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A Message from the Principal

Click here to download APPLICATION FORM 2022

Click here to download EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM 2023 – 2026

Click here to download INFORMATION WELCOME BOOKLET

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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – HELPFUL INFORMATION (Last updated December 2021)

(SCHOOL ROLL NUMBER : 17993R)

Dear Parents / Guardians,

1. JUNIOR INFANT APPLICATIONS FOR GLASHEEN BOYS’ SCHOOL IN 2022 –

The 2022 Application Form is available to download on this website. Click on the link above. First Round offers for Junior Infants 2022 were made on 15th November 2021. We are saving just a few places for late applications, later in the school year, so if you have not already applied, please do so, as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment.

If you are interested in a place for 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026, click on the link for ‘Expression of Interest Form’, download it and return it to us. The Admissions Policies for Mainstream & our ASD Class are available in the Policy section of this website.

2. NEW PUPILS SEEKING TO JOIN SENIOR INFANTS – 6TH CLASS – Any parents seeking places for their son/s in other classes, in 2022, or during the 2021/2022 school year, please email ‘office@glasheenboys.com‘. We will respond, promptly and be happy to answer any questions you may have, about the many, many benefits of attending our school. If you have a friend, or relative, seeking a place for their son, please advise them to contact the school without delay, as we have strong demand but limited availability, in most classes.

3. SELF-ISOLATING – If returning, or arriving from overseas, please remember the vital need to self isolate for the period recommended by public health. Similarly, if awaiting a test result, all HSE advice must be followed. If in doubt, please contact the school before sending your son to school. If you have travelled from anywhere overseas, PLEASE ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION AND LEAVE AT LEAST A FEW DAYS BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL and then use an Antigen Test. If your son or members of the household are experiencing symptoms, please delay returning to school, until you are sure it is safe to do so.

If you return from overseas and had a negative PCR before you travel, please remember that you may have come in contact with the virus while travelling, as this is high risk activity.

Therefore, the PCR test, before your travels, is not an indication that you are still negative, after travelling.

4. CLASS EMAIL ADDRESSES – To facilitate communication, there are email addresses for all class levels (during the school year). Please bear in mind that teachers are teaching during the day, so the email addresses will not be monitored, at all times. The addresses are:

juniorinfant_teachers@glasheenboys.com seniorinfant_teachers@glasheenboys.com firstclass_teachers@glasheenboys.com secondclass_teachers@glasheenboys.com thirdclass_teachers@glasheenboys.com fourthclass_teachers@glasheenboys.com fifthclass_teachers@glasheenboys.com sixthclass_teachers@glasheenboys.com cairdeclass_teacher@glasheenboys.com

If you need to contact the office, as always, you can Email: office@glasheenboys.com.

5. CLASS LEVELS IN IRELAND & THE UK – Some times when families arrive from overseas, the names of different class levels can cause confusion, as they have different names in Ireland, to those in the UK, the system that many countries follow.

In Ireland, children first attend Preschool, for one or two years. After that, when they start here in primary school, their first year is called Junior Infants (which is Reception in the UK, which is the first year in primary school). The next year we call Senior Infants, which is Year 1 in the UK. Then it’s 1st Class, which is Year 2 in the UK or their 3rd year in primary school, not the first). Then 2nd Class, which is Year 3 in the UK or their 4th year in primary school). This is followed by 3rd Class (Year 4 in the UK), then 4th Class (Year 5 in the UK), then 5th Class (Year 6 in the UK) and after that, 6th Class (Year 7 in the UK). I hope this helps to explain the situation.

GLASHEEN BNS REOPENING PLAN (Precautions remain in place from November 2021).

Underlying Principles

The approach to COVID-19 in schools is led by the advice and guidance of HSE Public Health. Public Health has stated that the current new variants of the disease do not change the infection prevention and control measures required in schools.
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.
As well as co-operation, the flexibility and goodwill of all will be required to ensure the plan can be implemented. We hugely appreciate your understanding.
While much progress has been made in terms of vaccination, with new variants, we must all continue to be vigilant, with the intention of keeping the school opened and everyone safe.
Ongoing advice is due from the Department of Education, so please bear this in mind.

Assumptions

All children return to school and classes operate within a bubble system. A bubble system means that classes do not mix indoors with each other, insofar as possible, for example one 2^nd class will not get together with the other 2^nd class to practise singing etc.

