October 2014 Newsletter
Teaghlaigh Naofa Times
01/10/14
email shanns@eircom.net
021 4646238
The Board of Management held their first meeting on Tuesday 23rd of September.
Anti Bullying Policy has been reviewed in line with newest recommendations by the D.E.S. This policy has had input from parents, pupils & teachers and board members. As a parent if you feel your child is being bullied please come to speak to the class teacher. Likewise if you have concerns about any other issues do not hesitate to contact the teacher to discuss it.
A copy of this policy is available on request form the school office.
The Board would like to thank those who have paid their voluntary contribution of €50 per family. This money in conjunction with Parents Association fundraising ensures that your child receives every possible benefit of modern resources, subsidised buses to sporting events and entry fees for Conna Cross Country running etc.
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Sciath na Scol
To date our boys and girls teams have played two matches each. Our next home match against Rochestown is scheduled for Friday 3rd of October at 12.45 . Our next away match will be against Gael Scoil Kinsale on October 10th leaving school at 11.00am. I will send out permission slips for this away match and a request for drivers. If we do not have enough drivers we will travel by bus at a subsidised cost of €4 per child.
Road Safety Authority of Ireland has given our school high visibility vest for children in Junior Infants and a ‘Going to school ‘ leaflet for their parents. Children from third have been given a Safe Cross Code DVD and colouring materials. In the interest of your child’s safety and as a courtesy to other road user I would ask that the area outside the school front wall be used as a SET DOWN ONLY AREA.
Garda Michelle Mc Grath visited the two senior rooms on Friday 19th. She spoke to the children about road safety and responsible use of mobile phones and other internet devices. We are hoping that
Garda McGrath will return to us before mid-term to talk about safety associated with Halloween.
Conna Cross Country All classes from 1st to 6th headed to Conna on September 26th. This is a challenging experience for every child and I was really impressed by the stamina, determination and team spirit displayed by all who took part.
School Improvement Plan As a staff we constantly review our practices with the aim of improving the children’s learning outcomes. We are currently in year two of our three year improvement plan for Literacy. All areas of English have been examined oral, reading and writing. Ms O Brien’s infant room will this year engage with a new way of improving oral language skills through play. This programme is called Aistear. Eg if the topic for the week was ‘Fishing ‘ the children would play at casting and hauling nets etc so that they learn new vocabulary and use it in context. Older classes are beginning to learn how to evaluate their own work. This is explained by the teacher and outlined in WILF format’ What I’m Looking For’. Your child will then evaluate their work and effort in line with how well they feel they meet the criteria as outlined by the teacher.
This year we will be working on our numeracy plan. I would like to thanks the parents Association who will again this year part fund the IXL online programme.
Halloween On the 24th of October children may wear their Halloween costumes to school. Please ensure that your child has adequate layers of clothing under their costume. Children who choose not to wear their costume may wear their school tracksuit. Children will finish school at the usual times. This is not a half day.
Swimming Unfortunately our bus to swimming was unable to come Wed 24th at very short notice. This lesson will be made up at the end. We will have another swimming lesson for all swimmers -bus and car- on Wednesday 5th of November.
Healthy Lunch: – We continue to promote healthy lunches and to reward those who are forming healthy habits. A golden ticket will be given to one child in each class every day.
Supervision Children will be supervised on the school yard from 9.15 am. If the morning is wet children will proceed directly to their own classroom. If it is raining at 3.00pm., children will exit the school via the front fire exit door.
Tin Whistle: – Thursday afternoons 1st – 6th class but remember to keep your tin whistle in your bag as we will be practicing a little every day.
Saving Stamps:- €1.00 stamps for sale every Wednesday morning. Saving cards are retained in school, on completion of the card it can be lodged to An Post Deposit Account.
Missing items The Bosca Caillte agus Faighte/ Lost and found still contains a lot of school clothing. If you are missing items please come and collect them. Any items left in this box after MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY. Please ensure that all jumpers, tracksuit tops etc. are marked with your child’s name. Customised labels may be purchased on line and a flyer containing this information is on the parent’s notice board just outside the school office.
Centre for Talented Youth: – If your child scored a STEN of 9 or 10 (see report card) they may qualify for participation in an 8 week course run in Cork. Courses vary in cost from €20.00 – €230.00.
See www.dcu.ie/ctyi or call 01 700 5090 for more information. (Application forms available at school)
Contact Details: – If any of your contact details have changed please notify the school secretary.
Cash for Cobber We are currently collecting old clothing for recycling as a school fund raiser. If you wish to you may drop bags to the school port cabin. You may use special cash for clobber bag or your own black sacks. Please do not over fill the bags as they will tear.