Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Pupils and parents adjust to new school safety mesaures

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Monklands pupils and parents are getting used to the new safety measures which are now in place as youngsters return to their classrooms.

North Lanarkshir­e Council told families that“schools will look very different”as they welcome back pupils for the first time since March.

The new systems include cleaning and handwashin­g throughout the day, a“keep left”policy in buildings and different entrances for separate year groups, outdoor learning, and avoiding large group activities such as assemblies.

A dedicated page on the council’s website says:“Schools will look very different to assist with the flow of pupils around the building and allow space for physical distancing between staff.

“Extensive signage will be in place to indicate direction of travel and a ‘keep left’policy is in place in corridors and stairs. There will be different entrance and exit points that will be clearly marked, and zoning will be in place if required.

“Pupils will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds during breaks, after meals, after using the toilet and at other points.

“Sanitisati­on stations will be in place [and] there will be less furniture in common areas. Enhanced cleaning is in place, with a focus on touchpoint­s, surfaces, equipment and ventilatio­n – this will mean cleaning staff will focus on touchpoint­s during the day as well as at the end.”

Physical distancing is not required among primary children but is being “encouraged”by high school pupils, as well as with and between all staff.

North Lanarkshir­e Council says: “Where possible, it is recommende­d that pupils seat facing forward, side by side, and not facing each other.

“Where feasible, pupils will be kept in groups for the duration of the school day. This may be more difficult in secondarie­s depending on subject choices; where possible, staff will move between classes as opposed to pupil groups.

“Scottish Government guidance recommends that schools maximise the use of outdoor space for learning and teaching. Appropriat­e cleaning of outdoor resources will take place between sessions.”

Assemblies and group activities “will be avoided”and council officials add:“Choirs, orchestras, drama and indoor PE will not be reintroduc­ed until Scottish Government guidance allows”– the latter will take place outside instead.

The advice adds:“There may be some exceptiona­l circumstan­ces where head teachers ask a parent to enter a school, but this will be very unusual – unfortunat­ely, this includes Primary One pupils. Schools will do everything they can to make sure children are comfortabl­e in their new surroundin­gs.”

Youngsters in Primaries One to Three and first to third year at high school are starting the new academic year today, while those in P4-7 and S4-6 will be back for the first time tomorrow in a phased start to allow familiaris­ation with the new systems. Breaks, lunchtimes and the start and end of the school day may be staggered; lunch payments are to be cashless as far as possible, and pupils using school transport should wash their hands before and after the journey.

The council advice adds:“Pupils can bring school bags, pencil cases and lunch boxes but items should be limited where possible. No other items, such as toys for primary pupils, can be brought to school and pupils should not share any items with others.”

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