Re: Reopening of Special Classes in Post Primary Schools.

It was great to meet you all this morning to consider preparation for the opening of Special Classes at post primary level and the provisions of the Supplementary Programme. As promised please see attached the following relevant documentation.

1.   Presentation Slides from ACCS Briefing 12th February 2021.

2.   Information for Principals / Eolas do Phríomhoidí from Department of Education.

• Post Primary Letter to Principals re return 11th February 2021. (Circulars regarding Temporary changes to the parental leave scheme and unpaid leave and other temporary arrangements for Registered Teachers employed in recognised Post Primary Schools will be issued separately)

• Appendix 1 PP Framework 11th February 2021

• Appendix 2 Summary of Public Health Advice

• Appendix 3 Summary of additions to COVID-19 Response Plan

• Appendix 4 COVID-19 Response Plan for Post Primary Schools

3.   Documentation from DE regarding the In-Person Supplementary Programme.

·       Letter to School Principal (Teacher and SNA Eligibility, Teacher Registration, Garda Vetting, Child Protection, Funding, Payment and Grant Rates and Assisting Parents in sourcing a Teacher/SNA)

·       Overview of Supplementary Programme to support the Education or Care Needs of Students with Complex Needs during this period of school closure at Post Primary. (Importance of In-person support, Eligibility, Allocation, and Staffing)

·       Post Primary in Person Guidance - Teachers and SNA’s (Aims, Student Eligibility, Delivery of Programme by Teachers and SNAs, the Importance of Student Voice, Allocation of hours, Roles of School and Parent and the Importance of Providing In-Person Support)

·       Guidance for Parents – Supplementary Programme

·       COVID-19 Guidance for Delivery of Supplementary Programme (General Advice to prevent spread and control measures – Face Coverings, Protocols for working in student’s home, PPE)

• Supplementary Programme - Grant Claim Form

Please note the following guidance from the documents attached regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when delivering personal care.

As with all children, pupils with additional care needs should not be required to wear a face covering if they are under 13 years of age. Those who choose to wear a face covering may do so.

Pupils with additional care needs who are 13 years or older should not be required to wear a face covering if the face covering causes distress or is a barrier to their education and care needs.

In this context and in association with other measures specified the use of a face covering should be routine for SNAs in accordance with Government guidance. When teachers/SNAs are within 2m of a pupil and to whom they are delivering personal care or attention for a period of time the face covering should normally be a surgical mask. If surgical mask is not available a medical mask or cloth face covering should be used. If for any reason use of these coverings is not practical, teachers/SNAs should use a visor of a quality suitable for use in a healthcare setting. HPSC advice is that a visor does not provide protection equivalent to a mask.

REF: In-person Supplementary Programme to Support the Education or Care Needs of Students with Complex Needs at Post Primary COVID-19 Guidance for delivering of in-person tuition and personal care.

Masks/Face Coverings.

Cloth face coverings act as a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from travelling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the face covering coughs, sneezes, talks or raises their voice. Cloth face coverings are therefore intended to prevent transmission of the virus from the wearer (who may not know that they are infected) to those with whom they come into close contact.

It is therefore a requirement that teachers, staff and students attending post primary schools wear a face covering when a physical distance of 2m from other staff or students cannot be maintained.

In certain situations, the use of clear visors should be considered, for example staff interacting with students with hearing difficulties or learning difficulties.

Ref: Use of PPE in Schools, Section 5: Infection Prevention Control Measures - To prevent Introduction and Spread of COVID-19 in Schools, COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable operation of Post Primary. Schools.

Is mise, Le mór mheas,

John Irwin, GENERAL SECRETARY.

Addenda:

Powerpoint Presentation 12/2/21 Reopening of Special Classes in Post Primary Schools

Letter to Principals re Return 11 Feb 21 form Deirdre Shanley

Appendix 1: Framework Plan for phased return of post-primary school education

Appendix 2: Reopening of Schools February 2021 Special Classes Post-Primary Schools

Appendix 3: Summary of additions to COVID-19 Response Plans required by ‘Work Safely Protocol’

Appendix 4: COVID-19 Response Plan for Post Primary Schools

Letter to School Principal - Supplementary Programme

Overview of Supplementary PP Supplementary Programme

In-person Guidance Teachers and SNAs Supplementary Programme

Guidance for Parents - Supplementary Programme

Covid 19 Guidance for Delivery of Supplementary Programme

Supplementary Programme - Grant Claim Form