Category: Noticeboard

Collection times for Easter Holidays

We close on Friday March 26th for our Easter Holidays. Dispersal times will be staggered as usual.

ODDS : Class finishes at 11:50 for all odd classes

EVENS: Class finishes at 12:10 for all even classes

As all the Infant classes in each divide are  leaving at the same time as the older classes, we expect the carpark and school gates to be busier than usual.

If you are collecting older pupils (3rd up)  please arrange a meeting place away from the gates.

If collecting younger children please do not delay once your child is with you.

We kindly ask that as many people as possible walk/cycle/scoot to school, and remind people not to congregate / forms groups on the school grounds or vicinity.

Please ensure you are wearing a mask to protect yourself and others.

Remember school is CLOSED from 27/3/2021 – 10/4/2021 inclusive.

We reopen on 12/4/2021 at 8:40 and 9 a.m 

Happy Easter

Touch Typing

            Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS)

Individuals who struggle with a learning difficulty can benefit from touch typing, particularly in the case of Dysgraphia which makes writing by hand painful. Students with Dyspraxia often have trouble with fine motor skills that can make holding a pen difficult and forming letters impossible. In both cases it is often recommended that writing be done on a computer using a touch-typing approach.

People with Dyslexia may also find touch typing beneficial. Dyslexia impacts on reading, spelling, and writing abilities and makes it difficult for individuals to split words into their component sounds. Taking a typing course like TTRS entails repeated exposure to language and involves muscle memory in learning the spelling of high frequency words. The TTRS program further exercises phonics skills through visual and audio prompts.

With schools closing for indefinite periods of time, there is an even greater need for students and teachers to communicate through electronic means. This has further underscored the benefits of learning to type. Students need typing skills to communicate with teachers about schoolwork, complete online work, and participate in virtual learning activities.

As we approach the final term of school this year, a number of places will be available on the course due to the success of so many students who managed to complete the course during the last lockdown. While it is still not safe to hold classes after school, I continue to deliver this valuable course via Zoom using Breakout Rooms. Class size limited to three students. If you are interested in learning how TTRS can help your son/daughter build self-esteem, learn how to touch-type while improving their reading and spelling, contact Carol Pitcher on 087 2868910 – castleknockttrs@gmail.com for details of a FREE TRIAL.

 

School Times Reminder

We have been asked for a reminder of the staggered school  start and end times.

MORNINGS

ODDS. begin at 8:40 am . The gates open ten mins before for ODD pupils only.

EVENS BEGIN at 9am. Gates reopen for this cohort at 8:50 am.

INFANT HOME TIME

ODDS are collected from external doors at 1:20. EVENS are collected at 1:40

REST OF SCHOOL HOME TIME 

ODDS  Home time is 2:20pm

EVENS.  Home time is 2:40 pm

We appreciate it is inconvenient for families with siblings who have different start times BUT children who begin at the later time may NOT wait unaccompanied in the yards. There is no supervision between 8:40 and 8:50 as the teachers are all in class.

We appreciate your cooperation in making the transitions between home and school as safe as we possibly can.

PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL EARLIER THAN TEN MINUTES BEFORE THEIR START TIME.

Return to School Declaration

Parents of pupils who are returning to school on Monday March 1st MUST complete a return to school declaration before attending . This declaration will be available from 3pm on Sunday  February 28th.  We will send a reminder on Sunday.  This is a requirement of the Department of Education .

After any subsequent absence including  the Easter Holidays and May break, pupils will need to have this declaration filled prior to their return to school.

 

 

TESS Return to School FAQsTusla – Child and Family Agency

The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is now the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children.
www.tusla.ie/tess/faqs/

Below are a series of frequently asked question which  Tusla have issued and may be of use to you. In the event of any further questions arise parents should contact their school in the first instance or their local TESS office.

In general, if a student is medically certified as being at Very High Risk then they are excused from attending school and where they are engaged in remote learning provided by the school, they shall be marked present in the roll book.

All other categories of non-attendance at school will be marked absent on the roll book as per usual, without exception. This includes students who are NOT deemed to be in the Very High Risk category and may be engaging in remote learning.

Please get in touch with info@saintbrigids.ie.ie or with your child’s teacher if you are worried about the return to school.  Continue reading “TESS Return to School FAQsTusla – Child and Family Agency”

Return to School for Juniors – 2nd

Mr. Courtney has sent an email to parents today. Here are some points from the email.

All children in Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First and second classes will return to school on March 1st.   This is fantastic news for us and we are looking forward to welcoming them back. We are currently analysing the Department of Education guidelines and our own procedures as we prepare for their return. Our  Reopening Plan served the pupils, parents and staff very well last term and does not require huge adjustments.

Please read the updated edition and the Frequently Asked Questions on the school app. The routines and timetables for drop-off and collection will remain unchanged.

Our risk mitigation measures have been reviewed and updated. However, in view of the virulent nature of the new Covid 19 variants, we ask everyone to be particularly vigilant and for your co-operation especially with the following:

  • Parents should not send children to school if they are close contacts of a person with COVID 19, are awaiting a test or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have travelled from another country in the previous 14 days.
  • Parents must complete a Return to School Parent Declaration Form on line  AFTER  3PM on  Sunday 28th February for children returning to school on March 1st and thereafter after any absence from class
  • All parents are required to wear a mask  both inside the school grounds and in the school vicinity  due to the large volume of adults dropping and collecting children.
  • Parents are asked not to congregate at or near school and to keep at least 2 m apart while waiting to drop-off or collect  pupils
  • Children from first class up are asked to bring a wash-bag to school. Details are on the school app.
  • All communication with the school must take place by phone, online or via the homework journal.

We ask all parents to check out our school app where you will find useful information and tips on our school reopening.

We hope our pupils in classes from third to sixth continue with the fantastic work online. Mr. Courtney would like to thank all parents and guardians  for their support of online learning over the past two months. We are eager to have all our pupils back in the classrooms as soon as possible. We can all support this goal and each other by observing the guidelines.

Remote teaching will end for all pupils from Junior Infants to 2nd class on Friday 26th of February .

If for any reason, you have any concerns about your child’s return to school please contact Mr. Courtney or  your child’s teacher through the school office.