On the 6th January, our Taoiseach announced that school buildings are to remain closed for the month of January. This was initially for mainstream classes only. However, we then learned on the 7th January that our special classes would also remain closed for the moment.

This means that distance learning commences for all classes from the 11th January. We are relieved to have our Distance Learning plan prepared, along with having spent time last term allowing everyone to become familiar with the plan and work on the relevant skills needed. 

Remember, there are lots of resources and supports available. We created a specific area on our website for these during the last building closures - have a look if you wish. We look forward to working with our community over the coming weeks and hope everyone is keeping safe and well during this time. 

The 17th of December will always be an important date in Citywest ETNS - it was the date we finally got the keys to our fabulous new school building, after 7 and a half years in temporary accomodation. 

December 2019
We were so thrilled to finally get the keys for our new school building. Our ribbon-cutting ceremony was a wonderful day for our staff, who had spent the previous weeks and months packing everything we owned into boxes for moving! 

January 2020
On the 6th January, we welcomed our pupils for the first time! We held a ribbon cutting ceremony for each class level to officially open the classrooms. We were blown away by our gorgeous new classrooms and new spaces to explore - the hall, the library, the colour-coded classrooms and staircases, the dedicated wing for our autism classes, the basketball courts, outdoor classroom, running track and so much more!

In January, we spent a lot of time learning about our new building, navigating our way around, unpacking the 100s and 100s of boxes and just enjoying being in our new surroundings. We didn't even have internet or a phone connection, but we managed just fine! 

February 2020: 
February was another busy month as we continued to settle into our new building. Our walls began to be decorated with artwork. We welcomed back our GAA and basketball coaches and began to work on our Spring Concerts.

​We were also delighted to welcome our parents and guardians for Parent-Teacher meetings for all classes. 

March 2020: 
In March, we continued to enjoy our new school building. We were delighted to learn that we would be opening our new Early Intervention class for children with autism in September. We began doing the Daily Mile, with classes utilizing our running track. We welcomed the Sam Maguire cup to our school for another year.

Then, on the 12th March, we learned that our Taoiseach was closing all schools in the entire country, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Little did we know that we wouldn't be able to reopen the building again until the middle of August.

We had to quickly adapt to teaching and learning online. We set up a whole section of our website, which was dedicated to distance learning. We continued to celebrate our pupils and their work, in a virtual way.

Our Board of Management also made a very generous donation to Barnardos during this difficult time. 

April 2020
In April, we were beginning to realise that our building would be closed for quite some time. We set up Seesaw for all pupils, to make teaching and learning more accessible. We conducted parent and staff surveys to see what would work best during this time. 

We began to host our staff meetings on Zoom. We celebrated World Autism Awareness Day.

May 2020
As summer approached, we were still conducting teaching and learning online. We were missing each other, but we were finding new ways to stay connected, through class zooms and assemblies. We launched Well-being Fortnight, which was a way to get our whole community involved with our school activities. Caitríona began uploading daily videos from our school campus, which helped us to stay connected to our building.

Later in May we celebrated Language Fortnight - a fabulous two weeks where our pupils could teach us all about the languages they know. In addition, we were able to set up for the distribution of school books.  
Our Parents Association also launched the Our School Rocks project.

June 2020
As June rolled around, we began to wind up for the summer break. We hosted our virtual Information Evening for incoming pupils, who would be new to our school in September. We finished off our teaching and learning for the year, with our final assemblies and Zoom calls. End-of-year report cards were sent out, while our pupils learned which teachers and ANAs they would be working with in September. We also celebrated Diversity Fortnight and Active Fortnight.

Finally, we hosted Graduation for our 6th class pupils - the children who had been our first ever Junior Infants had reached the end of their Citywest ETNS journey! Our community played a big part in helping to make this day special, even helping us to do a virtual Guard of Honour for our wonderful graduates. 

While all of this was going on, Caitríona, the Board of Management and school staff were looking ahead to the new school year and to finally being able to reopen our school building. 

July 2020
During the month of July, we awaited further guidance on the reopening of schools. We were excited to announce that we would be running Summer Provision in August, with our largest ever cohort of pupils attending. 

August 2020
August saw our school campus become a busy place once again - we were so thrilled to be back! We welcomed children back to the building for the first time in 5 months for the two weeks of Summer Provision.



​The Board of Management ratified the school Covid Response Plan and our staff got to work preparing the school for the return of all of our pupils. Sanitising stations were installed, PPE was ordered and distributed, new procedures and protocols were implemented, classrooms were laid out, signs were mounted, videos were created to help to welcome back our pupils... along with lots of meetings and discussions to ensure we were prepared. 

