Hygiene Regular hand washing and respiratory

be made available throughout the campus.

5.

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Distance Maintenance of grouping size and

separation guidelines (1 and 2 metres where appropriate). Pupils flow around the school following sign-posted instructions.

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Healthy Policies Screening •

We ask that all students and staff come to school with their temperature taken.

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Students in Grades 3 to 12 must wear a face mask when arriving and departing the school and throughout the day. It is advised for students in Grades 1 and 2 to also wear a face mask where social distancing is not feasible.

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There is an expectation that all students and staff will wash their hands or sanitise upon: entering the school, at the start of break, end of break, start of lunch, end of lunch, before leaving school and throughout the day as needed.

Protect •

Protective equipment: primary and secondary students (Grades 3 to 12) must come to school with their own face mask and a named zip lock bag to store their mask. This is also advised for primary students (Grades 1 and 2).

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Hand sanitiser will be available for use in multiple locations around the campus. All teachers and students are encouraged to wash or sanitise hands regularly. Soiled hands must be washed before sanitising.

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Signage throughout the school: hand washing reminders, social distancing, floor mapping (arrows) implementing one way systems where appropriate and assist distancing within queues.

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Bathrooms: There is a maximum capacity of two people in the bathrooms at all times. Signage and floor marking for queues will be in place outside of bathrooms.

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The school will ensure all classrooms are ventilated and have fresh outdoor air circulating at all times.

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Movement within the school: A one-way system where appropriate will be in operation in the common areas of the school. These will be clearly marked.

This has been put in place in order to minimise the crossing of students with one another. As students move around the school, they must wear a face mask as well as maintaining social distancing protocols as much as possible.

• Classrooms: Protective measures have been put in place for classrooms and are determined by the physical size of the classroom. Under current guidelines, we are able to accommodate for full class sizes.

KG2-Grade 1: Pods will operate as per guidelines.

Primary: Primary students will remain in their classroom and specialist teachers will come to classrooms where possible.

Grades 3-11: Primary and secondary students (Grades 3 to 12) must wear a face mask in classrooms and while moving around the school building.

This is also advised for primary students (Grades 1 and 2).

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Cleaning •

The school will be cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis and will also be deep cleaned once per week. Contact and touch points will be focused on throughout the day. Extra cleaning staff will be used.

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The main common areas of the school including the school corridor, staircase handrails, conference rooms, lifts, bathrooms and other public areas will be disinfected throughout the day.

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Classrooms and classroom furniture will be cleaned throughly at the end of the day. Students and teachers will also sanitise their areas at the beginning and end of each day. Cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be in each classroom.

Hygiene •

Students will be asked to wipe down desks at the beginning and end of each day and/or class with the provided materials.

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Students will be given individual school supplies.

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Students should not share any school supplies or food with anyone at school at any time.

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Uniforms: Students are to come to school in their full uniform. On PHE and Co-curricular days, students should come in their PHE uniform to avoid using changing areas. We ask that uniforms are washed frequently.

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Water Bottles: We ask that students bring a water bottle. Please ensure all water bottles are clearly labelled. Water fountains will be available for use to fill bottles only.

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Hand washing: hand hygiene will be enforced via frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitiser (when hands look clean) throughout the day.

Distance •

Following HSE and Department of Education guidelines, teachers will have to maintain a 1 metre distance from students. Floor signage will facilitate this in all classrooms.

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All students are asked to maintain social distance (1 metre minimum and 2 metres where possible).

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Floor markings are placed throughout the campus to ensure a one-way system (where possible) as well as socially distance queues.

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Drop-off and Pick-up Procedure KG2, KG3 & KG4

Infants

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Drop-off Time/ Location

7:45 - 8:05am/ Parent Café Entrance

7:45 - 8:05am/ Parent Café Entrance

7:45 - 8:05am/ Main Entrance

7:45 - 8:05am/ Main Entrance

7:45 - 8:05am/ Main Entrance

7:45 - 8:05am/ Main Entrance

7:45 - 8:05am/ Main Entrance

Pick-up Time/ Location

2:30pm & 3:30pm/ Outside Classroom

2:30pm & 3:30pm/ Tír na nÓg

2:30pm & 3:30pm/ End of Block A

3:25pm/ Atrium A exit to Playground

3:25pm/ Parent Café

3:25pm/ Block C Atrium Exit (Car Park side)

3:25pm/ Block C Atrium Exit (Sports Hall side)

*Parents to wait outside the school building while following social distancing protocols.

