Severe Weather Arrangements

Unfortunately, the cold snap appears to have arrived. Only in exceptional circumstances will this affect the normal running of the school. However, in such cases as severe ice, snow or dangerous weather conditions, for the children's safety, other arrangements may have to be put in place. These arrangements will be communicated to you by text as well as on the school blog. In such conditions, please keep a check on your texts as well as the school blog which will have all up to date information.

Scoil Niocláis Superstars!!!

Scoil Niocláis Sciath na Scol Champions

New Board of Management

A new Board of Management for Scoil Niocláis will be formed and in place by December 1st 2011. Two parent nominees one male one female will be appointed to this board.
A meeting will take place on Tuesday November 15th at 7pm to choose these nominees. All parents are invited to attend this meeting in the school hall which will be chaired by Fr. John Walsh.

Sciath na Scol Final 2011!

Final Fever has gripped Scoil Niocláis ahead of our Sciath na Scol final! The game will be played under lights in Pairc Uí Rinn next Wednesday 16th of November. Throw in at 8.00pm.The boys have put in some brilliant performances this year so far and came through a tense play off, to secure their place in next Wednesday's showdown. The team have been preparing well- playing an exciting brand of football- under the watchful eye of team manager Mr. Moynihan and coach Mr. O'Donovan. "We are delighted with boys attitude to date", Mr. Moynihan added, " They are a fantastic group of players and I know that they will give their all to secure victory for Scoil Niocláis next week". Both men also paid tribute to all the parents who have supported the team so well throughout the campaign. With the game being played at the later time of 8.00pm we are asking that everyone will make the effort to get to Pairc Uí Rinn and support the lads on the night.Scoil Niocláis Abú!!!

A Visit From the Lord Mayor Cllr. Terry Shannon

GAA Day 2011

Scoil Niocláis - Opening and closing times

Opening and closing times for 2011 - 2012

From Wednesday 31st August
Senior Infants:8.40a.m – 1.20p.m.
1st Class – 6th Class: 8.40a.m. – 2.20a.m.


New junior infants
Wednesday 31st August : 9a.m. – 12 noon
Thursday 1st September: 8.40 a.m. – 12 noon
Friday 2nd September: 8.40a.m. – 12 noon
Thereafter 8.40a.m. – 1.20p.m

Intercultural Day!

A sincere thank you to all the parents who helped out with our International Celebration. Some helped out by preparing food and others visited their child's class to talk about their native country and thanks to Johanna for taking part in a bi-lingual storytelling session in the infant rooms.
We all had a fantastic day enjoying all the different foods from 17 different countries. We also enjoyed hearing all the interesting facts about different countries. Well done to all the boys and girls for helping to make the day so colourful and memorable.

Intercultural Day 2011!

Booklist for Junior Infants 2011-2012

Maths
Mathemagic Junior Infants (CJ Fallon) (Single volume) €9.55

Religion
Alive-O Workbook only for Junior Infants - Veritas € 4.75

English
Just Write A1 - Educational Company € 5.75
Treasury Core Skills in English Activity Book Junior Infants- Folens €6.45

SESE
What a wonderful world (Junior Infants)(Revised Ed.) (Fallons) €7.90

Music
The Right note Junior/Senior Infants (Folens) € 8.75_
Total €43.15

Available and paid for in school in September 2011
Letter books €10
Mini whiteboards and markers

Each child must also have:
2 Plain Day Book (Red)
1 A12 Lined copy 40 page (yellow)
1 15A Project Book (Orange)
2 Hand Hugger Writing Pencils – labelled with child’s name
1 Set of Hand Hugger Colouring Pencils – all labelled with child’s name
Small Scissors – labelled
Large Pritt Stick – labelled
C.A.P.E.R. Folder (plastic carry folder)
A3 Cardboard Folder (will be kept in school)
2 A4 Cardboard Folder
1 Large scrap book


Please label all your child’s belongings.

