We had so much fun exploring in Maeve’s class last week.
Here’s a video of one of our creations:
This week has been so lovely! Everyone is really happy to be back and there is definitely a nice buzz around the place 🙂
Here’s a picture of our Gaeilgóirà an Lae who are teaching Junior and Senior Infants our Seanfhocal of the week and another of us reading an Irish book for Seachtain na Gaeilge!
We’ll have more pictures soon of World Book Day as well as some 3D work and engineering challenges we’re tackling so stay tuned for more news from First Class!
Back to School on Monday 1st March
We have been preparing for the return to on-site classes and we are delighted to be welcoming the children back from 8.30 0n Monday 1 March. Here are the important pieces of information for you.
Parental Declaration
Parents are required to confirm that children are well and that there is no public health reason for them not to return to school. We have set a message to arrive in the Aladdin Connect App on Sunday Feb 28th at 3pm. You simply confirm the declaration and return. Niamh will send a text message to remind you of this on Sunday. Parents must complete this declaration before the child comes back to school on Monday morning and after any absence from school after 1 March 2021.
Assembly and Dismissal
Parents are reminded that they should take extreme caution at assembly and dismissal times not to congregate and to remain at least 2 metres apart at all times. We know this is really hard and we are sure the children will be so excited to see their friends and their teachers, so let’s all work together to make the reunion happy and fun, being safe at the same time. Lots of smiling eyes and elbow bumps!
Ventilation
The Department of Education have instructed all schools to open doors and windows before and after school and during breaks to assist with ventilation.
Masks and PPE
All staff have been provided with medical/surgical grade masks. All Staff will wear masks, all of the time. Some staff may choose to wear visors as well as masks, but never instead of masks.
Focus for Learning
The main focus for the teaching and learning in the school between now and June will be on Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing, in line with the DES guidelines. We will also endeavour to take the children outdoors as much as possible, as before. Of course, we hope the weather will cooperate!
Covid-19 Response Plan
We are updating our policy documents to reflect the changes in the advice from government and they will be available to view on the Covid-19 section of the website over the weekend.
Support Videos and Books
The Department of Education has prepared some information notes and videos for parents and children and you can find them here. The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn and The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst are two lovely books that might be helpful if your child is a little nervous about leaving you and coming back to school.
We are really looking forward to welcoming you all back and hopefully this will be the last time that we have to have an extended closure.
See you all on Monday!
Educate Together publishes the ‘Ethical Education Matters’ Newsletter each term.
View the newsletter for Spring 2021 here.
We’ve had a very busy September in the Senior Infant Classroom. We had our first whole-school assembly for the year, hosted by Senior Infants. We spoke about Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) at assembly, and offered apples and honey to the Junior Infants and wished them ‘Shana Tova’ (Happy New Year in Hebrew).
The children also created projects about themselves and presented them to the class. The quality was incredible, and the best thing about each project was that it was so individual 🙂
Forest School at DSCETNS
By Paula Henihan
I am excited to be bringing a regular Forest School session to DSCETNS next year. This will involve taking the children outside for a 90 minute class fortnightly. The classes will be aimed at learning through nature in a safe but challenging environment.
Forest school is a formalised approach to learning that first emerged in Scandinavia in the 1950s, and has since gained in popularity throughout Europe, North America, and in recent years Ireland, with over twenty Forest School groups currently active nationally.
Outdoor learning like Forest School complements the existing classroom curriculum and allows children the opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, and practical skills through hands-on learning in a natural environment.
Forest School Activities
In Forest School at DSCETNS you can expect loads of fun activities and adventures like;
- building dens and other structures
- storytelling
- games and imaginative play
- nature crafts
- using tools for wood projects
- scavenger hunts, and other adventures. ​
Important features include the use of a woodland setting over a sustained period of time, a low child/adult ratio, close ties to regular curriculum objectives, and freedom to explore the senses.
I’m a Level 3 qualified ​Irish Forest School Association​ leader, and h​ave taught Forest School with the children in Stoneybatter ETNS.​ I am still amazed by the excitement, peer support, creativity and wonder that the sessions bring out in the kids. Research shows that children who spend time in natural environments undertake more diverse, creative and imaginative play. This improves their sense of belonging and environmental stewardship.​ Physical skills are also improved by the challenge of dealing with rough terrain, and by learning to handle tools and equipment.
Further Information
Here are some resources if you’re interested in learning more:
- What you learn at Forest School, The Irish Times
- Why children need to go into the woods today, The Irish Times
- Children should learn in the great outdoors, The Guardian
I’m delighted to be bringing the Forest School ethos to the kids next year.
Thanks Niamh for initiating Forest School at DSCETNS. Watch this space!
The Board of Management of Dublin South City Educate Together National School are keen to facilitate an after-school club for children on school premises in the coming school year 2019-2020. Interested parties should make their proposal to the BOM before 4pm on 3rd May 2019, outlining the child-care services they would provide for the children of DSCETNS. For further information, please call 086 776 8394.
Edit: Thank you to all those providers who have sent in proposals to date. Proposals are now closed. The BOM will be announcing the successful after-school child care provider as soon as possible.
The boys and girls in Junior Infants had a super day today wearing ‘glas’ for Lá Fhéile Pádraig! Enjoy the long weekend everybody! We’ll see you back in school at 9am on Tuesday the 18th March.
It’s International Women’s Day! Today (and every Friday) in Junior Infants, Killian our GAA Coach (Templeogue Synge Street GAA Club) came to work on some ball-handling skills with us. Take a look at how much fun we had!
Killian’s Gaelic Football Academy runs on Saturdays @ 11.30am in Dolphin Park, Crumlin Road. It’s suitable for boys and girls aged 4-7.