**Please note that school doors will not be open until 7:45am. Students released from the buses will be staggered. We ask that students wait patiently for the doors to open. Floor markings are placed outside to social distancing is maintained while queuing to come in.

Early Years and Primary Arrival and Dismissal Procedures 1. KG2 to Infants must enter through the Parent Café doors. These students do not need to wear a mask upon entering the building. Parents dropping off (Early Years & Infant parents only) must wear a mask and also be temperature checked prior to entering the building. Parents are asked to walk their child to their classroom door and exit quickly via the back door at the end of Block A, following our one-way system.

2. Grades 1 to 5 must enter through the main entrance. Parents are kindly asked to not come into the building with their child. A member of staff will guide primary students directly to their classroom where they will be supervised until class begins.

3. All students must be temperature checked upon arriving.

4. Students in Grades 3 to 5 must arrive and depart wearing a face mask.

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Grades 6 to 12 Drop off

07:45 - 08:00

Pick up

15:30

Location

Main Entrance

*Please note that school doors will not be open until 7:45am. Student release from the buses will be staggered. We ask that students wait patiently for the doors to open. Floor markings will be placed outside to ensure social distancing is maintained while queuing to come in.

Secondary Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

1. All students must be temperature checked upon arriving.

2. Students in Grades 6 through 12 are required to arrive and depart wearing a face mask.

3. Upon arrival, students are to report directly to their tutor classroom where they will be supervised until class begins.

4. When departing the school, students are asked to go directly to their designated dismissal point following all safety procedures.

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Healthy Spaces The Library •

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Books that are returned will be kept for 72 hours in sealed boxes and after that risk of transmission from previous handlers is deemed ‘negligible’ in line with Irish public library advice.

The Lunch Box •

There will be split lunches and separate sittings with spacing in the canteen to manage the required distancing.

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The maximum number of pupils allowed in the Lunch Box at one time is 100, including lunch monitors and catering staff.

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Hot meals will still be made available.

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It is preferred that students pay for meals using their school catering card and avoid cash payment.

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There will be a one way system and floor markings will be put in place to ensure social distancing when queuing.

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There will be designated seating for each 'class/grade pod'.

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All catering staff are COVID trained and will be wearing face masks throughout break and lunch service.

There will be hand sanitiser in the library available for all students and staff.

If students from different grades need to access the library, we will limit lunchtime access to certain grades on certain days.

Group study desks will be separated and the number of students allowed to seat at each limited to 3.

A maximum number of students can use the library at any one time. Our librarian will manage this and each year group will be designated a specific break and lunch when these are available.

The Edge Sports Hall •

All PHE lessons will take place outside, weather permitting.

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Students must attend school in their PHE uniform on days when they have PHE as changing rooms will not be available for use.

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Social distancing will be enforced when classes are indoors.

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Equipment sharing will be kept to a minimum and will be cleaned between uses by pupils.

The Sick Bay

Bus Service

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The School Matron will wear face shields and masks for the duration they are in the school.

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Drivers will all have 5 different coloured masks, wearing a different coloured clean mask each day.

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The School Matron will be on first aid duty from 8:00am to 5:30pm.

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Should a student arrive at school with a temperature at 38°C or above, they will immediately be taken to our isolation room where they will be monitored by the School Matron. Students will be asked to wear a face covering while in the isolation room and parents will be called immediately and asked to bring their child home.

There will be hand sanitisers on every bus and students will be expected to use it before taking their seats.

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It is strongly advised all students wear masks on the journey; however, it is only compulsory for those 9 and above.

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Should a student fall ill during the school day or begin to show symptoms, the above process will apply.

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Students must then stay at home and ‘self-isolate’ for 14 days while monitoring symptoms.

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The Sick Bay will be cleaned daily and deep cleaned after each use.

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All buses will be cleaned thoroughly and hard surfaces wiped down.

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End of day - all students taking the afternoon bus service must wear their mask and meet in their designated locations. Students will be asked to wait patiently seated on socially distanced designated seating.

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Any student in KG2 to Grade 1 that takes the school bus home will be supervised until the bus departs at 3:45pm.

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Students will sit with their siblings where possible.

Our Promise NAIS Dublin will continue to educate our students to the highest standards. Our commitment to the academic and personal success to your child remains our highest priority.