All available in Scoil Niocláis, on Thursday 23rd June from 9.00a.m. – 2.30p.m.

Cash or Cheque only please. Separate pay points for books and for copies etc.

Booklist for Senior Infants 2011-2012

English
Just Write B1 - Educational Company € 5.30
Exercise Your English B (EdCo) € 6.95

Maths
Mathemagic Senior Infants (CJ Fallon) (Single Volume) €9.55

Gaeilge
Bun go Barr – Bunchéim B (CJ Fallon) € 9.55

Religion
Alive-O 2 Senior Infants Workbook only (Veritas) € 4.75

SESE
What A Wonderful World (Fallons)(Revised Ed.) € 7.90
Total €44.00


Music:
The Right note Junior/Senior Infants (Folens)(Children have this book from Junior Infants)
English Workbooks (Available and paid for in school in September 2011)- €10

Copies:
1 Exercise No.15 – Project copy
2 Aisling Junior Copy- ASJO9
1 copy book 88 page
1 A4 Cardboard folder
1 A12 Copy 40 page
1 Junior sums copy ASJO7

Each child must also have:
New plastic carry folder for CAPER
Small scissors, large Pritt Stick
Set of colouring pencils
3 hand hugger writing pencils
3 erasers

Please label all your child’s belongings

All available in Scoil Niocláis on Thursday 23rd June from 9.00a.m. – 10.30a.m
.
Cash or Cheque only please. Separate pay point for books and for copies etc.

Booklist for Rang 1 2011-2012

English
Exercise Your English 1 € 7.95
My Spelling Workbook B (Prim Ed ) € 6.95
Just Write 1 - Educational Company € 5.75
Jolly Phonics Wordbook (Sue LIoyd & Sara Wernham) € 2.80

Maths
Mathemagic 1 (CJ Fallon) € 12.70
New wave mental maths workbook for 1st class (Prim Ed.) €5.95
Time for Tables – EdCo € 3.10

Gaeilge
Bun go Barr 1 (CJ Fallon) € 11.95

Religion
Alive-O 3 Workbook only - Veritas € 4.75


Music
The Right Note 1st / 2nd class (Folens) € 8.75

SESE:
Windows on the World Activity book 1 (EdCo) € 9.95
Total €80.60

Copies:
2 Maths exercise [1cm. Sq.] (Big boxed maths copy)
8 Copy books 88 pages
3 A4 Cardboard Folders
1 Handwriting copy – Capital Learn to Write, B2 exercise book (blue & pink lines)
2 scrap book (48 page)
Scoil Niocláis Homework Journal (available in school shop only)

Each child must also have:
New Plastic carry folder for CAPER
Large Pritt stick
Pencil, colouring pencils, parer, pencil case, eraser, ruler, small scissors.


Please label all your child’s belongings

All available in the school shop on Thursday 23rd June from 10.30a.m. – 11.15a.m.
.
Cash or cheque only. Separate pay points for books and for copies etc.

Booklist for Rang 2 2011-2012

English
Just Write 2 – Educational Company € 5.75
Exercise Your English 2 € 7.95
My spelling Workbook C (Prim Ed) € 6.95

Maths
Mathemagic 2 (CJ Fallon) € 14.00
New Wave Mental Maths for 2nd class ( Prim Ed.) € 5.95

Gaeilge
Bun go Barr 2 (CJ Fallon) € 12.95
Ceart Litriú 2 (CJ Fallon) € 7.20

Religion
First Holy Communion + Penance (CJ Fallon) (Blue Cover) € 9.50

SESE
Windows on the World Activity Book 2 € 10.95
Total € 81.20

Music:
The Right Note (1st & 2nd class) Folens (Children have this book from 1st class)

Time for Tables ( EdCo) (Children have this book from 1st class)
Copies:
2 Maths exercise [1cm. Sq.]
1 A4 capital memorandum – 120 pages
2 Nature study copy books (blank on one side)
5 copy books 120 pages
1 B2 Headline copy
Pencil, colouring pencils, parer, eraser, ruler.
Large Pritt stick
2 New Plastic carry folder for C.A.P.E.R. and activity sheets
1 A4 cardbaord folder
1 A4 Hard back copy
Tin whistle & tin whistle book (‘Whistle along’ by Julie Ryng) (available in school shop only)
Scoil Niocláis Homework Journal (available in school shop only)


Please label all your child’s belongings.

