January 26th 2010
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Welcome to our January newsletter. It has certainly been an eventful start to the new term.
Enrolment --2010/2011 We are currently enrolling for the coming school year. Enrolment packs are available in the school office until February 12th. Places will be allocated on return of the completed pack according to the criteria outlined in the policy.
Communication --Last week we sent out notices regarding a text messaging system we hope to introduce in the near future. We would ask all parents to ensure that they have returned the slip with their most up to date contact details. We would also remind parents that the website is a very useful means of remaining in contact with the school and that we will also use it to communicate messages regarding school openings/closures in the future.
Voluntary Contribution --The Parents Association will be available in the school for one last morning on Thursday February 4th from 9.30 to 10.30 to collect voluntary contributions from any family who may have overlooked the payment. As you can see from the news items below a huge amount of activity in our school depends on the generosity of the parents and we would appeal to all those who have not supported the school up to now to do so.
Safe Parking --We have appealed on numerous occasions for parents to observe the law when parking safely outside our school. We thank the vast majority of parents who do park safely and we would remind the small minority of parents who park on the footpath, park illegally in the scout den or park in the wheelchair bays that their behaviour puts our children at risk.
Junior Christmas Show -- Well done to all the children who take part in our Christmas shows and thanks to the teachers who put so much work into the event. A selection of photographs showing the children in action can be viewed on the website www.lusknationalschool.org
Catholic Schools Week --Our school will be celebrating Catholic Schools week next week. As part of the celebration we will be inviting the Grandparents of children in second class to visit the school next Tuesday the 2nd of February and join their grandchildren in class for a little while. We will send out more details to families of these children later in the week.
Confirmation -- Ceremony of Commitment --This year our sixth class children who are celebrating their Confirmation will take part in a very simple ceremony of commitment in St Maccullins Church at two Sunday masses next month after the mid-term break.
Quiz --Best of luck to our Under 11 and Under 13 school Quiz teams who are taking part in the Fingal Credit Union Quiz next Saturday in Rush. A big thank you is due to Ms. Rochford for preparing the teams.
Policies --The Board has ratified two new policies in the past few weeks. The 'Use of School by Outside Groups' and 'The Data and Records Policy' are available to view on the school website. Two further policies, 'The Custody and Separation Policy' and 'The Emergency Closure Policy' are currently being drafted by the Board, Staff and Parents Association and should be complete by Easter.
ICT --We have received a significant grant from the Department for ICT. We intend to continue with the installation of new interactive whiteboards and further new computers in classes with a combination of government funding and voluntary contributions.
Sport Kelvin Troy will commence classes with our two fourth classes in the coming month. This project will be part funded by our Voluntary Contribution.
Traditionally this school has collected tokens from companies such as Tesco and Super Valu to supplement our sports equipment. Unfortunately due to staff cut backs we do not have the personnel to carry out this project this year
Artist in Residence --We are commencing our Artist in Residence programme once more with this year's Fifth class children. Last year this project was part funded by Fingal County Council. Unfortunately due to funding cuts in the council this support is no longer available. We aim to fund the project completely through the voluntary contribution. We are very much looking forward to the project and expect the children to thoroughly enjoy it.
Dance --We have a Dance Teacher coming to the school for the next term to teach dance to the children from 3rd to 6th class as part of the PE programme. We are sure all the children will enjoy the lessons. This project is being funded through the voluntary contribution.
Make a Wish Foundation --he Make a Wish Foundation is holding a fund raising event in St. Colmcilles GAA club in Swords on Friday the 29th of January. One of our sixth class boys, Luke Green, who had been very ill, had his wish come true with the help of the foundation and for this special reason we are happy to support the event. Tickets can be purchased from Ms. Nicola Green at 8431165.
Dates for the Diary
Wed 3rd Feb - Staff Meeting -- Children go home at 12.20pm
Thurs 4th Feb -- Voluntary Contribution collection 9.30- 10.30
Regards,
Paul Comiskey.
Principal.
Principal: Paul Comiskey, B.Ed., Dip. Ed. Man., M.St.
Deputy Principal: Peggy O'Connor N.T., D.A.I.
