MONDAY 1ST, MARCH – JUNIOR INFANTS–2ND CLASS RETURNING
We were all delighted to hear the announcement from Taoiseach Michael Martin last night. Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1st class and 2nd class will all return to school on Monday 1st March.
When we return, we want to keep the school open until the end of the year. To do this successfully, we will once again need the full co-operation of the school community. The following rules will apply. Please consider them carefully.
If your child is UNWELL or has any of the following symptoms of Covid-19, do not send them to school and contact your GP:
- A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
- Any other common symptoms of Covid-19 – a new cough, loss or changed sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath or an existing breathing condition that has become worse.
- Been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
- Been living with someone who is unwell and may have Covid-19.
- Other uncommon symptoms of Covid-19, such as sore throat, headaches or diarrhoea
- Returned from another country in the last 14 days.
- Parents and guardians must wear masks and follow public health advice during drop and collection times.
Parents are not to congregate in or around the school campus. Please ‘DROP AND GO’ and ‘COLLECT AND GO’. School drop off and collection is not a social gathering and any parents lingering in or around the campus will be asked to leave by members of staff. We must work together to keep our community safe and our school open.
Entrance routes and times
| Time | Class | Area | Exit Time | Exit Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:40am | Sen. Infants Ms. Doyle |
Ms. Doyle’s enter at Lower Corridor Jun Infant door and walk straight to their classroom number 4. | 1:25pm | Front of school. (As before Christmas) |
| 8:40am | Senior Infants Ms. Brennan & Ms. Ryan |
Pupils only enter near car park exit (same as last year) and go around to Jun. Yard where teachers will be waiting at usual line up spot. | 1:25pm | Front of school. (As before Christmas) |
| 8:40am | All First Classes | Pupils only near car park exit (same as last year) and go around to Jun. Yard where teachers will be waiting at usual line up spot. | 2:15pm | Jun. Yard. Parents enter and exit by the grey gate. Not through the Girls’ School. |
| 8:40am | All 2nd Classes | Pupils only enter near car park exit (same as last year) and go into their classes directly as before. | 2:25pm | Lollipop lady, front of building. This is a change from last year. |
| 8:50am | All Junior Infant Classes Teachers & SNAS will be there to guide the boys in. | All classes enter at Lower Corridor Jun Infant door and walk straight to their classroom | 1:25pm | Front of school. (As before Christmas |
We do not want children or parents to congregate in or around the school building. If your time of entry is 8.40am, please do not arrive before this time. At 8.40am boys will be permitted access to the school building. Do not arrive in advance of that time.
We are really looking forward to welcoming the boys back to school next Monday. Your teachers are so excited and looking forward to face to face teaching and learning once more.
For more information on reopening please follow the link:https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/5572b-back-to-school-advice-for-parents-students-and-families/
HOLLYPARK’S GOT TALENT!
Congratulations to the 67 boys (as well as Rachel, Anna and Claire Pegum from Hollypark GNS) who participated so magnificently in Hollypark’s Got Talent before the midterm break. It was wonderful to celebrate the many different types of talent that is present in our school. It was a really enjoyable day and we hope to have another event before June! Thank you to Ms. Dennan for all her help creating the fantastic show.
CORMAC’S WEEKLY BLOG
The life of an 11-year-old during this latest lock down – week 6
The first Hollypark Talent Show, what a way to start off the mid-term break! It was so enjoyable watching everyone perform. We did not get to go away this mid-term but I actually really enjoyed it. It was nice to have some lie ins and free time. On Valentine’s day, we exchanged gifts with each other. Then on pancake Tuesday, I woke up to the smell of freshly made pancakes, thanks to my older sister. For supper we then made crepes using Madame Claire’s recipe. It was a good pancake day! On Ash Wednesday, I had a kick around with a few of my friends and then went to church for ashes.
One of the mornings we got up early and took a trip to the Dublin Mountains. The views were amazing up there. We also went to Cabinteely and played a soccer match. I can’t believe we are now more than halfway into the school year. Time is flying by. It looks as though we may be back to school in the next few weeks.
The answer to last week’s riddle - I have cities but no houses; I have mountains but no trees; I have water but no fish. What am I? Answer: A map!
This week’s riddle – If you have it you do not share it. If you share it you do not have it. What is it?
Cormac Kavanagh, 5th Class.
Excellent Cormac, once again, thank you for giving us an insight into your life since lockdown. I admire your positivity and you are an inspiration to all the boys in our school. This week’s riddle- you have me- I don’t know the answer! I’m looking forward to finding out next week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!
This week is a special week for these boys. Archie Gawthorpe, James Slevin, Daniel Grant, Luke Mc Mahon, Ray Fitzgerald, Cameron Fallon, Evan Canny, Sonny Halligan and Matthew Graham. We wish you a Happy Birthday boys!
WEBINAR, BLACKROCK ED. CENTRE
Thursday 4th March 2021 at 7pm
Juggling Home and School: Support for Primary Parents
‘’We are very excited about our new support webinar free to all Primary School Parents and Teachers’’, Blackrock Education Centre.
Topic Areas
Parent Wellbeing; Child Wellbeing; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Mental Health; Wellbeing; Home-schooling; Covid 19.
This webinar will offer practical advice to parents who once again find themselves juggling home and school in one place. This webinar will explore how to support your child’s emotional wellbeing whilst also taking care of your own. It will identify how to motivate your child depending on age and examine how to connect with your child.
Primary Discussion Topics
- What is my child’s brain doing?
- Social and emotional communication
- Why empathy is the number one tool
- Calming strategies-My cup first.
- Supporting my child through change.
Learning Outcomes:
- To explore social and emotional communication.
- To identify ways to build routine, connection and motivation.
- To examine when and how to use calming strategies.
To book your place go to www.blackrockec.ie Blackrock Education Centre
WORLD COMPLIMENT DAY
March 1st, marks World Compliment Day. Start the day off right by surprising someone with a lovely compliment! Take a look at the poster for some ideas to help you out. I hope you have lots of fun with this!
STAY POSITIVE
Boys, with the schools reopening and the vaccine rollout underway, the end of Covid-19 is in sight. For the next few weeks, we need to stay positive and work hard as a school to keep everybody safe. We are looking forward to opening our doors to you all once more and seeing your bright smiles each morning!
Beir bua agus beannacht,
24.02.21