Free Parent Classes via Zoom

Dear Parent, Adult Learning Service, LMETB and St. Joseph’s CBS are delighted to invite you to FREE short courses for parents. 

Read to Succeed – starting 13/10/2021 – 6 weeks course including 4 free books and introduction to book creator
Story Sacks – 4 weeks course. Arts and craft course for parents. Create a sack for your child favourite book! Starting November (time and day TBC)
Christmas Craft – fun arts and crafts course for parents, 2 week course, all materials included

All courses are online (zoom) delivered by qualified tutors. To see list of courses and express you interest, please click on the link  https://forms.office.com/r/HEzVTudjsX

 

We Need Your Help

 

Greetings all,

Please can you take the time to fill in the survey the link below. It should take approx. 10mins to complete. Please return by

We would really appreciate your help in getting this survey out into the community.

Hands 4 Unity, a local group in Drogheda, was formed in 2019.  They aim to promote integration between the migrant community and Irish community.  As we enjoy reconnecting with family and friends COVID 19 spare a thought for those whose families live outside Ireland. Many Hands 4 Unity members work in the health sector and we are indebted to them and their colleagues for their commitment to keep services open and safe for the sick and vulnerable in our community.

During COVID 19 lockdowns Hands 4 Unity members met virtually and reached out to families in Ireland and abroad.  For the last few months they have participated in a training programme delivered by Innovating Communities and funded by Louth LEADER Partnership. The aim of the training programme is to adopt innovative methods to solve social problems.

This survey is conducted by Hands4Unity*, a local community group based in Drogheda, Louth, in partnership with Louth LEADER Partnership and Innovating Communities. The aim of this survey is to understand the lived experience of integration of the migrant community, and the first-generation, into Irish society.  We had a great response from health sector workers and would like to reach out to other sectors of society, particularly marginalised individuals and communities.

We are trying to understand the lived experience from the perspective of migrants, their children and the Irish community. We really appreciate your help.

Click Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VTT296M

The findings of the survey will be shared with participants and broad range of stakeholders.

Many thanks,

Noirin

Nóirín Coghlan

Community Development Officer

Louth LEADER Partnership CLG

( +353-087 3472643

( +353-0419842088 (Reception)

*   noirin.coghlan@cllp.ie

ü  www.louthleaderpartnership.ie

Company Reg No: 450158: CHY No: 17993: Registered Charity No: 20068127

Directors: Mr. Frank O’Brien (Chairperson), Mr. Benny Devlin, Mr. Kevin Mulgrew, Mr. John Roche, Mr. Harry McCarthy, Ms. Martina Ralph, Mr. Finnan McCoy, Ms Eileen Lynch, Mr Hugh Rooney, Ms. Colette Moss, Mr. David Larkin, Ms. Emma Coffey, Ms. Caroline Flanagan:

Company Secretary Mr.Ciarán Reid

Company Registered in the Republic of Ireland: Partnership Court, Park Street, Dundalk, Co Louth. EIR CODE: A91V2KF

Incredible Years Parent Programme

 

Incredible Years Parent Programme

                              ONLINE OCTOBER 2021

Join other parents online to discuss topics like:

The importance of play in attachment and bonding

Bedtime and morning routines

Setting limits and boundaries

Managing annoying and difficult behaviours

Promoting social and emotional well-being

For further information contact:

alice.malone@cllp.ie or phone 086 816 9532

 

HSCL Newsletter

 

 

St. Joseph’s CBS, Sunday’s Gate, Drogheda

 

 

My name is Vivienne Lamont and I am the Home School Community Liaison Coordinator for St. Joseph’s CBS. I was a class teacher for nineteen years before beginning this role in September 2019.

 

The role of HSCL involves supporting parents in many ways:

  • Making phone calls and visits to parents
  • Offering courses of interest to parents
  • Helping parents reconnect with their education through courses available locally
  • Acting as a link with local agencies that supports our community
  • Supporting parents to get involved in school activities and events
  • Linking parents to their children’s school environment

 

 

Every Day Counts

Attendance at school is very important. If your child is well, please send them to school. We want to reduce the amount of unexplained absences this year. If your child is unwell, please fill in the absence reason on the Aladdin app.