On the 29th and 30th August, we finally welcomed our pupils back to school for the first time since the 12th March! 

September 2020
​In the month of September, we prioritised certain areas of school life - re-integrating our pupils after a long break from the building, learning new procedures and systems, focusing on Well-being and re-connecting with one another. Our pupils did us proud, adapting so well to the new normal. We welcomed some new members of staff too!

We began to settle back into our building, which was still so new to us - our new photocopiers were delivered, we started to use our outdoor classroom and new outdoor sheds, we got used to the new procedures. We also began to attend assembly on Zoom each Friday. Our staff also officially began their Restorative Practice training. 

Caitríona and Anita met with our school inspector near the end of September, to discuss the reopening. We also became an established school as we reached our designated number of pupils, meaning we are no longer a developing school - what an historic moment for our school!

October 2020
The big news in October was that our new Student Council was announced. We were thrilled to meet the new group of children who will represent their peers this year. They already have some big ideas! 

In October, our pupils and staff continued to do a brilliant job in adapting to the new procedures and protocols. We also focused on the development of our Distance Learning skills, in case of any future school building closures. 

November 2020
In November, we continued to work hard in school. Our corridors slowly became more colourful and decorated as our pupils created some wonderful projects and artwork. 

The Stay Safe programme was commenced in almost all classes. Zoom assemblies continued on Friday morning, with pupils being nominated for the Golden Book for showing examples of our Learn Together value of the month. 

December 2020
And so here we are... exactly one year on from our Big Move!

This December is a lot different to last year. By now, our boxes are all unpacked and we are firmly settled into our building. We are currently celebrating our first ever Creative Fortnight, which feels like the perfect way to finish out the year - celebrating our wonderful pupils and their many talents!

It really has been a year like no other, but we are so grateful for our wonderful school community and this building - our forever home! 

During the period of distance learning in Term 3 of last year, our Parents Association (PA) launched the wonderful 'Our School Rocks' initiative. It was a wonderful way to help our community to feel more connected, despite not being together. 

Fast forward to this term, and our new Student Council decided it would be a great idea to collaborate with the PA and continue the project. They have invited every pupil in the school to design and decorate their own rock, which will then be placed along the raised beds in our school garden. Our classes have been busy working away on their rocks and it has tied in nicely with the start of Creative Fortnight. Our classes will be able to take a walk around the garden and see the wonderful creativity of every other child in the school - how cool is that!? 

Some classes have already gotten stuck in - check out the designs created by Ruth's and Martha's classes!

This week, our focus for the Golden Book is respect, which is our value for December. 

Have a read of all of the pupils who were nominated this week: 

• Aariz in Martha's class has been actively trying to be much more caring towards all of his classmates. He is doing a great job. Keep it up Aariz!
• Isabella in Sarah L''s class is so kind to the others at her table. Isabella gently handed her friend the pencil cases when it was his turn to put them away. Well done for thinking of others Isabella!
• ​Karlene, Beau and Rebecca from Aoife's 4th class were very caring to a classmate who got injured on yard. Well done!
• Dominika in 4th class always takes care to check her social distance. She always stands back to give others space when she moves around the classroom.
  
• Mekhael and Oscar in Stephanie's 5th class are nominated for always being kind and polite to everyone in our class. Well done to you both!
  
• There is a rainbow pencil in Ruth M's Junior Infant class that all of the children wanted. Curtis waited his turn to use it and then he gave it to another child without being asked. He was really caring - well done, Curtis!
  
• Will in 3rd class asked another pupil if they were OK. Very thoughful and caring, Will. 
  
• James in 2nd class waited patiently while 3rd class came through the yellow door. He remembered to keep a distance between himself and the class. Thanks, James!
• Rachel, Sharlote, Emily, Tharu, Chau An and Fatima in Emer's 1st class always show such amazing respect and kindness to their friends.
  
• Lake in Laura's Senior Infants showed respect for his classroom by offering to mop and clean water that splashed on the floor during hand-washing.
  
• Ollie in Sarah L's class showed respect to his friends when they reviewed their creations during Play Rota. Ollie sat nicely and listened to his friends. Keep it up Ollie!
  
• Cillian in Deirdre's class showed respect when he shared his art materials. He wanted people to be included - well done!
  
• Hajrah and Dalia in 5th class are nominated for always showing respect to the teacher and her friends in class.
  
