Newsletter 12/02/21 - Canal Way Educate Together National School, Dublin 8

Dermot’s News and hello

Welcome to the Newsletter. The children are heading into a week off, and I know many of you are looking forward to this. Please take some time to relax if you can and enjoy the break from remote learning, which will be welcomed by many I am sure. Thanks for all your support during this time as always.

Chinese New Year is being celebrated across the world at the moment, and on Sunday, Valentines Day will be survived in homes across the world – hopefully! Be kind to one another and let’s keep everything crossed for a quick return to school.

Fan sábháílte agus beir bua – Dermot.

Mid Term break – school closure

Mid Term break – school closure

The school will be closed for the week of 15—19 February as per the school year calendar. There will be no online classes during this week. Online work will recommence on Monday 22nd February as per the usual timetable.

School reopening

The latest government announcement has extended our current restrictions to March 5th 2021. There has been no official statement yet on the reopening of schools but we are aware that a plan is being worked on. As soon as we have an official timeline we will let you know.

Parents’ Association Committee News

The Parents’ Association Committee is happy to announce a photo competition to keep you occupied during the midterm break. Enter at https://forms.gle/mTADhGhWWiqiKAu3A by Friday February 26th. More information on the PAC webpage: https://canalwayetns.org/parents-association/ or from your class rep.

The PAC is currently looking for parents with video editing skills to help us make a 1—2 min long video for the PAC website. If you think you could help, do not hesitate getting in touch with your class representative.

We want to send a big thank you to Lidl for their generous contribution to the winter raffle.

Class news — “it is not necessary to be famous to make the world a better place”.

Siobhan’s 5th Class have been collaborating on a slideshow of the reflective surfaces they see on their daily walks (within their 5km restriction). They are unbelievably creative – we have a video of the acoustics of some icy surfaces, reflections of swans, reflections in bubbles, puddles and car windows.

Dee’s 6th class, have been doing Genius Hour and coming up with some great projects (learning how to do; sign language, tricks on skateboard, write a mystery novel, make a short movie, photography, the history of hurling, create a Japanese cookbook) the list goes on. They also have designed, and are now creating some spectacular bird feeders.

Are there people in your life who inspire you? Emily’s Third Class pondered on that question and completed sincere and kindhearted projects dedicated to the ordinary and extraordinary people who influence our lives. Some students picked sporting heroes, artists, musicians, actors while others wrote people from history such as pirate queens, inventors, trailblazers and several others considered family members.

Students presented their work to each other during zoom class meetings. Completing these projects has given us an opportunity for reflection, for instance, one student wrote: “I know that even in difficult times I have to work hard, be positive and I can reach all my dreams”.

Inspiration can come from all kinds of places in our lives. As one Third Class student said philosophically: “it is not necessary to be famous to make the world a better place”.

Getting to know you…Cliona!

What is the funniest thing you’ve ever done?

I tripped over my guitar case on Grandparents Day a few years ago and fell flat on my face in front of all my class’ grandparents.

What makes you feel proud?

I love doing assemblies for the school. I always feel so proud when my class have worked really hard on a project or a performance and we get to show the rest of the school.

What do you like most about yourself right now?

I like that I don’t get embarrassed easily and I can be a bit silly.

What are you good at?

I love dancing and I like to think I’m fairly good at it.

What makes you happy?

Dancing, spending time with my family and friends and cuddles with my dogs, Bonnie & Millie.

What’s the best thing that’s happened to you lately?

I’ve been learning how to swim for a few years and I finally felt confident swimming in the sea last summer.

What do you do when you feel sad?

I go on a nice long walk with my dogs when I need some alone time but if I need to talk to someone, I go to my sisters for a chat.

What are your hobbies?

One good thing that came out of 2020 was that I picked up lots of old hobbies like cooking, sewing, reading and yoga.

If they made a movie about you who would play you?

Aisling Bea (Up the Lily Whites!)

What super hero or cartoon character would you most likely hang out with?

I’d love to solve mysteries with Scooby Doo and his friends.

What is your favourite food?

Pasta

What will we never see you doing?

Playing golf

What is your least favourite food?

Liquorice

Beach or mountains?

Beach

Who is your favourite musician/sporting hero?

Beyoncé

If you could have three wishes what would you wish for?

1) to be able to talk to my dogs

2) to visit my grandparents without worrying about Covid

3) to go on a holiday abroad

Mid-Term Activities

The Ark in Temple Bar are running their Winter Light programme during midterm- you can explore their Gallery online and download Resources to use at home.

The Irish Tree council have a number of Tree Trails in parks around Dublin – such as Bushy Park, Lansdowne Valley Park and Herbert Park. Depending on where you live we are sure you can find a park within your 5km. You can download a Native Tree Booklet for your chosen park and use it to navigate your walk.

Virtual Museums – for anyone missing their Museum and Gallery visits right now Epic Museum have compiled a list of museums offering virtuals visits – Virtual Visits

Dublin Chinese Lunar New Year festival have a downloadable art activity pack for kids – you just need to provide your own paper and colouring materials. There are many other online resources on their website to celebrate the commencement of the Year of the Ox aimed at all generations!

Health & Wellbeing

Looking for tips to keep the family happy and busy over mid-term? Here is the link to our Winter Wellbeing booklet

We have been asked to share this resource with our school community. The February HSE Health and Wellbeing Newsletter. It is focused on “Wellbeing for Parents” and signposts to trusted resources to support parents and children’s wellbeing during school closures.

National Parents Council

The PAC hope that you have been able to interact with some of the online workshops from the National Parents Council on:

Supporting your child’s mental health and wellbeing
Internet safety for your child
Supporting your child’s move from primary to post-primary
And the surveys on remote learning and remote learning for your child with special educational needs

The NPC website http://www.npc.ie has lots of resources, guidance, information and helpline support available at 01-8874477 or [email protected]

Juggling Home and School: Support for Primary Parents

Thursday 4th March 2021 at 7pm. This is an online webinar for both Primary teacher and parents being run by the Blackrock Education Centre.

This webinar will offer practical advice to parents who once again find themselves juggling home and school in one place. This webinar will explore how to support your child’s emotional wellbeing whilst also taking care of your own. It will identify how to motivate your child depending on age and examine how to connect with your child.

To book your place click HERE