 

Parent Classes and Trips

Parent classes are run throughout the school year. We hope that more classes will be face to face this year. Some of our popular classes include, crochet, yoga, cooking and Operation Transformation. New classes will be added throughout the school year.

 

Parents Association

The Parent’s Association is a great way of getting involved in your child’s school life, meeting with other parents and teachers and making friends. New members are always welcome.

 

Contact details:

HSCL Phone No.: 087 183 8649

Facebook: stjosephscbsprimary

Instagram: stjosephscbsprimary

Website: www.stjosephssundaysgate.ie

Parent Room: Located in the Red building

 

Strengthening Families Programme

                                                                

What is the Strengthening Families Programme?

The Strengthening Families Programme is a skills programme which gives parents and their children the opportunity to work together to learn new skills, improve communication and create positive relationships within the family

 

When and where does it take place?

The programme will be run 1 night a week for 12 weeks starting in October and finishing with a Christmas Event in December. The programme will be delivered in Boomerang Youth Centre, Fair Street Drogheda

 

What skills can I learn as a parent?

  • How to communicate effectively with your child
  • How to give direction and following through
  • How to manage stressful situations
  • Improving your relationship with your child
  • How to set boundaries and stick to them
  • How to set consequences and following through

 

What skills will my child gain?

  • How to communicate more effectively with you
  • Understanding their feelings
  • How to manage upsetting situations
  • Develop their social skills
  • Understanding why boundaries are important
  • Understanding consequences

 

Who delivers the training?

The training is managed by a committee made up of representatives from a range of Voluntary and Statutory Agencies and is delivered by the Programme Co-ordinator and a team of trained facilitators on a voluntary basis

 

How much will I have to pay?

There is no cost to a family to participate in this programme.

For further details:

Catrina Culligan
Chairperson 086-1574619

Catherine Black

 

Site Co-ordinator 0874145154
On Behalf of the Strengthening Families Steering Committee

 

 

Re-opening of school: information for parents

Re-Opening of St Joseph’s CBS, Sunday’s Gate 

Information for Parents 

We are delighted to welcome back our pupils from Tuesday 31st of August. We hope you all have had a lovely Summer break and your children are ready fro a wonderful start to the new school year. 

Covid 19 and new variants have meant that we must continue to observe all the procedures and precautions that were in place last year. 

The information below is subject to change and we will continue to add to existing information as necessary. 

The following changes to the operation of the school have been decided in the interests of the Health and Safety of pupils and staff and are in line with the Department of Education and Skills Covid 19 Response Plan. 

Uniform 

  • The department of Education and Skills has not made any recommendations regarding uniforms and as such the uniform policy remains as has been in previous years. 

Infant Classes: tracksuits 

1st 6th classes: tracksuit on PE days and uniform on all other days. 

1st class will get their new school tie on Tuesday the 31st of August 

Face- Coverings 

  • Staff will wear masks at all times when working in the vicinity of others 
  • Staff will wear masks, face coverings and PPE when administering first aid or intimate care needs 
  • All parents/guardians and members of the public must wear masks while on school grounds
  • Returning from Abroad 
  • Children returning from abroad must observe current government regulations https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/75d92-covid-19-travel-advice/

Covid 19 Symptoms 

  1. High temperature 
  2. Cough 
  3. Shortness of breath 
  4. Loss of taste or smell 
  5. Runny Nose 
  6. Headache 
  7. Sore throat 
  8. Diarrhoea 
  • Children are not permitted to attend school if they are experiencing any symptoms of Covid19. 
  • Staff are not permitted to come to school if they are experiencing any symptoms of Covid 19.
  •  Any child experiencing symptoms of Covid 19 will be isolated and their parent/guardian contacted to take their child home immediately. 
  • An isolation room and an overflow isolation space has been outlined as per department guidelines. 
  • Members of the school community who are experiencing Covid 19 symptoms must isolate at home and contact their GP by phone. Pupils must not return to school until they have received a Covid 19 negative test result or have been symptom free for 48 hours 
  • In the event of a diagnosis of Covid 19 of a member of the school community or a close contact of a member of the school community the school will be directed by HSE on how to proceed. 

