Dear Parents,
The government have released further guidance in the DES Planning for Reopening Schools which is available on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/
Below you will find our school’s Covid Response Plan, please read our plan and parents are asked to raise any questions or issues that you may have by email. The Board of Management will hold a meeting on the 19th August 2020 to ratify this plan and we will be in a position to publish all operational procedures for the school day.
While we all understand that this Response Plan and prevention measures can’t guarantee that Covid – 19 won’t present in our school. However, together everyone must do their best to help prevent and properly deal with any outbreak. Parents should make their own decision on whether to send their child to school or not.
We are really looking forward to welcoming our children back to school and will be doing all that we can to ensure that the return to school is a safe and enjoyable experience for the children.
Covid-19 Response Plan
This document has been prepared on the basis of current public
health advice and will continue to be updated throughout the summer
as further public
health advice is received.
Introduction
This Covid-19 Response Plan is designed to support the staff and Board of Management (BOM)/Education Training Board (ETB) in putting measures in place that will prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen.
The Covid-19 Response Plan details the policies and practices necessary for a school to meet the Government’s ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’, the Department of Education and Skills Plan for School Re-opening and to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the school environment. The plan incorporates current advice about measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the community issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
It is important that any proposals and recommendations in relation to the resumption of school based teaching and learning and the reopening of school facilities comply with the protocol and to minimise the risk to students, staff and others. As the advice issued by NPHET continues to evolve, this protocol and the measures management and staff need to address may also change.
The response plan will support the sustainable reopening of our school where the overriding objective is to protect the health of staff and pupils while promoting the educational and development needs of the children in the school.
In line with the Return to Work Safely Protocol, the key to a safe and continued return to work, and re-opening of our schools requires strong communication and a shared collaborative approach between the Board of management, staff, pupils and parents.
This document aims to provide details of:
- COVID-19 School Policy
- Planning and Preparing for Return to School
- Return to work safely and Lead Worker Representative(s)
- Safety Statement and Risk Assessment
- General advice to prevent the spread of the virus
- Procedure for Returning to Work (RTW)
- Control Measures
- Dealing with a suspected case of Covid-19
- Staff Duties
- Covid related absence management
- Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
The assistance and cooperation of all staff, pupils, parents/guardians, contractors and visitors is critical to the success of the plan.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this document. However, should errors or omissions be identified, please notify us so that appropriate measures can be taken to rectify same.
Note: The plan is a live working document and may be
reviewed and amended to take into account new guidance from www.Gov.ie, www.dbei.ie www.hse.ie, www.hpsc.ie, www.hsa.ie; www.education.ie;
- Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen COVID-19 Policy
| COVID 19 Policy Statement Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff and a safe learning environment for all our pupils. To ensure that, we have developed the following COVID-19 Response Plan. The BOM and all school staff are responsible for the implementation of this plan and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus. We will: continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with our staffprovide up to date information to our staff and pupils on the Public Health advice issued by the HSE and Gov.ie display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and correct hand-washing techniques agree with staff, a worker representative who is easily identifiable to carry out the role outlined in this plan in relation to summer provisioninform all staff and pupils of essential hygiene and respiratory etiquette and physical distancing requirementsadapt the school to facilitate physical distancing as appropriate in line with the guidance and direction of the Department of Education and Skillskeep a contact log to help with contact tracingensure staff and pupils engage with the induction / familiarisation briefing provided by the Department of Education and Skills implement the agreed procedures to be followed in the event of someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 while at schoolprovide instructions for staff and pupils to follow if they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during school time implement cleaning in line with Department of Education and Skills advice All school staff will be consulted on an ongoing basis and feedback is encouraged on any concerns, issues or suggestions. This can be done through the Lead Worker Representative(s) ______________. Signed: _________________________________ Date: __________________ |
This COVID-19 policy outlines our commitment as a
school to implement the plan and help prevent the spread of the virus. The
policy will be signed and dated by the Principal and Chairperson of the Board
of Management and brought to the attention of staff, pupils, parents and
others.
- Planning and Preparing for Return to School
The Board of Management aims to facilitate the resumption of school based teaching and learning and the return to the workplace of staff. The return to the work must be done safely and in strict adherence to the advice and instructions of public health authorities and the Government.
Details for the reopening of the school facility and the applicable restrictions and controls are outlined in this document.
Procedure for Returning to Work (RTW)
In order to return to the workplace, staff must complete a Return to Work (RTW) form, which is available electronically or from the Principal. A hard copy is attached also at Appendix 1.
A RTW form should only be completed at least 3 days prior to any proposed date of return to the workplace.
On receipt of the completed form the Principal will provide: details of the Induction Training for completion by staff prior to the return to the workplace and details of any additional health and safety measures in place in the school to facilitate the staff member’s return to the school facility.
- Return to work safely and Lead Worker Representative
Responsibility for the development and implementation of the Covid-19 Response Plan and the associated control measures lies primarily with the Board of Management and the School Leadership. The Return to Work Safely protocol provides for an agreed procedure between management and staff to appoint a Lead Worker Representative to carry out a specific role.