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Healthy Classrooms Keeping our Classrooms Healthy

The school is taking every measure possible to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. The following guidelines have been put in place for all classrooms following HSE and Department of Education advice with respect to increasing separation and decreasing interaction.

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Hand sanitiser will be available in each classroom and common areas (frequent hand washing is still enforced).

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All classrooms have been reconfigured to maximise social distancing, ensuring the safety of our students and staff. Classrooms will be ventilated and have fresh outdoor air circulating at all times.

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Whenever possible, teachers may travel to classrooms to reduce student movement.

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It is mandatory for all primary and secondary students (Grades 3 to 12) and advised for primary students (Grades 1 and 2) wear a face mask in classrooms.

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Each child’s belongings will be separated from others’ and kept in individually labelled containers and taken home each day and cleaned, if possible. Lockers will not be used to avoid any social congestion. Students’ belongings will be placed where they are not in contact with other students’ belongings wherever possible.

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Where possible, work-stations will be allocated consistently to the same students.

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Learning materials, where possible, are not be shared (ie. pencils, markers, scissors, etc.). Each student will be provided with their own set. Any shared materials will be cleaned between uses.

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Where possible, classes will be reduced to "Class Bubbles" (ie. a class grouping which stays apart from other classes).

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It is recognised that students in KG2 to Grade 1 will not be able to maintain social distancing indoors, therefore these classes will resume without this prerequisite.

Continuity of Learning School Area

Healthy Approaches

Campus Operations

The school building will be open from, 7:45am - 6:00pm. All students should be out of the building unless participating in a CCA or is registered for After School Care.

Physical and Health Education

PHE classes will continue and will follow increased health and safety protocols as outlined by the HSE. Autumn team sports and protocols are being considered according to state guidelines.

Performing Arts

Regular classes, programmes and private lessons will continue with increased health and safety protocols. The department will work creatively with our students to showcase their artistic talents. To the greatest extent possible, instruments will not be shared between students and if sharing is required, the instruments will be cleaned. Special care is to be taken for 1 to 1 music lessons or feedback.

Break and Lunch

Students may bring their lunch to school or purchase a snack or lunch in the Lunchbox. Lunch times will be staggered between classes.

Field Trips

Local field trips will be considered on a case by case basis. International and out of the city trips will conform to COVID-19 protocols.

Co-curricular Activities Co-curriculars will in "pods".

After School Care

After School Care will be offered for all students in KG2 to Grade 5 from 3:30-6:00pm at an additional cost. Secondary students may use the Library to study after school until 5:00pm.

Electronics

Shared electronic devices such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards will be cleaned between use. Students are required to perform hand hygiene after using any shared item.

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Blended Learning Our Commitment to Students who are unable to Return to Campus Blended Learning represents a learning model that combines both formal (traditional classroom) and non-formal (online courses) methodologies.

Connection to the Classroom and Teachers Asynchronous learning and assignments Blended learning is a temporary contingency that allows students to remain connected to their classrooms while they are not on campus for an extended period of time. It is highly recommended that families make every effort to ensure students are in Ireland and can physically attend school at the start of term.

There are a number of reasons a family is unable, initially, to attend school, including, but not limited to, the bureaucratic inability to physically return to school due to health or prevented travel, thus participating in Blended Learning. Participation is only available for extended absences for 10 days or more.

For those families who are not present in Ireland and are on a different time zone, lessons will be recorded and uploaded as soon as practicable.

*In order for our teachers to best prepare for blended learning, parents must contact the student's class teacher, Head of School and Receptionist with as much notice as possible.

Steps to Accessing Virtual School Early Years and Primary Students • Contact the class teacher, Head of School and Receptionist with as much notice as possible • Log into Microsoft Teams • Assignments will be available on SeeSaw (Grades 1-5) or Toddle (Early Years) Secondary Students • Contact the Class Teacher, Head of School and Receptionist with as much notice as possible • Log into Microsoft Teams • Assignments will be available on ManageBac and One Note

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Healthy Activities

For those students who are experiencing anxiety or have questions about returning to school, there are student support times available with a member of our NAIS Dublin Wellbeing Team.

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Wellbeing team (teachers, tutors, department heads, and senior management) to address individual concerns of each year group.

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Heightened awareness of “COVID Anxiety” and measures to be implemented at an individual, year based, and whole school level.

