Myself and the Home School Liaison from Lucan East ETNS, Sinéad, will be running a 4 week parenting course on zoom during the month of November.
'Parents Plus is an Irish charity that develops practical, evidence-based parenting and mental health programmes. We train professionals working with children and families to deliver the programmes in communities and clinical settings. Our programmes support families to communicate effectively, build satisfying relationships and overcome emotional and behavioural problems.' 
For more information please visit www.parentsplus.ie
Topics we will be covering include:

• Solving childhood problems.
• Play and special time with children.
• Encouraging children’s learning.
• Setting rules and helping children keep them.
• Establishing daily routines.
• Managing misbehaviour using consequences and sanctions.

Please see flyer attached for details on how to secure your place. 
Closing date to apply for a place is this Friday 22nd of Oct.
Looking forward to seeing you on the course,
Linda
linda@eskeretns.ie / 0860261061

Some absolutely stunning quilling pieces from those who took part in our parents crafting class. Big thanks to Maureen for all her knowledge and guidance on how to create the perfect piece!

Dear parents/ guardians (of children in 5th class).
Applications will be open this September (2021) for your child. 
I strongly recommend that you apply to at least two + schools. Currently there are a limited number of secondary school places in the Lucan area, so in order to guarantee a place for your child you need to apply on time and with all necessary documents.
I am sending this now to give you time to gather all your documents as you may need to look for birth certs etc.
Please see leaflet attached for further details.

Dear parents/ guardians,

Here are the links I was talking about at assembly today. No need to sign up or pay for any of these books.

https://www.storylineonline.net/
/http://www.magickeys.com/books/
https://www.funbrain.com/books
https://monkeypen.com/pages/free-childrens-books

Books as Gaeilge:
​www.seideansi.ie/

If you are using any other sites and are finding them very useful, please let me know and I will share them with the school community.

Thanks,

​Linda

Here are some things to keep your children occupied once the online learning is done.

Take a tour of the National Gallery of Ireland https://www.nationalgallery.ie/virtual-tour/virtual-tour-rooms-48-45

Learn some simple magic tricks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2tDK9wfCYs

How to draw a cute donut https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_f3lUWih9o
How to draw Minecraft Steve https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqNl1eYqX04
How to draw some trick art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAq2X-0FbGM

Create your own storybook and illustrations online https://www.mystorybook.com/

Explore space https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids/do-it-yourself/?page=0&per_page=40&order=created_at+desc&search=&category=139
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/space

Watch some amazing body percussion- no instruments were used AT ALL!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB3NPNM4xgo
​
Any questions, please get in touch linda@eskeretns.ie 0870261061
Linda

Today is Safer Internet Day 2021, if you are on Twitter you can follow the hashtags #SID2021 #bekindonline #bewebwise
It is vitally important to be aware of what your children are accessing on the internet, who they are talking to, what apps they've downloaded  etc.

Below are some excellent links from the webwise.ie site that I urge you to watch and show your children where appropriate. *What's in the brackets is who the videos are suitable for.*

https://www.childnet.com/resources/digiduck-stories (younger children)
https://beinternetlegends.withgoogle.com/en_uk (older children)
https://www.webwise.ie/category/parents/advice/ (advice for parents)
https://www.webwise.ie/category/videos/videos-for-parents/ (videos for parents)
https://www.webwise.ie/classroom-videos/ (some excellent videos for younger and older children, and if you have children in secondary school you will find some material here for them as well)
https://www.webwise.ie/category/parents/explainers/ (apps explained- be aware of exactly what your child’s apps allow them to do/download/connect with)
https://www.webwise.ie/parents/online-gaming-talking-points-parents/ (what you should know about your child’s gaming)
https://www.webwise.ie/category/parents/how-to/ (reporting inappropriate content, setting up parental controls and safe searches- very important)

The NPC are running Internet Safety classes all week, to sign up, fill in the survey below. This programme will give you practical information and supports to help you as a parent in this vital role. It will help you better understand that your parenting skills are key to keeping your child safe and it will also look at some of the evidence about what children in Ireland are spending their time doing on line and will also examine some of the risks and benefits for children online.
The sessions are taking place online via Zoom at 10am on Monday to Friday, and 8pm on Monday to Thursday next week, starting Monday the 8th. Just click on the link below to register.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/InternetSafetyOnline2021

If you have any concerns about your child's online activity, please get in touch.
​
Linda

A huge thank you to Michael (www.peaceofmind.ie) for his excellent webinar today. Really insightful and some great tips on how to support children with anxiety. Some great ways for parents to destress as well!!
Thank you to everyone who came, if you missed the webinar it is available for playback below.