Welcome back!
It was great to welcome our pupils back after such a long time off and to welcome for the first time our Junior Infants & the pupils who have joined us from other schools. I hope they are all settling in well.
School bags
There should be no need for school bags, as there is no homework for the month of September. We will continue to review this.
Bubbles and Pods
We are all getting used to the new terminology associated with Covid-19. Basically each class of its own is known as a ‘Bubble’ and are expected to be separate from the other classes. As a result, break times have been staggered to allow for classes to have their own yard space. There are also ‘Pods’ of smaller groups within each class to allow for group work, where they only mix with the pupils in their assigned ‘Pod’. While the children from Junior Infants up to and including 2nd class are not expected to physical distance there are still pods set up within these classes, as per Department of Education Guidelines.
Visitors/Appointments with staff
It is now obligatory to give prior notice of any visit to the school. Should you wish to make an appointment to speak with any member of staff, please contact our secretary Stacey and she will arrange it.
Confirmation & First Holy
Pupils who didn’t receive the sacraments during the school closure will be receiving them this month.
Confirmation takes place on Monday 14th , Tuesday 15th & Tuesday 22nd September for Collooney. Texts have been sent out with your particular date. Time on all three dates is 6.30pm
First Holy Communion takes place on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27 h September at 12.30pm on both
days. Fr Peyton has gone through the various restrictions that now apply due to Covid at the meetings. We wish all candidates well!
Payments
Payments are best made by card over the phone, especially now where contact is to be kept to a minimum. We are in the process of setting up an “epayments” system through Aladdin, we will keep you updated about this.
School Lunches
Please monitor what your child is getting for their lunch and that they are eating it, as we want to continue to minimise any waste. If you’re sending in a lunch for your child from home please make sure to cancel the school lunch for them.
Appointments
If your child has an appointment during school hours, please ring the school in advance. Once you arrive at the school your child will be escorted to the front door by a member of staff. In line with Covid-19 Guidelines it is important that we limit the number of people accessing the school building, therefore your child will be signed in and out by a member of staff. If the appointment is a medical one, it is not recommended that they return to school that day.
Drop off/Collection
Thank you to all of you for the respect shown at drop off/collection times. Please continue to observe physical distancing as best you can during these times.
Welcome new staff members
Welcome on board to our new teachers Lisa Lundy and Roisin Ni Chuanaigh and our new SNA Claire
Walsh.
New Yard Markings
We have new yard markings completed at School B and the children are already very busy exploring them.
School Cleaning
Along with a complete clean of all surfaces every day, the school is sanitised every evening with a fogging machine.
Aladdin School Administration System
Can everyone please ensure they have received a text regarding the setup of the Aladdin app. All text notifications & end of year report cards issue via Aladdin. Any absence reasons can be recorded by parents on the app also. If you have been locked out of your account or have problems setting it up please let Stacey know ASAP.
School Website
Please refer to our school website www.smaicollooney.school from time to time for newsletters, notices & class blogs/updates.
School Rules
The school rules have been sent out via Aladdin. They must be accessed via Permissions on your Aladdin home screen. When you have read them through with your child please tick the relevant box to agree. This will negate the need for the paper form being sent home to be signed.
Healthy Eating Policy – School Lunches
We have been lucky enough again this year to received funding to provide free school lunches to all pupils wishing to avail. These are provided by Fresh Today. Changes to the lunches can be made by logging in to www.freshtoday.ie and entering the login details provided the summer, by email to [email protected] or by texting CHANGE along with your name & number to 087 1184394. Please note the school secretary cannot make changes to your child’s lunch.
Book Money
Just a reminder to settle up book fees as soon as you can. Thank you to the parents that have already paid.
Contact Details
If any families have changed phone numbers or moved house over the break please update your contact details in the school office.
The school contact details are as follows:
Landline – 071 9167763
Mobile – 085 2527093
Email – [email protected]
As usual, if you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the school. Thank you for your continued support.
Paul & Staff
