August 2020 News
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Serious Assault
Meath Crime Prevention posted a request for information following a serious assault on in Johnstown 29th August.
'Gardai in Navan are appealing for witnesses to a serious assault which occurred in Johnstown between 9pm and 9.15pm last night. One man was removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda with serious injuries. It is believed four persons were involved in an altercation which occurred on Bothar Sion.
Anybody who witnessed the incident should contact Navan Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111. '
Extra Delivery
The donation of over 30 school packs of pens, pencils, folders and more for 3 age ranges of School was received by delighted children today. Donated by ICHH they formed part of the food hamper deliveries to local families in need distributed by Johnstown Tidy Towns.
Not only are families struggling to put food on the table but returning to school adds extra financial pressure they can ill afford.
We praise the work of local people who donate and groups like Johnstown Tidy Towns, ICHH and Athboy's People Who Share Care Group who help our community.
Park Sensibly
Parents angered by inconsiderate parking in the Johnstown School Campus took to Social Media after only 2 days of schools reopening.
Consideration and respect for all children's safety should be paramount especially during these unsettled times.
Cycle Map
We're delighted to see that Navan Cycling Initiative have produced a Cycle Route Guide to encourage Students returning to School to ditch the car.
Most local residents live within a 15 minute, or less, cycle of Navan's Market Square which means you'll likely beat the peak time traffic congestion. By using the routes the car can't take you can save even more time.
We've included the map in our Cycle Lanes & Routes Guide
Schools Restart
Good Luck to all Students who are returning to school, we hope you settle back into the new routine well.
Our Best Wishes to all the parents with children starting school for the first time. It's an exciting and emotional family day to remember.
Also, we'd like to express our thanks to the Principals, Teachers and everyone involved in reopening our schools safely. It's a lot of work and not a small undertaking in the circumstances.
Good luck and Stay Safe.
Will Congestion Return?
It's been 6 months since we've seen peak time congestion in Johnstown and which we've raised as a concern since 2017.
This year we expect to see many more students than usual walking or cycling. There may also be an increase in car use, especially in poor weather, where many students will not be car sharing and school busses will have their own passenger limitations.
Staggered class 'Start and End' times may spread out the traffic but the knock on effect may see the Metges Road pedestrian crossings at the Johnstown Roundabout become more heavily used over a longer period which might further slow the flow of vehicles.
Navan Road Works Overview
As Schools begin to reopen those commuters not involved with dropping children to school are highly advised to consider changing their peak time travel to avoid joining the expected congestion.
Affecting Loretto and Johnstown School Campus
- L-34001-1 Old Athlumney Road has a partial Road Closure meaning traffic diverted to Kentstown Road.
- Farganstown, Kentstown & Metges Road new junction configuration has single lane flow traffic lights.
Affecting Navan Schools
School Online Connections
If you have not yet made all the online media connections to your children's schools you can find them in our Neighbourhood School Guide.
School Procedures.
Each School is physically unique but in common each is adopting best practices involving personal hygiene and social separation.
Your Child's School will have communicated their unique plan to parents.
The Schools' first line of defence is preventing the coronavirus from entering and the HSE website highlights symptoms that might mean a person has Covid-19.
Parents should review the Governments 'Roadmap for the full return to school' to answer some of their questions.
School Advice
Even in a normal year Children can naturally be worried and apprehensive about returning to school. Covid19 has changed everything about this year. With these added concerns it is important to be mindful not pass 'Adult worries' on to your children who will already own 'age appropriate worries'.
Focus on the Positives.
Review these online presentations about starting school.
by The Holistic Parent and Dee, owner of the Playful Classroom.by Counselling Psychotherapist Linda Breathnach and Creative Arts and Play Therapist Melissa Moore.
Teachers have also received Wellbeing Resources which help us to understand the added pressure being placed on them.
More Rain Coming
Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow Rainfall warning for Ireland with intense rainfall expected at times Monday night and on Tuesday. Falls of 30 to 50 mm are expected with surface flooding.
Valid: 9pm Monday 24th to 9pm Tuesday 25th.
Staying unsettled until the weekend brings drier and quieter conditions.
Preparation for School Walkers
Johnstown Tidy Towns tackled the litter hotspots Sunday morning in an attempt to give those walking to school a chance to do it safely.
Focussing on the routes leading to the Johnstown Campus of St Stephens NS and Colaiste Na Mi Secondary School they collected 4 full bags. Also reported that a further 2 full bags had been removed from the Maple Estate by residents earlier in the week.
