NEWSLETTER 27.11.2020

In the run up to Human Rights Day on 10 December, we are looking at Human Rights. We’re exploring how everyone has rights regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. We are exploring themes such as ‘All Welcome Here’, and ‘Human Rights Heroes’ such as Eileen Flynn, Marcus Rashford, Greta Thornberg and Harvey Milk.

We’ll be reading books about Human Rights and listening to songs such as ‘Blowing on the wind’. We will be finding out about the role of the children’s ombudsman and doing debates on issues such as gender inequality. We will also be discussing the rights of the elderly and if these rights have been impinged by Covid 19.

We will be asking everyone at home to take a picture with the theme of Human rights (including children’s rights) and we will have a walking interactive exhibition in school of the photos. Our assemblies will focus on Human Rights.

We had a nice surprise last Thursday morning when the Festival in a Van ‘popped up’ in the yard. It was a beautiful crisp bright morning and First, Second, Third and Fourth Classes got to enjoy some traditional music, dancing and musical games with the ‘Wild Turkeys’. The Festival in a Van is funded by Creative Ireland and provides a safe fun arts experience. Thank you to Wilma for organising. Thanks to

Cliona’s First class were boatbuilding this week. Cliona says ‘We started this project by investigating various materials in the school garden that float and sink. We then used this information to plan and design our boats. Next we set about making our boats using materials gathered in the garden. We wanted to try to use as many natural materials as possible so that our boats could decompose afterwards. Iain showed us some stick weaving techniques, which we used to hold the different parts of the boats together. Finally we tested the boats to see if they could float. We are so proud of how hard we worked on this project!’

We have been blown away by a very generous donation from DROPBOX, which was kindly secured by a parent in second class – Glen.

Thankyou Glen for making this happen and for prioritising us for this amazing donation of equipment. The children are in shock as are we, and be assured this donation is being used and enjoyed every day.

Go raibh maith agat.

Child Protection Policy Annual Review: We are completing our annual review of our Child Safe Guarding Policy. If you have any observations or feedback on this policy (LINK HERE) please email the school.

As those of you who live in Dublin 8 will know, there is very little green space, so we are very lucky to have some on our doorstep. The green area that runs along the Luas line is known as St. James’s Linear Park and is going to be developed further. They have exciting plans – including a playground for example. This is your opportunity to comment on the Masterplan.  Here is the consultation.

Earlier in November, our classes focused on empathy and discussing how difficult it must be for residents in nursing homes who are not allowed visitors due to current restrictions. Classes wrote letters and made cards for the residents in Glenaulin Nursing Home to let them know we are thinking of them during this time. The residents received the cards and drawings and we were sent a lovely letter

‘Your big box of cards arrived yesterday and we opened it immediately. I can’t tell you what fun our wonderful residents had reading them. It made them so happy there were smiles and tears of laughter all round. Some of our residents will be writing back to you all shortly. I will send you on photos and if I can a short video. Thank you so much for thinking of us during lockdown and bringing laughter and happiness to our residents. We will be keeping in touch. Here is a little background on Glenaulin. We have 86 residents and 5 sitting rooms who will be enjoying your beautiful cards and letters and bringing a little sunshine to our day. They absolutely love children. Hopefully further down the road you can come visit us in Glenaulin. We can’t thank you enough. Keep in touch.’

Over the coming year we are really looking forward to linking in with Glenaulin in different ways.

Flu is a preventable illness and this year the Nasal flu vaccine is available for free from participating GPs and Pharmacies for 2-12 year olds http://www.hse.ie/flu

The HSE are keen for all children to have the vaccine.

Flu tends not to be dangerous to children but it can be fatal to older people and those with underlying health conditions. Helping stop the spread of flu will keep cases down will take the pressure off GPs and Hospitals. The Nasal flu vaccine is easy to deliver, is not uncomfortable and has no side effects.

Contact your GP or local Pharmacy to find out how to get the vaccine.