April 8^th 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

We look forward to welcoming ALL our students back on Monday 12th April.

We wish to commend our students for the manner in which they have engaged with their online learning since Christmas. They have shown great resilience and determination in continuing with their learning in what has been an exceptionally difficult time for everyone.

We all worked so hard before Christmas to ensure St Kevin’s was free of Covid-19 and we would like to keep it this way for the last 6 weeks of the school year. It is important that all members of the school community remain safe and healthy. To this end, we would like to highlight the following points:

Masks are always compulsory, and all students must wear them in school and outside when 2 metre social distancing is not possible. This is particularly important during break and lunch time.

Hand sanitisers are to be used on entering and leaving classrooms, social areas and the school building.

The Department of Education directs that the parents of all students complete a declaration form available by clicking here. This form is also to be completed when students are returning to school after any absence. Please note that a separate form must be completed for each child in the school.

Students must not come to school if they show any symptoms of COVID. If in doubt, stay OUT.

Students cannot return to or attend school if they are identified by the HSE as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 or if they live with someone who has symptoms of the virus.

Students must not return or attend school if they have travelled outside of Ireland; in such instances parents are advised to consult and follow latest Government advice in relation to foreign travel.

Students must cooperate with any public health officials and the school for contact tracing purposes and follow any public health advice in the event of a case or outbreak in the school.

Parents must contact the school if they wish to make an appointment with a member of staff. Teachers can speak to parents by phone. In school meetings cannot take place.

We were very successful last term in keeping our school COVID free. This was due to the cooperation of staff, students and parents/guardians to our protocols and guidelines. This needs to continue for the remainder of the school year.

When students arrive at school on Monday morning they should go directly to their base classroom. There should be no congregating outside in the yard or in the social areas.

Students should NOT mix with students from other year groups, especially at break and lunch time.

To reduce the number of students in the building at lunch time, we are allowing 3^rd year students to go home at lunchtime, if they wish.

Students in 3-6^th year should go home where possible at lunchtime. No congregating at Londis or other shops. Masks MUST be worn inside any shop. You will not be served without wearing a mask.

All students are to return to the classes they used in December last.

3^rd Year Students – Junior Cycle Assessment

As you are aware the Junior Cycle will not go ahead this year and in its place the DES will issue a State Certificate of Completion of the Junior Cycle to all students and schools will issue a report detailing the learning achievements of students during their Junior Cycle programme (1^st, 2nd and 3rd year). The final assessment mark provided by teachers in June will include credit given for tasks, assessments, projects and tests that have been completed over the last two years and a series of assessments and class tests that will take place during the third term. Teachers will let students know the breakdown of marks for their own subject.

Once again, we look forward to seeing you all on Monday and getting back to some level of normality.

Mr Barry & Mr Duffy

A printable version of this letter is available here