Concern is rising about the amount of broken glass from bottles and facemasks being irresponsible littered on paths and lawns.
High Winds
Two days of high gusting winds took it's toll on the area. Much of the litter has been scattered into local front gardens but no reports of structural damage.
Face in the Storm
As it approached Ireland Storm Ellen made an ery ghoulish face on the radar map.
Hopefully we're waking up to minimum wind damage.
Scorched Earth
Only a week after the Council Sprayed weed killer throughout Johnstown and the unpleasant signs of chemical warfare are starting to appear.
There must be a better way to do this since the bare earth will simply encourage weeds to return in place of grass.
Why exactly do fences, lamp posts and street signs need such severe support?
All Change
In light of the recent Covid Suppression Message we're going to hold off from updating any further Events in our What's on Section.
Please double check any events.
Clarity
Dr. Ronan Glynn, acting Chief Medical Officer, offered some clarity to the recent restrictions to suppress Covid19.
The Key message in the video is :
“Please do not have more than six people over to your house or garden and outside, no more than 15 people should meet up. And even then, people need to physically distance from one another. Please work from home if at all possible.”
Storm Coming
Batten down the hatches as Storm Ellen is due to pass over us in the next 48 hours.
Yellow Wind Warning 9pm Wednesday 19th to midnight Thursday 20th with occasional heavy and thundery showers.
New Rules
The roller coaster track record of recent Covid infections has resulted in new restrictions to combat the virus spread.
Review the New Restrictions From Department of the Taoiseach 18th August.
Schools are still set to reopen in the coming weeks.
Coronavirus Recovery
The communication emphasis to date has been to avoid catching and spreading the virus. Little is publicised about those recovering from coronavirus where a few are struggling to get back on their feet months later.
Read the HSE website advice on recovering and you might consider increasing your efforts to comply with current advice to not catch or spread it.
Athlumney Hall Verge
At the request of local Cllr Alan Lawes the Council are transforming the dirt verge along Metges Road. It's hoped that they will replicate the wildflower planting stretches which appeared in Navan this year.
Solstice Cafe Job
Solstice Arts Centre is looking to recruit an enthusiastic and friendly Cook / Counter Assistant.
Apply before 5pm 24th August,
Prepare for School
With schools set to restart in a few weeks time parents may find these 2 online talks useful:
'Talk About Starting School'
Tuesday 10am
The Holistic Parent will be joined by Dee, owner of the Playful Classroom, to lend her perspective as a Junior Infants teacher and how things look from inside the classroom.
'Supporting Parents as they prepare their children for the return to school during a Global Pandemic'.
Wednesday 7.30pm
Counselling Psychotherapist Linda Breathnach and Creative Arts and Play Therapist Melissa Moore host a talk on the
Parking Meters Changed
New car parking ticket meters have been introduced in Navan with the added option for contactless payments.
They still produce the traditional printed display ticket and we wonder if the paper is recyclable ?
Flowering
Johnstown Tidy Towns's Sunflower feature along the wall of Athlumney Hall on Metges Road are starting to bloom. They planted 2 varieties so we'll have to wait a little longer to see if we can spot the differences.
Get to School on your own Fuel
For the next few weeks in the lead up to schools reopening Navan Cycling Initiative is encouraging you to help your child discover bicycle routes to school.
Anyone for Soccer
Most of the local soccer clubs have restarted practice sessions and friendly games. All have Covid Protocols in place and if you want to join them discover the teams in our neighbourhood.
Homes Wanted
Call for Housing 2020 is asking property owners and developers with vacant properties to make them available to others during this time of crisis.
Further details housingagency.ie
Ice Cool
New Track For Navan at Claremont Stadium recently revealed some lanes on their new cool blue track.
They need to continue their fundraising to pay for it and if you can donate visit their GoFundMe Page.
August 2020 Articles
Catch up on local news
Our news is now daily but if you missed any you can catch up in bite sized chunks.
Save and Slim
It's time to make some healthier changes and conscious that cash flow is an issue we take advice to make a significant difference to our waistline and bank balance.
Sensory Friendly Shopping
Parents with the challenge of teaching children with autism the independent life skill of grocery shopping obtains local store support.
Conkers In Decline
Under threat across Ireland and Europe a local family made a hopeful gesture to save Horse Chestnut trees.
Reduce Bills
We've amassed quite a few articles exploring ways to reduce your household bills.
If you have News, Reviews or suggestions for Articles and Local Guides then we'd love to hear from you.
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