All available in the school shop on Thursday 23rd June from 11.15a.m.–12.00pm.

Cash or cheque only please. Separate pay points for books and for copies etc.

Booklist for Rang 3 2011-2012

English:
Exercise Your English 3 € 8.95
Write on cursive handwriting (Introductory workbook)(Folens)€3.50
My Spelling Workbook Book D (Prim Ed) € 6.95
Chambers Primary Dictionary (Carroll Ed. Limited) € 9.95

Maths:
Mathemagic 3 (CJ Fallon) € 15.35
New Wave Mental Maths 3rd Class (Prim Ed.) € 5.95

Gaeilge:
Bun go Barr 3 (CJ Fallon) € 14.95
Ceart litriú 3 (CJ Fallon) € 7.20

SESE:
Atlas: Philips Folens Modern Primary School Atlas € 12.50
Music:
The Right note 3rd/4th class (Folens) € 10.35
Total: €95.65

Time for Tables (EdCo) (Children have this book from 2nd class)
Tin whistle (D) & Tin whistle book (‘Whistle along’ by Julie Ryng) (Children have these from 2nd class)

Copies
2 x 40 page exercise copy
6 x 88 page exercise copy
Handwriting copy B4
2 x Sums Copies C3 88 page
1 A4 cardboard folder
2 A4 size capital memorandum
1 x A4 Hard back copy
Scoil Niocláis Homework Journal (available in school shop only)

Each child must also have:
· New CAPER folder
· Pencil, parer, eraser, colouring pencils
· Berol Handwriting pen
· Red biro, ruler
. Large pritt stick, scissors
· A4 size Ring Binder, subject dividers & 20 plastic pockets

Please label all your child’s belongings.
All available in the school shop on Thursday 23rd June from 12.00 p.m. – 1.00pm.
Cash or Cheque only. Separate pay points for books and for copies etc.

Booklist for Rang 4 2011-2012

English:
Exercise Your English 4 (EdCo) € 8.95
My spelling workbook E (Prim Ed) €6.95
Write On cursive handwriting workbook (Folens) € 4.75
Maths:
Mathemagic 4 (CJ Fallon) €15.35
New Wave Mental Maths 4th class (Prim Ed.) € 5.95
Gaeilge:
Bun go Barr 4 (CJ Fallon) € 14.95
Ceart Litriu 4 (CJ Fallon) € 5.20
Briathra na Gaeilge: Regular and Irregular (Folens) € 6.45
Collins English-Irish, Irish-English Dictionary € 5.99
Total: €74.54
Music:
The Right Note ( 3rd & 4th Class) Folens (Children have this book from 3rd class)

Copies
6 x 88 page exercise copy
2 x Sums Copies C3 88 pages
1 x Handwriting copy B4
2 x capital memorandum 80 pages (A4 size)
Scoil Niocláis Homework Journal (available in school shop only)

Each child must also have:
· New CAPER folder
· Pencil, parer, eraser, ruler (30cm), colouring pencils
· 2 Berol Handwriting pens
· 2 Red biros
· Large Pritt stick, Scissors (left handed if necessary)
· 1 A4 size Ring Binder & Subject Dividers

Children should have the following items from 3rd class
· Music: The Right Note ( 3rd & 4th Class) Folens
· Tin Whistle & Book (available in school shop only)
· Chambers Primary Dictionary (Carroll Ed. Limited)
· Tables: Time for Tables (EdCo)
· Philips Folens Modern Primary School Atlas

Please label all your child’s belongings.
All available in the school shop on Thursday 23rd June 1.00p.m. – 2.30p.m.