• Hanna in Ruth Maxwell's class let another child have a turn with a phone during Play Rota before she had a turn with it.
  
• Kyle and Racibor in 6th class are nominated this week for listening to their better judgement. They said 'no' when asked to participate in something that didn't feel right to them.
  
• Khadijah from Laura's Senior Infants shows respect and kindness to her teacher by greeting her with eye-contact and a smile each morning.
  
• Lukas in Sarah L's class has been so respectful to his friends. Lukas sat so nicely and looked at his friends when they were presenting their creations. Great job Lukas!
  
• Susie, Muireann, Cara Belle, Aukse from Deirdre's Senior Infants are nominated this week. They could not decide which game to play at yard time, so they compromised and combined the games instead!
  
• Another person asked Mateusz to stop chasing him on yard as he didn't like it. Mateusz stopped what he was doing which was very respectful of the other person. Well done, Mateusz!
• Emilia in 3rd class always shows respect to her teachers and others in her class. She does this by listening to others.
  
• Well done to Shane in Stephanies 5th class for making a super effort social distancing in the line on Wednesday coming in from yard, and for also sweeping up under his table at the end of the day for his pod.
  

This assembly marks the last Friday in the month of November. As we move into December, we move from celebrating the value of caring, to celebrating the value of respect. You can see our ten values for each month here!

Take a look at the nominations for this week: 

• Well done to Joel in 4th class for volunteering to give up some Golden Time to help their teacher with some jobs in the classroom. How kind and caring!
• Jonathan in Sarah O'T's 4th class is nominated this week for always showing beautiful manners and letting others go ahead of him. He is also always so careful to keep a safe social distance.
• Well done to Jessica in 4th class, who always shows such a great attitude to her work. She always tries her best and always does it with a smile!
• Laya in Sarah L's class is so caring. She is so kind to Sarah, Sinead and her friends. Keep it up Laya!
• Giulio, in Emer's 1st class always walks so quietly and carefully in our line. This shows how caring he is towards our line.
• Maja in Laura's Senior Infant class was kind and caring to a new child that started in her class this week. She helped her to feel welcome and comfortable.
• When a child hurt themselves during P.E., Oscar and Aaliyah showed great care towards their friend, asking if she was OK and using kind, positive words to make her feel better.
• Ben in Deirdre's class is a wonderful ceannaire for his pod. He puts a big effort into being organised and helping others.
• Both 5th Classes are nomiated for their super effort at learning from home last week!
• Well done to Ryan, Leo, Charlie, Daniel, Daniela and Julia in 5th class for their amazing effort at social distancing in the line this week! Keep up the great work!
• Sarah in Sarah L's class is always so kind and caring to her friends. Keep it up Sarah!
• Lisa's 2nd class were nominated for having such a super week back, after their time learning at home. Well done!

Our certificates this week were: 

• Best líne: Amy's class
• Friendliest class: Claire's class
• Cleanest bathrooms: Ruth M's and Sarah L's classes
• Cleanest classroom: Trisha's class

​This week was a busy one in Citywest ETNS... but no matter what happens, we are so proud to say that our pupils are still working hard and always making sure that our school is a kind and caring place. This week, we have lots more nominations for the Golden Book, with a particular focus on the value of caring. 

• Nahla in Emer's 1st class is always so eager to help organise things in her classroom. This shows how caring she is towards the classroom belongings.
• Lily in Emer's 1st class was so caring when she told an adult that someone was hurt on yard. Well done, Lily!
• Well done to Malcolm in Trisha's 4th class for such great work on SeeSaw every day. 
• ​Leila in Lisa's 2nd Class is nominated this week for working really well at home on her spelling and handwriting.
• Arti from Laura's Senior Infants was kind, caring and respectful towards his substitute teacher, Hazel, this week. He helped her to feel comfortable, supported and welcomed. Thank you, Arti!
• Well done to Daniel R in 2nd class for helping to fix another child's hood when it came off his jacket. 
• Well done to Robyn and Sienna in 2nd class for helping another child when she fell. 
• Ameila in Andrea's class was very caring when she brought in another child's coat from yard, after he had forgotten it. 
• Hanna in Sarah's 4th class is always so cheerful in school and is so friendly to her classmates. Well done Hanna!
• Jacob from Deirdre's Senior Infants listened carefully to his friends when they had a problem and he worked with them to come up with a solution.
• O​llie in Orla's class has been doing lovely sharing this week. Well done, Ollie!
  
