Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope that all the children have settled back into school and are happy.

Children have established routines in school around hand washing and social distancing. It’s great to see the children so happy and at ease and at the same time aware of taking all precautions to keep everybody safe from the virus.

Gradually from today onwards, we will reintroduce homework. Teachers are very mindful of the importance of both staff and children washing and sanitizing their hands as they read/write in books/copies etc. Homework may comprise of practical work eg – measuring/weighing/reading/watching a particular programme on tv or on the RTE player/ sport/exercise/science in the kitchen or home etc. As mentioned previously, we will not be using as many books at home.

We look forward to developing procedures for ways of working homework if the school is ever in lock down again. In this regard, we are asking parent to outline their needs in relation to children working from home. Please fill in the enclosed form and return or e mail to the school.

This year children will need to work more independently in school. They will not be able to share books, resources or materials unless with brothers/sisters in the same class bubble. We urge children to have all their own stationery, glue sticks and scissors. Also children in the older classes, 4^th 5^th 6^th will need to have their own copies of ‘Primary Planet’ and ‘Newsflash’ as up until now they were able to share these wonderful magazines in school. This is the same in relation to class novels/reading books from the library, we now need more of everything. We request that parents pay €5 a month per family to help provide these important resources so that children can continue to enjoy their reading and learning. Thank you for your support.

Fruit Break: We’ve had a fruit break at 10.00am daily for many years. Individual class teachers will decide whether they will have fruit break at this time or whether children in their classes will eat their fruit at the 11 O clock break. We‘re still encouraging children to bring in fruit but we may eat it at a different time now.

Sean Nós dancing takes place every Monday with Pat O’ Dea. Pat will be taking children from all classes. The cost is €2 per child. Classes are in the yard weather permitting, where children can be socially distant from each. It’s a chance for children to get some fresh air, to have fun and learn new skills. Dance is an important strand in the PE curriculum and must be covered in all classes. Children will dance independently and for now will not be dancing with partners or in groups.

Once again we would like remind parents to contact the school with up to date contact phone numbers and e mail addresses. It is most important that parents can be contacted at all times. If a child becomes ill and the school needs to make contact in order for the child to go home, the parent/guardian needs to come to the school within 15 mins of the school making contact. Please see our Covid Response Plan on our website – www.nickerns.com for important information. Please also see advice from HSE which all schools received yesterday, September 7^th. This is attached and is also on our website.

If your child has any medical condition of which the school needs to be aware please return the attached form with details.

Thank you to all parents most sincerely for your support since our return. The children have been wonderful. They are enjoying being back in school and please God we will be able to continue with teaching and learning. If a child contracts the virus, we urge everybody to be respectful and helpful in ensuring that others do not become infected. Social distancing and proper hand washing and sanitising is essential and we must continue to do our very best to keep our community safe.

With all Good Wishes,

K. Franklin (Principal)

Form: My Child’s Medical Needs [Form]