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In the primary, the beginning of year curriculum programme will support students’ wellbeing and full integration into school.

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In the secondary, collaboration programmes will be introduced to help social wellbeing.

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Your Responsibility All members of our NAIS Dublin community have a shared responsibility to remain committed to the safety policies and procedures explained in this document and in future communications to help keep students and staff safe. Together we can make our school as safe and comfortable as possible.

• Ensure students have their temperature taken at home prior to arriving at school.

• Primary and secondary students (Grades 3 to 12) must Students arrive at school wearing a face mask. The same is advised for primary students (Grades 1 and 2).

• Please limit your child’s belongings at school and reinforce policies around the sharing of food, supplies and other items with fellow classmates.

Practise and reinforce good hygiene protocols at home, especially frequent hand washing.

• Please ensure students bring everything to school so that parents do not have to drop off forgotten items to school during the day.

• Parents should read all school communications to stay up-to-date with information.

• If your child is ill, please keep them at home and monitor symptoms.

• If someone in your household has been in contact with an infected person, you are asked to keep your child home and inform your respective Head of School.

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• Parents are not permitted into the school without an appointment. Please follow our dropoff and pick-up procedure.

Keeping our School Safe Suspected COVID-19 Case If a student arrives at school with a temperature of 38.0°C or develops symptoms while at school, the following will apply: • The Class teacher will contact the School Matron.

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The student will then be taken to our isolation room where they will be monitored and asked to wear a face mask.

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Parents will be notified and asked to pick up their child immediately. We would expect parents to be available to pick their child up within 45 mins once they have been contacted by the School Matron. In the event a parent is unable to collect their child, we will contact the emergency contact we have on file.

Parents/emergency contacts will be expected to collect the child by car in order to avoid possible spread on public transport.

In the event of a student presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you follow the HSE recommendations and contact your doctor to arrange for testing. Please inform your Head of School if someone in your family is being tested for COVID-19.

Confirmed COVID-19 Case in the School Community Should a member of our NAIS Dublin community test positive for COVID-19, the following will be executed: • The school will communicate this immediately while maintaining both student and staff confidentiality at all times.

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The school will also contact the HSE who will assist in contact tracing and advise on the appropriate action, on a case-by-case basis, that will be taken vis-à-vis the operation of the school.

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Families will be asked to monitor for symptoms.

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A deep clean will be performed.

*All staff members have and will be trained on COVID safety measures as per the Department of Education’s induction training guidelines. In addition, the school has appointed seven Lead Worker Representatives (LWR) who have defined duties in quality assuring COVID vigilance.

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Frequently Asked Questions *This section groups frequently asked questions into categories. The questions extract information already given and repetition is therefore intentional.

Before Returning

How do I prepare my child for the return to school?

Consult this handbook and talk students through the different processes put in place to reassure them. Emphasize that the school may look different, but it’s still the same place. The school is coming from a deep angle of care to make the environment safe and calm. As teachers and parents, our aim together must be to reduce an initial or temporary anxiety that may be experienced by students after a long period apart.

Do we have to 'restrict our movements' if we have been out of the country before sending children to school?

Yes, please follow the Irish Government’s requirements of mandatory 14-day ‘restrict movements’ after returning to Ireland from another country that is a designated state, if you have not been fully vaccinated, or have a negative PCR test 5 days upon arrival.

Health and Safety

How often will the school be deep cleaned?

The school will be cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis and will also be deep cleaned once per week. Contact and touch points will receive extra cleaning.

Additional cleaning staff have been brought on.

What will daily cleaning look like?

The main common areas of the school including the school corridor, staircase handrails, conference rooms, lifts, bathrooms and other public areas will be disinfected throughout the day.

What protective measures have been put in place in the classrooms?

This is determined by the physical size of the classroom and the social distancing protocols advised by HSE and will be constantly under review. Parents will be contacted by the Class Teacher of attendance changes. Under current guidelines, we are able to accommodate full class sizes. All classrooms will have hand sanitising stations. Frequent hand washing will also be ensured.

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KG2-Grade 1: Pods will operate as per guidelines.

Primary: Primary students will remain in their classroom and specialist teachers will come to classrooms where possible.

Grades 3-12: Students will wear face masks in classrooms and will be kept in their "pods".

If you prefer your child to use a hand sanitiser of your choosing, please provide them with their own to keep at school.

What will movement within the school look like?

