Dear Parents,

We are delighted to welcome all children back to school during the week commencing 24^th August 2020.

We will be following the Northern Ireland Re-Opening Schools Guidance “New School Day” which was issued to all schools late last week. I understand that this may have been a frustrating wait for you as many of you have child minding and work plans to implement. I thank you for your patience.

In accordance with the guidance we have separated entrance and exit points, designated assembly points for children and staggered arrival and pick up times. Please make note of your child/children’s start date, entrance and collection point.

Teachers will meet children as they arrive at their designated time and we would ask parents to remain outside of the school grounds with the exception of Primary 1 for the first week.

Schools have been asked to discourage children from bringing anything from home into school therefore to that end the children should only bring their break/lunch in a disposable bag and a suitable coat for outdoors.

In line with DENI directives there will be no school dinners provided until 1st September 2020.We will be operating a cashless system, details of which will be sent to you later in the week.

Further information:

• Regular and thorough attention to hygiene will be practised throughout the school day
• Children should wash their hands thoroughly before coming to school and again upon entering the building
• Each class will be viewed as a protective bubble and there will be staggered times for meals and play
• We will endeavour to practise social distancing as far as is practical where physical capacity and curriculum delivery permit

All of these measures will be kept under review and may be subject to change.

Please be assured that we will make every effort to make your child/children’s return to school as safe and supportive as we can.

Kind Regards,

Mrs Mc Cullagh

Principal.

The Department of Education has established the Education Restart Programme, which, working alongside a wide range of stakeholders, will put in place the detailed measures and guidance which will enable a safe reopening of educational settings.

Latest information and resources for parents and carers from the Education Authority regarding Education Restart can be found on the following link... https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/education-restart-information-parents-and-carers

The Minister of Education, Peter Weir MLA, has written to all parents and carers to outline some of the key information about the return to school. 

• Letter to parents and carers from Minister Weir - 13 August 2020

A leaflet is also available for parents and carers which outlines some of the things you will need to think about when your child returns to school.

• Education Restart - Parent and Carers Leaflet

We are currently updating our current plans regarding our return to school at St. Colum's and these will be published next week.

Portstewart Community Association are holding their next Summer Tidy Up on Saturday, 22nd August. Come along and help us clean up our town. Meet at the Witch's Hat at 10am.😀

Please bring your own gloves.🧤 Everyone welcome!

Please note that the 5pm Sunday Vigil Mass on Saturday 15th August will be held outside at Eoghan Rua GAA grounds. There will be space to accommodate a larger crowd but booking is still essential (see below).

Please book by either phoning Emer (07709 043921) or using the app EVENTBRITE. To use Eventbrite, just download the app, search for Portstewart Parish and book your place at the Mass of your choice. We will reserve 10 places at every Mass for people unable to avail of the technology, but if you can, please use the app. If you have any problems accessing the app or can only reserve your place via phone please call Emer or email portstewartpastoralcouncil@gmail.com or speak to a steward at daily Mass. No booking is required for weekdays.

Free School Meals / Uniform Grant Applications

New claimants can apply online or complete a paper form for free school meals and uniform grant assistance, subject to eligibility.

Existing claimants renewing their application should apply by completing the pre-populated form posted to them.

Please ensure you complete the online or paper form in full and submit the relevant verification documentation.

Please complete and return your application as soon as possible with any supporting documentation as it can take up to 6 weeks to process your application.

For more information and to apply visit www.eani.org.uk/fsm
 

#FreeSchoolMEals #UniformAllowance #NewSchoolYear