THE NEW NORMAL: ‘CAN I GO OUT FOR FRESH AIR, MISS?’
‘MISS, can I go for an air break?’ It may seem surreal, but requests like these have already become the new norm for teachers all around the country.
Just as the first of yesterday’s rain began to fall, a regiment of rule-abiding fifth-year students from Luttrellstown Community College in Dublin 15 walked into their newly modified school to begin a year like no other.
Even through their masks, you could clearly see the astonishment on their faces at how different the building they left behind in March looks like now.
For months, principal Fionnuala Ní Chaisil and her staff have been working around the clock to Covid-proof their school of 930 students and 70 teachers ahead of the new term.
Bright yellow signage and public health markings can now be seen at every turn; and the classrooms have been reduced so that pupils can maintain a one-metre distance from each other as they learn.
The Community College’s PE hall has also been split into two classrooms, and hand sanitisers are never far away when needed.
Staggered start times and designated entrances and exit points have also been created, along with numerous other measures put in place to ensure maximum safety.
But despite all of this, Ms Ní Chaisil admitted that her students still feel a little anxious about their return.
‘When the sixth years arrived yesterday I was amazed at how quiet they all were,’ she said.
‘They usually never stop talking, but every class I visited you could literally hear a pin drop. We are so happy that they’re being so responsible during these challenging times and it’s only normal that they’re a little apprehensive. We appreciate that the face coverings can be a bit restrictive at times, especially to a teenager, which is why we’re allowing them to take fresh air breaks during class time if they feel they need one.’
During the school’s staggered break times, children will be required to eat their lunch inside their classroom until the canteen opens later next month.
Senior students will be allowed to leave the building, but under strict conditions that they don’t congregate in local housing estates.
‘I was amazed at how quiet they all were’
‘We don’t want to upset our neighbouring residents by having gangs of students gathering near their homes on their break,’ said Ms Ní Chaisil.
‘If they break this rule then the seniors will lose this privilege and will have to stay inside the building for their lunch.
‘And once we can see that they can act responsibly we will open up the canteen later in September, which now has single desks one-metre apart.’
She added that one of the most valued resources the Department of Education provided them with were three Covid assistants, who are also teachers at the school. Business and Geography teacher Cormac Brazil is one such person responsible for deciding what adjustments are needed to make the school as safe as possible.
‘The logistics of maximising existing space and fitting single desks into classrooms of different sizes was a massive undertaking, but our job is far from over,’ he said.
‘The department provides funding for Covid assistants to carry out various tasks for a total of 20 days. However, there is easily 20 more days of additional work that could be done.’
Business and accounting teacher Laura Sheridan has also been assigned with the important task of making sure everyone is up to scratch with the public health guidelines.
‘We need to make sure that no one takes this virus lightly which is why every student upon their return will have to watch a 50-minute PowerPoint presentation,’ she said.
‘I talk them through every aspect of Covid-19, including its history and how it affects people. It’s so important that they learn how to protect themselves and others, and also how to spot fake news on social media if they come across it.’
In the event a child has symptoms associated with Covid-19 in the west Dublin school, they will be led by four members of staff to the isolation room on the second floor.
Efforts will be made to make the student feel as comfortable as possible while they wait for their parent or guardian to collect them.
After they leave through a newly created exit point, a germicidal lamp that cost €140 will be placed in the isolation room for 30 minutes to kill any lingering bacteria left behind. The hallway that the sick student travelled through will also be fumigated by the school’s caretaker.
Looking after the wellbeing of older staff has also been at the forefront of the school’s Covid plan.
One of the vice principals, Maria McAlinden, told the Irish Daily Mail that being an older member of staff made her want to ensure her colleagues were kept safe.
‘I’m in the vulnerable demographic, but I’m in a very lucky position that I have a say in the measures being implemented here,’ she said.