Time to get back into the swing of school [IrishTimes]
- Published: 24 August 2010
The summer’s nearly over, so how is your family going to manage the transition from play time to term time?
YOUR CHILDREN may still be in denial and shouting down any mention of the “S” word but it is only a matter of days now. What sort of adjustment will it be for your family? A seamless slide from summer into a new school year or will you all be traumatised by the return of early mornings and the demands of new timetables?
It makes sense to start preparing your children with gradually earlier bedtimes at least a week before. Although some parents of teenagers see no point in extended nagging and prefer to let them go “cold turkey” on the morning school reopens.
Here is a guide to getting your offspring back into the groove for a new academic year, so that everybody can get out of the house in the morning on time – with their tempers intact.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Private firm linked to fall in disability pay-outs for teachers [Independent.ie]
- Published: 24 August 2010
THE number of primary teachers being granted early retirement due to ill health has fallen sharply since a private medical company was hired to do the assessments.
Medmark, which is partly run by a brother of Green Party minister Eamon Ryan, was awarded the €700,000-plus contract to carry out all teacher health assessments in 2008.
Previously, the work was carried out by the Department of Education's chief medical officer.
The number of primary teachers granted early retirement on ill-health grounds dropped from a high of 56 in 2006 to just 32 last year, figures obtained by the Irish Independent under the Freedom of Information Act reveal. The average age of the teachers is 53.
In 2004, the number of teachers retiring early on disability grounds was 46, in 2005 it was 52 and in 2007 it was 38.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
High-visibilty vests for new pupils [Independent.ie]
- Published: 24 August 2010
Some 80,000 nervous children starting school for the first time will be given a high-visibility vest as part of a road safety campaign.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said the luminous vests would be delivered to primary schools nationwide for all junior infant pupils.
Chief executive Noel Brett also called on parents and teachers to make road safety a priority on their child's back-to-school checklist.
"Children are the most vulnerable of our road users so it is really important that they are 'streetwise' about road safety," he said.
"Parents and guardians should make a real effort to demonstrate good road safety behaviour at all times as your child will learn from your example.
"So, if your child walks or cycles to school, take them on the route in advance and make sure they know where they are going.
"If they travel by car or bus, make sure they know how important it is to put their seatbelt on at all times."
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Special TB team to check on children [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 24 August 2010
SPECIAL arrangements are being made for children who are expected to need X-rays and paediatric referrals following an outbreak of tuberculosis which will delay the re-opening of a Cork city primary school until September 6.
A special outbreak control team is heading up the investigation into the scare and the Health Service Executive (HSE) has set up an information telephone line to assist parents and allay fears following the discovery of the illness at Ballintemple National School, Cork.
The HSE said it had made arrangements with Cork University Hospital regarding anticipated radiology and paediatric referrals which will be required by children over the coming weeks.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Parents must meet criteria to get allowance [Independent.ie]
- Published: 23 August 2010
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is to help parents meet the cost of uniforms and shoes for children attending school.
The scheme runs from June 1 to September 30 each year. The allowance is provided by the Health Service Executive as part of the Supplementary Welfare Scheme.
To get the allowance, the parent or guardian must meet a number of criteria. They must be getting certain social welfare payments or payments for training, employment schemes or adult education.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
