Back to school - Irish style

[turkeyboots]

We moved back from UK recently and have got primary places for DC in 3rd and 6th classes. Help me get them off to school with minimum stress! I have the book rental sorted, found the uniform shop and bought my stationery.
Is covering books and copy books still a thing? I have some clear sticky plastic stuff, is that for the copies? Where do you get book covers from? And do they need to bring in the 15 copies DD list asks for on the first day? School is still closed so have no-one to ask these silly questions.
Any other top tips on unspoken rules of school life that I've missed by rareing my childen abroad?

Yes - covering books still a thing. You can buy copy covers in Easons and all the book shops. I use the sticky plastic stuff for the workbooks.

Some of the books shops do free covering but am guessing you missed that.

In our schools bring everything for the first day and the teacher keeps most of them in the classroom.

Other odd ball stuff in our school is you have to bring a hand towel and hand sanitizer as they don't have paper towels in the school toilets. And the loads of notes in the first few weeks about activities. And then a letter about voluntary contribution!

They'll need lunch and a snack for little break. Most schools have healthy eating policies and are nut free.

Thanks! I was wondered why DD had to bring in 2 face cloths, they must have a similar rule. Guess I need to go find Easons now.

You don't have to cover books as that's a waste of time and money. I used to do it but gave up doing it.

Be prepared to check daily for notes from school with requests for more books, money etc.

Covering books is NOT a waste of money. Very often, a cover on a book is what has saved it from being totally ruined when a child has put his/her book down on a table/desk which hasn’t been cleaned after eating.

Other odd ball stuff in our school is you have to bring a hand towel and hand sanitizer as they don't have paper towels in the school toilets.

I was wondered why DD had to bring in 2 face cloths, they must have a similar rule.

WTF???? Is this seriously something you're asked to provide?

Chances are, because of poor funding the school budget doesn’t run to provision of paper towels, and real towels wouldn’t be an option because of the washing/hygiene factor, so the facecloths option is what’s left. They’re an absolute plain though. They were introduced in my children’s school during a possible outbreak of something or other (flu/bird flu/swine flu, or goodness knows what) because of some directive from some official department. Happily it didn’t remain in situ once the threat was over. Obviously some schools continued with it.

As it turned out book rental books came covered, so just need to take up some sort of craft to use up all the sticky back plastic I have! And DD has no idea what to do with facecloths. School had plenty of paper towels and none of the other girls knew it was even on the list!
All going well so far after 2 days. Hoping the full week goes well now.

I don't know whether "bring your own towel" is about infection control or cost saving. It's just part of our routine to have a small towel in the school bag and wash it every weekend. There is definitely liquid soap in the kids toilets - if there is vomiting bug or similar going through the school they send reminders about the sanitizer.

For all your sticky plastic, try this craft: a suncatcher from the plastic and paper plates! www.messylittlemonster.com/2015/05/Flower-petal-paper-plate-suncatcher-craft.html?m=1