The role of the worker representative) is to ensure that Covid-19 measures are adhered to in the workplace as follows:
· Work collaboratively with the employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of employees in relation to COVID-19.
· Promote good hygiene practices such as washing hands regularly and maintaining good respiratory etiquette along with maintaining social distancing in accordance with public health advice.
· Assist with the implementation of measures to suppress COVID-19 in the workplace.
· Monitor adherence to measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. · Consult with colleagues on matters relating to COVID-19 in the workplace.
· Make representations on behalf of their colleagues on matters relating to COVID-19 in the workplace. If a staff member has any concerns or observations in relation to the Covid-19 Response Plan and control measures or the adherence to such control measures by staff, parents/guardians, contractors or visitors, he/she should contact the lead worker(s) who will engage with the Principal/BOM.
Name(s) of Lead Worker representative: Contact details All staff, parents/guardians, contractors and visitors have a responsibility both as individuals and collectively to have due regard for their own health and safety and that of others and to assist with the implementation of the Covid-19 Response Plan and associated control measures.
- Safety Statement and Risk Assessment
COVID-19 represents a hazard in the context of health and safety in the school environment. A template risk assessment to identify the control measures required to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in school settings is attached at Appendix 2. It is important that schools review their emergency procedures involving, fire safety, first aid, accidents and dangerous occurrences to consider any new risks that arise due to the school’s COVID-19 Response Plan. Any changes to the schools existing emergency procedures should be documented. Schools should also review their existing risk assessments to consider any new risks that arise due to the school’s COVID-19 Response Plan. Any changes to the school’s current risk assessments should also be documented.
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 it is important to know and recognise the symptoms.
They are:
Staff, pupils and visitors should at all times adhere to the up to date advice and instructions of the public health authorities in relation to protecting oneself and others against the risk posed by the Covid-19 virus.
Updated advice from the HSE is available on its website – https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
Managing the risk of spread of COVID-19
Wash your hands frequently
Regular hand washing with soap and water is effective for the removal of COVID-19. Follow the HSE guidelines on handwashing: For advice from HSE on how to wash your hands the following link will be helpful: https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/how-to-wash-your-hands.html
Hand Hygiene and Hand Sanitisers
Hand hygiene can also be achieved by the use of a hand sanitisers (when hands are clean). Hand sanitisers are more readily deployed in school settings to avoid disruption to teaching and learning and to avoid congestion of staff and pupils waiting to use hand washing facilities. They will be available at entry and exit points and in each classroom.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.
Physical distancing
Physical distancing is recommended to reduce the spread of infection in the workplace. Guidance on the physical distancing requirements will be informed by public health advice for schools. Interim public health advice has been received from the (Health Protection Surveillance Centre) HPSC and is available at this link as outlined above. This advice will be updated over the summer period and the Department will work with the education partners to implement this advice for the safe re-opening of schools.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your bent elbow when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and Covid19. Good hygiene practices and washing your hands properly and regularly can help stop the spread of the virus. It is, therefore, crucial that all staff adhere to this advice and adopt the following practices as strictly as possible.
Do:
· Wash your hands properly and often
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
· Put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Do Not
· Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
· Share objects that touch your mouth – for example, bottles, cups, cutlery, etc. People at very high risk (extremely vulnerable): Current public health guidelines have identified groups who are defined as being at very high risk.
People at very high risk:
The HSE has set out these groups, which include people who: The list of people in very high risk groups include people who:
· are over 70 years of age – even if you’re fit and well
· have had an organ transplant
· are undergoing active chemotherapy for cancer
· are having radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
· have cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
· are having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
· are having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
· have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
· severe respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and severe COPD
· have a condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell)
· are taking medicine that makes you much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids or immunosuppression therapies)
· have a serious heart condition and you are pregnant
The advice for this group is available from the HSE. Staff who are in this group should self-declare on the Return to Work form if they believe that they are at very high risk. Details of the leave arrangements that will apply will be updated by the Department of Education and Skills.
If the Board/Principal is unsure whether or not staff fall into the very high-risk category, advice will be sought from the Occupational Health Service
Control Measures
A range of essential control measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 virus
and to protect the safety, health and welfare of staff, pupils, parents/guardians and visitors as far as possible
within the school.
These control measures are outlined in this document.
The control measures shall continue to be reviewed and updated as required on an ongoing basis.
It is critical that staff, pupils, parents/guardians and visitors are aware of, and adhere to, the control measures
outlined and that they fully cooperate with all health and safety requirements.
Staff, in particular, should note that they have a legal obligation under Section 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to comply with health and safety requirements and to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves, their colleagues and other parties within the workplace.
The following control measures have been put in place:
Return to Work Form
Staff will be required to complete a RTW form at least 3 days prior to any return to the school facility (see section
2 above). The purpose of the RTW form is to get confirmation from staff that, to the best of his/her knowledge,
he/she has no symptoms of Covid-19 and is not self-isolating or cocooning or awaiting the results of a Covid-19
test.
Induction Training
All staff will undertake and complete Covid-19 Induction Training prior to returning to the school building. The
aim of such training is to ensure that staff have full knowledge and understanding of the following:
Staff will be kept fully informed of the control measures in place in the school and their duties and responsibilities
in preventing the spread of Covid-19 and with any changes to the control measures or guidance available from
the public health authorities.