Parents and Visitors 

  • All contact details for parents/guardians of pupils must be up to date. 
  • Parent/guardians must inform the school of any changes to their children’s contact details. Parents/guardians or emergency contacts must be accessible during the school day Parents will not be permitted to enter the school building without a prior appointment. Visitors to the school will not be permitted to enter the school without a prior appointment Teachers and parents will continue to communicate with each other by school diary, note, phone, email and online platforms 
  • All visitors to the school will be required to fill out a contact tracing form
  • School Equipment and Facilities 
  • All stationery, copies and books are to be left in school. 
  • Pupils will not be permitted to share or use stationery items belonging to other pupils. All shared equipment such as i-pads, Maths equipment etc. will be sanitised before and after use. 
  • No items from home will be permitted in school except a school bag containing lunch (if the child is not receiving a school lunch) and a drink. 
  • The computer room, library and kitchen will be out of use until further notice. Pupils leaving their classrooms for tuition will be accompanied by a staff member at all times Classes will only leave their classrooms for breaks, tuition, toileting, P.E., other outdoor activities and visits to the outdoor classroom. 

Covid 19 Prevention and Personal Hygiene 

  • Children and all school personnel will be required to sanitise their hands on entering and exiting the school and at regular intervals during the day.
  • Handwashing and hand hygiene protocols will be taught and revised in all classes Handwashing and hand hygiene protocols must be adhered to in all classes Indoor toilets have been installed in the Green School. 
  • Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette will be taught, revised and must be adhered to in every class. 

Cleaning 

  • Cleaning in school will be increased. The Department of Education has increased the budget for cleaning and cleaning materials and in line with these guidelines the school will be cleaned thoroughly at least once a day. 
  • Books, toys and other resources will be cleaned or quarantined for 72 hours before reuse.
  • Teaching and Learning 
  • Helping all pupils to make the transition back to school, reconnecting with their teachers and friends and establishing new school routines that support their health and safety will be a priority at the start of the new school year. 
  • The Department of Education & Skills has published curriculum guidelines for schools and we are advised to pay particular attention to supporting the wellbeing and reducing potential anxiety in our pupils. 
  • We will plan their learning experiences to take account of the effect the school closure has had on their progress and their engagement in learning. 
  • The curriculum priorities for the first term of 2020/21 in St. Joseph’s C.B.S will the subject areas of Social, Personal & Health Education (SPHE). Languages (English & Irish), Mathematics & Physical Education as per Department of Education Guidelines. 

Homework and Digital Learning 

  • Any homework assigned in term 2 will be completed digitally until further notice. On- line learning platforms will continue to be in use for homework and communication. 

Collection of Children during the School Day 

  • In the event that a child needs to be collected during the school day the following arrangements will apply: 
  • In advance of any adult arriving at the school they should ring the office on 041-9833620 The adult must wait for the child in the designated waiting area and the child will be brought to them by a staff member. 
  • Early collection will be recorded by a staff member. 
  • No adult should enter the building without appointment or invitation. 

Children with Additional Needs 

  • Please contact the school by phone or email if you have concerns about your child returning to or starting school if he or she has additional needs. These could be learning, emotional or medical needs. 
  • Please contact the school if your child is in a vulnerable or high risk group so that a plan can be put in place to support your child.
  • The special education team (SEN) in the school will make sure that your child’s needs are catered for to the best of their ability. 
  • SEN teachers will be assigned to specific year groups and classes. 
  • SEN teachers will be required to cover for mainstream teachers in the event of teacher absences. 

Yard 

  • Breaks will be staggered. There will be 3 morning and 3 lunch breaks during each day. Each class will be provided with their own play area of the school yard. 
  • There will be 5 classes each in the green and red yard and 3 classes in the infant yard. Children will be required to line up in a socially distant formation after every break. Children will be required to enter and exit the building at intervals using assigned entrances and exits. 
  • Sanitisation protocols will be strictly adhered to. 

