Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

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

November 2020 Newsletter

Dear Parent/Guardian,

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

School News
 School Reopening Plan: Drop Off and Collection: Thankfully schools have remained opened and will
remain open with everyone’s continued cooperation. The arrangements for drop-off and collection remain
the same. School gates open from 9:05 am and pupils proceed directly to their classroom having washed
their hands on arrival. At collection times please park AWAY from the front of the school. Pupils are
using pedestrian crossings at the playground and outside Pat O’Connell’s house. To ensure pupil safety
No Cars should be parked in front of the school between both pedestrian crossings.

 Procedures for Collecting a Pupil During School: If your child has an appointment and you need to
collect him/her from school the following procedures should be followed:

1. Contact the school by e-mail/write a note/ or ring the office between 9-11am informing your
child’s teacher that your child is to be collected at a specified time.
2. Wait at the main school entrance gate.
3. The secretary or principal will call the class extension number and inform your child’s teacher
that their parent/guardian has arrived.

 When to attend/not attend 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.

Also, if someone in your household has been referred for a Covid-19 Test and has symptoms, children
should NOT attend school.
 Classroom Ventilation: Teachers are following Department guidelines on ensuring good ventilation in
classrooms. The objective is to ensure that there is adequate fresh air in the room i.e. that the air is
constantly being changed through ventilation. Classrooms will be kept to a minimum 16 degrees. Good
ventilation will be achieved by opening windows and doors before school, after school and during breaks.
During class time windows will be partially opened making the room comfortable for all. As we are in the
winter months it is advisable that children were layers and coats each day.

 Classroom Upgrades: To increase the capacity for social distancing in 5th and 6th class, some minor
works were carried out over the mid-term which enables greater distancing within the classroom. The
room now extends to where the old school office was located with toilets and wet area located in the
room.

 New Interactive Panels: We are delighted to have installed the latest Interactive Display Panels in all
classrooms. All classrooms have now been furnished with the award-winning ActivPanel series, which are
the premium interactive display panels for immersive learning, providing a tablet-like experience at the
front of the classroom. The Interactive Display Panels are preloaded with a variety of teaching tools which
greatly improve pupils’ engagement and motivation to learn by integrating technology into each lesson.
More information on these Interactive Display Panels can be found by clicking on the link
https://www.prometheanworld.com/gb/products/interactive-displays/activpanel/

 G.A.A. Coaching: Clare G.A.A. coach, Micheal Duffy, has completed coaching hurling and camogie
with all classes during October. Coaching this month will continue with James Corbett thanks to
O’Callaghan Mills Minor club. Pupils are asked to wear tracksuit, runners and bring a hurley and helmet
each Thursday. Coaching will continue to comply with all current health guidelines.

 Winter Hurling Leagues: It is hoped that later this month each class can participate in a class winter
league. The leagues will be confined to 5 a side teams within each class and run during lunch breaks.
League finals will be held prior to the Christmas holidays.
 Halloween Dress-Up: On October 23 pupils dressed up in their Halloween costumes and showcased their
costumes on a Halloween walk. Photos of classes are available to view on the school website
www.kilkishen.weebly.com. Thank you to the new PAC for arranging treats for all classes when they
returned from their walks.

 Parent Teacher Meetings: Parent Teacher meetings will take place by phone this year due to current
restrictions. Details and times of your child’s teacher meeting will be communicated later this month.

 Nut Allergy: Parents are asked to refrain from providing products that contain peanuts as part of pupil’s
lunches. We appreciate your cooperation with this school directive.

 Homework: Following consultation with all class teachers it has been agreed to continue with a phased
reintroduction of homework on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for November. Teachers are happy
that pupils are working hard since their return to school.

 Virtual Open Night for St. Josephs Tulla: Tuesday evening November 3 at 7pm a live virtual open
night will be streamed on St. Josephs Secondary School Facebook page. Application forms should be
completed and returned to St. Josephs by Monday November 23.

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

Yours sincerely,

Conor Harrison
Principal