February 26th 2021 

Dear Parents, 

Re-opening school for Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Class and Second Class on  1st March 2021 

We are looking forward to welcoming back children and staff from Junior Infants, Senior  Infants, First Class and Second Class on Monday 1st March 2021. All children from Third to  Sixth Class will continue to learn remotely via Class Dojo.  

In recent weeks, work has been going on behind the scenes to ensure that we can reopen our  school safely and in compliance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Education  and Skills. We would like to assure you that measures are in place to minimize the risk to  both staff and pupils and the Board of Management have worked hard to ensure policies,  procedures and practices are in place to help keep the pupils and staff safe prior to reopening. 

To that end I would like to draw your attention to a few items that are important to support  our Response Plan 

∙ A copy of the most recently reviewed Covid-19 Response Plan will be published on  our Website prior to reopening.  

∙ An appendix has been added to our Reopening Logistics Plan which outlines some  changes which we have made following our risk assessments and in line with  department guidelines–please read Appendix 2.  

∙ All parents of children in Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Class and Second  Class will complete the ‘Return to Educational Facility Declaration Form’ before  returning to school on the 1st March 2021 and should be filled in after any other  absences. A copy of this declaration has been sent on class dojo and through Aladdin.  

∙ There must be no congregation at the school gates at any time in line with  Department guidelines 

∙ All communication with staff should be done by phone or online through email or  class dojo. 

In order to help keep Covid-19 out of our schools, please note the circumstances when  you should NOT send your child to school.  

∙ Signs and Symptoms: You are being asked to err on the side of caution with  respect to children with any symptoms and keep them at home 

∙ If they are identified by the HSE as a close contact of a confirmed case of  COVID-19 

∙ If they live with someone who has symptoms of the virus 

∙ If they have travelled outside of Ireland; in such instances staff are advised to  consult and follow latest Government advice in relation to foreign travel 

We wish to reassure you that our staff will make every effort to assist the children to readjust  and to ensure that their transition back to school and learning is as easy and natural as  possible in the circumstances. As we all know, it is not possible to eliminate the risk of  Covid-19 infection, however, with the co-operation of all members of our school community, 

it is possible to minimise the risk of the virus being introduced to school and the consequent  risk of its spread. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the staff for the continued support  you have given to your child’s learning and to our school and throughout these difficult  times. We look forward to welcoming the pupils and staff back to school on March 1st in the  knowledge that we are all working together to help keep our school community safe. Should  you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at office@stmichaelsps.ie or on  class dojo for your teacher.  

Yours Sincerely 

Maria Bourke 

Principal