News Category: Primary

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Return to School 6th January 2022

Holy Family School for the Deaf will re-open for all our pupils tomorrow Thursday 6th January.

Please DO Not send your son or daughter to school if they are unwell or have symptoms of Covid 19. We need to keep our school community safe.

Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy 2022.


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NetFIT Challenge!

New Year New You! For Twenty Twenty Two!

Are you ready to sign up for Holy Family Deaf School Cabra#NetFIT challenge at #HFSD!
NetFIT Challenge will start on the 10th of January 2022.

Check out this promo video

To register click here https://forms.gle/RfZwxnfsYaQ5BVtN910e per entry or 15e for you and a friend!

******** Every registration goes into a draw for a FITBIT watch! ********

An example of testing the fitness component ‘BALANCE’

Register Here






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Christmas Raffle

Thank you to all our sponsors and to everyone who bought a ticket for our Christmas Raffle.

First prize €250 sponsored by Peter and Niall Foran
Won by Majella Harris Athy

Second first prize sponsored by Tobin Estate Company won by Mehreen Syed from Dublin (Shauzab from first-year mum)

Second Prize €200 sponsored by Deaf Sports Ireland
Won by Laura Donovan Drogheda

Third Prize €100 sponsored by Mary Hogan and HFSD won by Melissa McCabe

4th Prize two games won by Geoffrey McCormack

5th Prize Candle hamper won by Natalie Bryan

6th 7th 8th Christmas Eve Treats bag and mug sponsored by Katie Hughes.
Won by
Sinéad Gavaghan
Mary Fitzpatrick
Danielle Maher

9th Prize Men gift set
Won by Ethan McCarthy


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Covid 19 Update regarding vaccines for 5-11 age cohort.

Please find the latest information regarding vaccines for the 5-11 age cohort below.

COVID-19 vaccine information for parents of children aged 5-11

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.

Important information for parents and guardians about the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech) (PDF, size 1.11 MB, 16 pages)


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School Reopening POSTPONED

***** UPDATE *****
In light of Dublin moving into Orange alert within the last hour, the Board of Management have decided it is safer if our pupils and staff are not travelling during this period. Therefore our school will remain closed tomorrow (Wednesday 8th December)
We will update you further tomorrow


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Principal’s Message at Mid Term

Sincere thanks to our parents & guardians for their support this half term.

There was a very spooky but joyful atmosphere in all sections of the school today in celebration of Halloween!!

Please log on to the website (News section ) and Twitter @HFSchoolDeaf1 for the latest photographs and updates.

I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable bank holiday weekend and school break!

We return to school on Monday 1st November.  


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CIDP 175 Years Anniversary

All of our Students and Staff was invited to a special celebration of CIDP 175 years anniversary. Our students included their momemtoes and books of their experiences in school for the Time Capsule and they helped with the planting of two trees. We would like to thank CEO Tara McBreen, Manager Paul Ryder and everyone involved in organising today. The sun was shining and it was a wonderful celebration. We want to wish CIDP a very happy 175 years anniversary.


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Back to School Covid Regulations.

We will implement and follow the same safety control measures as last year to ensure that this will be a safe re-opening.  It is important that we all follow these procedures to keep everyone safe and to prevent the spread of Covid-19.  There will, undoubtedly, be some unforeseen challenges and we will deal with these as they arise.

Below is information and videos from the Department. Please read the information and watch the videos. If you have any questions please email info@holyfamilydeafschool.ie

Isolation quick guide

Isolation quick guide for parents and guardians of children older than 3 months and up to 13 years of age


Isolation quick guide – Adults and children from their 13th birthday

There are five different videos with ISL translations via Dept. of Education website

Back to School Advice for Senior Infants to Second Class ISL

Back to School Advice for Junior Infants ISL

Back to School Advice for Parents ISL

Back to School Advice for Post Primary students ISL

Back to School Advice for Third Class to 6th Class ISL

Refresher/training video via the Department Website to all staff who wish to do a refresher. See

Primary School

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd7fb-induction-training-for-reopening-schools/#primary-school-induction

