September 2013 - Issue 1


Our Roof-top Garden in full bloom!
Thanks to everyone who got involved in our school garden and helped harvest some wonderful vegetables!

Dear Parents:
Welcome back to you all!
v We have all settled back to a new school year. A special ‘Congratulations’ to all of our new pupils and their famililies. We are very proud of the ‘Junior Infants’ in the hall every morning!
v We now ask that the pupils enter the hall WITHOUT any adult with them. Please help them remove hats, coats, scarves outside the hall before they enter and say your ‘Goodbyes.’ This ensures that the hallway remains free should we need to leave the building in an emergency. Also, we want all of our pupils as I’m sure you do as their parents become independent.
v We also ask you to please leave the building once you have left your child in to us in the hall. Please make use of our ‘Parents’ Room and have a ‘cuppa’ . Please do not remain in the hallway as we do not have enough space.
v We continue to need your help and co-operation with parking.   Please make sure that you are not parking in ‘no parking’ areas and that your car is not obstructing footpaths or entrances to private houses or business premises. We have been told that a ‘zero tolerance’ policy may be operated. We welcome the ‘Park ‘n Stride initiative and encourage you to avail of this service.

v We also need to remind you that we are obliged by law to report any absences of in excess of 20 Days or more to the National Educational Welfare Board. Please contact us giving the reason for absence on the first day of any absence and also when you expect your child will be returning to school.
v We are also obliged by law to report to the Health Service Executive any concerns which we might have regarding child welfare and protection or any concerns regarding the same which are reported to us by a third party
v We like to give you our parents, the time you deserve to talk to us. Therefore, we ask you to make an appointment to meet with either a teacher or the Principal by phoning the office first.
v We value all of our safety especially that of your children, our pupils. Therefore, all visitors must call first to the office upon arrival in our school.
v Watch out for news of courses for parents from Aoife, our Home School Community Liaison Co-ordinator (HSCL)

 Just a few ‘annual reminders’:
o   Children to be in their line in the Hall at 8.45 a.m.
o   The school gate will open at 8.35am, please wait outside the gate until it is opened
o   Please collect chlildren on time – no child enjoys being left alone at home-time
o    Full school uniform to be worn except on P.E. day.  If for any reason  a child needs to wear a tracksuit at any other time, please inform the teacher of the reason;
o   Children may wear track suits each day if they wish during the winter months – i.e. from November to St. Patrick’s Day;
o   Provide your child(ren) with a lunch box for carrying the lunch  and storing the leftovers.
o   Please make sure that you label all of your  children’s belongings;
o   Please ensure that we have your correct contact details on file including up-to-date phone numbers
o   Please regularly check children’s hair for signs of infestation;

v   Please check schoolbags for notes and newsletters from school

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Our first parent association meeting will take place on Tuesday, 1st October at 1pm in the Parents’ Room. Please attend!

Our first walk to school day will be on Thursday, 3rd October, the same day as we have our School Assembly.  The class with the highest number of walkers on that day will receive the ‘Golden Boot Award’.




 SALIChildcare Services

If you have a child who will be 3 years of age next September, please call to Room 1 for a registration form.
There are a limited number of places available in the pre-school for this year.

There is an information meeting for parents on Friday, 4th October. More details available from the pre-school.



Important Dates for your Calendar!
Friday, October 4th 2013
School closed due to Referendum
Halloween Mid-Term Break
Closed Monday, 28th October to Friday, 1st November
Christmas Holidays
Closing on Friday 20th December and re-opening on Monday, 6th January 2014
Confirmation
To be confirmed
First Holy Communion
To be confirmed