Welcome back to everyone after the mid-term. It was a very challenging but as always rewarding time in school. The staff of the school constantly remark on the resourcefulness of the children in their ability to adapt and follow any new regulations we have in place. Once again I would like to thank the support given to the teachers and staff. The wearing of masks on the yard by parents reassures the staff that we are in this together. The goal of the school community remains to have our brilliant school open for the full year and with everyone’s cooperation, we will succeed.
School gates: We would ask people to time their school runs a little better if possible. The gates open in the morning at 9.04 and nobody should be parked outside the gates then. The gates open at 13.48 for the 2 O’clock pick up and 2.45 for the 3 O’clock pick up. We would ask you to refrain from queuing up outside the gates before these times. This build-up of cars leads to a narrowing of the road and this could lead to an accident. The pedestrian gates are opened automatically at 9.05, 13.50, and 2.50 and close shortly after.
First confession: We wish to congratulate our third class children who finally got to make their first confession before Halloween. Fr. Diggan, as always, put the children at their ease and a nice relaxed, socially distanced confession was able to take place in the school. We still await news from Fr. Bradley on when or where the First Holy Communion will take place. Preparations continue in class and any new information will be communicated as the school knows.
Parent-Teacher meetings: Normally we have our Parent-teacher meetings in the month of November. The guidelines from the Dept. of Education is that we should not have face to face meeting with parents until told to do so. This year the parent-teacher meeting will take place over the phone. The teachers will send out a message through the seesaw application so we can get a time that best suits parents and teachers.
Hand sanitiser: A check was done over the midterm and our hand sanitising product was not one of the products that had to be recalled.
Outdoor classroom: Thank you to Charlie Doherty and his family for donating the 31 logs needed to create our outdoor classroom. The children will be able to socially distance and learn in an outdoor setting. Look out on the website for all the pictures of the completed classroom.
Distance learning: Teachers have been assigning online work to the children through the application seesaw. Please support your child in developing new IT skills to access the platform. It has provided the school with a great degree of assessment for learning and assessment of learning. It gives you the parent a great insight into how your child is progressing and what teaching methodologies are taking place in school.
Covid-19: The board of management and school staff continue to hold the school to the highest standards in regards to health and safety during these times. The children have been brilliant in following the rules. Please continue to encourage them and remind them of the importance of handwashing and correct respiratory etiquette.
Donation envelopes: We will be sending out our first donation envelopes next Monday the 9th. Donations from parents is a vital source of income for the school. The money will be used to better the resources in the school. Your children will directly benefit.
Waterworks: There will be works starting next Monday, the 9th of November on the water pipes below the school. There will be traffic restrictions in the area for the month of November. We have been given assurances that there will be no disruption to the water supply during school hours.
Christmas plays and concerts: Unfortunately, we will not be able to have our traditional Christmas concerns in the school. We will still be spreading festive cheer but we will just have to reinvent it.
Thank you again for all your support and my phone line remains open for any query.
Stay safe,
Séamus