A one-way system (where possible) will be in operation in the common areas of the school. These will be clearly marked. This has been put in place in order to minimise the crossing of students with one another. As students move around the school, they must wear a face mask as well as maintaining social distancing protocols as much as possible.

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What safety measures have been put in place throughout the school?

• Hand sanitiser will be available for use in multiple locations around the campus. All teachers and students are encouraged to wash and sanitise hands regularly.

• We ask that all students and staff come to school with their temperature taken.

• Designated PPE disposable bins will be at reception.

• Signage throughout the school, hand washing reminders, social distancing, floor mapping (arrows) implementing one way systems and distancing within queues.

• There is an expectation that all students and staff will wash or sanitise their hands upon: entering the school, at the start of break, end of break, start of lunch, end of lunch, before leaving school and throughout the day as needed.

• Bathrooms: There is a maximum capacity of two people in the restrooms at all times. Signage and floor marking for queues will be in place outside of bathrooms.

Who will have to wear masks?

Students in Early Years are not required to wear face masks. All teachers and administrative staff will wear a face mask while in the school building. Special Needs Assistants and other specialists involved in one-to-one and the School Matron will wear face masks according to intimate care protocols.

Students using protective desk screens will not have to wear a mask while in the classroom. When moving within the school, students should adhere to wearing a face mask.

In laboratories, the Design Suite, Keyboard labs and other specialist areas where there are no sneeze-guards, students must wear face masks.

How will my child fill up their water bottle at school?

Water fountains will be available for use to fill bottles only.

My child has a cough/runny nose/other COVID-19 symptoms, should they stay home?

Yes, please keep students at home if they are showing any COVID-19 symptoms. Once they are symptom free and/or have received a negative COVID-19, students can return to school. Should a student be absent for 10 days or more due to an illness, online learning will be made available.

Will there be a full time School Matron?

The school has two Matrons that will be available throughout the school day.

Is there an isolation room?

There is a designated isolation room that will be monitored by the School Matrons. All staff are aware of the COVID-19 response policy.

Does the school have a vaccination policy?

No, the school does not have a vaccination policy for it’s teachers, staff or students as this is not required by Irish law.

Do students have to be vaccinated to attend school?

No, the school cannot require students to be vaccinated as per government guidelines.

If my child is fully vaccinated, do they still need to wear a mask?

Our expectation is that every adult and student (mandatory: Grade 6-12; advised: Grade 2-5) in the building must wear a mask no matter their vaccination status.

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Absences

Is attendance mandatory?

In Ireland physical attendance at school is obligatory for all students over the age of 5. If your child is sick or unable to attend school, please email their class teacher, Head of School and Reception.

If in an exceptional circumstances, my child has to stay home for medical or COVID-19 related instances, will online learning be offered?

Yes, online learning will be made available so students can continue to learn at home. This will only be offered to those students who will be absent for at least 10 days. Please provide as much notice as possible to the class teacher, Head of School and Reception.

I don’t feel comfortable sending my child to school, can they still learn with their teacher/ classmates?

Every provision has been made to make the school safe and secure to learn.

Someone in our household is showing symptoms, should I keep my child at home?

Following HSE advice, it is advised that all members of the household ‘restrict their movements’ for 14 days or until the pupil has produced a negative COVID-19 test, therefore we ask that students do not come into school. Please also inform your Head of School if someone in your family is being tested for COVID-19.

Someone in our household has travelled and now is at home and showing no symptoms, can my child come to school?

Following government advice, only the person who has travelled must restrict their movements (if they do not meet exemptions). Students may come to school if this is the case.

Someone in our household has travelled to a country that is a designated state, can my child come to school?

Students may come to school if both the person who has travelled as well as the student are not showing any symptoms.

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Entry and Exit Protocols

How will pick-up and drop-off work?

Please refer to pick-up and drop-off sections of this document.

Can parents come into the building?

With the exception of Early Years parents dropping off their children in the morning, we ask that parents do not come into the building unless you have an appointment with the school. If you need to speak to a teacher, please email the teacher. Face-to-face meetings should be avoided.

Do students need to wash their hands before entering the school?

There is an expectation that all students and staff will wash or sanitise their hands upon: entering the school, at the start of break, end of break, start of lunch, end of lunch, before leaving school and throughout the day as needed.

What if my child arrives after their scheduled arrival time or if I have to drop something off?

