Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile

Dear Parents,

Welcome back after the Summer Break, and a particular welcome to the Parents and children of Junior Infants. We would also like to welcome Aideen O’Mahony who has been appointed as 3 class teacher. Best of luck to Aideen as she joins our team.

Parking: (before and after school).

• In the mornings, school opens at 8.35 am – and it would help if everybody did not arrive at 8.45 – 8.50 am!!

• When you enter the car-park, park towards the exits on the far side first.
• Please do not block the exits either!
• Please be careful of children all around you.
• Do not park across the road from the School’s main gate. Residents’ Group especially asks not to park on grass verges.

• Please try car-pooling.
• Also, after school it might help if some parents of older children arrived 10 to 15 minutes after 2.30 when the parking may have eased.

• Last year it was noted that children were crossing to the shop without supervision after school. This is a highly dangerous crossing and parents should be vigilant for their children’s safety.

School Closings: The Department of Education and Science have standardised these for Mid-term, Christmas etc and a copy of the same is included with this note. The remaining dates to be taken will be finalised at this week’s staff meeting.

Staff – Meetings occur, two per Term. Our first one occurs this Friday 3 September. The school will close at 11.45 for Junior Infants and Senior Infants (and siblings from older classes) and 12 noon for the rest of the school.

Back to School Mass. This will be celebrated on Friday 10 at 11.00 a.m. in our nearby Church. All the children will attend, with music, readings etc. Fr. John Newman P.P. will be the celebrant. Parents are welcome to attend.

• Each year we ask for a voluntary contribution towards the subsidising of various activities throughout the school year. This enables us to support the pupils in providing them with extra curricular activities at a reduced cost. This year we are asking each family for a €70 contribution per family. The cost of 24hours insurance cover for each child is included within this. We need your support and as always greatly appreciate it. Please remit in an envelope labelled with your children’s names/classes.Ruth, school secretary, issues a school receipt so a record is kept of your donation. Please ensure you get a receipt. You may split the contribution over 2 terms if you so wish.

• School uniforms

School uniforms – Monday and Tuesday for Junior & Senior Infants and School Tracksuits – Wednesday to Friday School Uniforms – Monday to Wednesday for 1 to 6 Classes
and School Tracksuits – Thursday and Friday

The School Tie is an important part, and the finishing touch of a School Uniform.
Absolutely no runners or white shoes with School Uniform.
It is essential to put names on school jumpers/tracksuit tops and jackets. Spot checks will be made during the year.

After-school training- please wear school uniform if a uniform day and bring training gear to change into.

• Please continue to check our website which is managed by Ms. Kathleen Tuohy. It contains up-to-date information.

• Please let us know if there are any changes to your contact details- phone no.’s or addresses etc. and emergency contact details in particular.

• Changes of mobile numbers also must be communicated to us in order for the Text-A-Parent facility to operate effectively. The current policy is to have just one mobile phone number listed. Please advise if, for any compelling reason, more than one number is required to be listed. This could include where parents are separated and both need to be informed.

• A reminder of our Signing Out Procedure for when a child is taken out of school early for any reason such as illness, doctors appointments etc. Please call to the Office as you are leaving where you will be required to sign your child out of school. Thank you for your assistance in implementing this procedure which will help keep our school safer for all.

• If your child is being collected regularly at an earlier time than the normal school time, please collect a permission form from the office. This will enable the child to be collected earlier by a child care facility if required. This is not something we encourage but we are mindful of the practicalities in arranging after-school care.

• We would like to remind you of our policy on the handing out of Birthday Invitations which states we are not allowing or facilitating this in school. It must be done outside of school.

• Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research. This is the school’s main charity fund-raising event in which we participate each year. It usually takes place in October. More information and sponsorship cards will be distributed in due course.

• After-school Homework Club will begin shortly. Details to follow.

• Mrs. O’Donovan has joined our Resource Team with Ms. Cunningham and Ms. Callanan. All details of staff allocation to classes will be on the website shortly.

• Ms. Cunningham, our Resource Teacher, also provides a shop service for children, where copies etc can be purchased. Opening time is 10.30 to 10.45, Monday to Friday in Ms. Cunningham’s room.

• Our school Parents Association will be in touch re their upcoming A.G.M. – our appreciation of their work and contribution can not be overstated. Please support.

• Over the summer one of our 4 class pupils, Luc Galland, was placed 5 in his age group at the National Finals of the HSE Community Games in Athlone. Congratulations to Luc.

• Best of luck to our local Shamrocks Football Team who face Tracton this evening in the Final of the Junior A (Adult) under lights in Riverstick at 8pm this evening. Seamróga Abú! Our Minor u18 are in the final on Sunday morning in Crosshaven, also against Tracton. The u12 played well in the Hurling Final against Ballygarvan.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Bail ó Dhia ar an obair (God Bless the work)

Is mise le meas
Liam Ó Seanacháin