Access Keys:

 
 
Darkley Primary School, Armagh

School Guidance for Next Week.

18th Aug 2020

Dear Parents,

We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 24th August. We have put in place a few measures to help us in the current climate and as always, we fully appreciate your support in implementing. Here are a few measures that you may be thinking about as you prepare for next week.

  • All pupils return Monday 24th August.
  • That week 24th- 28th August all children must bring a packed lunch. There are no school meals until 1st September.
  • Our new P1 pupils will finish at 12:30pm for their first week (24th-28th).
  • All children will be required to clean their hands upon entering the school. There will be hand sanitiser at the foyer. Christine will also have a hand spray when at the front of the school in the morning and can help pupils.
  • We will have 4 classes as normal, working as bubbles. Pupils will be encouraged to keep their distance as best as possible. Upon entering and leaving a classroom, pupils will be cleaning their hands.
  • No parents/visitors are permitted within school. All pupils are to be left off outside of school. If a child needs to go home early please arrange by phone call in advance and we can have them ready.
  • Full School Uniform. Pupils are allowed their coats. School bags are also allowed.
  • P3-P7 pupils are encouraged to bring a pencil case to school on the first day with what they require. This will stay in school thereafter. P1 and P2 will have their own writing material provided in class.
  • Pupils can bring in their packed lunch.
  • Pupils' snacks are encouraged to be separate from their lunch box to minimise movement.
  • School Bus: There is no Ulsterbus service until Tuesday 1st September. While DE Guidance encourages families to use different ways of getting to school, the bus is there as normal. Guidance would encourage primary school pupils to wear a face mask on buses or taxis. Same route and times as previous years are in operation.
  • Breakfast Club will run from 8am. £1. We have hall space to separate pupils. It will be available from Monday 24th onwards.
  • School will be open from 9am for those pupils not at Breakfast Club. Pupils to go to the hall where they will remain in class bubbles.
  • Minding Club is also available for P1 and P2 (Not for P1 obviously on first week back as they finish at 12:30) This is again £1. Our P2 pupils will share the Minding Club facilities. Parents are to be mindful that we have two classes of P2 (2 bubbles so to speak) and that we will encourage separation as best as practically possible.
  • We would encourage pupils to bring in their own little hand sanitisers should they so wish.
  • We may have to implement staggered lunches and breaks throughout the day. We will see what works for us next week.
  • Homeworks will be sent home on a Monday, returned on a Friday.
  • Monday 24th August: Photographer from Ulster Gazette taking photo of new P1 pupils, hopefully outside.

We aim to do our very best and follow DE Guidance. I feel that once pupils/staff return and have a few days under their belts we can see what works and what needs a rethink. A key priority for myself and the staff is to make all our pupils feel welcomed, safe and at ease with their surroundings. A good routine again will go a long way for us all and we are very excited in seeing all our pupils in the near future.

As always, I am contactable via cmonaghan632@c2kni.net

Also attached is a letter from the Education Minister Peter Weir and a useful leaflet from DE as well.

 

Best wishes,

Mr Monaghan