Morning Break 

10.30-45am – Junior and Senior Infants -Green Yard 

11-00-11.15am G1, G2, G3, G4 and G6- Green Yard 

11.00-11.15am- G5, R6, R7, R11 and R12 – Red Yard 

Lunch Break 

12-10-12.40pm -Junior and Senior Infants Green Yard 

12.45-1.15pm – G1, G2, G3, G4 and G6- Green Yard 

12.45-1.15pm -G5, R6, R7, R11 and R12 – Red Yard 

First-Aid 

  • Staff will be required to wear face coverings, masks and PPE while administering first aid.
  • Assembly 
  • 8.40am -Junior and Senior Infants may enter the main gate at the green yard at Sunday’s Gate and proceed to their classroom. Parent’s accompanying them onto school property must wear a face mask and make their way out the exit gate. 
  • 8:40am – 1st and 2nd class children may enter school yard. They will be supervised by a member of staff until it is time to go to classrooms at 8:50am. 
  • 8:50am -3rd and 4th class enter the main gate at the green yard at Sunday’s Gate and proceed to their classroom. 
  • 8:50am – 5th and 6th enter the main gate at the red yard at King St and proceed to their classroom. 
  • Children will enter the school yard and sanitise their hands at their assigned time and gate before going directly to their classrooms. 
  • Bus Students – may wait in the shelters of the Green Yard when their bus arrives at the school gate between 8.40am and 8.50am 
  • No congregation of children or parents will be permitted in the school yard before or after school 
  • Staff will be present to steward children to their classes safely.

After School 

  • There will be no after school activities and clubs with the exception of the Infant Link Hour until further notice. 
  • In the interest of safety parents will be permitted to enter a designated area of the green school yard when collecting children from junior infants to fourth class at 1.20pm or 2.30pm. Parents must leave the school yard when their child has been collected. 

Children Travelling by Bus 

  • Children travelling by bus may enter the school yard from 8.40am and those children not starting until 8.50am will be permitted to wait in a designated area of the school yard until class begins. To avail of this facility parents must sign a consent form to say that their child is travelling by bus and consent to this being cross checked with the bus company. In the event of a child’s name not being on the list of ‘bus children’ they will not gain entry to the yard at 8.40am. 
  • Children travelling by bus will be permitted to wait for the school bus in the school yard after school under supervision and will be escorted to the bus in the evening by staff. Failure to comply with social distancing arrangements and staff instructions while waiting for the bus before or after school may result in a pupil not being permitted to wait for the bus on school grounds. 

Siblings 

  • Siblings will be permitted to wait in the Red Yard from 8.40am if their sibling is in junior or senior infants or parents may choose to have siblings arrive in school together at 8.50am and go straight to their respective classes. 
  • Failure to comply with social distancing arrangements and staff instructions while waiting for their class to begin before school may result in a pupil not being permitted to wait on school grounds. 

The Code of Behaviour 

The Code of Behaviour will be amended in light of the changes to school life as a result of Covid 19. Failure of pupils to comply with Covid 19 health and safety regulations and instructions from staff will be considered a very serious misdemeanour and will be dealt with accordingly.

Re-Opening St. Joseph’s – Important Information for Parents

On behalf of all staff I would like to offer a huge welcome to our new and returning  pupils, parents and guardians for the academic year 2021-22!! We are very excited about the year ahead and we hope you are too.

To insure a safe and orderly return to school life we request that ALL PARENTS AND GUARDIANS read and are familiar the following return to school information:

(Please click on link to access this document.)

Re- opening St Joseph’s Info for Parents – September 2021.docx

 

Looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday morning!

Le Meas,

Sarah Bradley

Information for Parents of our Incoming Junior Infants

Dear Parents,

We will have an induction morning for junior infants on Tuesday the 31st of August.

You and your child will be given a specific drop off time between 9.00am and 9.45am via text message. You will have the opportunity to meet the teacher and your child will have the chance to meet their classmates and familiarise themselves with the classroom and school buildings.

The children should come dressed in their school tracksuits. They will not require lunch on Tuesday the 31st of August.

You will also be allocated collection times from 10.30am.

From Wednesday the 1st of September until Friday 10th of September junior infants will begin class at 8.40am and finish at 12.00pm. The children will require a light lunch and a drink from Wednesday until their school lunches have been ordered.

On Monday the 13th September the junior infant school day will begin at 8.40am and finish at 1.20pm.

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to the St. Joseph’s C.B.S school community.

Le meas,

Sarah Bradley

Principal