Newsletter 11th May

Internet Safety Talk
An internet safety talk was held today (11th May) for pupils in 4th-6th classes. The topics covered were: being responsible on the internet, cyber-bullying, stranger danger, digital footprint, social media and excessive internet usage. We really encourage you to talk to your children about what they covered. It’s an area that we all need to be familiar with.

Attendance Alerts
Due to the exceptional level of absences this year quite a few children have reached a total of 20 days or more, a level at which we are required to routinely report to Tusla. You may see an alert on the Aladdin app. If many of these days are Covid-related, there is no need to be concerned. If you have any queries, please contact the school. Thank you.

Standardised Tests
These take place at this time of year (as required by the Department of Education) for pupils in 1st-6th classes. It is important to note that they are not exams; they help us to track your child’s progress and to inform us how the children in our school are progressing generally. Teachers gather information about your child’s learning all the time and this is part of that process.

Uniform Matters
We’re all proud of our school and our uniform and we have been making an extra effort this week to ask the pupils to wear theirs. There has been a big improvement so well done and thank you all.

If you have a genuine reason why your child can’t wear their uniform on a particular day, just let their teacher know and we will be understanding if it is an exception.

Cumann na mBunscol
Well done to our boys and girls teams this year and it was great to be back in action and to have as many pupils take part as possible. Thanks also to the teachers for looking after the teams. The girls reached the shield final and got a chance to play in O’Moore Park as many Ballylinan players have done in the past and hopefully will do in the future. They lost to a strong team from Ballyfin on the day but they were a credit to themselves, their families and their school and hopefully there will be many more such enjoyable days to come!

Covid Update
We have finally ceased the requirement for you to complete a return to school declaration if your child has been absent; we think everyone knows by now that the public health advice remains that your child should not attend school or childcare if they have symptoms. It is an appropriate time to thank you all so much for your cooperation with public health advice over the past two years. Our parents were hugely cooperative in letting us know if your child had symptoms or if they tested positive. It was a great help in controlling the spread of the virus and we really appreciate it. Here’s hoping that things won’t be as difficult again as they have been at times. Thank you all once again for your care and attention.

Upcoming Closures
Please remember that school will be closed on Monday week, 23rd May. Note also that teachers are required to undertake inservice on the revised primary language curriculum and it will take place on Friday 3rd June (the beginning of the June Bank Holiday weekend). School will finish for all pupils at 12:30 (12:15 for infants) on that day. We will also be closed on Monday and Tuesday, 6th and 7th June.