ACCS WEBINAR Documentation re School Reopening
ACCS/Info Bulletin 61/20
ACCS WEBINAR Documentation re Full Reopening of Schools
1. ACCS Webinar Presentation/FAQ Document.
Please find attached a copy of the presentation from the recent ACCS Webinar, Implementation of the Roadmap for a full Return to School. This presentation is accompanied by an FAQ document based on questions received from schools. At all times schools are reminded to follow all public health advice and the Department produced Response Plan. This is an evolving situation and these are live documents that are subject to change based on changes to health advice and guidance received from the Department of Education.
2. CL 0049/20 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools.
The Department has published CL 0049/20 Coronavirus (COVID-19): Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants. The special arrangements provided for in this circular letter are to be implemented by each employer with immediate effect and all teachers and SNAs must adhere to the special arrangements. Please find CL 0049/20 attached to this Info Bulletin.
3. Department of Education Updates.
The Department of Education has indicated that a Press Release will issue this evening from the Minister providing information on current supports available to schools and updated HPSC advice on the use of face coverings in schools. Based on this updated advice revisions to the ‘School COVID-19 Response Plan’ will be made to reflect the health advice on the use of face coverings. The key recommendations relating to post primary schools are:
It is recommended that teachers, staff and students attending secondary schools wear a face-covering when a physical distance of 2 meters 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.
All children on the post primary school transport scheme should be asked to wear face coverings unless there is a good reason not to do.
The guidance also provides the following recommendations where cloth face coverings should not be worn by any of the following groups:
Primary school or pre-school children
Any person with difficulty breathing
Any person who is unconscious or incapacitated
Any person who is unable to remove the face-covering without assistance
Any person who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the face covering, for example persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Guidance on the procurement framework for PPE and sanitisers will issue separately to schools.
The Department has also issued guidance for Post Primary Schools on PPE, Consumables and Equipment. It indicates that a COVID-19 Capitation Grant for PPE, Consumables and Equipment of €40 per pupil, with an enhanced rate of €160 for students in special classes will issue to fund school costs in this regard from reopening until the end of 2020. It also provides practical advice on:
Sanitiser dispensers and volumes of sanitiser fluid required
PPE in the event of a suspected case
PPE for staff (as required)
Face coverings
Hand soaps and paper towels
Signage and posters, (to be printed by the Department and supplied to schools).
(Please find relevant documentation attached)
ACCS welcomes this additional guidance and supports for schools.
Is mise, Le mór mheas,
John Irwin - GENERAL SECRETARY
1. ACCS Webinar Presentation/FAQ Document.
3. Department of Education Updates