Category: Newsletters

Homework
Homework will be resuming next week (starting Monday, 27th September) for all pupils.

Remote Learning
Please note that remote learning provision was in place previously when schools were closed. Now that schools are open, we are not in a position to provide remote learning for children who are absent. To assist pupils and parents, we have been providing an outline of work for children who have been identified as close contacts of a confirmed case. This does not however extend to other forms of absence. Naturally if a child is absent for an extended period we will do our best to keep them in touch with their schoolwork, but this is limited to absences of more than a few days.

Absences
For those who have been forced to stay out of school as an identified close contact, we record the absence as ‘other’ and we note ‘Covid related absence’. Such recorded absences will not mean that you are more likely to hear from Tusla in relation to your child’s attendance. Please remember that you can record the reason for your pupil’s absence through the Aladdin app. If you have a particular reason to ring please do so, but in most cases a brief note on the app will do. Thank you.

Communion & Confirmation
This year’s ceremonies will take place in St. Anne’s Church on Saturday, 2nd and 9th of October. Details of the ceremonies will be communicated to parents by Arles Parish.

Parking
Please remember when parking to the rear of the school at the Athy end to reverse into your space. This ensures you don’t have to reverse out where there could be children walking. Please continue to take care, thank you.

Library Talk for Parents
Laois & Offaly Library Services have put together a series of online Parenting talks. More details.

Uniform etc.
It’s great to see our pupils in school and looking well in their uniforms:

Green jumper/cardigan, white shirt, grey trousers/skirt/pinafore.

School tracksuit is available through the school and is to be worn with a white polo shirt on P.E. days only.  Replacement navy legs (plain only) may be purchased in any shop.  In warm weather, plain navy shorts of an appropriate length may be worn.

We recommend practical footwear, preferably in a dark colour.

The use of hair dye is not permitted during term time and we encourage pupils to tie up their hair. Earrings should be neat (no large loops etc.) and fake nails or nail extensions are not permitted.

Please note that as the classrooms need to be well ventilated and the weather gets colder another layer of clothing might be necessary – we are required to keep windows open more than normal.

Sports Activities
While we are still very restricted in what we can do in school, we are glad that rugby and football coaching have resumed and we plan that all classes will get some sessions during the year. Much to everybody’s disappointment, this year’s Cumann na mBunscol competitions are not taking place, another casualty of the pandemic. We are planning to resume swimming at some stage during the year if circumstances allow.

Covid Update
It may be hard to believe as life moves towards normality, but the life of the school is more disrupted than it has been at any stage in the past eighteen months (apart from when it was closed, of course). To date there have been 12 confirmed cases of Covid amongst our pupils. It is very likely that 9 or 10 of these occurred in the community with 2 or 3 spreading to pupils in close contact in school. The measures in place (adult mask wearing, physical distancing where possible, good ventilation, CO2 monitors, classroom organisation, separation of classes, sanitising, exclusion of children with symptoms etc.) mean that the risk of spread can be reduced but not eliminated.

Please note that unless you hear directly from the school or the HSE, the public health advice is that it is best for your child to be in school. Some of our older pupils are now vaccinated and we encourage the continued uptake of vaccines in the community where possible.

We are very conscious of how disruptive all of this is for our pupils, their parents and their teachers. Since we reopened, we have had more than 50 instances of a pupil being excluded from school for an extended period due to being a close contact. This is the price  to be paid for keeping the school open when case numbers are at current levels. We are doing everything that we can do, in line with public health advice.

Parents of those who have tested positive have been quick to notify us and this has been really helpful in mitigating the effects. We all look forward to a time when these measures can be eased and school life can return to normal. In the meantime we thank you again for your care, your attention, your caution and your support.

Primary Language Curriculum Inservice
Teachers are required to undertake inservice on the revised primary language curriculum. This will take place on Wednesday, 6th October. School will finish for all pupils at 12:30 (12:15 for infants) on that day.

Céad Míle Fáilte!
A big Ballylinan welcome back to all our pupils and their families. A special welcome to all our pupils starting ‘big’ school for the first time! In this school we have an exceptionally friendly, warm and welcoming environment that we treasure. Our sincere wish is that your child learns and thrives here.

Covid Protocols
Government guidelines require us to return with the same protocols in place as before the summer. We all hope that as vaccine levels continue to increase, we will be able to return to ‘normal’ at some stage. For now, we must remain cautious.

Sanitising will be required. While we have lots of sanitiser available, it is very helpful for your child to have a little bottle to hand.

Interaction will be limited within classrooms and rooms will have little or no interaction with other rooms during the day.

Face coverings will be worn by school staff in situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Guidelines state that face coverings for children are not required. If you wish your child to wear one and s/he can manage successfully, they are welcome to do so.

What if my Child is Unwell?
If your child has any of the common symptoms of Covid-19 (temperature, new cough, changed sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath) isolate your child and call your doctor.

If your child has any other symptoms (such as sore throat, headache, runny or stuffy nose, feeling sick, diarrhoea) call your doctor and do not send your child to school.

We have had exceptional cooperation from parents and this contributed to the fact that we needed no intervention from Public Health last year. There is no guarantee that it will be the same this year, so we continue to rely on your cooperation. We really appreciate it. If you have any queries at all, please contact the school and we will be only too glad to help.

You will be required to complete a Return to School Declaration on the Aladdin app when your child is returning from an absence (not after a weekend).

Arriving in the Mornings
Please note that Junior Infants should arrive between 9:30 and 9:45 on Friday, 27th August only. From then on, arrival is as for others as follows:)

Pupils may arrive at any time between 9 and 9:15 and they will go straight to their classrooms through designated entrances, all at the rear of the building:
Athy End: Ms. Twomey, Mrs. Donnelly, Mrs. Sukprasert and Ms. Lacey
Ballylinan End: Ms. Goff, Ms. Cunningham, Mrs. Moriarty and Ms. Hogan
Middle Door: Ms. Murphy, Mr. Curry

It is preferable that the children can make their way without you; it will reduce the risk of adults coming into contact. While such contact would be casual and outdoors, we strongly recommend that adults use face masks if they have to leave their car. If your child is able to get out of the car with their belongings unaided, please use the drop off area. This means drop and go. Please do not delay or get out of your car for any reason. Drop and go!

Departing in the Afternoons
Your child will exit from the door by which they entered in the morning. Infants finish at 2 p.m. (except Junior Infants for first two weeks) and all other classes at 3 p.m.

Those making their way home independently will walk to the front via the Athy end.

If your child is in 4th – 6th Class, please wait at your car. Your child will exit by the same door they entered and make their way to your car. There will continue to be extra space for cars to the rear at the Athy end.

If your child is in 1st – 3rd Class, you may wait in a physically distanced manner on the courts to the rear of the school. Your child will exit and make their way to you.

It is strongly recommended that you wear a mask. Although we have a large area at the rear of the school, make sure not to congregate in close proximity to others. Please do not approach the doors, the teachers will send your child to you. We ask for your patience, particularly for the first few days while we get used to these arrangements.

We can’t change these arrangements if it is very wet, do have a coat to hand!

Schoolbags
Once your child has brought their books to school, schoolbags will not not be needed as often as usual. Details to follow.

Schoolbags
All pupils should bring in their bags next week; there may be stuff to bring home on various days.

Picnic
Weather permitting we will be having a picnic on Monday as part of our celebrations to mark Ms. Cotter’s retirement. Your child should bring their lunch (hopefully to eat outside) and a small treat.

Virtual Zim Day
This is a cause close to Ms. Cotter’s heart and we encourage you to make any donation you can. Click to learn more. You’re welcome to share on social media.

Thank you all.