April/May 2021 Newsletter

Welcome back to the final term. I hope you all had a nice Easter Break.

Maintenance

School grounds are looking great with all the Spring flowers in bloom. The front of the school has been power washed over the Easter break.

Sacraments

1^st Confession went ahead for 2^nd class pupils in school yesterday. Level 5 restrictions are still in place therefore we have no further information on the 1^st Holy Communion/Confirmation ceremonies. We hope to have clarification in the coming days.

Testing

The Dept. of Education have informed schools that Drumcondra Standardised Tests in Maths & English will be going ahead next month. We will provide more details near the time. The school still has no NEPS Psychologists assigned to us. There is a nationwide shortage of psychologists and huge backlogs in the system due to Covid, therefore we will be unable to carry out any psychological assessments this year. We are extremely frustrated by this system, but unfortunately our hands are tied.

R.S.E. Programme

The Relationships & Sexuality Education programme will be taught by teachers during May/June. You will get information on this shortly. 5^th & 6^th class pupils will have Mary Hoey, a HSE Nurse to do a one day talk with them using the Dept. of Educations/HSE approved programme ‘Busy Bodies’. This talk will take place on Friday 21^st May. Accord Meath are no longer providing this talk for schools. It is mandatory for schools to teach the RSE Programme and an information sheet will be issued by class teachers detailing the content of the lessons.

Reminder

We would remind parents not to enter the school grounds when collecting a child early from school. If the child is sick and is being collected, teachers will send the child straight to the car-park when you arrive. Please remain in your car. If you need to pick up your child early ring the school & inform the teacher & they will send the child out to your car.

Under no circumstances should a parent enter the school building. There are staff members in the yard in the morning between 9.05 and 9.25 should you need to deliver a message.

Calendar

The school calendar for 2021/2022 is available on the school website.

Booklists

These are currently being prepared by class teachers and will be available shortly for the parents who operate the Book Rental Scheme.

School Closures

The school will be closed on Bank Holidays Monday 3^rd May & Monday 7^th June.

Summer holidays on Thursday 24^th June at 12 noon.

We have received the following flyers Please Note:

Kilskyre Hurling Invitation: Whether new to the sport or an old hand, we are inviting you to join us in Kilskyre on Tuesday evenings and alternate Saturdays (non-football weekends). We cater for all ages and all abilities. Hurleys and helmets are available on the night so we would encourage everyone to come and give this game of skill and speed a go!! For further information please contact: Frank Tunney (087) 419 806 OR Tom Shortt (086) 874 8238

Kells Celtic/Youths F.C.: Underage Football is back –

Boys & Girls born between 2004-2015 open to all from Kells & surrounding areas. For further information please contact the following:

Patrick Matthews – 086 1533487 or Mark Butler – 086 1245869

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