Cash or Cheque only. Separate pay points for books and for copies etc.

Booklist for Rang 5 2011-2012

English:
Exercise Your English 5 ( EdCo) € 9.95
2 novels (to be decided in September) --------
My spelling workbook F (Prim Ed) € 6.95
Write on Follow up (Cursive) (Folens) € 4.75

Maths:
Mathemagic 5 (CJ Fallon) € 15.90
New Wave Mental Maths 5th class (Prim Ed.) € 5.95

Gaeilge:
Bun go Barr 5 (CJ Fallon) €15.95
Ceart Litriú 5 (CJ Fallon) € 7.20

SESE:
Fallons Map Workbook 2 (Carried on to sixth class) € 4.75
Switch on Science (Fifth class) € 8.45
Music: The Right Note (5th & 6th classes) Folens € 10.35
Total € 90.20
Copies:
4 x 88 page copies
2 x sums copies C3 , 88 page
1 x capital memorandum 64 pages A4 size
2 x capital memorandum 32 page
Small Notebook
1 x A4 Hardback copy
My Novel Workbook (available in school shop only)
Scoil Niocláis Homework Journal (available in school shop only)

Each child must also have:
New C.A.P.E.R folder
Pencil, parer, ruler, colouring pencils
2 Berol Handwriting pens, 2 red biros , large pritt stick, scissors
A 4 Ring Binder Folder & 20 plastic pockets

Children should have the following items from 4th class
· Chambers Primary Dictionnary (Carroll Ed. Limited)
· Tables: Time for Tables (EdCo)
· Briathra na Gaeilge : Regular and Irregular (Folens)
· Collins English-Irish, Irish-English Dictionary
· Atlas: Philips Folens Modern Primary School Atlas
· Tin whistle & tin whistle book (available in school shop only)


Please label all your child’s belongings.

All the above will be available in Scoil Niocláis on Thursday 23rd June from 1.00p.m. – 2.30p.m.

Cash or Cheque only. Separate pay points for books and for copies etc.

Booklist for Rang 6 2011-2012

English:
Exercise Your English 6 (EdCo) € 9.95
2 novels (to be decided in September) -------
My Spelling Workbook G (Prim Ed) € 6.95

Maths:
Mathemagic 6 (CJ Fallon) € 15.90
New Wave Mental Maths for 6th Class (Prim Ed.) € 5.95

Gaeilge: Bun go Barr 6 (CJ Fallon) € 15.95
Ceart Litriú 6 (CJ Fallon) € 7.20
SESE:
Switch on Science (Sixth Class) € 8.95
Total € 70.85

Copies:
6 x 88 page copies
2 x sums copies C3 , 88 page
2 x capital memorandum 32 pages A4 size
1 Handwriting copy B4
1 hard backed copy (9x7)
My Novel workbook (available in school shop only)
Scoil Niocláis Homework Journal (available in school shop only)

Each child must also have:
1 A4 Cardboard folder
New C.A.P.E.R folder
Pencil, parer, ruler, colouring pencils
2 Berol Handwriting pens, 2 red biros , 2 blue biros, large pritt stick, scissors (labelled)
1 A4 Ring Binder and subject dividers
Protractor & compass (maths)

Children should have the following items from 5th class
The Right Note (5th & 6th classes) Folens
Philips Folens Modern Primary School Atlas
Fallons Map Workbook 2
Time for tables (EdCo)
Briathra na Gaeilge : Regular and Irregular Verbs (Folens)
Collins English - Irish, Irish - English Dictionary
Chambers Primary Dictionary (Carroll Ed. Limited)

Please label all your child’s belongings.

All the above will be available in Scoil Niocláis on Thursday 23rd June from 9.00am – 10.30am.

Cash or Cheque only. Separate pay points for books and for copies etc.

