RE: SCHOOL CLOSURE & SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES 

13 March 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

These are indeed unprecedented times. I hope that you, your families and loved ones stay safe and well.  

Yesterday’s announcement that we’re closed until at least 29 March came very quickly in the end, but I believe it is the correct one.  While acknowledging that everybody’s circumstances are different, it does leave many in our extended school community in difficult situations.  Finding appropriate childcare will be, for many, the most immediate challenge.  Keeping the children busy and amused over an unexpected,  extended period of time will, no doubt, be another.

I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of staff who worked so well (and quickly) together to create a programme of work for your son(s) over the next fortnight.  No doubt, he is thrilled!  I’d ask that you do your best with this work, but not to stress over it either.  

With little or no opportunity to do things outside the family home, this period will be challenging for families.  Screen time is inevitable, but movement activities using your sons’ devices (lots of ideas below) can at least  lessen the effects of overexposure.  

Below is a link to an incredible resource developed by a primary school colleague on keeping your small men busy.  It may be of some use to anyone interested.  It’s a treasure trove of possibilities from PE activities to wellbeing, singing, reading, STEM, Art, etc.    

Aside from all these suggested activities, as my colleague writes on the blog linked below, “Don't forget to: play board games, cook up a storm, build with Lego and blocks, garden, look up the family photo albums, clean your room, draw a self-portrait, make and create with junk art, run & stretch, sing and most importantly, READ!”

In the meantime though, let’s hope for a spell of better weather so the boys can get outside and PLAY!.  Otherwise, we might all be “dug out of each other”!

I will contact you again with updates as soon as I have them.

Will Ryan 

principal@cashelbns.ie