As staff prepare for the possible extension of the school closure beyond 20th April it is very important that the school has a current email address for each family through which teachers can contact parents to set up online learning platforms. Parents are asked to check that their email is correct on the school app and update as necessary. If parents have any difficulty or are unsure please email the school at office@theheathns.com or phone the school mobile 0861806094 Monday to Friday between 10am - 11am for assistance. 

As all parents are aware the government has extended the closure of all schools until Monday 20th April. While we hope schools will re-open on this date, the staff are preparing to assist pupils and parents in case of a continued closure. A survey to gather parents views was sent to all parents on Sunday 29th March. If you have not already completed this survey please do so by this Thursday 2nd April. If you require any assistance please remember that you can contact the school throughout this closure by emailing office@theheathns.com. 

Below is information from Middletown Centre for Autism which may be of benefit to parents whose children have special educational needs particularly autism.

Statement from Centre Chief Executive Mr Gary Cooper OBE
I fully appreciate that in these challenging times parents and professionals will be looking for support in relation to the children and young people that they live and work with.
At Middletown Centre for Autism I have been pleased by the approach the Centre staff have undertaken in relation to the development of a range of online resources and supports fully available wherever you may be.
This newsletter highlights a major new move for the Centre with the introduction of webinars. These specialist sessions should be of great assistance in supporting autistic children and young people and their families during the current crisis.
I have been hugely appreciative of those who have undertaken to support the Centre in the development of these new services.
I have no doubt that you will find them of great value.

Further details of how to access these sessions follows:
In the meantime I wish everyone well, stay safe and your collective support is hugely appreciated.

Middletown Centre Webinar Series March - April 2020
 
In order to provide support during the suspension of our face to face delivery Middletown is offering a series of twice weekly live webinars (with a week's break for Easter). These sessions will feature members of our own multi-disciplinary team and international speakers on a series of themes.

Please click on the link beside each name to read more about the session and register to attend a live session. Please note the live sessions will hold a maximum of 100 attendees but they will be posted on social media and on the Centre’s website so no-one will miss out on these valuable learning opportunities .

Getting Settled;

Jill McCanney - 
Introduction to Sensory Processing
Tuesday 31st March 2020 - 19:00

Jed Baker
Handling the New Normal!
Thursday 2nd April 2020 - 19:00

Life Skills and Personal Care;

Brenda Myles
Wellbeing and Being Well
Tuesday 7th April 2020 - 19:00

Jill McCanney
Personal Care
Thursday 9th April 2020 - 19:00

Play and Leisure Skills;

Lorraine Scott
Play and Leisure Skills
Tuesday 21st April 2020 - 19:00

Peter Vermeulen
Promoting Leisure, Fun and Happiness
Thursday 23rd April 2020 - 19:00

The live sessions will host a maximum of 100 delegates live and the session will be posted on social media the following day. Please consider the maximum number of places available when booking your place.
 

Click on the following link to hear a message from Padraig Clerkin CEO of the Irish Primary Principals Network. https://youtu.be/ZgIAKPko1yw
​