Dear Dads, Mams, Pupils and Staff,
I hope that all of you enjoyed the break from school. We are delighted to have the girls back with us for the second half of the term. As I write, I am looking out at Junior and Senior Infants playing in the sunshine. Since school re-opened in September, we have been blessed with fine weather most days so the girls can get out for their breaks, and to do their Daily Mile every day.
As we move into winter, the weather will get colder. However, on public health advice, we must continue to ventilate the classrooms and the buildings. This means leaving windows and doors open as much as possible.
It probably sounds like something my Granny would say, but it is advisable from now on for the girls to wear thermal tops under their shirts or tracksuit tops. Nice long woolly tights rather than short socks will also help. Finding the balance between keeping Covid-19 out and staying warm is not easy, but I am sure that like everything else we have done since March, we can manage it together.
Wishing you and your families continued good health.
Yours sincerely,
C. O’Reilly – Principal
Welcome
A warm welcome to Miss Máiréad Power who has joined the staff until Ms. Rellis returns from her Maternity Leave. Miss Power will work with the Special Education Team.
Reminder
If you are dropping off or collecting children from the school, please wear a face covering to help to keep yourself and our staff members safe.
Waterford Public Participation Network (PPN)
Waterford PPN is working to develop a vision for Community Wellbeing for Waterford. You are invited to attend a virtual workshop on Tuesday 10th November at 7p.m. You will find more information and a Registration Form on the PPN website https://www.waterfordppn.ie/wellbeing/
What To Do If You or Your Child Has a Problem
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, a problem will arise that needs to be sorted out. In our school, we follow the nationally agreed procedure for dealing with any concerns or problems and even though times are very different right now, the procedure still applies. Conversations may now need to be held over the phone, but we can still work things out. Thankfully, it is our experience, that we very rarely need to go past No. 1 or No. 2 as most problems can be sorted out quickly when adults can have a reasonable conversation with each other. So, if you or your child has a problem, this is what you need to do:
1. Make an appointment to speak with the class teacher. To do this, call the school office on 051 -832984.
Problem solved? Yes – procedure finished No – Go to next step
2. Make an appointment to speak with the school principal. To do this, call the school office on 051 -832984.
Problem solved? Yes – procedure finished No – Go to next step
3. Make an appointment to speak with the chairperson of the Board of Management. To do this, call the school office on 051 -832984.
Problem solved? Yes – procedure finished No – Go to next step
4. Lodge a complaint in writing with the chairperson of the Board of Management
Problem solved? Yes – procedure finished No – Go to next step
5. Chairperson makes a formal report to the Board of Management
6. The Board determines whether or not the complaint is substantiated.
Problem solved? Yes – procedure finished No – Go to next step
7. The Board conducts an investigation
The Board makes a decision and informs the parent/guardian and the person against whom the complaint was made in writing of its decision. The decision of the Board shall be final.
The Folens Christmas Annual is available to order from you daughter’s teacher until November 20th. This is the 50th Anniversary so to celebrate the annuals are reduced to €2 each including a pencil or pen.
UNESCO International Day Against Violence and Bullying in Schools including Cyberbullying
The very first international day against bullying in schools is being marked today, 5th November 2020. Our school’s Anti-Bullying Policy is available to read on the Polices page of www.goodcounselgns.ie. Maybe today would be a good time to talk to your child about what bullying really means, and how important it is to speak up if they see someone else being bullied for any reason. In our experience, most of the concerns that come to our attention relate to the girls’ use of social media outside of school. There are some great resources for families available on https://www.webwise.ie/parents/ .
November
During the month of November, we remember all those who have died – our family members and friends, anyone in our school community and especially all those who have no-one to pray for them or to remember them.
What a surprise!
On Monday morning when we returned to school, Mrs Ryan had some wonderful news that the author Alan Nolan was going to do a video call with 4th class. We had really enjoyed reading his book Conor’s Caveman together as our class novel.
We had so many questions to ask Alan but knowing his time was precious we narrowed it down to six questions. One of the questions we asked was about how he spent lockdown. He answered all our questions with enthusiasm and excitement.
Alan Nolan also illustrates his own books and he explained a step by step guide on how to draw a Penguin. We sent him our drawings later on that day and he replied straight away saying that our drawings were only brilliant and that he was so impressed with our crazy, colourful penguins.
We also asked Alan had he any books coming out for Christmas and he told us that he and Sarah Webb were bringing out a book called Animal Crackers. We can’t wait to get our hands on that book! We are going to start another book by Alan this week. It is called Sam Hannigan’s Woof week…………we are so excited.
A big thanks to Alan for making our first day back to school so exciting and memorable!
Reminder: The Folens Christmas Annual is available to order from you daughter’s teacher until November 20th. This is the 50th Anniversary so to celebrate the annuals are reduced to €2 each including a pencil or pen.