• Arav in Ruth's Junior Infants was caring when he told Sinéad that his friend had been hurt while on the yard.
• Filip in Sarah L's class kindly handed the sound cards to another child, when it was her turn. Filip was so caring, he made sure everyone got a turn. Well done Filip!
• Ciprian in Sarah L's class has done so well this week. When in the line, he always gently reminds the pod leader that they stand at the front. He is so caring to his friends. Well done Ciprian!
• Well done to Ameila in 2nd class, who is nominated for being a great help to the teachers working in her class this week. 
• Alicja in Lisa's class is nominated for working so hard on Seesaw this week - well done, Alicja!
• A big thank-you to Aoife's 4th class who always fix the barriers on yard to make yard time safe, without being asked!
• Sam in Lisa's class has been trying his best with his work on Seesaw this week. Well done, Sam! 
• Mia from Martha's 3rd class is always caring and kind in school. Well done, Mia!
• Joel in Sarah's 4th class is always kind and respectful to children and adults. His teacher is always so impressed with his maturity and great attitude at school!
• Siaa and Aaliyah in 3rd class were really kind and caring to their classmate, who was upset while doing his work. They gave him the encouragement to continue his work - what a lovely thing to do for your classmate! 

The certificates this week were as follows: 

• Cleanest bathroom: Claire's class
• Cleanest classroom: Ruth McEvoy's class
• Best líne: Sarah L.'s class
• Friendliest class: Laura's class

Have a look at our Golden Book nominations for this week! The value for November is caring. 

• William from Emer's 1st class was very caring and welcoming to Abel who was visiting from Claire's class.
• Corey from Sarah C's 1st class told his friend on yard that her shoe lace was open. This was a very caring gesture.
  
• In Ruth's Junior Infant class, they are are working on showing they are a caring class by having nice manners. Amy remembered to say thank you to Sinead when she was given hand sanitiser without being reminded. Well done, Amy!
• Risha in Ruth's class cleaned all the art equipment for her pod after they were finished painting. This was such a caring thing to do!
  
• Praise in 4th class showed concern for his teacher and how she was feeling, when she looked tired. Well done on caring for the adults in the school, Praise! 
  
• Jade from 4th class is nominated for always showing such lovely manners to everyone. It's so lovely to see. Well done Jade!
  
• Cian and Ana Julia in 6th class cleaned up the sink area in their classroom after using clay. It was a mess and they did and amazing job. Thank you!
  
• Daniel in Stephen's 6th class has been helping another child with his learning this week. He is really calm and explains everything slowly and thoroughly. Well done, Daniel!
  
• Well done to Calista and Richard who always wish their teacher a good evening before they go home every day. What a caring thing to do! 
  
• Hanna in 2nd class invited another child to play, when she looked lonely at yard time. Well done, Hannah! 
• Sarah in Laura's Senior Infants showed consideration and care to the children at her pod by collecting worksheets and tidying the table during a busy time in the classroom. The children at her pod said a big "thank you!" to her.
  
• Paddy in Laura's class showed care and respect for the toys he was playing with by tidying them away carefully and safely. Thank you, Paddy!
  
• Ali in Deirdre's class showed care and respect by leaving his classroom with an adult without any fuss. Well done, Ali!
  
• Brandon in Claire's class is nominated this week for a lovely act of caring. One of his classmates fell off their chair and Brandon got up, picked up his friend's chair and went to see if he was okay. It really showed he was looking after and caring for his friend.
  
• Well done to Gabrys in 2nd class for always checking in with his friends in Claire's class and putting a smile on their faces every morning!
  
• Well done to Eesha for always doing great social distancing. Eesha always steps back and watches her space when someone is too close. Well done, Eesha!
  
• Anastasia in 4th class was very helpful and caring to her friend who had a foot injury this week.
  
• Olivia in Sarah L's class is always so kind and caring to others. Well done Olivia, keep it up!
  
• Well doen to Muireann and Aukse, who both showed they cared about the people in their pod by sharing and helping to tidy. Well done!
  
• Adam in Ruth's Junior Infant class saw that another child had dropped some lunch on the floor and he kindly told her. He did not pick it up as he was in another pod but he was very helpful and kind.
  
• Grace in Martha's class was very caring this week towards her friend when they hurt themselves on yard.
  
• Angela from Ruth Mc's class showed care in her classroom. She picked up the scrap paper (even the tiny pieces!) off the floor and put them into the bin, making her classroom a tidy space to be in.
  
• Vivien in Sarah L's class had a great week! Vivien worked hard all week and was great at listening. Well done Vivien!
  