If your child needs to arrive later than their scheduled arrival time, they should enter through the main entrance and report directly to the Receptionist to sign-in.

If students forget lunches/coursework, etc. parents can leave such on the ledge in front of the reception desk and our Receptionist will contact the student via the intercom.

If I collect my child at 2:30pm, can we wait in the school building or in the school playground until my older child finishes school at 3:30pm?

Unfortunately, this is not possible as we are restricting access to the school building. During period 6 (2:30 – 3:30pm), PHE lessons will be scheduled in our outdoor spaces, weather permitting, therefore once a student has been collected from school, access to the playground is strictly prohibited.

Arrival Expectations • Parents should take their child’s temperature each morning before arriving to school. If your child’s temperature is above 38°C, they must remain home.

• Student should arrive at their designated drop-off time and location.

• It is mandatory for secondary students (Grades 6-12) and recommended for primary students (Grades 2-5) arrive to school wearing a face mask.

Dismissal Expectations • Students will exit the school on a staggered schedule to reduce bottlenecks at the exits.

• It is mandatory for secondary students (Grades 6-12) and recommended for primary students (Grades 2-5) wear a face mask when departing the school building.

• Parents are requested to wait outside the school building at the designated collection point.

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Classrooms and Learning

Will virtual school be offered?

If we are required to close the school building, we will offer our virtual school experience.

How will virtual schooling work?

Virtual school will continue as per last academic year.

What if my child’s teacher is ill?

The class will be covered with an internal member of staff wherever possible.

How will specialist classes take place?

When indoors, social distancing rules will apply. PHE will take place outside as much as possible. On days students have PHE, they should arrive at school in their PHE uniform to avoid changing. It is mandatory that face masks be worn by students and staff in the keyboard lab, science lab, art room, kitchen lab, design suite, digital design suite and library.

Library books and devices – how will that work?

The library will be open with a limit on the number of students allowed inside at one time. Social distancing rules will also apply in the Library. Books will be kept on shelves. If students wish to checkout a book, they can log their request. Books will be cleaned upon return. Shared electronic devices such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards will be cleaned between use. Students are required to perform hand hygiene after using any shared item.

Will teachers have to social distance from students?

Following HSE and Department of Education guidelines, it is recommended that teachers maintain a minimum 1 metre distance from students. However, in the case that social distancing is not possible or extenuating circumstances staff may approach student whilst wearing a face mask. Floor signage will facilitate this in all classrooms.

Will field trips take place?

Field trips will be planned following Department of Education guidance.

What will learning look like in the Early Years?

Learning will continue as normal in the Early Years. Students will remain in their class "pod" throughout the day.

Can students use lockers?

Lockers will not be accessible to avoid congestion and adhere to social distancing. Please ensure students only bring what they need each day. This will involve considerable self-organization.

Will timetables be shortened?

No.

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After School Services

Will co-curricular activities be offered?

Co-curricular Activities will be offered for all students.

Will After School Care be offered?

After School Care will be offered to all students in KG 2 to Grade 5 Monday to Friday, 3:30 - 6:00pm at an additional cost.

I have a child that finishes school at 2:30pm and another that finished at 3:25pm. Is there childcare available?

Yes, co-curriculars are offered for these students from 2:30 – 3:30 as they are already in "class pods". Students must be registered for a co-curricular activity.

Break, Lunch and Outdoor Play Procedures

Will there be a lunch service?

Yes. Lunches will be staggered and will respect social distancing. Students will sit down in designated spots.

What will lunch time and break time look like on the playground?

Lunch time and break time will be staggered to allow for social distancing.

Breaktime will be modified (e.g. no contact sports) and zones will be assigned to each grade "pod".

Rules and Expectations

Do students have to wear uniforms?

Students are to come to school in their full uniform. On PHE and co-curricular days, students should come in their PHE uniform to avoid using changing areas. We ask that uniforms are washed frequently.

What if students, parents and staff travel outside of Ireland?

According to the advice of the Irish Government, should you leave the country, it is suggested that you ‘restrict your movements’ for 14 days and do not come into school only if you are returning from a country that is a designated state, have not been fully vaccinated or do not have a negative PCR test 5 days upon arrival.

Someone in my household has tested positive for COVID-19, do we have to inform the school?

Yes, please let the Principal and your respective Head of School know and keep all students at home for 14 days.

Can parents come into the building?

