Mr Connolly’s class helped the environment and Talbot by planting young tree saplings this week.
The aim is to make a natural fence of hedging between our play area/field and our re-wilded area to promote biodiversity in our school!

We want to help you help keep your child safe.

Do you know the laws on e-scooters? Children, naturally enough, are unsure about some of the laws. And, while we just taught them some of it at assembly today, we’d like to share some key points with you, so you can tell your child if you ever need to.

Here are some questions: The answers are below the questions. 

1. What age must you be to drive an e-scooter? 15, 16, or 18? (It’s news for some children that there is any limit.)
2. What is the speed limit for e-scooters? 20, 25, or 30 kilometres per hour?
3. Does a scooter have to have lights (a) all the time (b) only when it’s dark, or (c) they don’t HAVE to?
4. Must a driver obey signals given by a Garda? Yes, no, or sometimes?
5. Must a driver obey signals given by a school teacher? Yes, no, or sometimes?
6. Must a driver obey signals given by a school warden (Lollipop Lady/Lollipop Man/Lollipop Person)? Yes, no, or sometimes?
7. When can a driver use a footpath (or pedestrian area)? Always, sometimes, or never?
8. Some e-scooters have seats: when can a driver sit while on one? The whole journey, when stopped at lights or wherever, or not at all?
9. Passengers: Different people have different ideas on this, but what’s the law? You can carry just a child, you can carry an adult but not a child, or you can’t carry anyone?
10. Mobile phones: You can hold one but not use it, or you can hold and use it when it’s safe to do so, or you can not hold or use one.

Here are the answers: 

1. You have to be at least 16 to drive an e-scooter.
2. The speed limit is just 20km/hour.
3. A scooter has to have lights all the time.
4. Yes, a driver must obey signals given by a Garda.
5. No, a driver doesn’t have to obey signals given by a school teacher.
6. Yes, a driver must obey signals given by a school warden (Lollipop Lady/Man/Person)
7. A driver can NEVER use a footpath or pedestrian area.
8. E-scooter drivers must not have a seat on their e-scooter: to have one is against the law. And so, the answer is you can’t sit on one at all.
9. You can’t carry anyone.
10. You can not hold or use a mobile phone.

Clondalkin Garda Station asked us to highlight the above you. Clearly, e-scooters should not be used to bring children to and from school. If someone 16 or over gives a lift to a child, the risk to the child of a significant injury is huge.

Thanks for reading all this. More on all this is on the special e-scooter page on the RSA website.

 

As part of Strive for 5, Ms Derwin’s Class got to make their own pizzas! The children really enjoyed getting creative with their toppings!

Tuesday 10th February was Safer Internet Day. As part of our awareness campaign, our Microsoft Dream Space Ambassadors invited their parents and guardians into the school to teach them a small bit about this year’s Safer Internet Day topic, How to be AI Aware.

The ten 5th class students had learnt lots about being AI Aware from the Microsoft Dream Space team the week previously and so used their new learning to create a parent-friendly presentation as an ‘AI Guide for Grown Ups’. Following their presentation, they took some time to teach their parents and guardians the basics of coding with the MicroBit.

The Dream Space Ambassadors became super teachers for the morning and their parents and guardians left having gained a few top tips to take with them as they engage with AI online. Well done to all!

To celebrate Friendship February, the students in Ms Lonergan`s 5th class brought in items for show and tell. The items chosen by the students to present include: a captain`s arm band, a baton for Majorettes, childhood teddy bears, a Quaran, Hip hop trophies, Irish dancing shoes, a rubix cube and pictures of beloved pets. Children loved the opportunity to show items that are important to or represent their interests and learn about each other.

 

What a week we had for our attendance Strive for 5! week. 

We had quizzes, crepes, smores, If You Are In You Can Win wheel, pizza parties, pyjama day and so much more. Well done to everyone for making an extra effort to be in school all week. Being in school every day is so important for your education and for building relationships with your classmates and teachers and SNA’s in our school. 

Congratulations to Ms. Coyle Hennessy’s class who had an amazing total of 490.2% attendance (out of 500%). They were closely followed by Ms. Lonergan’s class on 484.4% and Ms. Jones’ class on 472.7%. Special mentions to Mr. Moore’s class and Ms. Bradley’s classes on 470.9%. 

Remember, EVERY SCHOOL DAY MATTERS.

The leaderboard can be seen here (copy and paste link into browser)

https://leaderboarded.com/board/hslvgbngrggdr/?public=true