20th November 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Enrolment-Applications for enrolment for the new school year will be accepted between December 1st and December 23rd. Forms may be collected from the school hall on Monday the 1st of December between 9.30 and 11.00.

Cut Backs - The Parents’ Association sent out a letter informing the school community of the impact the budget cuts will have on our school. The reality is that we will have larger classes next year, will have to amalgamate some classes, will lose a class teacher and two language support teachers, have had our book grant cut and will also lose our grant for children with special needs. Thanks to all parents who sent letters of protest regarding the cutbacks to our local representatives

Voluntary Contribution - We have now received over 15,000 euro through our voluntary appeal. Many thanks to all those who have contributed and a gentle reminder to those still to do so that envelopes will be accepted in the office any morning. The staff and Parents Association have identified projects which will receive support from the voluntary fund. Projects we have identified include

  • ICT - the purchase of computers and interactive white boards
  • Art - the appointment of an artist in residence
  • Sport - support for transport to matches
  • SPHE - the upgrading of the kitchen attached to the hall for cookery
  • Green Schools - the appointment of visiting Scientists
  • Literacy - the purchase of graded readers to support our new literacy programme
  • Drama - part funding of visiting drama groups
  • Music - support for the purchase of recorders

ICT - We are making an appeal this month to any family who has recently upgraded their computer. Our computer room is well equipped but we would also like to put more computers into our classrooms. We would welcome any computer which has Windows 98, Windows XP or Windows Vista and is in perfect working order. If any family has an unused computer at home we would be delighted to hear from you in the office or you could contact Ms. White in Pre-Fab 4 prior to delivery and we will arrange for collection.

Library - This month Ms. Murtagh organized the collection and distribution of library books to the tune of 3,000 euro. These books supplemented the libraries in each class. The proposed cutbacks will mean the school receives no such library support from the Department in coming years.

Rainbows - The teachers are currently placing the children who applied for Rainbows into appropriate groups. They are also waiting on the delivery of some books and texts to be used in the course. As there is a delay in delivering some of these items and in order not to break the sessions over the Christmas holiday the course will now begin in early January. Parents whose children are involved in the programme will be notified in the month of December.

Visiting Show - This month we welcomed Down to Earth Theatre Company who performed three shows in the school on the theme of looking after our world and our environment. The shows were pitched at differing levels for each audience and seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Greenschools - November is a particularly busy month for the Green School committee with a range of activities taking place in the school. Of course there is the ongoing work to maintain our two current flags, recycling, our energy audit, the Walk on Wednesday programme, tidying around the school and Chapel Road and so on. This month a variety of activities will take place such as Junior Infants/ Senior Infants - Practical Science lessons with visiting tutor from UCD

4th class visit to Irish Wildlife Trust in Newbridge Demesne

3rd to 6th classes - visit from Greenclean to discuss recycling programmes

MS Readathon - We were delighted with the response to the MS Readathon which finishes on Friday the 21st of November. Our focus was always on the books read rather than the money raised and it was wonderful to see how enthusiastically the children read such a large number of books.

Phonics Meetings - Thanks to all the parents who attended our recent meetings to explain the phonics programme currently being implemented in the junior classes. The meetings were well attended and we hope proved useful in allowing parents support their children in becoming independent readers

Regards,

Paul Comiskey.

Principal.

Principal: Paul Comiskey, B.Ed., Dip. Ed. Man., M.St.

Deputy Principal: Peggy O'Connor N.T. D.A.I..