The school is split into 2 groups with each group having different break times and lunch times.

The day will include 2 x 20 minute breaks.

Within each class from 3^rd to 6^th, the children will be further divided into pods (groups of about six boys who will sit together in class and stay together during indoor lunch breaks; Boys will be allowed to play with everyone in their class when outside on the yard), with a minimum distance of 1 metre being maintained between pods whilst inside.

From Junior Infants to 2^nd class the guidance is that the pod system would not be possible, the boys would be too young to keep apart in class, so the whole class is considered a pod.

Hand sanitiser will continue to be available at all entry points and in all class and support rooms.

Children will come to school with their hands washed. Sanitation will occur on entry to the school, after each yard break and before the boys go home. Children will also wash their hands before they eat. All surfaces will be cleaned daily and a special deep cleaning that lasts 30 days will take place every month.

Where possible, parents will encourage children to walk or Park & Stride to school to minimise the number of adults around the school. Ideally, in the case of children in middle or older classes, a designated meeting point should be arranged nearby but not at the gate of the school. You could, for example, meet your son at Lima Lawn, Glendale, Clashduv, or one of the other areas on your route.

Gates will remain closed until 8.30 a.m.. Classes do not start until 8.50 a.m. so once pupils arrive, they will be directed to their classroom.

Key to Entrances & Exits

Entrance and Exit Points	Letter
Main Entrance to Junior Building, Opposite Stepped Entrance (Junior Infants, Senior Infants & 1^st Classes)	A
Link Corridor Entrance to Senior Building /New Building (6^th Classes, 5^th Classes, 4^th Class (Mr. O’Callaghan) & Cairde)	B
Entrance to Two Storey Building Near School Office (2^nd Classes, 3^rd Classes, 4^th Class (Mr. Sands)	C

Entrance Points for Specific Classes:

Teacher	Class	Entrance & Exit Point
Ms. C. O’Sullivan	Junior Infants	A (only group of adults allowed into the yard, 1 adult per child)
Mrs. Starkie	Junior Infants	A (only group of adults allowed into the yard, 1 adult per child)
Ms. Costelloe Ms. Clayton	Senior Infants	A (Pupils enter on arrival. They are directed straight to class by supervising staff, where class starts at 8.50 a.m.)
Ms. O’Callaghan Mrs. Austin Mr. McGregor	1^st Class	A (Parents to stay outside school grounds, pupils are directed straight to their classroom by supervising staff)
Ms. Buttimer	2^nd Class	C
Mr. McLoughlin	2^nd Class	C
Ms. Horgan (Upstairs)	3rd Class	C
Ms. Jordan (Upstairs)	3^rd Class	C
Ms. O’Leary (Upstairs)	3rd Class	C
Mr. Sands	4^th Class	C
Mr. D. O’Callaghan	4^th Class	B
Mr. P. O’Neill Mr. N. Byrne	5^th Class 5^th Class	B
Mr. T. O’Neill Mr. Marshall	6^th Class 6^th Class	B
Ms. Moloney	Cairde	B

Exit Points for Specific Classes

Teacher	Class	Entrance & Exit Point
Ms. C. O’Sullivan	Junior Infants HOME TIME: 13.20	A (Infant parents are the only group of adults allowed into the yard, one adult per child). Parent lines up socially distantly at points marked A, B, C.
Mrs. Starkie	Junior Infants HOME TIME: 13.20	A (Infant parents are the only group of adults allowed into the yard, one adult per child). Parent lines up socially distantly at points marked A, B, C
Ms. Clayton	Senior Infants HOME TIME: 13.30	A (Infant parents are the only group of adults allowed into the yard, one adult per child). Parent lines up socially distantly at points marked A, B, C
Ms. Costelloe	Senior Infants HOME TIME: 13.30	A (Infant parents are the only group of adults allowed into the yard, one adult per child). Parent lines up socially distantly at points marked A, B, C
Mrs. Austin Mr. McGregor	1^st Class HOME TIME: 14.20	A (Parents to stay outside the gate, pupils will line up along the path until they see parent)
Ms. O’Callaghan	1^st Class HOME TIME 14.20	A (Parents to stay outside the gate, pupils will line up along the path until they see parent)
Mr. McLoughlin (Downstairs)	2^nd Class HOME TIME 14.25	C (Parents to stay outside the gate, pupils will line up along the path until they see parent)
Ms. Buttimer (Downstairs)	2^nd Class HOME TIME 14.25	C (Parents to stay outside the gate, pupils will line up along the path until they see parent)
Ms. Jordan (Upstairs) Ms.Horgan (Upstairs) Ms.O’Leary (Upstairs)	3^rd Class HOME TIME 14.30 3^rd Class HOME TIME 14.30 3^rd Class HOME TIME 14.30		C C C
Mr. Sands (Downstairs)	4^th Class HOME TIME 14.30		C
Mr. O’Callaghan	4^th Class HOME TIME 14.30		B
Mr. P. O’Neill	5^th Class HOME TIME 14.30		B
Ms. Byrne	5^th Class HOME TIME 14.30		B
Mr. T. O’Neill	6^th Class HOME TIME 14.30		B
Mr. Marshall	6^th Class HOME TIME 14.30		B
Ms. Moloney	Cairde HOME TIME 14.20		B