Post Primary School

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd7fb-induction-training-for-reopening-schools/#post-primary-induction

Cleaning

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd7fb-induction-training-for-reopening-schools/#cleaning-induction

SNA

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd7fb-induction-training-for-reopening-schools/#sna-induction-training

Arrangements for Teachers and SNA employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools (Covid-19)

https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/b4832-coronavirus-covid-19-arrangements-for-teachers-and-special-needs-assistants-employed-in-recognised-primary-and-post-primary-schools/

The Department has advised that all Covid-19 protocols in schools must remain in place so mask wearing remains mandatory and we will continue to social distance and use hand sanitation. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e1141-covid-19-response-plan-for-the-safe-and-sustainable-operation-of-primary-and-special-schools/


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Welcome Back to School

The school staff is all very much looking forward to welcoming all our pupils back to school for the 2021/2022 school year on Monday, 30th August.
Below is a letter from Principal Eimear O Rourke with all the Return to School information. Thanks to Sean Herlihy for translating this letter into ISL.

Letter from Principal Eimear O Rourke

Dear Parent or Guardian,

I hope you and your family are safe and well and enjoyed a lovely summer break. We look forward to welcoming your son or daughter back to school next week.

Please note the different return to school dates:

Monday 30th 1st Year and 6th Year post-primary pupils only

Tuesday 31st All other pupils primary and post-primary pupils

Early Intervention: Tuesday 31st unless a different date has been agreed with Co-ordinator Ger Lewis.

School Calendar 2921/22

A copy of the school calendar 2021/22 is attached.

School Transport

You will be contacted in late August (usually the week before the new term starts) by your child’s bus/taxi driver with details. Students who are travelling to school via public transport i.e. train or Bus Eireann intercity services will be issued with either a bus or train pass.

Please note it is parent’s responsibility to inform bus/taxi drivers of their son or daughter’s return to school date and if they are not availing of the service on any particular day due to illness, appointments etc.

A Safe Return

As per directives from the Department of Education, our current Covid protocols remain in place. Our Covid 19 Policy Statement and Response Plan will be updated for the current school year and published on our website.

Re-opening the school safely will require the continued co-operation of all members of our School Community – Board of Management, School Leadership, Staff, Parents, and Pupils.

General School Measures

  • NO CHILD, STAFF MEMBER OR PARENT SHOULD ATTEND OUR SCHOOL IF UNWELL OR IF ANY MEMBERS OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD ARE UNWELL WITH SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH COVID-19.  
  • Visitors to our school building will be limited to essential visits only and should be made by prior arrangement. 
  • Parents wishing to collect their son or daughter for an appointment should contact the office prior to arrival at the school. 
  • Sanitising stations will be available at school entry/exit points and in all classrooms.
  • School will be cleaned every day in line with public health recommendations.
  • Guidelines around social distancing of 2m between adults, hand hygiene and correct cough etiquette should be adhered to at all times.
  • Newsletters and updates will be shared with parents through emails, school mobile and the school websiteto reduce paper sharing between school and home.
  • All payments if possible should be made using bank transfer to avoid cash handling and potential spread of infection. Please phone the school office if you need assistance
  • We will continue to apply physical distancing in a practical and sensible way, recognising that the learning environment cannot be controlled in a way that is not effective for learning.
  • Face Masks : it is still mandatory for all staff and post primary level pupils to wear face coverings. Special schools have an exemption for some pupils who find this a difficulty. We will provide all staff and pupils with visors that are Deaf friendly and have the approval of the Deaf Community.
  • Face coverings worn on school transport must not be worn in school.

Arrival to School

Pupils travelling on school transport should remain in the car/bus until the school doors are open at 8.50 am (post Primary) and 9.00am (Primary and Early Intervention)

School Uniform

Students should attend in the required school uniform every day unless otherwise directed.

In the Classroom

  • Contact between class groups (bubbles) will be kept to a minimum.
  • Coats, phones etc. should be kept to a minimum and will be kept in pupils’ lockers to limit contact as much as possible.
  • Shared resources such as tablets, laptops, etc. will be cleaned after use.
  • Students MUST have their own materials for class as sharing of materials will not be permitted. Please ensure your son/daughter has adequate pens, pencils, ruler etc

School Lunches

Students MUST bring their own lunch to school. Please note there will be no facilities for heating food so please do not send in food that needs to be toasted /microwaved etc as these facilities will not be available. The school shop will be closed.

