Returning to school in 2020 will be a completely new experience for most students in one way or another, owing to the unexpected end to physical classes in March this year due to the arrival of Covid-19 to our shores.
The initial few weeks of lockdown were no doubt welcomed with huge enthusiasm by students; lots more free time, getting to use the computer more for ‘Zoom’ classes and ‘Teams’ projects, getting to ‘go to school’ in your pyjamas. Quite possibly the experience was not as exciting for parents and teachers! As the weeks progressed and students realised they would not see many of their teachers or friends in person to celebrate the end of the school year of 2019/2020, reality set in of what the new school year of 2020/2021 might bring. And here we are!
In keeping with the HSE guidelines for dealing with the Covid-19 virus, the Department of Education and Skills have come up with a Covid-19 response plan for the safe opening of schools and educational institutions. Schools, therefore, have had to make quite a few changes to how classes will take place for the foreseeable future.
Please ensure you contact your school in question and take note of the arrangements they have in place before your child returns to school in September.
For regular updates on guidelines for schools and students there is an abundance of information available from the Department of Education. Check out the info for yourself by clicking here.
Financial help is available
Back to school can be a costly time. Budgeting for school uniforms, school books, school activities, school transport, etc., is often a worry but help is available in the form of back to school allowances.
For more information on the back to school allowance, check out www.citizensinformation.ie which has up-to- date details. Make use of other free resources too: re-use school books from siblings or friends, where possible, send packed lunches from home, limit pocket money to a minimum, economise on transport – drop/pick-up children at school on your way to/from work. Encourage older students to take up small paid jobs around the area that you live in: cut the grass for the neighbours, clean windows, tidy a garage, etc. Once teenagers learn the importance of earning money, they automatically have more respect for the use of it.
