Keeping Well through Covid
Covid 19 or Coronavirus has had a huge impact on our everyday lives, experiences and expectations. From the 13th of March, Education, like all other aspects of society, has changed dramatically to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all.
Information to keep well – Covid 19
School Procedures
- Our Covid Response Plan
All members of our school community are asked to become familiar with the school’s Covid Response Plan:
Please note: Addendum to Code of Behaviour Policy During Covid 9
- Student Presentation
Access to the School
At present, we ask that all parents and guardians do not come to the school. This is to ensure the safety of our school community and limit exposure. Parents, guardians and students are asked also to not email teachers directly. Parents/guardians are welcome to ring the school at (061) 383283 or email info@johnthebaptistcs.ie.
Entry Points to the School
- First Years – enter through laneway to Junior campus
- Second Years – enter using the ramp, and double doors on the right at the bottom of the school
- Third Years – enter through back double doors under the stairs
- Transition Years – enter using ramp, and door near gym on the left at the bottom of the school
- Fifth Years – enter through back door of Nano Nagle hall (past yellow wall)
- LCA1 & LCA2 – enter though front doors
- Sixth Years – bottom door of new building, passing the practical subject block to enter
- Shared Area students – enter through ups
- Staff – enter through front doors, take temperature and proceed to class
Isolation rooms
Breaktime & Lunchtime
- Second Years
- Third Years
- Transition Years
- Fifth Years
- Each base classroom has tables with a series of coloured dots. These have been carefully placed to allow students sitting at such tables to be a minimum of 2metres apart from other students, and so can remove their mask and eat safely.
- All students at a table with a dot remain in place at the start of lunch. It is very important that those at such tables remain in place to allow all to have adequate space.
- All students sitting at a table without a dot are asked to leave the classroom and go to the corridors/additional rooms in their designated pods as directed. Here they can stand or sit in designated spaces, allowing for safe social distancing. Tape and coloured dots are placed around the corridors to help students remain safe and mindful of social distancing.
- Those in classrooms and in other locations swap halfway through lunch periods. Groups alternate for break times.
Information for Leaving Certificate/LCA Students 2020
Wellbeing – Minding and Managing our Mental Health
The pandemic and the changes to all of our lives continues to be a challenge to mental wellbeing and health. All of our school community are encouraged to proactively examine and address their mental health as they navigate a new normal.
Please see below for a range of supports and helpful materials from a range of respected resources:
Wellbeing Supports from DES
Information and resources from the Department of Education and Skills can be found at this link: click here
Some resources from the DES:
- Coping with Panic Attacks
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Calculated Grade Managing Thoughts and Feelings
Advice from the HSE:
Advice and guidance: click here
Relaxation techniques: click here
Information sheets from NEPS:
Panic attacks – Info for students: click here
Managing thoughts and feelings – a guide for students: click here
Managing stress and anxiety – a guide for students: click here
Relaxation:
Relaxation techniques from NEPS:
For Parents/Guardians:
Being a parent/guardian at this time is a challenge. We hope that all parents and guardians also mind their own wellbeing. The following courses from Jigsaw, may be helpful:
- Self-care course for parents
Jigsaw’s self-care course for parents has been taken by parents all over Ireland. This 45 minute course is aimed at parents and guardians of young people. It provides skills to help parents/guardians understand and look after their own wellbeing while acting as that One Good Adult for a young person. Participants will: -
-
- Have a greater understanding of what self-care is
- Have a greater understanding of the importance of looking after their own wellbeing in their role as a parent
- Be more aware of their own self-care needs
- Be able to develop their own self-care plan.
- *Please note this course must be taken on a desktop or laptop computer.
- Please click here for more details: https://jigsaw.ie/webinar-self-care-during-winter-months/
-
- Managing stress and anxiety – a guide from NEPS: click here
- How to Calm and Support your Child – Advice for Parents and Guardians NEPS: click here
- Supports from HSE: Click here
- See here for relevant DES Circulars: DES Circulars
- Loveparenting.ie has lots of resources and activities: https://loveparenting.ie/category/covid-19/
Some more Guides from the DE – please click below
- Managing Stress and Anxiety – Guide for Parents and Guardians
- Plan for the Day template
- A Guide for Parents on Supporting Children and Youn People with Daily Routines while schools are closed
- How to Calm and Support your Child – Advice for Parents and Guardians
- Parents Guide – Managing Stress and Anxiety
Living with Lockdown
- Advice for Young People when Schools are Closed
- Guide for students – Managing thoughts and feelings
- Guide for students – Panic attacks
- Guide for students – managaging stress and anxiety
- Relaxation Techniques
- Plan for the Day template