Fáilte: Clonaslee College would like to welcome back all students for the academic year 2020/2021. It has been a long time since school closure in March. The transition back into a different school environment will take patience, support and time to adjust. However, with the support of the BOM, LOETB, staff, students, parents and the wider community this will be achieved. We are very lucky to have a single story building with no corridors, small class sizes, entry and exit doors in classrooms etc.
We have appointed two Covid Aides that are currently working to prepare the school for safe re-opening and will also hold information sessions with all students as they return to school. This will be a time of ongoing change where we will be relying heavily on students to act responsibly, wear face masks, respect social distancing and inform their year heads or teacher immediately if they feel unwell. We ask for your patience as we navigate these challenging times.
Clonaslee College/LOETB will also have a system in place to communicate regularly with parents particularly to keep them up to date with any changes which may happen in a school locally, including if the HSE for example were to advise of an incident of COVID-19 in a local area.
1st Years 2020
We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to the new 1st year students. We look forward to working with you over the coming years. A particular welcome to the families and students joining us for the first time. 1st year students will have an introductory session on Monday 31st August from 11 am – 1.15 pm. They will also get a safety information session, their time tables and map of the school and answer any relevant questions.
School Calendar
The school calendar is on the school website. However, to ensure full safety of all students we have amended the return dates for each year group. Please see details below.
Friday 28th August Staff only
Monday 31st August 1st year students only (11 am – 1.15 pm)
Tuesday 1st September 6th year students only (9am-1.15pm)
Wednesday 2nd Sept 5th year students only (9am-1.15pm)
Thursday 3rd Sept 3rd year students only (9am-1.15pm)
Friday 4th Sept 2nd students only (9am-1.15pm)
Monday 7th Sept TY students only (9am-1.15pm)
Tuesday 8th Sept 6th and 3rd year students all day.
Wednesday 9th Sept 1st, 3rd and 6th year students all day.
Thursday 10th Sept 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th year students all day.
Friday 11th Sept 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th year students all day.
Monday 13th Sept All students back as normal.
All parent teacher meetings will remain on the calendar however these may not go ahead depending on advice from the HSE at that time.
Covid 19 changes:
There will be significant changes to the day to day running of the school in line with the DES Guidelines for the full Reopening of the Schools. These changes will be explained and demonstrated to each year group of students as they return to school. They also may be subject to change arising out of ongoing Public health advice;
- The school day will run normally from 9am – 3.55 pm (Monday – Thursday) and 9am-1.15 pm (Fridays)
- Students will go directly to a designated base class which they will remain in for the majority of their lessons. Each classroom will have a clear entry and exit plan. Teachers will move between each classes. We expect that the Code of Behaviour and social distancing will be respected for the brief time that students are awaiting the arrival of the next teacher. At this challenging time we must all work together to respect the health guidelines to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
- Each classroom has been reconfigured to allow for 1 m physical distance between each student’s designated desk.
- There is a strict one-way system when students are required to move to practical classrooms to ensure a 1m physical distance is maintained.
- Students will be required to wear face masks in class.
- There will be no lockers available while the current health guidelines are in place.
- All students will eat their lunches in the designated areas.
- For students going down to the village during lunchtime we expect that social distancing will be respected while off site. Permission may not be granted to a student to leave the school grounds if health guidelines have not been followed while they have been off site.
- Students will have to bring their own water to school and no longer will water be given to students from the staff room. Bottles can also be purchased from the vending machines.
- There will be hand sanitizers throughout the school. It is important that students follow good hygiene and proper cough etiquette. Students will need to sanitise their desks and seats when they arrive into a classroom.
- Students need to bring their own face masks to school and hand sanitiser. They need to regularly sanitize to keep their hands clean. Only appropriate face masks are to be worn (no logo, no written slogans etc.) This is subject to staff approval. Masks are to be cleaned daily.
- There will be a cleaner on site daily cleaning the bathrooms, door handles, common areas regularly. It is important all students co-operate with staff in keeping the school a clean and safe environment.
- Students will be expected to wear their full school uniform at all times, except when taking part in PE classes. We would urge students to remove their uniform immediately on their return home from school and to keep it clean at all times.
- All visits to the school by parents must be by prior appointment. Please contact the school at info@clonasleecollege.ie or (057) 864 8044. All visitors to the school must sign in for contact tracing, wear a face mask and sanitise on entry into the school.
- Please ensure students have everything they require for the school day. Please do not visit the school to drop off forgotten items, etc. This will have to be strictly adhered to in the best interest of everyone’s safety.
- If you need to collect your son/daughter, in line with the Code of Conduct, please arrange for this only at times lessons have ended. (i.e. 10am, 11 am, 12,15 pm, 1.15 pm,2.55 pm). Remain outside of the school main door until a member of staff permits entry to sign the student out.
- If students are feeling in any way unwell or showing symptoms of Covid-19 we urge them to remain at home. If symptoms become apparent in school, they will be placed in an isolation area and contact made with home requesting their immediate removal.
School Website
Please keep a close eye on our school website, www.clonasleecollege.ie where updates will be posted.
Farewell & Best of Luck
Unfortunately, the 6th year students of 2020 could not have the proper send off. However, a gathering, if permitted, will be planned for a future date. We wish all our leaving certificate students of 2020 the very best of luck with their results in September. We wish all our students great success in their chosen paths of work or study.
Code of Conduct
To ensure the smooth running of the school in a respectful and caring environment all students must adhere to the Code of Conduct. This is on our school website and in the school journal. It is important that all students are aware of the standards and expectations outlined in the Code of Conduct and must make themselves familiar with the policy.
School wise and Microsoft 365
Each student has their own individual school email and login. Throughout lock down this proved vital to ensure instant communication with all students and on line learning. 1st years will have an introductory workshop and will be given all login details etc. Any students who have any difficulties accessing the schools on line learning platform must inform Mr Todd.
Book rental scheme
The school will continue to offer students book rental. Textbooks will be distributed throughout the first two weeks of term. Payments can be paid through our on line way2pay system. They will be labelled and remain the property of the school.
Transition Year
The TY programme will continue to evolve and develop throughout the year under the guidance of the TY committee. The TY team met throughout lockdown and have many back up plans and programmes researched and will endeavour along with staff to deliver as good a programme as possible.
Conclusion
The last few months have been an extremely challenging time for staff, students and their families. We had to adapt extremely quickly to a new blended learning model. There have been many challenges with cancellation of trips, predicted grades, social distancing, new hygiene etiquette, no sport, etc. We worked hard together to make the best of a very difficult situation.
However we need everyone to work together again to respect the health guidelines, and to respect each other in order to continue to keep each other. School will be a different environment, learning will take place in a very restricted setting. Hopefully this will be for the short term. Everyone at Clonaslee College is looking forward to making 2020/2021 as good a year for all students as possible whilst a pandemic continues to exist.
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to school. For First years, we are looking forward to getting to know you all and to travelling on this journey with you. Please be assured that there is always someone available to help you, and support you in Clonaslee College.