Newsletter
​September 2020

Welcome Back

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​On behalf of all the staff and Board of Management I would like to extend a warm welcome back as we re-open our doors to our pupils.  A special warm welcome to our new Junior Infants. We are so happy to be back together again. We can assure you that we are making great efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible during these difficult COVID-19 times. We are looking forward to a year of great promise as we strive to help each child reach their full potential. We feel privileged that you have entrusted us with your child’s education. Please check our school website www.naiscoilide.ie for updates, information and photographs. 

Summer Works

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Rest assured we have been very busy during the holidays. Both the Junior and Senior Infant toilet blocks have been completely refurbished thanks in no small part to the fundraising efforts of the Parents Association. Graeme painted both blocks following completion of the works as well as three classrooms. He has also worked so hard this summer getting our school COVID ready. Hand sanitising units have been placed in each classroom as well as various locations throughout the school. COVID-19 signage has been put up around the building as well as the new "feet" markers on our yards. The grounds are looking splendid due to his committed diligence and I would like to thank himself and Madeline whose dedication over the summer holidays ensure we open our doors fully prepared for the year ahead. 

Time Keeping and Attendance

We know time - keeping and attendance are always of concern to us all. However this year, we would appreciate your cooperation in keeping children away from school if they have any COVID -19 symptoms: fever of more than or equal to 38* C, new cough or shortness of breath, or loss of sense of smell or taste. We are also aware that children will be absent when they or family members are awaiting test results. These measures will help to keep the school community as safe as possible. Reasons for absences can be made known to the school via the Aladdin app.

Healthy Eating

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We wish to promote our Healthy Eating Policy and we hope to encourage parents to provide their children with healthy foods, snacks and drinks. Please see our policy on the school website. In order to cut down on rubbish disposal and in order to let you know how much is necessary for your child’s lunch, all children will take home their uneaten lunch and wrappers every day in their lunchboxes for recycling. Your co-operation is appreciated in this area. A number of children in the school are allergic to nuts and we request that parents avoid sending nuts or food containing nuts into the school

Communication

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We wish to maintain good communication with you all and hope to do so using our data management system Aladdin as well as SeeSaw. Homework will be sent using these two systems. For the first term homework will concentrate on reading and  story telling. A useful webinar exploring reading aloud to children is available: https://www.clareed.ie/cpd-courses/primary-courses/1353-pearent-webinar-neps-reading-aloud-to-children-how-it-builds-vocabularies.html
​There is also some information on the website under "Parents" "Dialogic Reading"

School Calendar

Our school calendar is available on our website www.naiscoilide.ie.

COVID-19

As you are aware, it is highly likely, with rising numbers of cases, there will be suspected of confirmed cases of COVID-19 within our school community. In such instances notification and communication will be the sole responsibility of the Public Health section of the HSE, and NOT the school. Our wish is that everyone stays safe and well and we aspire to protect each other as best we can, by our choices and actions every day.

Health & Safety Notice

To ensure the safety of your child, Allianz Insurance has recommended that we make you aware of the following. No responsibility is accepted for pupils arriving before their reception time. Please do not leave children unattended in the yard before this time as they would be unsupervised. Pupils must be supervised by parents or guardians before their reception time. These times are now staggered due to our COVID-19 Response Plan. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation with the implementation of these staggered arrival and dismissal times. It would be helpful if everyone, including childminders, grannies, grandads etc. are made aware of the arrangements. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Dates for your diary

Mid-term break Monday 26th  October –Friday 30th October inclusive

Christmas Holidays Wednesday 23rd December – Wednesday 6th January inclusive
 
Many thanks for your support
 
Clare Ring