Newsletter December 2021
Dear Parents & Guardians,
First term is coming to a close and we are looking forward to our Christmas holidays. School will close for the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, 22nd December at 11:50am for Junior Infants. 1st Class, 3rd Class and 5th Class. Senior Infants, 2nd Class, 4th Class and 6th Class will finish at 12 Noon. Uniforms are not compulsory on this day. Children may even wear festive clothing if they wish and bring one treat to eat with their small lunch (Milford N.S. is a Nut Free Zone).
You will have noticed that your children brought home extra books / learning materials last week. This is just a precautionary measure in the event of a delayed reopening in January. We all certainly hope that this will not be the case and that we will welcome everyone back to school on Thursday, 6th January 2022.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend our pupils who continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. They are wonderful children and we are extremely proud of their efforts to learn each day. Sincerest thanks to our staff who contend with daily challenges in their attempts to provide the children with the most holistic education possible under difficult circumstances. Mo cheol sibh.
Finally, thank you parents for your continued cooperation and support this year. Working together we have managed to keep the children and each other safe. Wishing you a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
Go raibh síocháin na Nollag agus na Bliana Nua faoi shéan ‘s faoi shonas ort ‘s ar do mhuintir!
Diarmaid
THE FITZPATRICK CUP: To honour the memory of our former colleague Mr. George Fitzpatrick, the school holds a Gaelic games competition each January. This annual event is known as The Fitzpatrick Cup. This competition will commence again as soon as the children return after the Christmas Holidays. 36 boys and girls from 6th class have signed up to take part and they are eagerly waiting for the ball to be thrown in on Tuesday, January 10th, 3-4pm on the old astro-turf facility in UL. This year the code will be football. All matches will be played on Tuesdays and Thursdays during January, 3-4pm. Hopefully the weather will allow us to complete the entire series before the end of January. Please feel free to come along to the astro-turf to cheer for your star/starlet if the mood takes you. All fixtures and league tables will be posted on the school website.
SHAKIN’ WITH SHAKESPEARE: Shakin’ with Shakespeare is an after-school club in which pupils from 5th and 6th classes read and dramatise the plays of William Shakespeare in a fun and hands-on way! The current groups have completed studying and dramatising “Romeo & Juliet”, with Ms. Orla Murray. In the new year, the club will continue on Tuesday afternoons (if permissible under Covid guidelines). The new term will commence when the Fitzpatrick Cup is finished. Any interested pupils can contact Ms. Murray if they wish to put their name down for the next term.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: The school is legally obligated to report to the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) any child who misses more than 20 days in the school year. Please remember to explain all absences in writing (Aladdin App and/or by emailing the class teacher) and to also complete the Back to School Declaration Form (Aladdin App or School Website).
Please note, we expect quite a few children to reach twenty days this year. Many children will be marked absent due to illness or Covid-19 restrictions. Please do not worry if you receive messages in relation to pupil absences. You are taking the correct action in keeping your child at home when they are ill or when they are associated with a suspected Covid-19 case. I cannot thank you enough for your cooperation in this matter so far this year. You are helping to keep everyone safe by your actions.
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT NOTIFICATION:
Our Notification regarding the Board of Management’s review of the Child Safeguarding Statement in Milford N.S.
To: Milford N.S. School Community
The Board of Management (BoM) of Milford N.S. wishes to inform you that:
- The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement was completed at the Board meeting on 01/12/2021.
- This review was conducted in accordance with the ‘Checklist for Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement’ published on the Department’s ‘website www.education.ie
Signed: Liam de Búrca Chairperson of BoM Date: 01/12/2021
Signed: Diarmaid Moore Principal/Secretary to the BoM Date: 01/12/2021
ENROLMENTS 2022: The closing date for enrolments for Junior Infants for September 2022 is 3pm, Friday, January 14th 2022. Please click here to view our Admission’s Policy. To download an application form for Junior Infants 2022, please click here.
Christmas Card Fundraiser: A huge thank you to all of the parents who supported our Christmas Card Fundraiser so enthusiastically this term. A total of €3,100 of much needed funds was raised for the school through this initiative. A big thank you to our school secretary, Rose, for ordering and distributing the cards so efficiently. We hope that the children get a thrill out of seeing their cards being dispatched to friends and relatives this Christmas!
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Parents of Children aged 5-11
The Department has been asked by the HSE to disseminate the information below to schools for onward communication to parents/guardians.
The HSE has published detailed information and guidance for parents about COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5-11. This aims to help parents and guardians of 5-11 year old children make an informed decision when it’s time for their child to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine.
Registration for the vaccine will open shortly, with priority being placed on children who are more at risk from COVID-19 or children who have a high-risk person in the family. Parents and guardians can read this information on https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccination-for-children/ or they can download these information booklets from HSE.ie.
JANUARY REOPENING: We are making some changes to our Covid Reopening Plans. These will come into effect on 6th January. They are as follows:
- Junior Infants will now have the same start time and protocols as the rest of the school. Parents of Junior Infant pupils may drop their child off at the Yellow Line located near the Infant Courtyard. Classes will not commence until 8:55am but children may enter the school from 8:45am. The children will not stand on the dots but will proceed directly into their classrooms. Hometime for Junior Infants will be at 1:38pm.
- Hometime for Senior Infants will now be at 1:40pm. This extra few minutes is just to allow a stagger between the two Infant Levels. The infant teachers will publish more information in relation to this matter.
- First Class hometime will be at 2:40pm.
- Mask wearing will continue for children in classes 3rd – 6th.
- All classrooms now have CO2 monitors
- Ventilation and Air purifier systems are being researched.
- Outdoor learning equipment and furniture are being sourced.
DATES TO NOTE:
- School reopens on Thursday, 6th January 2022.
- School closure – 24th & 25th February (Mid-Term Break)
Go raibh síocháin na Nollag agus na Bliana Nua faoi shéan ‘s faoi shonas ort ‘s ar do mhuintir!
Diarmaid Moore
Principal
