Luhačovice first-graders will start school at 8:30, they will go to class with their parents

In the course of the year, the lowest grades will move to classes in the main building. At the beginning of the school year, the management of Luhačovice Primary School is naturally trying to adapt to the increased hygiene requirements and anti-epidemic recommendations, as outlined by the principal Pavel Kurtin.

"We will start the school year with the first graders with a festive opening ceremony that starts at 8:30. Unlike previous years, however, the sophomores, who also have classes in the former nursery, will not be in attendance. On the contrary, we have maintained the presence of the parents of the first graders even afterwards in the individual classes, because the hygiene regulations do not contradict this and there was a great interest among the parents. For them, however, we recommend that they take the drapes," informed Kurtin. The sophomores, unlike the freshmen, are therefore already going to 8 o'clock. School starts at the same time for all upperclassmen, which are in the main building. Since the principal has only been running the school since the holidays, there was also consideration of gathering the older students in the main building's respiratory area to introduce himself to everyone. "But in order not to have the classes meet each other unnecessarily, we preferred to back out of it. I will greet the older pupils on the opening day at once by announcing them on the school radio. Then, in the first few days, I will go to each classroom to meet the pupils in person," the principal noted.

The school has also introduced a number of other measures in light of the health officials' demands.

"Of course, disinfectants have been deployed or more frequent ventilation in the classrooms. According to the current regulations, gowns are not compulsory in the school from September, we leave it up to everyone to wear them. Also, teachers, for example if they fall into risk groups, can use the veil if they want. We have also changed the timetable of the cleaners to increase hygiene. Bell times have also been adjusted for better rotation of children in the main building cafeteria, where the lowest grades will be going due to the closure of the smaller cafeteria," Kurtin said

Preparing for the school year, the elementary school fortunately did not have to look at any quarantine measures among teachers. "Even if it does come up, we are prepared for it and we will be able to handle everything," the principal assures. But in any case, he urges parents not to complicate school operations by letting a child with symptoms of illness go to class. "Please parents, if their child has a cold, sniffles or cough, be sure to leave them at home," the principal appeals. According to the regulation, the school also has an isolation room where the pupil would have to head to before the parents can take him or her, in case the symptoms appear at school. "Of course, we also have thermometers and drapes ready to be used if there is any suspicion," Kurtin added. Even though the school has to be prepared for different scenarios, the principal believes that this school year will hopefully not be too different from other normal years. "I think the kids are really looking forward to school this year. There are some new things waiting for them, like the renovated locker rooms or the electronic pupil registration and electronic food ordering system, so I believe they will like school," Kurtin concluded.

The beginning of the school year will be more complicated this time in Luhačovice not only because of sanitary measures, but also because of the traffic situation. Not far from the Luhačovice Primary School, the bus station is being reconstructed. In order to ensure the safety of children on their way to school, traffic will be supervised at several intersections by municipal police officers and patrols of the Police of the Czech Republic.

Categories: News from the city, Luhačovice, COVID-19, City of Luhačovice, Coronavirus, Primary school