Updated August 31st 2021
****It is important to note that the procedures and plans below are provisional and tentative plans as we do not know yet, until they become a reality, how well they will work and for how long some of them will need to be left in place. We will be reviewing the effectiveness of these procedures on a weekly basis and will revise and change procedures when and if the need arises.
Arrival at School
To facilitate the safe arrival and dismissal of pupils during this term, the following procedures will be put in place:
Traffic:
To help with reducing the amount of traffic around the school gates, please note the following:
- Parents are asked to walk/cycle with their child if at all possible.
- ‘Park and Stride’ is also suggested, where families might park near the school (e.g. Regional Park car park) and walk the remainder of the journey.
- Please obey directions regarding car ‘drop off’ areas, no parking in these designated areas.
- Please respect the directions of any member of the school staff that operates in a directive and supervisory capacity in the school car park.
***Please remember and note: It is School Policy that masks must be worn by all persons, other than pupils, entering school grounds. If, for some reason you cannot wear a mask, you must remain outside the school gates and your child will be brought to you by a member of staff.
Arrival of pupils
The school will use the four main gates as entry/exit points. Each gate will be numbered 1-4, and class levels will be assigned to a gate. Each gate will have an entry/exit system in place.
Gates will open each morning at 08.45, and upon entry, pupils will move directly to their classrooms as directed by staff – pupils will not line up in the yard in the mornings. Pupils should not arrive at school before 08:45 a.m. Queueing or waiting in groups outside of the gates before this time is strongly discouraged as it leads to increased risk of spreading of Covid-19.
***Queueing or waiting in groups outside of the gates before this time is strongly discouraged as it leads to increased risk of the spread of Covid-19.
| Gate 1 | Junior Infants/Senior Infants | Gate to Infant yard | Access from carpark |
| Gate 2 | 1st/2nd classes | Gate to 1st/2nd Class yard (with ramp) | Access from carpark |
| Gate 3 | 5th/6th classes | Large double gates into school car parking area (not normally used) | Access from road |
| Gate 4 | 3rd/4th classes | Main school gate opposite the school office | Access from road |
Drop & Go Zone:
At Gates 1 & 2, a ‘Drop & Go Zone’ will be created on the schoolyard to allow parents a safe place in which to drop their child. This will be created by halving the yard with cones whereby one half will be the Drop and Go Zone which parents can enter when there is a free ‘Drop Off’ spot and the other half, nearest the school, will only be entered by the pupils and staff. Staff members will then supervise the children’s entry into the school. Parents will be urged to drop-off quickly to avoid any crowding and to allow other parents to use the ‘Drop & Go Zone’.
There will be no ‘Drop & Go Zones’ at Gates 3 & 4 as pupils from 3rd – 6th classes using these gates will be asked to come onto the school grounds independently.
Junior Infants
Unique arrangements will be made for Junior Infants as they begin school. These arrangements will be communicated separately to the parents of Junior Infants.
Dismissal of pupils:
To avoid any potential crowding as children leave school in the afternoon, we will stagger the departure times.
| Time | Gate Number | Classes |
| 12.00 (moving onto 12.40, then 1.40) | Gate 1 | Junior Infants |
| 1.40 | Gate 2 | Senior Infants |
| 2.35 | Gate 1 | First Class |
| 2.35 | Gate 2 | Second Class |
| 2.40 | Gate 1 | 3rd Class |
| 2.40 | Gate 2 | 4th Class |
| 2.40 | Gate 1 | 5th Class – Mr. Dwyer |
| 2.40 | Gate 2 | 5th Class – Ms. Farrell |
| 2.40 | Gate 4 | 6th class |
Collection (afternoon)
Collection Zones will be used at Gates 1 & 2 for Junior and Senior Infants and 1st & 2nd class pupils, separate communication will be sent to parents in these classes with details of how this will operate. Parents of pupils from 3rd – 6th will be asked not to come inside the school gates.