Sept' 07
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome everybody back after the summer. We welcome especially 103 children to our four Junior Infant classes as well as 18 new children throughout the other classes. We also have nine new teachers on our staff this year. We hope that all these new comers will be extremely happy with us here in Lusk National School and develop to their full potential throughout their time in our school. We also send best wishes to all those who left our school last year most particularly Mr. OLaoghaire who gave such immeasurable service to the school community for thirty five years.
Early Arrivals Parents should be aware that school commences at 9.20 a.m. We would ask parents not to send their children to school before this time as they can not be supervised. The school doors at the front of the school are opened to allow staff access the building and parents escort Junior Infant children to their classes. All other children are collected from the school yards at 9.20 by their teachers. It is particularly important in the winter months that children are not left standing in the cold or rain and for this reason we ask you not to send your child to school before 9.20.
Uniform Policy Many thanks to all our families for supporting the school uniform policy. It is wonderful to see the children proudly wearing the uniform or school tracksuit and our school crest.
School Policies School Policies are available on request from the office. All school policies are drafted in collaboration with the Parents Association and sanctioned by the Board of Management.
Information Data Base Over the next month we will be sending each family a new form to update our information data base. We would be grateful if all such forms are returned to us as speedily as possible. Im sure parents appreciate the importance of maintaining up to date contact details for school records.
School Car Park We are very concerned that some children enter the school by the centre gate and cross the school car park to reach their yard. Please encourage your children to use the pedestrian gates and pathways to the right and left of the school gate in order to ensure their safety. A free flow system operates along Chapel Road. We request that no cars stop opposite the school gates or on double yellow lines outside the school as this blocks all traffic along the road.
Sport Congratulations to the school football team and their mentors, Ms. OBoyle, Mr. OFlatharta and Mr. ODonnell for their performance in the Shea Carthy Memorial competition. They beat off stiff competition from Rush, St. Catherines, Milverton and Loughshinny to bring back the cup. Their behaviour on the day both on and off the field was a credit to themselves, their families and their school. Come on ye boys in green!!
Parents Association We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Parents Association for all their support during the past year. The association carries out several specific roles during the school year such as the organization of uniforms and school insurance forms. However many of the extra curricular activities undertaken in our school also depend to a great extent on support from parents. During the past year activities supported included transport to sports fixtures, purchase of library books, the visit of the Armagh Planetarium,a pre-historic exhibition and visiting science teachers. This year they have already organized the visit of science teachers in October for all senior classes.
Book Lending Scheme We would also like to say a huge thank you to Pearl, Catherine and Donna who gave up a large part of their summer holidays to manage this scheme. A glance at bills paid for books in neighbouring schools would show that we pay substantially less per child than some schools for our books. Those savings couldnt be made without the hard work of the ladies mentioned above.
School Planning The Department of Education and Science have informed us that we are participating in a school planning day on the 10th of October this year. School will be closed on that day. Parents will be delighted to know that this is the only day on which the school will be closed for planning this year although the children mightnt be so pleased.
Photo Appeal We would like to add a little colour to our corridors. Recently we have put up some old photos of past pupils on the walls. Unfortunately we do not have photographs of some important events, particularly Holy Communion and Confirmation photos. We would greatly appreciate it if those who do have photos lend them to us. Philip OÕNeill Photography have kindly agreed to scan any photos we receive so that we can display them in our corridors. If you have any such photo please label it clearly on the back eg Confirmation Class 1987 as well as your own name and address and send it to us care of Ms. Scott in Room 15.
Staff Meetings Times and dates for staff meetings this year will be announced later in term one.
Thanks - Finally I would like to thank all those people who have wished me well in my new role in the school. I have always been astounded by the depth of support given by the community in Lusk to our National School and look forward to working closely with the community for the children in our care.
School Holidays 2007-2008
Term 1
Halloween - Closed Fri 26th October 3.00 - Re-Opens Mon. 5th November
Christmas Closed Fri. 21st December. 12.30 Re-Opens Mon. 7th January.
Term 2
Mid- Term Closed Wed. 13th February 3.00 Ð Re-Opens Mon. 18th February
Easter Closed Fri. 14th March 3.00 Re-Opens Mon. 31st March
Term 3
Mid- Term Closed Thurs. 1st May 3.00 Re-Opens Wed. 7th May
June W/end Closed Tues 3rd June
School closes on the 27th of June at 12.30 for the summer holidays.
Regards,
Paul Comiskey.
Principal.
Principal: Paul Comiskey, B.Ed., Dip. Ed. Man., M.St.
Deputy Principal: Geraldine OÕRourke Ð N.T., H.Dip.
