Dear Families,

I hope that you all enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing break with your loved ones, either virtually or in person over Christmas. The end of 2021 gives us all time to reflect on the year gone by and to look forward and try to embrace 2022 with positivity and optimism. We are all delighted here in St.Christopher's to welcome the children back in person for the start of the new term and have installed air purifiers with HEPA filters in every room in the school as another layer of protection for the school community.

Our parents' classes are up and running again this month. To sign up for a class please email hscl@scps.ie. All classes are held in the Parish Centre and participants are required to show their Covid certificate and to wear masks throughout.

Monday: 9:00 - 10:00 (start date 17th January)

Strengthen, Tone and Stretch with Elaine

Tuesday: 9:00 - 11:00 (start date 18th January)

beginners and improvers Art with John

Thursday: 9:00 - 11:00 (start date 13th January)

Yogalates with Tara

Friday: 9:00 - 10:00 (start date 14th January)

Pilates with Elaine

We are extremely lucky here in St.Christopher's to be able to offer our children a variety of different sports throughout the year. We have built up great relationships with local clubs and coaches in the community and they are always open to receiving new members. This term here is what each class will be doing:

Junior Infants: G.A.A coaching (local club is Clanna Gael Fontenoy)

Senior Infants: Hockey (coaches from Railway Union)

1st Class: Dance (with Elaine Chapman)

2nd Class: Touch Rugby (coaches from Wanderers)

3rd Class: Fencing (Fencing Ireland)

4th Class: Swimming (Mespil Pool)

5th Class: Hockey (coaches from Railway Union)

6th Class: Dance and conditioning (with Elaine Chapman)

As we continue to adapt our lifestyles to deal with COVID-19 and are faced with different challenges, Minding Your Wellbeing aims to provide simple tools and guidance to develop and maintain a positive outlook by looking after our mental health and wellbeing.

The programme consists of 5 video sessions (of about 20 minutes each) and it’s free to access anytime.

1. Practicing Self-care
2. Understanding Our Thoughts
3. Exploring Emotions
4. Building positive Relationships
5. Improving Our Resilience

See link below:

https://childrenshealthireland.ie/connolly/self-care-health-and-well-being/

The Health Budget in 2022 will be €22 billion, more than 60% higher than five years ago. Here are some entitlements that you may not know about:

• Primary Medical Cover: A Medical Card entitles you to most health services free. A GP Visit Card covers the cost of visits to the doctor. These cards are means tested based on net income and will be granted if your family's remaining income after deductions does not exceed specific guidelines.
• Children under 6 qualify for a GP Card regardless of parent's means. This will be extended to under 8s during 2022.
• Drug Refund: Any individual or family can get a refund on the cost of prescribed drugs used in any month in excess of €100 provided the drug is on the Government list.

Covid has put families under huge pressure. Here are some important entitlements for you now:

• Free Early Childhood Care and Education is available for two years to any child aged more than 2 years and 8 months until they are 5 years and 6 months , and covers 3 hours daily. An eligible child must enrol in September.
• AIM (Access Inclusion Model) supports participation by children with special needs, through a range of supports. See www.pobal.ie If a child has a diagnosis of autism, they can access 10 hours of home tuition per week from age 2.5, and from age 3 a place in Early Intervention Class (if available) or 20 hours home tuition until school entry.
• The Basic Child payments in 2022 are:
• Universal Child Benefit €140.00 (Under 18)
• Child payment on Welfare €40.00 (Under 12) €48.00 (Age 12+)
• Back to School €160.00 (Under 12) €285.00 (Age 12+)
• Maternity Leave is 26 weeks (or longer if the baby is premature), with 16 additional weeks unpaid. Paternity Benefit for 2 weeks is payable during the first 6 months after births or adoptions.