September 4th 2020
Dear Parents, Guardians and pupils,
Welcome Back…
Cēad Mīle Fāilte ar ais ar scoil roimh gach aon duine…………….
On behalf of the Board of Management, the teaching staff and myself, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our pupils, (and in particular our 40 new pupils), to Scoil Pādraig Naofa, for another school year. We hope all our pupils will enjoy the year ahead and achieve their full potential in a caring, safe, comfortable and supportive environment.
Needless to say, returning to school this September is nothing like we have ever experienced before, and yet, though only five days into the term, there is a very optimistic and relaxed atmosphere in the school and never before have pupils settled in so quickly, particularly the infants. I think we are all very happy to have a routine back in our lives. I am particularly pleased at how well we are all adhering to the HSE guidelines and sincere thanks to all who helped in putting plans and structures in place. To date, (and excluding the cost of the Astro Turf pitch and running track), we have spent in excess of €12,000 on various purchases and enhancement projects so that our school could reopen safely and prevent the infection of Covid 19. We also have 2 industrial sanitising machines and our complete school is sanitised on a regular basis. Parents also play a huge role and their guidance, example and advice to their children is of paramount importance. It is imperative that we do not become complacent with time and that we continue to adhere to good practice. It is important also that children settle in at their own pace and that they are not distracted by anything which may cause anxiety or worry. So for the first few weeks, please concentrate on the positives, on the social side of their lives, reconnecting with their friends and the school community and very soon their educational progress will fall into place.
Finally, it is vitally important that should any child display any symptom of flu, high temperature or coughing, they are not to be sent to school. We will take a very dim view should this happen.
Should we identify a case of potential Covid 19 in a child, that child will be removed immediately from their classroom and placed in an isolation room where they will wait until their parents have been notified. (very specific procedures are in place and all staff are familiar with them). In addition, if we are unsure, (for example if a child presents with a slight cough), parents will be notified by note, a sample copy of which is attached to the end of this email. The child is to be carefully monitored before returning to school.
Never ever send your child to school if they are presenting with ANY of the Covid 19 symptoms. This pandemic is far too serious and we must all play our part and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
At the end of this document please refer to Appendix 1 (Dealing with a suspected case of Covid 19) and Appendix 2 (Dealing with a case where there is a slight doubt). It is vitally important that you please read these 2 very important documents.
I would like to update you on the developments which took place over the past few months. Initially as previously stated we had been promised that finance would be made available to reconstruct a new and larger Astro Turf pitch through the Capital Sports Grant. Alas we were unsuccessful with our application.
Therefore we decided to look at the possibility of borrowing €70,000 over 6 years from our friends in Athenry Credit Union and of extending the Astro Turf by 560 metres square, of putting a track around our playing pitch, of erecting a 6m fence right around the boundary of our playing pitches, of putting a new percolation area to the front of the school and of replacing a lot of the plumbing in the attic of the old part of the school. When we saw how well the new Astro Turf section turned out, we decided last week to borrow a further €30,000 and to complete the whole project once and for all. Therefore, over the next few weeks the
entire Astro Turf facility will be newly carpeted and it will in truth be an amazing job. Though we are in debt to the tune of €100,000, we believe that the benefits, not only for the children in our school, but indeed for the children who participate in the local hurling club, camogie club, football club, soccer club, Foroige and maybe even athletics, far outweigh the cost.
Children need facilities. Children need exercise, sport, fitness awareness, fun and laughter. And we are committed to providing these facilities so that your children, present and past can reconnect with each other in an atmosphere of security, fun and enjoyment. Already over these past few days, every single child has availed of these facilities daily and one cannot put a cost on the amount of exercise, fun and laughter they have already experienced.
So you may ask how we intend to repay this loan over the next 6 years. Our monthly repayments are €1,500 (we have always had repayments / savings of €1000 a month anyway) and this is mainly serviced by our monthly Silver Circle Draw. Therefore, this year I am asking each and every one of you to please participate in our monthly draw. At just €2 per line and 5 lines per card, it’s not a huge challenge and the prizes are really good. You can also make the requested voluntary contribution if you so wish.
Secondly, it is time now that parents stood up and supported this initiative by going and organising a major fundraising initiative for the school. Surely with all the experience, expertise and energy in our community there are a few committed, visionary and loyal parents willing organise a fundraising initiative. Please.
Anyone with suggestions can speak with myself or indeed any member of our Board of Management. We would be delighted to hear from you.
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At the beginning of each school year it is common practice to circulate a general note to all our families, and while the vast majority of the information is repetitive annually, it is important that all parents read it.
*Healthy Eating. Remember that we encourage a Healthy Eating Policy here in the school. Children should not take fizzy drinks, crisps, chocolate or sweets to school. Each child should get into the habit of taking a piece of fruit / vegetable to school daily and a juice / water. If per chance some little boy or girl forgets their lunch, please do not worry as we always have ample food in our staffroom to share.
*Pupil Collection. Due to Covid 19 guidelines all classes have designated collection areas and procedures that must be adhered to. If you are unsure, please contact the class teacher.
