Students and staff at St Martins special school in Waterford have been the latest to join in the Jerusalema dance challenge.
The school, which has 76 pupils and 73 staff, reopened for inperson classes on Thursday for the first time since December.
Principal Richard Ryan said staff wanted to do something to mark the happy occasion and only came up with the idea of doing the dance on Monday.
"We tried to get as many of our staff involved, bus escorts, special needs assistants, teacher, ancillary staff and then the students that were back with us yesterday, we tried to get as many involved in the dance and enjoy it as best they could. The feedback and the response from the parents and the wider community has been received so well - it's fantastic!"
The school for special needs students reopened with 50% of students attending on Thursday. Richard said there was a great atmosphere and they "were over the moon" to get back. He said the joy on the pupils faces, coming in with their parents and on the school buses was "fantastic to see".
Richard added that they wanted to use the opportunity of the dance to thank the frontline workers "we totally appreciate all the phenomenal work they've being done during this pandemic".
Today we were delighted to be part of a special start to the day at St. Martins Special School as the kids returned after a long lockdown! #JerusalemaChallenge@wlrfm @beat102103 @Deisesupes @rte @damienwlr @virginmedia @TodayFM @WaterfordCounci @waterfordcc @GardaTraffic pic.twitter.com/hN8SlV39uJ
— Waterford In Your Pocket (@WaterfordPocket) February 11, 2021
The dance was filmed by Paul Dower from Waterford in Your Pocket
