Shanagarry N.S.

Dear Parents

 

The children will be very busy as we head towards the Christmas holidays

 

Bi-centenary of the Church of The Immaculate Conception Shanagarry.

This year our church will be 200 years old and because the church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception there will be a celebratory mass on Dec 8^th at 7.30pm. Our pupils  will sing at this  mass . Children are not required to wear school uniforms for this parish celebration.

As we head towards Christmas we turn our thoughts to helping others by giving of our time and talents locally, nationally and internationally.

 

Approx 50 pupils from 3^rd – 6^th will travel to Oaklodge nursing home in Churchtown to entertain the residents on December 13^th leaving school  at 10.30am. We would appreciate the help of parents to drive children to and from the nursing home on the morning.

 

We will have a non uniform day for all pupils on Thursday December 19^th. Pupils will be encouraged to work at home to earn some money which they will donate to Simon Cork and Philippines Fund.

 

Kindness Tree

As a school staff we are very conscious of helping to foster a positive and inclusive school environment where every child feels valued and included. During this season of Advent we are focusing on showing kindness to each other. Each child has an Advent calendar on which they track their acts of kindness over the week. On Friday these acts of kindness are swapped for a paper decoration which will then be placed on our Advent Kindness Tree. These acts of kindness cost nothing but can mean a lot. As parents I would ask your help to promote the idea of kindness being a “ two way street”. We should give generously and receive graciously. I would like to remind parents that handing out party invitations and gifts from holidays etc is best done outside of school as it can cause upset.

 

Christmas Raffle

We will hold our annual raffle on Friday 20^th Dec. Each class will perform a small Christmas item for parents before the draw in the school hall. We will start at 10.15am. Christmas holidays will begin at 12pm on Friday Dec 20^th. The bus will operate at this time

 

Our swimming lessons are coming to an end and I would like to thank parents who have organised lessons and buses for this curricular activity. Thanks is also due to Rosa O’Connell who has done tremendous work on the school garden.

 

School Roof

Work will begin on the school roof in the New Year and we hope it will be finished by Spring Mid-term 2014. Thanks to all for your co-operation and patience while our front door has been off limits.

 

 

Gymnastics will begin on  Thursday January 09^th. Children may wear their tracksuits on Thursdays and the cost for these lessons is €12.00 per pupil.  Please send in your “yellow card” to the office when making payment.

 

 

All pupils Jnr  –  6^th have an IXL account and I would earnestly ask you to encourage your child to make full use of the fabulous resource. Our thanks to the Parents Association who part funded this initiative.

 

I would like to remind parents that the Facebook company’s regulations state that no child under 13 years is allowed access to a Facebook account. Uploading photographs, mailing public comments and “befriending” other Facebook  users is too great a responsibility for any Primary school pupil.

 

I would like to ask parents to be aware of the INAPPROPRIATE videos games, smart phones, play station games and x-box games etc. It is worth taking some time to inform yourselves about the content of these games before purchasing or hiring. Age restrictions are not assigned lightly. If you are unsure about the content of these games please enquire from the sales staff before purchasing/hiring.

 

Green School Committee

As a committee  we have been working hard on our energy theme. I (James) have been checking the meter daily with other people on the committee. The meter readings are still increasing but we’re working on it. Every class has posters reminding to turn off electrical appliances. Lucy set up an energy squad from the infants, they are checking the lights and doors at break times.

TIPS: Over Christmas try and use LED lights and  turn off Christmas lights when you’re not in the room. Make sure TV’s and Santa presents are switched off  not on standby.

(Submitted by Lucy Smiddy & James Morrison)

 

German Lessons

Principal release days are now being covered by Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray who has studied and lived in Germany for a number of years will take 3^rd/4^th and 5^th/6^th  for  a Germany lesson on the days that he is in our school.

 

Supplies available from the office

Triangular pencils  and pens  are now available from the school office.

Triangular pencils  @      .50 cents each

Triangular pens      @  €1.00 each

Headline copies     @       .50 cents each

 

First Communion Meetings

The First Communion preparation programme meetings for parents are going on at the moment. The next meeting will be at 8pm on January 13^th 2014.

 

School Fitness

Our fitness training is continuing where children run one/two laps of the pitch weather permitting. Well done to our pupils who are walking/cycling to school and also to those who pack and eat a healthy lunch each day.

If your child is to play football at break times please give them a tracksuit bottom to pull up over their uniform and a change of socks.