*Appointment with Teachers. Parents who may wish to speak with individual teachers, including Special Education Teachers, may do so only by appointment. Teachers are more than willing to meet with parents before school starts at 8.50am or after school finishes at 2.30pm. Please respect the fact that teachers should not have to leave their class-rooms and pupils unsupervised. Should you wish to speak with any member of staff, you are most welcome, but please do so by appointment, either by phone (091-799037), email or note.
*Starting Time. I wish to remind you once again that our school officially opens at 8.50am each day but again and as a result of Covid 19, children may enter their classrooms from 8.40am. Children are never to be dropped off before this time.
The Board of Management (on the instruction of our insurance company and the Dept. of Education and Skills) will not take responsibility for children’s welfare and safety that are in the school grounds before 8.40am.
*Early to Bed and a good Breakfast; Please ensure that children are in bed at a reasonable time during the school week and that they have a full and proper breakfast before coming to school each morning.
*Homework; The homework notebooks must be signed every night by parent/guardian when homework has been fully completed and properly checked.
Also, we cannot stress the importance of reading to and with your child every night
*Rules of the School; these are written inside the cover of each homework notebook, (provided to Rang 1 - Rang 6) and should be read through and signed by parents and pupils. Also, should a child be absent from
school there is an appropriate section to sign and present to the class teacher. Infants should also bring a note of explanation if missing from school. Remember, we are obliged under The Education and Welfare Act to inform the relevant authorities should a pupil be absent from school for 20 days or more.
I have been asked by staff members to remind you that we don’t allow children to distribute birthday invitations at school. This can only be done outside school please.
*Uniforms and P.E. gear. As previously stated 2 weeks ago, for washing and hygiene purposes, children can alternate between their official school uniform and their PE uniform. However, we will no longer tolerate items of clothing which do not represent our school uniform policy. Therefore, it must be the official black tracksuit bottoms and sport shirts are never permitted.
*Labelling….. Lost property. Please clearly mark all items of clothing, hurleys, helmets, books, copies etc.
All books should be covered and each child should have a little basket at school to keep their books neatly in from Rang 1 up. There is a “lost property bin” beside the entrance to Rang 2 and Rang 3 classrooms.
*After School Activities; At the moment we are not permitted to initiate or organise after school activities.
*Music; Music lessons will recommence on the week beginning Monday, Sept 14th. (Actual timetable to be verified at a later date). At the moment we are putting procedures in place so that music lessons can be held in a safe and secure environment.
All correspondence regarding music, including the payment of music fees MUST be done through Rita and not through the school office and no pupil will be allocated a place until the fee is paid in full as there is huge cost in setting up the scheme.
*School Fees and School Contribution; Thank you so much for sending in the “class fees” and ‘beginning of the school year contribution’. I genuinely appreciate your commitment to the school, while also appreciating how difficult it is to keep all these payments / contributions made. I also want to stress that while the school fees are mandatory (as they account for payments already made by the Board of Management of the school such as Art and Craft materials, Photocopying, Laminating pouches, Printing material, P.E equipment, 24 hour Personal Pupil Insurance, Homework journals, Novels, Text a parent, music resources, update our I.T equipment, computers, laptops, school I Pads…… etc…….. that the school contribution is indeed voluntary.
The school contribution helps in the day to day running of the school, maintenance, cleaning, heating, electricity, and part repayment of our loan.
As you are aware, these payments may be done electronically and if you have any query on how to proceed with this method, please email Margaret at cregmorens@ymail.com
*Staff Meeting. Please note that we will be closing on Friday September 11th at 12.30pm to facilitate a staff meeting. This is also the final day that the new infant children will be going home at 12.30pm.
As of Monday, September 13th the new Junior infants will revert back to the normal school time of 1.30pm.
*Text a Parent; We regularly use this system in order to communicate messages / news / updates to parents.
*Monthly Email. In addition, please note that all other communication will be done via email. All families should furnish the school office with a valid mobile number and email address. We circulate our monthly newsletter on the last Friday of each month and we are very willing to include a section which would promote / inform the community of happenings outside the school.
I want to thank our Caretaker Arthur and Maintenance man Gerry Melia who had the school gleaming for us upon reopening and our most efficient school secretary Margaret who worked very hard all through the pandemic. As you are aware, Margaret is working remotely for the next few months and we wish her well.
Alison will be in the office daily from 8.30am to 1.30pm. We welcome Alison along with Enda and Michelle who have also joined our staff.
I would also like to thank Mr. Odhran O Mahoney. I would have been lost without him over the past number of months as he was a constant support and friend. Thanks also to both Damien Duddy and Gerard McGrath for looking after the school grounds and to Louise Graeney for caring for our plants and flowers. Thank you.
Finally, I want it to be known that we are blessed to have such beautiful children come through the school gates each morning. They are a credit to you their parents and to our community. I cannot stress enough how important it is that we as adults encourage good manners and a level of respect.
We arrived safely on shore thank God. Our boat docked.
Watch out for Ellen and Sara who will appear on the Late Late Show on Friday night and for Patrick and Morgan who rescued them. Their story was one of survival…..of never giving up….of hope….of doing the right thing…..of love..
And that is the attitude we must all adopt to get through these challenging times together…..and we will.
We are all in this together.
I wish you all well……..I hope we all have a very safe, healthy, enjoyable and memorable school year ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Joe Kennelly. Principal