Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

Kilkishen Email:kilkishennationalschool@gmail.com
Co. Clare Website: kilkishen.weebly.com
Roll Number: 13870E Twitter: @kilkishenns

September 2020 Newsletter

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I would like to bring the following to your attention in this September Newsletter.

School News

 First Holy Communion: First Holy Communion and Special Blessings takes place this Saturday
September 12 at 11:00 am and 12:30pm at Kilkishen Church. We wish all taking part the very
best and hope you have a wonderful day.

 Drop-Off and Collection: Thank you to everyone for your patience regarding the new
procedures at drop-off and collection times each day. The reopening plan for our school is
working very well at present and all pupils are familiar now with accessing and departing the
school safely. Please park away from the front of the school as much as possible as pupils are
using pedestrian crossings at the playground and outside Pat O’Connell’s house.

 Book Rental and Administration Fees: Book rental fees for pupils from 3rd- 6th class only, can
be paid through Aladdin from Friday September 11. Book rental costs €40. The school
administration fee which covers 24 hour Pupil Insurance, Visual Art, Photocopying and
Accelerated Reader license fees can also be paid from this coming Friday also. The fee is €40 per
pupil with a maximum fee of €100 per family.

 G.A.A. Coaching: Commencing on Thursday September 10, Clare G.A.A. coach Michael Daffy,
will coach hurling and camogie with all classes. Pupils are asked to wear tracksuit, runners and
bring a hurley and helmet each Thursday. Coaching will comply with all current health
guidelines.

 Mile-a-Day Challenge: Pupils are taking part in a daily mile challenge this month. The daily mile
challenge aims to increase fitness in school children. More information about the daily mile and
its benefits can be found on www.thedailymile.ie
 Symptoms: As schools have reopened and pupils have returned to school, it is inevitable pupils
will begin to catch runny noses and minor colds. This is common each year. If your child has a
runny nose or head cold they Do Not need to stay home from school.
The advice published and given to schools lists four scenarios where a child should not be sent to
school. They are when a child has:
1. A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more.
2. Any other common symptoms of coronavirus such as a new cough, loss or changed sense of
taste or smell, or shortness of breath.
3. Been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
4. Been living with someone who is unwell and may have coronavirus.
If your child develops symptoms 1 and 2 while at school, you will be contacted and
procedures to follow for a suspected case will be followed.

 School Building: The school additional accommodation project of new Special Education Rooms
and Mainstream Classroom was completed prior to opening on September 1. We are delighted
with the new facilities and great credit is due to East Clare Construction and Procad Engineering
for delivering the project in time for reopening. We look forward to inviting you all to witness our
new extension and classrooms in the near future.

Parents Association
Members of the Parents Association that have completed 2 years on the committee are due to be
replaced for the coming school year. Details of voting to replace the sitting members and a new Junior
Infant representative will follow later this month.

Keep a regular eye on the school website www.kilkishen.weebly.com for updates on what’s
happening in the school each week.

Finally, if you need to make contact with your child’s teacher with an urgent message, teachers have
provided a work email for you to use via Aladdin. Appointments must be made prior to visiting the
school. The school secretary is available to answer phones between 9 and 11 each day.

Yours sincerely,

Conor Harrison