Dear Dads, Mams, Pupils and Staff,
Christmas will be a little different everywhere this year but that does not mean we cannot celebrate. We cannot have our usual Carol Service and unfortunately the latest advice from the HSE is that we need to be very careful about singing indoors. However, we have a plan!
During December, each class is working towards ‘adopting’ one of Santa’s reindeer.
Junior Infants – Comet – this bright, shining comet leads us to the manger in Bethlehem so we are learning the story of the Nativity.
Senior Infants – Cupid – this kind reindeer leads us to thinking of others, so we are making cards for the residents of St. Joseph’s and Madonna House.
First Class – Donner – this considerate reindeer leads us to do a good deed every day during Advent.
Second Class – Prancer – we are following this active reindeer’s example and we are doing an Advent Fitmas Bootcamp!
Third Class – Vixen – this clever reindeer speaks many languages, so we are learning about Christmas customs around the world.
Fourth Class – Dasher – this talented reindeer is teaching us to look after the world by having a sustainable Christmas.
Fifth Class – Dasher – another active reindeer so we have choreographed a Christmas – themed dance for Peace Proms.
Sixth Class – Blitzen – this reindeer is a leader, so we have taken on a leadership role in our school.
Staff – Rudolph – he brightens the way for Santa so we are doing all we can to keep spirits up at this special time of year.
You will hear more about our adoptions as the month goes on so be sure to check out the Class Blogs and the Latest News tabs on our website.
Yours sincerely,
C. O’Reilly – Principal
Homework Survey
Today, you will receive a text with a link to our survey on Homework. Please take a few minutes to do the survey. The questions are listed here but the survey must be done online.
- In your experience does Homework help your child to learn?
Always Often Sometimes Never
- In your experience does Homework make your child want to learn?
Always Often Sometimes Never
- Does Homework cause tension in your house?
Always Often Sometimes Never
- Would not having Homework done make your child unhappy coming to school?
Always Often Sometimes Never
- Would not having Homework done be a reason for your child to stay at home from school?
Always Often Sometimes Never
- Choose your top 3 options for Homework?
Active homework e.g. exercises, skipping, Go Noodle dance routine, etc.
Board games suited to the child’s age that support learning e.g. Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders, Ludo
Card games to support addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Helping with jobs around the house – dusting, setting the dinner table, etc.
Maths
Meditation time
Project work over a certain period e.g. 3 weeks to complete a project
Practical homework e.g. organise all the boxes in your cupboard by weight, measure the height of each member of your family, find 10 things in your house beginning with the sound ‘c’
Reading – English or Gaeilge
Religion
Spellings – English or Gaeilge
Science experiments
Tables
Visual Arts – Music, Art, Drama based activities
Writing – English, Gaeilge, History, Geography, Science
- Do you agree or disagree?
Homework should be voluntary.
Homework should be done at home (not in childcare) and should be corrected by parents/guardians.
Homework should be done at home (not in childcare) and corrected in school.
- Since September, we have not given the children any homework, other than a small amount of reading. In your opinion, has this
been less stressful for your family
about the same for your family
made you worried about your child’s progress
Staying Safe
On Tuesday evening, Miss Kelly and Miss O’Reilly attended a webinar organised by the Department of Education and the HSE.
We learned that schools have done a good job in staying open and in keeping the spread of Corona virus to a minimum. In the wider community, the positivity rate among close contacts is 10% but in schools it is only 2.3%.
We also learned that, to keep the rates down, we must keep doing the simple things that keep us safe: This is extremely important as restrictions are lifted over the next few weeks.
- Social distancing
- Good sneezing/coughing etiquette
- Hand hygiene
There were some very clear messages:
- Anyone who is unwell with Covid-like symptoms should stay at home
- Anyone who travels outside of the country should restrict their movements for 14 days after they return, even if they have a negative Covid test.
We are very grateful for your help and support in keeping our school open. Please, please, please continue to do what we are asking of you.
- If you are dropping or picking up in a car, please stay in your car.
- If you are walking, please wear a face covering and do not stand in, or approach the line where the children are waiting.
We can do this together!
Advent
We had a beautiful Assembly on Friday last to mark the start of Advent. We lit the first candle on our Advent Wreath and Mrs. Burke’s Fifth Class led us in a reflection on the Advent wreath and what is means. Thank you to Fr. Kieran for making the time to join us on Zoom. We are waiting in joy and hope for the birth of Baby Jesus.
December 8th
We will be joining the Parish community for Mass through the webcam on December 8th. This is a Holy Day of Obligation to mark the Immaculate Conception. It is also the day on which we celebrate the birthday of our school. If you would like to join with us, just go to the link and hit play https://ferrybankslieverueparishes.ie/slieverue-webcam/ Mass begins at 10.30a.m.
Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Due to Covid-19 we cannot collect shoeboxes this year. However, if you would like to take part, there is an option to do so online. Just go to the Team Hope website for all the details. https://www.teamhope.ie/christmas-shoebox-appeal/
Important Note
School will close early on Wednesday 16th December to facilitate a Staff Meeting. Junior and Senior Infants @ 1.40p.m. First and Second Class @ 1.50p.m. and all other classes at 2.oop.m.
#GRMA Day
Go Raibh Maith Agat Day or Thank You Day is on Friday December 11th. You will hear more about it through the media over the coming days.
Christmas Cards
As a Green School, we try very hard to put our words into action. For example, since the start of this school year, we have photocopied 1,449 fewer pages just by moving ‘The School Bell’ online.
Every year, we ask the girls not to bring Christmas cards to school for their friends. Instead, each child will make a Christmas card for another child in her class. That way, everyone receives a card, and no-one is left out. It also means we reduce the number of cards in the school from 5,150 to 207!
Santa’s Special Message
In case you have any worries about Santa being able to travel this Christmas, listen to an interview with the Irish Ambassador to Finland and Santa! https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/items/48?date=2020-12-03
Comhairle na nÓg
Well done to Saoirse (6th Class) who took part in Comhairle na nÓg last weekend. Saoirse is our Good Counsel Good Citizen of the Year 2020 and we are delighted that she is showing such leadership.
All We Want for Christmas is Liam!
Of course we cannot finish our newsletter without mentioning the Déise boys and their wonderful win in the All Ireland Semi-Final. If you look closely, you might notice that lots of our Christmas decorations are blue and white this year, and do not be surprised if you see a few blue and white Santa hats appearing! We have lots of Kilkenny fans here too and we know that they are also very proud of their county. The very best of luck to Waterford in the All-Ireland Hurling Final on December 13th. What a way to bring this most unusual year to a close.
Parents’ Association Raffle Tickets
A big thank you to everyone that has returned their raffle tickets for the Parents’ Association Christmas Raffle the response has been wonderful. The last day to return your tickets if you haven’t already done so it next Wednesday December 9th, Best of Luck!