Voluntary Contributions

To meet ongoing school expenses, it is also necessary to ask for your continued support in the running costs of the school.

To cover the cost of Insurance, Art, Photocopying, Post & IT, Work Shops & Interpreting the following Parental Contributions Apply:

Early Intervention €85
Primary €90
Post Primary €100

For parents of two or more children, the cost per child is €80.

A letter regarding additional fees for post-primary pupils studying Home Economics, Woodwork, Metal Work, and Construction Studies and swimming fees for Primary pupils will be sent to you in due course.

Parents and guardians have the option of spreading costs by monthly standing order over the course of the year, to cover all subjects and school activities. For parents and guardians who avail of this option, and we confirm we will not look for any additional payments throughout the year, this includes the subject and swimming fees.  This applies to pupils in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th years. Transition Year may have additional costs that it is not possible to cover in this way.

School Attendance

As a parent, you must let the school know if your child is absent and the reason why. It is school policy that reasons must be given in writing.  You can use the school diary which has dedicated pages for your notes. The school will notify the National Educational Welfare Board if a child is absent without reason for 20 days or more or where the absence gives rise to concern.

If your child is sick or is absent for other good reasons, no action will be taken by the NEWB.  However, if there is concern about your child’s attendance at school or about the reasons given, you may be visited by an Educational Welfare Officer who will discuss your child’s education with you.  The Officer will work with you and take full account of the circumstances of the child and the family before deciding what further action is necessary to ensure that the child receives his/her entitlement to an education.

Further information concerning the new service and about school attendance matters generally can be obtained from the national Lo-Call Education Helpline (Telephone 1890 36 36 66) which is staffed by an Educational Welfare Officer.

Audiology

Audiology support will continue to be provided to all students following all necessary safety measures. Please ensure that your son/daughter arrives at school with a working hearing aid/cochlear implant and other assistive technology (FM system) if applicable. Students should have spare hearing aid/cochlear implant batteries and be encouraged to change these themselves where possible. As always assistance will be provided to students when required. Spare batteries are available in school as usual at a cost of 50 cents per battery.

Illness

  • As already stated, NO CHILD, STAFF MEMBER OR PARENT SHOULD ATTEND OUR SCHOOL IF UNWELL OR IF ANY MEMBERS OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD ARE UNWELL WITH SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH COVID-19.  

Please note procedures put in place will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and as updated advice is published by the Department of Education and Skills

See gov.ie – Back to School (www.gov.ie) for advice on the return to school Autumn 2021

Mobile Phones: The use of mobile phones is not permitted during the school day. For security, phones should be switched off and stored in the students’ locker or the school office before 9am. If pupils need to make a call during the school day, they can do so from the school office.

Well-being & Counselling

The well-being of all our pupils is central to our mission. Our School Counsellor Ms. Katrina Connolly is available on request on 01 8380058 if you need assistance in dealing with any concerns you might have in relation to your son or daughter.

 Class teachers and SNAs

 I would like to thank SNAs Mrs Philomena Massey and Ms Mary Brazil for their many years of dedicated service and wish them every happiness in their retirement. I also wish teacher Ms Patricia Henry every success as she leaves Holy Family for pastures new.  I would like to welcome Mr Raymond Watson and Mrs AnneMarie Guinane to the school SNA team. Two new teacher appointments for Early Intervention and Primary are currently pending.

I wish to thank you for entrusting Holy Family with the education of your son/daughter, as we continuing to work with you throughout their time with us in Holy Family.

An ISL translation of this letter will be available on our website shortly.

Enjoy the last few days of the school holidays.

Eimear O’Rourke M.Ed
Principal

Download Return to School Letter below


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2nd class veg garden

Category : Post Primary , Primary

Curly Kale ? Spinach , Radish ,Beetroots Green peas Lettuce & Carrots ?