Dear Parents

I hope you are well. At this point I wanted to check in with you all and just let you know we are on track with a plan for coming back to school. The school calendar is available on the website. We will start back on Monday 31 August.

We are hoping that busses will run as usual. I will be providing the escorts with a thermometer to take temperatures of pupils before boarding the bus - anyone with an elevated temperature will not be allowed to come to school.

There is an element of higher risk of contracting COVID 19 associated with using the bus as there is no requirement for pupils to wear masks and it is my understanding that there may be pupils from other schools also using the bus - if you would like to refrain from using the bus for a while - please make contact with me immediately. [email protected]

All the staff will be wearing a clear visor and a mask at most times. Please prepare your child for this as best you can. 

There will be some timetable changes. and we don't yet know about swimming plans. Teachers will communicate these with you 

Please keep an eye on the website for updates. 


Drop-off and pick-up times:

• In order to avoid crowds at the start and end of the school day all students, other than those using school transport, will have staggered drop-off and pick up times. Please contact me if this affects you.
• The school gates will remain closed before the allocated start times.
• Children cannot be dropped off early or remain in the school late. 

Access for Parents and Guardians to the School Grounds or Building

• Access to the school building and grounds will be by appointment only.  

​Children's Clothing 

• Children will need to come to school dressed for all types of weather as we will be encouraging as much outside learning and play as possible. 
• Teachers will be encouraged to keep windows open in classrooms to ensure good ventilation. Children might need an extra layer of clothing. 
• Please supply a pair of wellies and full wet gear to remain at school for the year.

​Children's Belongings 

• All belongings will need to be clearly labelled. This includes pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpeners, erasers etc. There will be no sharing of these items. 
• Lunch boxes, water bottles, cutlery, etc must be labelled. The school will not be able to provide cups, drinking bottles etc. 
• We have school water bottles available for purchase which can be labelled and remain at school
• Hats, scarves, coats, hats etc. must also be clearly labelled.
• Children are discouraged from bringing items from home, a small packed lunch is all they require to bring daily.  

Together, we will make this work as safely and smoothly as possible for our children. We are still working through the logistics and practicalities.

Additional support materials to help prepare children for their return to school will be shared over the next few weeks.   


Anyone who becomes unwell during the day will need to go home with a parent - not on the bus. 
Mise le meas
Sarah McGinley
Principal


St. Josephs Special School
Thomas Hynes Road,
 Newcastle, 
Galway 
H91 KO95.