November e-Newsletter
Dear Parent(s),
Dates for your Diary:
· Friday 17th December - Christmas Jumper Day
· Wednesday 22nd December - School will close for the Christmas Holidays at 12 noon
· Thursday 6th January - School re-opens
Enrolment:
Enrolment is now open for children starting school in September 2022. Enrolment Application Forms are available to download on our school website and can also be collected by a sibling from the school office. Email us on glounaguillaghns@gmail.com with any queries.
Covid-19 Update:
If your child is displaying Covid-19 like symptoms, please keep them home from school and arrange for them to have a PCR test as soon as possible. Unvaccinated siblings of children being tested must also be kept at home until a not detected result is confirmed.
A person with symptoms of Covid-19 is advised to take a PCR test. An antigen test is not a substitute for a PCR test when symptomatic.
Unfortunately, we are required to send children home immediately if they are displaying symptoms consistent with Covid-19. We are fully aware that the symptoms of Covid-19 are also those of seasonal colds but we have to err on the side of caution at this time. We are also acutely aware that a child being sent home is a source of inconvenience to parents but it is a matter beyond our control.
It is the advice of the HSE that children with nasal congestion, or other minor signs of illness, and generally feeling ‘off-form’, (but no fever of 38.0⁰C or higher, no cough, no difficulty breathing) are kept home from school for 48 hours. In that time, if their condition does not deteriorate, and there are no new signs of illness AND your child doesn’t need paracetamol or ibuprofen to feel better, your child can return to school. You should speak to your GP if symptoms worsen or if new symptoms develop.
Runny noses - what to do? Children with a blocked or runny nose, but no other symptoms of Covid-19, may attend school as long as they are otherwise well and not requiring medication.
We thank you vigilance and support on the matter and for keeping your children at home when unwell.
Antigen Testing
As you may have seen via media reports over the last week, a new system of antigen testing for asymptomatic close contacts in primary schools will commence on Monday 29th November. Please see below, details of the correspondence received from both the Department of Education and St. Senan’s Education Office in relation to this matter.
How the programme will work:
When a parent receives a ‘detected’/positive PCR Covid-19 test result on their child, they should notify the school principal immediately.
The school principal will inform the parents of the children in the case’s pod that they are close contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case. The name of the case or any other details will not be shared.
The school principal will offer the opportunity to order antigen tests from the distribution company.
The antigen tests will be posted to the parents of the children in the pod.
Parents carry out the antigen test on the day that they receive it and every second day until three tests have been done.
The children in the pod can continue to attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic and their antigen test results show a not detected result.
If a child’s antigen test indicates a positive result:
• If an antigen test is positive, the child isolates at home and the child’s parent/guardian logs onto the HSE to request a PCR test.
If a child develops symptoms of Covid-19:
• If at any stage a child becomes symptomatic, they should isolate at home and organise a Covid-19 PCR test. A 'not–detected' antigen test holds no value in the situation of a symptomatic child.
If two or more cases arise in a class, outside a single pod:
• In a case where two or more cases arise in a class, within a seven-day period, outside of a single pod, antigen testing will be offered to the full class.
As soon as we receive further information in relation to this, we will communicate it to you via Aladdin and on our school website.
Updated Isolation Guides:
Updated Isolation Quick Guide – Children up to 13 years. https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/factsheetsandresources/Isolation%20quick%20guide%20under%2013s.pdf
Updated Isolation Quick Guide – Adults and Children over 13. https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/factsheetsandresources/Isolation%20quick%20guide%20Adults%20and%20children%20from%20their%2013th%20birthday.pdf
Inclement Weather:
As we move into the winter season, it is essential that the children are warmly clothed when coming to school. This should include a warm coat/jacket and hats, scarves and gloves on occasion. While the school is more than adequately heated, we are required to keep classroom windows open in order to ensure that the rooms are kept appropriately ventilated. As the colder weather approaches, it is inevitable that some children may feel cold in the classroom. Additional layers may be required to keep the children warm.
Book Bills:
We have a number of outstanding dues. We would ask the remaining families to please complete the payment as soon as possible.
Lost Items:
A large number of school uniform items have been found around the school building and yard. The majority of the items are not labelled. Please label your belongings to make it easier to return an item to its owner. If you are missing any items, please let us know and we can arrange for you to go through the lost and found box.
Questionnaire:
We have been selected to take part in a study around children’s eating attitudes and behaviours. We will act as a control school in the survey. Parents of children in 1st, 3rd and 5th Class are asked to partake. More information about the survey can be found here: https://healthandagriscience.fra1.qualtrics.com/CP/File.php?F=F_9tPhVGRqzVQsPX0
Christmas Jumper Day:
Christmas Jumper Day will take place on Friday 17th December. A donation of €1 or €2 is recommended on the day. This year, all monies collected will be donated to Killorglin & District Mental Health Association. K&DMHA do wonderful work at Ard Álainn Day Care Centre promoting positive mental health while also supporting many people in our community. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Sinéad Pigott
Principal