Each class should go directly to their classroom.
Staff members will be on hand to meet and greet pupils when they arrive.
No adults, other than staff members, should enter the building.
Messages for teachers can preferably be sent to the class email addresses for each class level, which are on the school website. Urgent messages can be left on the school answering machine. The office email can also be used but please bear in mind that this is not always suitable for very urgent messages.

End of School Day

Adults, who are collecting their children from school at the end of the day, should wait in a socially distant manner outside the school grounds, near the gate from which their son will exit.
When the school day for that class is over the following arrangements will apply –
- Junior Infants – 2^nd Class – the class teacher will bring the children to their designated entrance/exit point and will release the children into the care of the adult who is there to collect them.
- 3^rd – 6^th Class – the class teacher will allow each pod to leave the classroom separately in order to minimise contact.

Collection of Children during the School Day

Collections during the school day must only be in exceptional circumstances. This is for safety reasons. If an adult has to collect a child during the course of the school day, this is the procedure:

A message or email should be sent to the class teacher the previous day indicating the reason for collection, as well as the time.
When the adult arrives at the school, they should phone the office.
The child will be brought from their class to the adult by a member of staff.
No adult should enter the school building, unless invited to do so.
If a pupil must attend an out of school appointment, during the school day, we would ask that for safety reasons, the pupil would not return again to school, on that day

Dealing with a suspected case of Covid-19

Pupils should not attend school if displaying any symptoms of Covid-19. If a pupil displays symptoms of Covid-19 while in the building, the following are the procedures will be implemented;

Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately.
The child will be accompanied to the designated isolation area via the isolation route by a member of staff. The staff member will remain at least 2 metres away from the symptomatic child and will also make sure that others maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from the symptomatic child at all times.
A mask will be provided for the child presenting with symptoms. He should wear the mask if in a common area with other people or while exiting the premises.
The school will facilitate the child presenting with symptoms to remain in isolation, if they cannot immediately go home, and will assist them by calling their G.P.
The child presenting with symptoms should be advised to cover his mouth and nose with the disposable tissue provided when they cough or sneeze and to put the tissue in the waste bag provided.
If the child is well enough to go home, the school will arrange for him to be transported home by a family member, as soon as possible, and advise them to inform their GP by phone of their symptoms. Public transport of any kind should not be used.
If the child are too unwell to go home or advice is required, the school will contact 999 or 112 and inform them that the sick child is a Covid-19 suspect.
Arrangements will be made for appropriate cleaning of the isolation area and work areas involved.

The HSE will inform any staff/parents who have come into close contact with a diagnosed case via the contact tracing process. The HSE will contact all relevant persons where a diagnosis of COVID-19 is made. The instructions of the HSE should be followed.

Children who should not attend school

If your child is in one of the following categories, they should not attend school;

Children who have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Children who have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with Covid-19
Children who have a suspected case of Covid-19 and the outcome of the test is pending.
Children who have been in contact with a person who is unwell, may have a suspected case of Covid-19 and the outcome of the test is pending.
Children with underlying health conditions who have been directed by a medical professional not to attend school.
Children who have arrived in, or returned from overseas, especially from red list countries and must self-isolate for the recommended period.
Children who are generally unwell.
Any child who has travelled from overseas is advised to wait several days, in the interest of ensuring that no symptoms develop.

