Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Covid Update. Having been partially open for four weeks and fully open for these last two we have an average attendance of 88% for March 2021. This compares with an average of 95% for March since 2017. We have taken the precaution of sending home books this Easter should Remote Teaching and Learning have to recommence in April. I have been asked to forward the following Covid notice to the entire school community;

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Before Attending School:

• Symptoms – Please make sure all staff and families are aware not to attend your facility if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
• Symptomatic household members – Please remind all staff and children that no-one should be attending school if they have any household member who has signs or symptoms of Covid-19; they should be restricting their movements until it is clear whether the household member has Covid-19 infection or not.
• Close contacts – Please remind all staff and children that they need to restrict their movements and undergo testing if they have been told by their doctor / HSE services that they are a close contact of a case of Covid-19; they should not be attending any school.
• Re-enforcing general public health messages – Please ensure all staff and children attending your facilities are reminded of the importance of keeping your facilities safe by abiding by the public health measures currently in place at all times e.g. restricting movements and social contacts, social distancing, use of masks and hand hygiene.

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Departure. Miss Coleman, our Rang 3 teacher, leaves us today. I know you will join with me in thanking her for her tremendous work here since September and wish her well at Scoil Gharbháin, Dungarvan. The pupils will undoubtedly remember her time here, most especially their virtual appearance on RTE News in February. A presentation was made to Miss Coleman during break today on behalf of management and staff. Miss Denmead will deputise after Easter.

Sacraments 2021 Update. The dates given for May 2021 are provisional in nature. For Church Services to resume later this summer, the country will have to revert to Level 2 Lockdown as was the case last autumn when we were allowed 50 in church to administer the sacraments. We are currently at Level 5. If dates have to be rescheduled, confirmation ceremonies may be given priority. We should know more by 31^st March as to what happens post April 5^th.

Congratulations.  Staff member Mr. Earley graduated today from Mary Immaculate College with a Masters in Educational Leadership & Management. (M.Ed. ELM) Maith thú agus comhgairdeas a Stiofáin.

“Brain of Ballymac 2021” As we receive so much support from our local clubs and the fact that quizzes are educational in essence, I would like to inform our school community that this year’s event  is in aid of South Tipperary Hospice Movement and will be held virtually on Holy Thursday April 1^st at 8pm. This is the link to register for the quiz and to donate to this worthy cause.  Https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brain-of-ballymac-2021-tickets-146438773313

Easter Holidays. Reminder, School breaks for Easter recess today. We will reopen on Mon 12^th April at 9:20 am.

On that date all children will be asked to return the attached Self Declaration Form before returning to school. This was also distributed to each pupil yesterday. Please keep safe or print off closer to return.

Beannachtaí na Cásca oraibh go léir.

Le gach dea ghuí.

Michael J. O’Ryan

Príomh oide