• Áine in Martha's class was very caring to her teacher when her teacher knocked something over accidentally. She straight away offered to get some paper towels to help.
  
• Well done to Sarah C's 1st class for being super helpers for the teachers who taught their class this week. Keep up the great work! 
  

We are now in the first week of November, meaning we have a new core value to celebrate: caring. We can care for others, for ourselves, for the environment, for our belongings, for school property, for our families... the list goes on. We always try to be a caring school, but this month, we put an extra emphasis on it!

We were so impressed with the caring actions of our pupils this week: 

• Oscar in 3rd class went to check if another child was ok, when he saw that they had fallen on the way to yard. He kindly walked with him to yard, making sure that he was OK.
• James from Sarah's Junior Infant class went to check that his classmate was ok, after she fell. He also helped her to get up off the ground. 
• Laura’s Senior Infant class have been caring and thoughtful this week by walking past 5th Class classrooms so quietly on their Daily Mile!
• Ryan in Stephanie’s 5th Class is nominated this week for always being caring towards others who get hurt on yard.
• Liam, also from Stephanies 5th Class is nominated for looking after another child who hurt his finger on yard.
• Matejus in Sarah L's class was so caring to his friend James. He said 'great job James' when his friend succeeded in his Maths task. Well done Matejus!
• Well done to Azlan, Shanu, Saatvik and Dominic in Deirdre's S.I., for using caring and kind voices to remind their friends about our safety rules.
• Alekss in Laura's SI class was concerned for his friend when he fell on yard. He cared for him by rushing to help and by telling an adult.
• James, Ethan and Koby in Ruth Mc's J.I. class are nominated for being very friendly and kind to a boy in Orla's class who was looking to make some new friends.
• Aria Ruth Mc's class helped another child when she fell on the yard and stayed with her to make sure she was OK.
• Nicholas and Max from Emer's 1st class, helped to tidy up the PE equipment, which showed that they were caring for their classroom and belongings.
• Mikael in Sarah L's class is always so caring to the others in his class. He always makes sure his friends are happy and ok! Well done Mikael.
• Bennie in Orla's class was really caring towards his classmates when he helped to set up the lunch table for everyone, making sure they had what they needed. Well done, Bennie!
• Well done to Lora in Lisa's 2nd Class for being so kind to someone who fell on yard, making sure they were ok and checking in on them afterwards.
• Matthew in Lisa's 2nd Class is nomiated for offering to clean up all the paint and paintbrushes after Art no matter how long it took.
• David in 4th class noticed a classmate got hurt on yard and stopped playing to check on him.
• Well done to Michael in 3rd class for pausing to let a staff member pass in the morning, but also making sure that his line stayed socially distanced when he stopped.
• Jaee and Manu in Aoife's 4th always remember to take the First Aid bag when leaving the classroom.
• Conor and Arminas in Aoife's 4th for make sure their pods are socially distanced when lining up.
• Anastasia in Sarah's 4th class helped an injured classmate. Well done, Anastasia!
• Malcolm in Trisha's Class is nominated for being kind and caring towards others in the class.
• Ruby and Emily are caring to others at their table, as they help them to get organised every day. 
• Aaya and Iga in Martha's class have been very caring this week towards one of their friends who was feeling sad on yard. Well done!
• Well done to all of Aoife's 4th class for fixing the yard barriers after mid-term break, making sure that the yard would be safe for everyone else. 
• Aschut in 5th class is nominated this week for being polite and friendly every morning. Well done, Aschut!
• Brody in 1st class always says 'Good morning' to the teacher holding the door AND asks how they are. He shows how caring he and our school community are with just one little question.
• Cara in 1st Class has been very helpful and caring to the other children in her pod this week.
• Olaf found a glove in the hall and came to ask the other First Class if the glove belonged to anyone in Sarah C's class. That was very caring and kind.

​At assembly, we also practised our Fundamental Movement Skill of running, learning to keep our head looking forwards, move our arms and lift our legs. 

The certificates this week were:

• Friendliest Class: Aoife T.'s class
• Best líne: Ruth M.'s class
• Cleanest bathroom: Trisha's class
• Cleanest classroom: Orla's class

Our corridors are lovely, colourful places, where our pupils often display some of their artwork and projects. Taking a walk around our corridors these days is just fabulous, with so much great work to look at. Unfortunately, we can't invite anyone into our building to see it all, but we can showcase it here!

​Our classes have been learning about procedural writing, trees, Africa, sequencing, the Aztecs, Planet Earth and lots more!