School Calendar 2011-2012

Calendar for School Year 2011 – 2012 Scoil Niocláis

Staff Planning Day - 30th August. Only staff members attending
First Day pupils attend - 31st August.
The October 2011 Mid-Term Break - Monday 31 October to Friday 4 November inclusive.
The Christmas 2011 Break - Close Thursday 22 December, Re-open Monday 9 January, 2012.
.Staff Planning Day - 20.1.12
.The February 2012 Mid-Term Break - Monday 13 to Friday 17 February
The Easter Break 2012 - Close Friday 30 March; Re-open Monday 16 April.
School closes for summer holidays on June 29th 2012 .
Bank Holidays – 19th March 2012; 7th May 2012; 4th June 2012.

Swimming Gala 2011

Well done to all the boys and girls who participated in the swimming gala this year. All were successful in bringing home medals. Well done to all!! A big thanks to the teachers and parents involved.

Cork School Sports 2011

Well done to our Cork School Sports teams on their fantastic success in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Friday. Both boys and girls teams took home a haul of trophies! A special well done to our boys under 11 relay team who won the Rionn A County Championship. A huge word of thanks to Miss Horgan for all her hard work in organising and training the team and to Ben Flahive in lending his expertise in training.Well done to all involved!

Reconstitution of classes

Scoil Niocláis, Frankfield, Grange, Cork Roll Number: 20106E 'Phone/Fax: 021 4899567 Mobile: 086 8270057 E-mail: scnioc@eircom.net Website:www.scoilnioclais.ie Reconstitution of Classes 1. Rationale In Scoil Niocláis, four Junior Infant classes have been enrolled in the last four years. For one reason or another, some classes have had that uneven mix of pupils. This may have been due to the gender imbalance or an usual amount of pupils with special needs, language needs or children with emotional/behavioural problem in one or two classes. If this situation was allowed to continue it would mean less teaching and learning in those particular classes for the period of their primary schooling. The aim of reconstituting/mixing the classes at senior infant level is to redress this imbalance and have even mixed ability groups across the four classes. This remixing will first take affect at the end of the 2012-2013 school year, with this year’s intake of Junior Infant pupils. The principal may, in exceptional circumstances, for educational reasons reconstitute classes again further up the school e.g. third/fourth class. It is also possible that, in a large school, children can go on to secondary school without ever having the opportunity of getting to know many of the children from their own year. The Principal and staff of Scoil Niocláis have worked out a system of reconstituting classes and the system has gained wide acceptance from Board of Management(BoM), parents and teachers. The process is time consuming, depends largely for its success on the teachers who designed it, but it is widely accepted to be very worthwhile on many fronts. This method is most suitable for a large school which has three or four classes at every level. The proposal was put initially to the BoM for approval and parents were consulted. The following are the main benefits that would flow from the annual reconstitution of classes: Children would get the opportunity over the remaining years of meeting and getting to know all the children in their own year. It is very important for the social development of each child and links into the SPHE programme It would be a good preparation for secondary school, as it would help the children to get used to change within a safe environment, and with the support of friends. When they move on to secondary school, they would have a better chance of being in the same class as children they knew well and from whom they could get support and, with whom they would find it easy to form friendships. 2. Method for Reconstituting Classes Early in the second-term, the SPHE programme has a focus on ‘Friendship’ and teachers teach a series of lessons on the importance of friends and what friendship means. At the end of this process every child fills in a personal ‘Friendship Worksheet’, where they write the names of their ‘Best friends’ and their ‘Other Friends’. Teachers keep these worksheets in case questions arise later At the start of the third-term, using these worksheets, the information from test results and teachers’ observations, each teacher divides their class into three or four co-operative learning groups of approximately 6/7 children. Each working group should have the following elements: a) A good balance of abilities according to Standardised Tests, school tests and teacher observation. b) As good a gender balance as can be achieved c) At least one or two friends for each child, with this information coming from the worksheet d) Children with educational/behavioural/emotional problems in different groups where possible, but always with some friends. The children work co-operatively in these groups for the third-term, get to know each other and get used to working together. The teacher can make some changes to these groups initially if there is good reason, but the four elements listed above must be maintained In June, the teachers come together for ‘class formation’ meetings. The first new class is formed by taking one working group from each of the four classes and putting them together. The teachers can spend a number of hours at this exercise as they debate which group will work best with which other group. Teachers know best from their own professional experience and judgement. At this stage, the classes have not been allocated to any individual teacher, so it is in everybody’s best interest to get it right Class lists are finalised at the end of this process. Children and teachers know their new classes by the end of the school year before they go on holidays This process is carried out with great care and professionalism, and that the interests of every child is carefully considered. Where this process has been initiated in other schools, children adapt to it very easily, have become very open and flexible socially. We have only seen positive results. The system will be evaluated annually by the teachers and changed slightly if this is seen to be necessary. The original method may change somewhat as fine-tuning takes place. It will be mentioned in the school information booklet so that parents are fully aware of the system when they enrol their child in the school. Micheál Ó Cochláin Priomh Oide 6.4.11

