Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope that you are all well as we approach the end of our second week back at school. Our news this week is as follows

• Well done to our Junior Infant pupils. They have been getting to know their teacher and classmates and learning lots of new things. They have been super at following their new routines also.  From next Monday they will have a full infant day starting at 9a.m. and finishing at 1.40p.m. They will need to bring a small snack for the first break and their lunch for the second break.
• We have launched the Aladdin Connect links this week. Thank you to all the parents who have downloaded the app already. If you are having trouble downloading it please email the office at office@tolasns.com and our school secretary Tracey will be able to help you out.
• For your information I have attached the following documents to this week’s newsletter which may be helpful as we navigate the return to school
• 1.Covid 19 Advice for parents re symptoms
• 2.Covid-19 Isolation Guide for those aged 3 -13 years

• The second annual Culture Night will take place on 18^th September.  We would love to see our towns diverse and international cultures displayed for all to see just how proud we are to live in Shannon and the surrounding areas. We are a very talented community and would welcome any and all submissions. Obviously because of covid this event will take place virtually via LoveShannon’s Facebook/Instagram and Website www.loveshannon.ie In some ways this will bring this event to more people as it is streaming all day and conveniently many of the activities are happening via video link (previously recorded and submitted) Culture night will run from 10am until we run out of time or contributions whichever comes first. If you have any queries at all please contact us on 086 0775199 /086 3382038 / 086 3218848. Many thanks and regards, Niamh O’Callaghan Loveshannon, Damien O’Rourke Cuppa Tea TV, Madge O’Callaghan Amherst Writers Group

• Thank you to all our parents/guardians for your co-operation with our new dropping off and collecting routines. We appreciate that you are not entering the building or infant yard. At some times it can be busy in the yard/path with a lot of parents gathering. We would appreciate if you could wear a mask if you cannot maintain 2m distance from other pupils/parents at this time.
• As you are aware tomorrow Friday 11^th September is the last day that Mr Quinn will spend with us as part of our staff. You may also know that Mr. Quinn is a committed Liverpool fan and this has been a wonderful year for him after 30 years in the wilderness! To mark his last day the staff will be wearing red – some may even go so far as to wear Liverpool jerseys!!!If the pupils from 1^st-6^th class would like to wear a red jumper/jersey/tshirt with their uniform they may do so. Please do not go out and buy something new – only wear it if you have it at home.
• On behalf of the Board of Management, pupils, parents and staff I thank Mr Quinn for his years of dedicated service both as a teacher and Deputy Principal to all in the school community. We will miss his kindness, good humour, empathy, I.T skills and his absolute commitment to always do his best for the pupils in St. Tola’s. His new school are getting a gem and we wish him many years of happiness and fulfilment in Ennis Educate Together.

Kind regards, Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, Principal