Monastery NS Return to School News January 2022

5th Jan 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A Happy New Year to you and your family and I hope you are all doing well and keeping safe. School reopens this Thursday January 6th 2022 and I have some important information and reminders for you before your son returns to school. Once again I ask you to continue to support us as we make what we all hope is a final effort to stop the transmission and any outbreaks of covid infection in our school.

Before the pandemic began substitute teachers were already in short supply but now Covid has made this situation untenable. In the event that Monastery NS has a number of absent teachers we are prohibited by Public Health from splitting classes. If we are unable to provide teacher cover from our existing staff or are unable to source a substitute teacher, classes may have to be sent home. Please note that parents and guardians will be informed as soon as possible but that in some instances we may only become aware of absences and lack of cover on a particular morning.

Please note the following;

Before your son returns to school please submit a Return to School Declaration Form via our Eolas App (up to 10am 6/1/22) or by emailing the school office or by sending in a hard copy of the completed form to your son's class teacher. You can download the form from our website. This form must also be completed following all absences.
Do not send your son to school if he is a close contact of a person with Covid-19, is awaiting a test or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19. See all up to date Covid information and advice at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/ If your GP or the HSE sends your son for a Covid test and/or your son is required to self isolate we would appreciate it if you would immediately inform the school office. All disclosures are strictly confidential.
In order to minimise the spread of Covid infection in our school community we remind parents that senior pupils (3rd to 6th class) must wear a face covering / mask in class. We would appreciate your continued cooperation with this measure. Please ensure that a clean face covering is provided each day. Face coverings will not be worn at break times and comfort breaks outside without face coverings will be provided when necessary.
Please ensure you return all your son's books with him on his return to school.
We will continue to implement all recommended Covid control measures in school including classroom ventilation. We will maintain heating in each class throughout the day but ask parents to ensure that your son wears appropriate winter clothing in school each day. Classroom doors and windows will be modulated according to the prevailing weather conditions outside.
COVID-19 vaccine information for parents of children aged 5-11 - The HSE has published detailed information and guidance for parents about COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5-11. This aims to help parents and guardians of 5-11 year old children make an informed decision when it’s time for their child to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine. Registration for the vaccine is now open. Parents and guardians can read vaccine information on https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccination-for-children/ or can download an information booklets from the HSE at this link - Important information for parents and guardians about the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech) (PDF, size 1.11 MB, 16 pages)

And finally I ask that parents and guardians continue to carefully monitor the health of their children and to continue to show the same high degree of personal responsibility in relation to covid symptoms, isolation and notifying our school. It is after all up to each of us to look after all of us.

Yours sincerely,

Jim McGee, Principal.