Re-Opening MCS: Information for Students and Parents

The following information has been posted to all households along with the reopening schedule for the first week back. You can view that schedule by clicking here.

Our full Covid-19 Response Plan will be published on the school website following a Board of Management meeting on 25.08.20. The following is a summary of the changes that will be in place from the beginning of the school year:

  • School will start at 09.00am and finish at 4.00pm (1.20pm on Wednesday). Students enter through their assigned door (further information to be given to students in the coming week).

  • Junior Students go directly to their allocated corridor in the Main Building. 

  • Senior Students go directly to their allocated area in the Sports Hall (open from 08.30am).

  • Students will be collected from these locations by their class teachers at 9.00am and at 1.20pm.

  • Students arriving late to school should first report to the School Office.

  • Morning break is staggered and has been increased to 20 minutes (Senior 10.20-10.40; Junior 11.00-11.20)

  • Lunchtime has been reduced to 40 minutes and is at the new time of 12:40pm – 1:20pm.

  • Canteen facilities will be available in the Sports Hall at these times.  Food must be ordered and paid for at break time and collected at designated collection points in the Sports Hall.

  • All visitors MUST have an appointment.  All non-essential visits are discouraged. You must phone the office in advance (029) 70087 and make an appointment with Marion Buckley if you wish to:

    urgently drop an item to the school (e.g. book/lunch)

    pick your child up from school

  • If you need to collect your child from school during the day, please phone the office from the car park upon your arrival. Remain in your car, or if on foot, at the top of the steps. Marion will enter details in the sign out book and your child will be informed that you have arrived to collect them.

  • The school discourages all one-to-one contact or meetings with teachers, the Deputy Principal and Principal.  All business, unless urgent, must be dealt with over the phone in the first instance.

  • Everyone will be required to wear a mask and to sanitise their hands on entering and leaving the school and each classroom.  Hand sanitisers are located at the door of each classroom.

  • Students will sanitise their seat, desk and/or work station/computer etc. at the end of each class under the supervision of the teacher and to follow relevant protocols.

  • Desks have been arranged to keep students 1m apart.

  • Students should have their own materials and will not be able to share any materials with other students.

  • Students will be expected to wash their hands regularly, socially distance and always wear a plain, no logo mask or a face visor in the corridors and classrooms.

  • Students unable to wear a mask or visor for medical reasons should contact the Deputy Principal or the Principal in advance of returning to school.

  • Students must walk on the left of each corridor at all times.   Signage will give clear guidance to students.

  • In order to provided for increased social distancing in the school, lockers will not be provided to any student and students must bring in the relevant books each day.

  • The school will be cleaned more regularly, including touch points and surfaces.

  • The school operates a ‘stay at home if you feel unwell’ policy for students and staff.

  • Students must self-isolate at home for 14 days if they have arrived from a country not on the Green List.

  • A full, clean uniform is expected every day and this policy will be strictly enforced. Students may wear suitable tracksuit/sports clothing on the day they have PE.  No uniform is required on PE day.  Regular washing of school uniforms and face masks is encouraged.

  • Training will be provided to all staff members.

*Remember Classes finish on Wednesday at 1.20pm

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