New Soccer Kit

Many thanks to the Scoil Niocláis Parents Association who recently sponsored our new school soccer kit. The boys and girls will look great in their Argentina style jersies - designed by our own fashion guru and Scoil Niocláis' answer to Jose Mourihno- Mr Des Moynihan. There for the presentation of the jersies were Orla Buckley, Niamh Kelly, Fiona O'Brien and Majella Costelloe of the SNPA, along with Mr Moynihan Mr Walsh and Miss Horgan.

Sciath na Scol 2011 - Hurling match and training arrangements

Sciath na Scol 2011
Dear Parents, 21.3.11

The hurling panel for the Sciath na Scol games will be training on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2.30p.m. to 3.30.p.m in Douglas Community School pitch opposite the school on the back Douglas Road. The home matches will be played in Douglas GAA pitch. Fixtures to date below. We would like to thank all those who take part and support the blitzes, the training sessions and the selection process.

Fixtures:
Tuesday 22nd March. Training in Douglas Com. After school.
Thursday 24th March. Match Carrignabhfear. Away- Bus @1.00pm
Tuesday 29th March. Training in Douglas Com., After school.
Thursday 31st March. Training in Douglas Com., After school.
Tuesday 5th April. Training in Douglas Com. After school.
Thursday 7th April. Training in Douglas Com. After school.
Monday 11th April. Matches Vs Goggins Hill and Upper Glanmire in Caherlag. Bus @ 11.00am
Thursday 14th April. Match Vs Ballinspittle. Away bus @ 12.45
Break until the week beginning 9th May - Easter break and Confirmation.
Fixtures may be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. We will let you know as early as possible.

Go raibh maith agat.

Daithi Breatnach
Micheal O Cochlain

Seachtain na Gaeilge i Scoil Niocláis

Datai - 11.3.11 go 16.3.11

I rith seachtain na Gaeilge, deanfaimid trean-iarracht gaeilge a labhairt le cheile.

"Tir gan teanga, tir gan anam" ?

Comortas Postaer - Data Dunta - 11.3.11
Aifreann Gaeilge sa seipeal - 11.3.11
Ceili Mor - 15.3.11
E-Factor Concert - 16.3.11

Latest News

First Confession: Wednesday 2nd March @ 7.30p.m.

Sam Maguire to visit on Friday @ 10.30a.m.

Swimming Trials on Friday

Grange-Frankfield Annual Dinner Dance

The Grange/Frankfield Annual Dinner Dance will take place in the Rochestown Park Hotel on Saturday 12th March 2011.

Music by Gruve
Tickets: €30
Time: 8.00p.m. sharp

All welcome – Spot Prizes

Ticket Enquiries:
Colleen: 086-8332971
Brenda: 086-3931693
Nessa: 087-6574529
Aidan: 087-4139461
Fr. John: 021- 43617111

Camogie Team Through to Finals!

