Dear school community
We would like to share some updates and news with you as we start a new month. The beginning of the term has been very positive, and the children have settled in well to their new school year and class.
Homework will recommence next week; teachers will utilise seesaw to communicate with you in relation to homework
As we are not in a position to host our annual welcome meetings at the school for parents the teachers will send you out a communication next week outlining the routines and practices for each class.
Pods change every month this year therefore your child will be in a new pod from Monday.
Mid-term dates the school will be closed Monday 25th October to Friday 29th October inclusive with school reopening on Monday 1st November this will be an early close day as the staff will be participating in training for the primary language curriculum and the school will close (on a staggered basis) from 12 noon.
Primary Languages We are very pleased to be a school selected to pilot the primary languages initiative which means we can engage a teacher for 6 weeks to teach a European Language to our 4th, 5th and 6th classes.
Outdoor Learning with Louise will commence next week in 3rd to 6th classes, more information will follow. As communicated prior to the summer break, the children will be taking part in these activities all year regardless of the weather. They will require a good rain jacket, waterproof trousers and wellies/boots.
Lunches, Healthy Eating and Allergies The children have 2 break times and are given time to eat. Please ensure that your child can open/close their lunchbox and drinks container easily. We encourage healthy lunches, no fizzy drinks, crisps, sweets or chocolate, children may bring in a small treat on Fridays if they wish. All lunch waste is kept in children’s lunches. Sweet/treats are never given as rewards in school.
Due to allergies no nuts are allowed within the school building. Also, the following classes have some food restrictions due to allergies:
Niamh Byrne’s Senior Infants: Yogurt and Chocolate
Lorna’s Class: Strawberries
Covid procedures We greatly appreciate your continued support and assistance. The HSE has provided information for parents about the changes to contact tracing and testing for children aged between 3 and 13 years. You can find it here:
Admissions Notice 2022/2023
Wicklow Educate Together NS annual admission notice in respect of admissions for 2022/2023 school year will be posted to our school website at the start of November 2021. Prior to the commencement of Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 (Admission Policies and Admission of Students) Regulations 2020, Wicklow Educate Together National School had confirmed, in writing, that an applicant had been placed on a pre-enrolment list for a particular school year up to 31 January 2025. This place on the pre-enrolment list is still valid.
Aftercare and Extra Curricular Programme Curricular We have made the decision to postpone the reopening of our aftercare facility and will review our position in early 2022. In relation to extra-curricular we are currently reviewing the possibility of starting some outdoor activities in the coming months. We will share more information on this after mid-term.
Cycle to School Day Congratulations to all of the children who took part in our Cycle to School Day last Thursday. It was great to see so many of the school community participate. A big thank you to all of our parent helpers, who cycled walked and drove with each group, the event could not happen without you! See photo attached!
In school we had a Cycle to School art competition, with some small prizes and a raffle for two brand new bikes. All the children in school had their names in the raffle and the lucky winners were….
Cian from Senior Infants and Isabella from 6th class. Well done to both children!
I hope you enjoy a lovely weekend
Sinéad Watson
Principal
Photo of Bike to School Day Sept 2021