If a staff member is unsure about any aspect of the Covid-19 Response Plan, the associated control measures, or
his/her duties, he/she should immediately seek guidance from the Principal.
Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
It is crucial that all staff, pupils, parents/guardians, contractors and visitors are familiar with, and adopt, good
hand and respiratory hygiene practices.
Guidance documentation and Information posters will be available at various locations within the school facility.
Information posters will be prominently displayed at appropriate locations within the school facility including
offices, corridors, staffroom area, classrooms and toilet areas. Such are intended to inform but also remind
everyone about the importance of hygiene in preventing the spread of Covid-19 virus and protecting health and
safety.
Handwashing facilities and/or hand sanitisers will be available at multiple locations within the school facility and
should be available in each classroom.
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE will not be required to be worn within the school facility according to current occupational and public health
guidance. However, for a limited number of staff, PPE will need to be used occasionally or constantly due to the
nature of certain work activities or work areas.
Such include roles where:
Appropriate PPE will be available for dealing with suspected COVID-19 cases, intimate care needs and for first aid.
This will be updated as appropriate in line with advice from the HPSC.
Where staff provide healthcare to children with medical needs in the school environment they should apply
standard precautions as per usual practice.
The use of a face covering will conceal facial expression and can make communication difficult and as such may
not be practical in a school setting. However, the wearing of a visor as an alternative to a facial covering may be
considered where there is a concern that physical distancing cannot be maintained, there will be prolonged close
contact and/or that exposure to fluid/respiratory droplets is likely.
Wearing of Gloves:
The use of disposable gloves in the school setting by pupils or staff is not appropriate. It does not protect the
wearer and may expose others to risk from contaminated gloves. Routine use of disposable gloves is not a
substitute for hand hygiene.
Cleaning
Arrangements for more regular and thorough cleaning of areas and surfaces within the school will be made.
Regular and thorough cleaning of communal areas and frequently touched surfaces shall be conducted, in
particular, toilets, lifts, door handles and kitchens. Cleaning will be performed regularly and whenever facilities
or surfaces are visibly dirty.
All staff will have access to cleaning products and will be required to maintain cleanliness of their own work area.
Under no circumstances should these cleaning materials be removed from the building.
Staff should thoroughly clean and disinfect their work area before and after use each day.
There will be regular collection of used waste disposal bags from offices and other areas within the school facility.
Shower facilities shall not be available for use by staff or pupils due to the increased risk associated with
communal shower facilities and areas. This shall be reviewed in line with government guidance.
Staff must use and clean their own equipment and utensils (cup, cutlery, plate etc.).
Access to the school building /contact log
Access to the school facility will be in line with agreed school procedures.
Arrangement for necessary visitors such as contractors and parents/guardians with be restricted to essential
purposes and limited to those who have obtained prior approval from the Principal.
The prompt identification and isolation of potentially infectious individuals is a crucial step in restricting the
spread of the virus and protecting the health and safety of the individuals themselves and other staff, contractors
and visitors at the workplace. A detailed sign in/sign out log of those entering the school facilities should be
maintained. The school should maintain a log of staff and students contacts. In addition see visitor contact log
at Appendix 3.
First Aid/emergency procedure
The standard First Aid/Emergency procedure shall continue to apply in Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen.
In an emergency or in case of a serious incident, call for an ambulance or the fire brigade on 112/999.
Contact the principal or nearest first aider giving details of location and type of medical incident.
Dealing with a suspected case of Covid-19
Staff or pupils should not attend school if displaying any symptoms of Covid-19. The following outlines how Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen will deal with a suspected case that may arise during the course of work.
A designated isolation has been identified within the school building. The possibility of having more than
one person displaying signs of Covid-19 should be considered and a contingency plan for dealing with additional
cases put in place. The designated isolation area should be behind a closed door and away from other staff and
pupils.
If a staff member/pupil displays symptoms of Covid-19 while at work in Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen the following are the procedures to be implemented:
8. Staff Duties
Staff have a statutory obligation to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of their
colleagues and other parties. In order to facilitate a safe return to work, these duties include, but are not limited
to, the following:
assistance of all staff is essential to reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19 and to protect health and safety
as far as possible within the school. All staff have a key role to play.
Covid related absence management
The management of a Covid-19 related absence will be managed in line with agreed procedures with DES.
Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
The Board of Management aims to protect and support the health and wellbeing of all staff (physical, mental,
spiritual etc.) both at work, whether in the school facility or at home and outside of work. The Board of
Management is mindful that the support and promotion of staff health and wellbeing is particularly important in
the current context where the Covid-19 pandemic has caused considerable challenges for, and disruption to,
people’s personal, family and social lives as well as their work arrangements.
The Board of Management aims to foster a culture and work environment that support healthy behaviours andstaff wellbeing and shall continue to make health and wellbeing tools and guidance available to staff as well as organising suitable support programmes, initiatives and events.
These are challenging times for everyone. Should a staff member experience any stress or anxiety in respect of work or work arrangements, he/she should feel free to speak to the principal.