Holy Family N.S. Rathmore Co.Kerry P51 N290

Dear Principal,

For your attention, please see note below from the HSE’s Child Health, Public Health Programme regarding the significant rise in RSV/Bronchiolitis 

DATE: 20 November 2023

We often see a large increase in infections in winter. 

Significant increase in RSV infections

We are currently seeing a significant increase in the RSV virus (https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/), a common winter viral infection which is of particular concern for babies. 

Typical symptoms of RSV

Symptoms of viral infections, including RSV typically include:

• runny or blocked nose
• mild fever
• cough 
• lethargy (tiredness)

Most children with viral infections, including RSV can safely be cared for at home. More information can be found at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/. However, in babies and young children, (particularly those under 5 years), bronchiolitis can cause more significant difficulties in breathing and feeding. Babies and young children are more likely to need hospital care. (More details on on how to take care of a baby with bronchiolitis at home and when to get help can be found here https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/bronchiolitis/)

Important messages for families and children regarding anyinfections: 

1. The most important measure is for your child to stay home from school and activities if your child is unwell.

Many children might have a runny nose or a slight cough in winter season and still feel well. However, if a child is feeling unwell they should stay at home and away from school and activities until their symptoms have finished and they are feeling well. 

See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/

Children who are unwell with one infection are more likely to get another infection, and may become more significantly unwell. Therefore staying at home will protect your child from other viruses while they are unwell, which may well also be circulating. 

Further, Children with symptoms are more likely to spread infections. Staying home when unwell will help prevent spread to other children, families and staff. This is important particularly in primary schools where other children in their class may have younger siblings and babies at home.

Children who have had a viral infection, like bronchiolitis, may have a persistent cough after infection for a few weeks; once the fever and any other symptoms have finished, they should not be excluded because of this persistent cough alone. 

Staff: if staff are unwell they also should not attend until their symptoms have resolved. 

Older children and staff may not be particularly unwell with RSV, but babies and young children can become very unwell with the infection, therefore taking infection prevention and control measures are very important. 

1. Infection, prevention and control measures 

• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Keep hands clean

Measures that we all got used to with Covid-19 are still important. They should be encouraged for everyone. These measures help stop the spread of infection.

1. Vaccination

Making sure your child is up to date on all recommended childhood vaccinations will help: 

• stop your child getting an infection and 
• make them less likely to be unwell if they do get an infection

Routine childhood vaccinations protect against many significant viral and bacterial infections. 

More information is available at https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/vaccines-your-child/

There is currently no vaccine routinely available against RSV infection; but there are vaccines available and recommended for flu and Covid-19.

Flu vaccine

The free nasal spray flu vaccine is available for children aged 2 to 12 years from GP and pharmacies. It helps protect your children from getting seriously ill with the flu, as well as helping to protect babies and grandparents in the family. 

See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/

Many adults are also recommended to have the flu vaccine. More information is available at 

www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/getting-the-vaccine/

Vaccination for Covid-19 is recommended particularly for children with weak immune systems 

www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/children/

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Well done to all the boys and girls who engaged with science week at home. Here are a few snaps of some of our pupils and their experiments …scientists in the making 🙌😄🔬🧫⚗️🔬

Dear Parents/Guardians,

All pupils are invited to wear red on Monday as the County Junior Cup together with the Rathmore Hurlers will visit the school.

Kind regards,

PH

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please see email below from Kerry Hession from Orchard Fostering. 

Kind regards

PH

Hello,

I hope this email finds you well.

My name is Kerry and I am a social care worker with Orchard Fostering.

We are appealing for anyone who has ever considered fostering or would like some information about becoming a foster carer to please reach out to us.

Currently there are less than 4,000 foster carers across Ireland with over 5,000 children in foster care and we are appealing to schools and local communities to spread the word for the ongoing need for foster carers.

Foster care provides a safe, secure and stable home environment for the most vulnerable in our society and are a core part of ensuring children who need foster care are cared for in a loving, home environment.

The links to our website, email and social media channels;

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Email

Information Booklets can be obtained from the school office.

Many Thanks,

Kerry

Congratulations to this years Art competition winners in Rathmore Community Centre. The theme of this years competition was ‘Me and my community’. 🎨👏

Fantastic day celebrating chess. Our 3rd to 6th class pupils played in a Ficheall organised online chess tournament. 

 5th and 6th Class Master's Evening Tournament

6th class doing our weekly litter picking. 

 Science Week

Tuesday 14th November to Tuesday 21st November

We are delighted to be supporting this weeks events. 

We also have an incentive for the children in the school to participate in the weeks events. 

If they engage in a science activity/complete a science experiment at home they will receive a Science Award Certificate and will get HOMEWORK OFF for one night. 

Below are some experiments you could try or if you have some of your own even better.

What's the catch??!!

You have to show that you engaged with/completed the experiment....

HOW DO YOU DO THIS:

1: Bring in your experiment to your class teacher 

OR

2: Send ONE picture of it to

hfnsrathmorekerry07@gmail.com.

Remember to put your name in the subject box.

Enjoy