Well done to all our 5th class camogie stars who won their division to gain a place in the county finals. The girls were captained suberbly by Eadaoin Downey and showed great spirit and skill in winning all their matches. Best of luck in the finals, we are sure Ms. Holland will have them ready and raring to go!

School closure

Scoil Niocláis will remain closed on Friday 11.2.11 for staff planning day.

Hurlers Through to County Finals

Well done to our 4th Class hurlers who won their division to gain a place in the county finals. The boys played a fantastic brand of tough fast hurling and showed great determination in winning by a "golden goal" in extra time in the final.

Important Dates for your diary

Staff meeting: Thursday 20.1.11 - Children going home at 12 noon; Infants go home at 11.45a.m. Planning Day : 11.2.11 - School closed First Confession: Wednesday 2.3.11 Mid-Term Break: School closed from 21.2.11 – 25.2.11 inclusive St. Patrick’s Weekend: School closed on Thursday and Friday 17th and 18th March Easter Holidays: 15.4.11 – 2.5.11 School re-opening - 3.5.11 Confirmation: Wednesday 4.5.11 First Communion : Saturday 14.5.11

Staff Meeting - 20.1.11

A staff meeting will be held on the 20th January 2011. Infants will be going home at 11.45a.m. and the pupils from the other classes at 12 noon.

Swine Flu - new threat Dept of Education and Skills information

Frequently asked questions: Influenza (flu) information for parents
Seasonal influenza 2010-2011
Version 1.0 6th January 2011

http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/pha_flu_faq_2011.pdf

The following advice is for parents of children in all educational institutions, including crèches, childcare, schools, and third level institutions. Unless otherwise mentioned ‘educational institution’ applies to all of the above. We are now experiencing our annual flu season and, as had been expected, this year the predominant flu virus is the H1N1 virus also known as swine flu. We are now seeing a major rise in people attending GPs and GP out of hours services with flu like illnesses.

Is influenza dangerous?
Most people infected with the influenza virus have a mild to moderate illness, but some have more severe illness.

What are the symptoms of influenza?The symptoms of flu include:
· Temperature over 38 ºC/100.4 ºF that begins suddenly and some of
the following:
o Dry cough
o Sore throat
o Muscle aches and pains
o Headache
o Runny nose
o Severe weakness and fatigue
o Vomiting/diarrhoea (in some cases)

What are the differences between influenza and the common cold?
It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and flu. The main difference is that the symptoms of influenza come on rapidly and are typically accompanied by muscle aches and a fever. The common cold has a more gradual onset and is associated with a runny nose and sneezing. For a full list of differences between influenza and the common cold, please see the table below.

Symptoms	Influenza	Common Cold
Onset	Sudden	Slow
Fever	Characteristically High (≥38oC or 100oF)	Rare
Headache	Prominent	Rare
General aches and pains	Usual, often severe	Rare
Fatigue, weakness	Can be prolonged for a number of weeks	Quite mild
Extreme exhaustion	Early and prominent	Never
Runny nose	Common	Common
Sneezing	Common	Usual
Sore throat	Common	Common
Cough	Common, can be severe	Mild to moderate, hacking cough
Diarrhoea, vomiting	Sometimes	Not associated with the common cold in adults

How does influenza spread?
Flu virus spreads from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus (for example a tissue or door handle touched by the infected person) and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

What should I do as a parent?
Two important actions to protect your family
1. Be aware of the symptoms of flu-like illness and know where to seek medical care.
See below.
2. Teach your children the following good health habits to help stop the spread of germs:
· Teach your children to cover their mouth and nose with a paper tissue when coughing or
sneezing. If no tissue is available they should cough or sneeze into the inside of their elbow.
Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
· Teach your children to use a tissue only once and dispose of it quickly and carefully (a
dustbin is fine).
· Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Be sure to set a
good example by doing this yourself. If they do not have access to hand washing facilities
give them alcohol hand gel to use.
· Teach your children to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
· Teach your children to stay at least 1 metre/3 feet away from people who are sick.
· Children who are sick should always stay home from the school. If they have influenza they
should stay away from the educational institution for 7 days from the onset of symptoms.
· Wash hard surfaces such as kitchen worktops, door handles, etc with a normal household
cleaner as the virus can live on these surfaces. Do this frequently.

