30th September 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is that time of year again when we seek your help with the Voluntary Contribution. As you are probably aware the Department of Education and Science pays for the majority of expenses within the school system. However Department grants do not cover everything and many of the additional costs of providing a quality education for your child depend upon the generosity of the school community and the hard work of the Parents' Association in the fund raising activities they carry out on behalf of the school.

The school's principal method of fund raising is that of the 'Annual Voluntary Contribution' which we request of every family within the school. The funds raised last year supported a variety of activities which added to the educational experience of our children. By agreement between the Principal and committee of the Parents' Association particular financial support was given for
  • Reading - buying specific graded readers throughout the classes (1,651 euro)
    • -
  • Music - supporting the purchase of recorders (1,203 euro)

    - visit of drumming group (500 euro)

  • Sport - transport to school sports events for a variety of teams (1,870 euro)

    - replacement of sports equipment ( 1,945 euro)

  • Drama - visits of drama groups who performed for the children (2,100 euro)
  • Gaeilge - purchase of resources for 'Seachtain na Gaeilge' (104 euro)
  • ICT - purchase of new computers & software ( 3,349 euro)
  • Cookery - refurbishment of school kitchen (3,341 euro)
  • Art - support for artist in residence programme (626 euro)

In the coming year we plan to continue with a variety of these projects as well as new projects such as support for swimming lessons in third class and the visit of the Armagh Planetarium. Once again this year the school, Parents' Association and Board of Management make a joint appeal for support. Our target is 20,000 euro and our priorities will include new computers for all our classes in pre-fabs, support for sports activities such as basketball and swimming, extra literacy and maths resources.

We hope to offer the children in our school the best education possible. To do this we rely on your help. We would ask each family to enclose a contribution of 80 euro in this envelope. Members of the Parents Association will be available on Wednesday the 7th, Thursday the 8th and Friday the 9th of October from 9.30 to 10.00 in the staff room to accept your contributions. Please be assured that this contribution is totally voluntary and confidential, and that every donation, however large or small, will be gratefully put to good use. We would encourage every family to return the attached form, signed for our records.

Kind Regards,

_______________                            ________________                           _______________

Fr. Joe Mullan                                         Paul Comiskey                             Theresa Ryan

Chairperson, B.O.M.                                           Principal               Chairperson, Parents' Association

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Lusk National School – Annual Voluntary Contribution - 2009/2010

Family Name: ______________________ Child(ren)'s Name _________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

Current Teacher ____________________ Class: ___________ Room No: _______________

Amount Enclosed ___________________ Cheque*/Cash ______________

* Please make cheques payable to Lusk National School