First read through done, initial thoughts.

Firstly, it's good to finally have something quite detailed, from relevant health professionals, to give some ideas of where to start. There isn't quite the clarity we need in some areas however.

It's a start.

/thread

#edchatie

#1 https://twitter.com/CatrionaGolden/status/1278374827569696768

Before moving on, it's important to continue to highlight the disrespect principals are treated with. @NormaFoleyTD1 is just started, but it's an issue that needs addressing urgently.

Its not acceptable to expect principals to spend their holidays refreshing the Dept website

#2

It would have taken 30 secs to email this to principals this morning& let them digest before sharing w/ media.30 secs to show basic respect. Until this continued comms issue is addressed, relationship between Dept & leaders will continue to deteriorate

Simple fix, just do it

#3

Good clarity

Dept guidelines needed now:

Certified by GP every time?
Subs? Can they travel daily to different schools.
No sub available, SET staff?
No sub available, send kids home? Presumably can't split classes.
Leave that isn't sub covered, send kids home?

#4

Good clarity around cleaning expectations. It clearly requires a full time cleaner on site at all times.

Dept need to issue confirmation that ancillary grant will be increased to facilitate this and full time secretary to ensure visiting restrictions as also outlined.

#5

Physical distancing :

Not expected from JI to 2nd class. 1m from 3 class up.

Clear guidelines from Dept needed, if this guidance remains in place come August, how many pupils can we have attend at a time from 3rd class up & options for how to manage it and related issues

#6

Isolation:

Pupils showing symptoms during school are to be isolated and supervised.

Clear guidance needed from Dept on staffing for this guaranteed eventuality. We have schools with only one or two teachers on site. How will this work.

#7

Staggered arrival and departure times.

Dept guidance needed on how this can be managed, with pupils in class also being supervised, particularly in small schools. Will additional staffing be provided? Until now the answer has been no. Same for staggered breaks&supervision

#8

Staffing to facilitate limiting crossover of SNAs, SET? Funding to limit sharing of materials?

#9

Additional guidance needed from Dept alongside this, before end Aug

Provision for vulnerable staff members?
Provision for vulnerable pupils?
Who's responsible for learning of pupils whose parents choose to keep them home?
Resources/staffing to facilitate same

#10

Just initial thoughts. Good start, look forward to seeing accompanying Dept guidance.

They've had this for a week so hopefully they're working away on it.

My cynical side thinks they wanted this to be a "win" for new Minister. Could have been, with an email to principals.

#11