What should I do if my child gets sick?
If your child gets sick with a flu-like illness as described above you should:
· Keep your child at home and away from others as much as is possible to avoid spreading
infection to others. If they are sick with flu they should stay home for 7 days from the onset
of symptoms.
· Give your child simple anti-fever medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (NB aspirin
should NOT be given to children under 16 years of age) and ensure they drink plenty of
fluids.
· If you think your child needs to see the GP because they have severe symptoms, remember
to ring your GP first.
· If your child is in a high risk group for complications of flu contact your GP, even if their
symptoms are mild (High risk groups include people with: chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver,
or neurological disease; immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment);
diabetes mellitus; people aged 65 years and older; children <2years;>

Should educational institutions be doing anything to prevent the spread of influenza?

Yes, like parents, educational institutions should encourage and facilitate everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like flu including: · Children should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If no

tissue is available they should cough or sneeze into the inside of their elbow. Children should

use a tissue only once and dispose of it quickly and carefully (a bin is fine). This is known as

respiratory etiquette.
· Children should wash their hands frequently with soap and water.
Where soap and water is not readily available alcohol based hand gel can be used.
· Children should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
· Wash hard surfaces such as kitchen worktops, door handles, etc frequently with a normal

household cleaner as the virus can live on these.
Educational institutions should put up posters on respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene and

ensure that children have access to suitable hand washing facilities. Posters can be found on the HPSC website as indicated below.

Is there a vaccine against seasonal influenza?
A vaccine is an injection which prevents a person getting a particular disease. It works by strengthening the body’s immune system. The vaccine must be given before the person is infected with the disease. The flu vaccine for the 2010-2011 influenza season covers the strains of flu that are currently known to be circulating in Ireland, including pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (swine flu) which is the predominant strain of influenza circulating at present. Vaccination is recommended for people at high risk of complications.

Who are the high risk groups that should receive seasonal influenza vaccine?
1. All those 65 years and older.
2. Adults and children over 6 months of age with any of the following: chronic illness requiring regular follow up (e.g. chronic respiratory disease including cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, chronic heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic neurological disease, diabetes mellitus, haemoglobinopathies, chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system etc).
3. Pregnant women and women up to 6 weeks post birth who are not in a medically at risk group and who have not already received pandemic (H1N1)2009 vaccine (can be given at any stage of pregnancy). Pregnant women in medical risk groups should receive this year’s seasonal influenza vaccine whether or not they received pandemic influenza vaccine.
4. Those who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment including those with missing or non-functioning spleens.
5. Children and teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy.
6. Children with any condition (e.g. cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injury, seizure disorder, or other neuromuscular disorder) that can compromise respiratory function, especially those attending special schools/ day centres.
7. Those with morbid obesity i.e. Body Mass Index ≥ 40.
8. Residents of nursing homes, old peoples’ homes and other long stay
facilities.
9. Healthcare staff including those on clinical placement. All pregnant health care workers should be encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine (even if they received the pandemic vaccine last year).
10. Carers who have direct patient contact.

Are there medicines to treat influenza?
Yes, there are medicines known as anti-virals that can be used to treat flu. However, as most cases of influenza will be mild, anti-viral treatment will only be necessary in a small proportion of cases. Doctors will assess each case but the following groups are the ones most likely to require treatment with anti-virals:
• Patients who appear to have severe symptoms or
• Patients who are in defined high risk groups as above.

Further information Posters:
http://www.ndsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Gastroenteric/Handwashing/Posters/
http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/AZ/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Infectioncontroladvice/File,3599,en.pdf
Guidance on seasonal influenza:
http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/