Homework – We will be using Google Classroom & class emails, like before the summer, to support Home/School communication. Details of Class Email addresses will follow, shortly. Specifics in relation to advice and routine of homework for each class will be communicated by email from the class teachers.

Hot School Lunches – Were introduced for all classes. Only pupils who have already completed their menu choices will be included. If you are new to the school, you can only fill out your menu, after you have started. If your son wishes to join the scheme, he will be included from the Monday after his order is submitted. Meanwhile, he should bring his own lunch.

Supporting the Learning of Children who cannot attend school

If a child is not able to attend school for an extended period of time, the class teacher (and/or the learning support teacher, where relevant) will provide suggested activities to support the child’s learning at home with parents.

Impact of a Suspected or Confirmed Case of Covid-19 in a Class

If the school is notified that a person in your child’s class has a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19

Public health advice will be sought and followed.

Personal Equipment

In so far as possible, it is requested that children use their own pens, pencils, colours, erasers, etc., in their own pencil case to avoid the sharing of equipment.
It is further requested that all items have the child’s name on them for ease of identification, this includes jumpers/tracksuit tops/coats.

Shared Equipment

By necessity, some classroom equipment needs to be shared including tablets, readers and the equipment used for structured activities and play in Infant classrooms. Cleaning of such shared equipment with wipes or other cleaning products will take place at regular intervals to minimise the risk of the spread of infection.

Learning Support

In keeping with our Special Education Policy, learning support will be provided by a blended approach of in-class support and withdrawal. The provision of support will be organised to ensure each support teacher works mainly with one class level.

Where a support teacher is working alongside a class teacher in a classroom, both teachers must be mindful of maintaining social distance from one another.
Where children from 3^rd to 6^th Class receive support in one of the SET rooms, social distancing of 1 metre will be maintained between each child in the group.
The tables and chairs in SET rooms will be wiped clean in between different groups attending.

P.P.E.

Face guards will be worn by all staff when a distance of two metres is not possible. Staff will also receive training and will adhere to all up to date advise on Covid-19 protocol and will practise social distancing amongst themselves during break times.

Uniforms

To facilitate easy laundering, the school tracksuit or uniform may be worn by all pupils, on any given day, until the mid-term break in October. The Board of Management will review this decision at that stage for the second half of the term.

Teacher Absence and Substitution

In the event that teacher is unable to attend school, every effort will be made to secure a substitute teacher for the class. If a substitute teacher is not available, it is not appropriate for the class to be divided into groups and accommodated in other classes. In such circumstances, it may not be possible for the class to attend on that day. If that is the case, as much notice as possible will be given to parents.

P.E. P.E. will take place outdoors and use of equipment will be confined to the sets that have been distributed to class groupings. We will be doing the Glasheen Mile and as our building is now completed, we will have far more outdoor spaces to enjoy for physical exercise. We are also intending to have our raised beds & polytunnel reinstated, for more outdoor activity.

Outside Speakers/facilitators

We will review this as the year progresses.

Extra-curricular Activities/After School Classes

For safety reasons, After School Classes & Homework Clubs, remain deferred for now. This decision will be reviewed and further updates will be provided in November, depending on public health advice.

Particular points to Note:

School with start at 8.50 a.m. and pupils will go straight to their classrooms. Once pupils enter the school grounds, they will need to go directly to their classrooms. Health advice is that parents Drop & Go. School Gates will not be opened early, like before.

Please Keep to the Left on corridors, stairs and pathways.

It is important that pupils who are able to, Walk or ‘Park & Stride‘, to avoid unnecessary traffic congestion on School Avenue.

Break times will be staggered and there will be a slight staggering of finishing times also, at the end of the day. It is important that your son is collected at the appointed time. Parking & striding at collection time is the best thing to do to avoid severe congestion and delays on School Avenue.

For the safety of all, if anyone is unwell, they must NOT attend school. Anybody returning from overseas, must not attend school, for 2 weeks (public health advice).

For safety reasons, unscheduled visits to the school office cannot take place. If you need to contact the school, please do so by email or telephone and we will get back to you, as soon as possible. Hand delivered items may be posted in the letterbox on the railings at the front of the school.

Collection of pupils, from school, during the school day, should be kept to emergencies only. If you need to collect your son early, please email on the night before, with an exact time of collection, so your son can be ready at the appointed time and we have a record of the collection.

Keep safe. Sincerely, Michael Daly.

Michael Daly