With the exception of Early Years parents dropping off their children in the morning, we ask that parents do not come into the building unless you have an appointment with the school. If you need to speak to a teacher, place email the teacher. Face to face meetings should be avoided.

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Will you allow visitors in the school?

Only essential visits by pre-arranged appointment. We will limit the amount of visitors in the school at all times. Visitors will have to fill out the COVID-19 questionnaire be temperature checked and will be asked to wear a face mask.

Will there be weekly communication to parents?

We will continue to send weekly communication on Thursday afternoons.

My child is friends with xx, can they share food and not social distance?

Food or materials cannot be shared between any two students in the school at any time and students must adhere to social distancing protocols.

My job requires me to travel and I will be in many countries, how will this work with my children going to school?

We fully expect that all members of the school community will be responsible with respect to evolving government advice and ‘restrict movement’ as appropriate.

Students may come to school if both the person who has travelled as well as the student are not showing any symptoms.

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COVID-19 Policy Statement NAIS Dublin is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff and a safe learning environment for all our pupils. To ensure that, we have developed the following COVID-19 Response Plan. All school staff are responsible for the implementation of this plan and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus. We will: • • • • • • • • • • •

continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with our staff provide up to date information to our staff and pupils on the Public Health advice issued by the HSE and Gov.ie display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and correct hand-washing techniques agree with staff, a worker representative who is easily identifiable to carry out the role outlined in this plan inform all staff and pupils of essential hygiene and respiratory etiquette and physical distancing requirements adapt the school to facilitate physical distancing as appropriate in line with the guidance and direction of the Department of Education keep a contact log to help with contact tracing ensure staff engage with the induction/familiarisation briefing provided by the Department of Education implement the agreed procedures to be followed in the event of someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 while at school provide instructions for staff and pupils to follow if they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during school time implement cleaning in line with Department of Education advice

All school staff will be consulted on an ongoing basis and feedback is encouraged on any concerns, issues or suggestions.

This can be done through the Lead Worker Representative(s), who will be supported in line with the agreement between the Department and education partners.

Signed: ____________________

10 August 2021 Date: _____________________

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Important Takeaways Early Years (KG2 - Infants)

Primary (Grades 1 - 5)

• Students are to enter the school between 7:45 and 8:05am.

• Students are to enter the school between 7:45 and 8:05am.

• EY and Infants parents are to only come into the building at drop-off time (parents are to wear a face mask and have their temperature taken). Parents are not to go into their child’s classroom fully as a member of staff will be there to greet them.

• Parents must exit quickly via the back door at the end of Block A, following our one-way system.

• KG2 - KG4 students can be picked up by their classroom door that links outside at 2:30pm.

• Infants students can be picked up near the exit at the end of Block A. • Students do not have to wear a face mask during the school day. Teachers will try to maintain a 1 metre distance at all times.

• Each cohort will remain within their “pods” all day, not mixing with students from other classes.

• Break and lunch times will be staggered to ensure social distancing.

• Please note, once a student has been collected from school, access to the playground is strictly prohibited.

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• Grades 1-5 students are to enter through the main entrance where they will go directly to their classroom where they will be supervised.

• Primary students (Grades 2-5) are advised to wear a face mask, where appropriate.

• Students will be given their own stationery to minimise the sharing of materials.

• Break and lunch times will be staggered to ensure social distancing.

• Students will remain in their classroom and specialist teachers will come to classrooms where possible.

• It is recommended that face masks be worn by students (Grades 2-5) when leaving the classroom to travel within the school building.

• Students (Grades 2-5) will be dismissed at 3:25pm and will exit through different exits (see pick-up and drop-off procedure). Grade 1 students will be dismissed at 2:30pm.

Teachers will escort students to the exit doors.

Secondary (Grades 6 - 12) • Grade 6 to Grade 12 students are to enter the school between 7:45 and 8:05am through the main entrance doors. Students must go directly to their form tutor classroom.

• Students will be dismissed at 3:30pm and will exit the building at the end of each day through the main entrance.

• Secondary students must wear face masks within the classroom where social distancing cannot occur.

• In laboratories, the Design Suite, Keyboard labs and other specialist areas, it is mandatory that students wear face masks.

• Staggered lunch times are arranged.

• Lockers will not be accessible to avoid congestion and adhere to social distancing. Please ensure students only bring what they need each day.

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We look forward to welcoming you all safely soon.

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