Dear Parents,
Our first mid-term is fast approaching. The children have settled back in to school really well.
I have just a few notes for your attention.
Mid-term
School closes on Friday at 1.30 (Junior Classes) and 2.30 for the rest of the school. School reopens on Monday November 3rd at usual times.
Halloween Dress-Up
This Friday in keeping with tradition, all children can dress up in Halloween costumes. I’d ask that scary masks not be worn as they can frighten some of the younger children. There will be a small prize for each class for the best one, awarded by the Parent’s Association.
Parent’s Association
Tonight is the first meeting of the new Parent’s Association committee for this school year. It is being held in the school at 8pm. More volunteers are needed so I would urge any parents with time available to come along and offer their help. The more people involved the less work for everyone! Sincere thanks to those stepping down this year for the great commitment they’ve shown over the last number of years.
Cake Sale
This Friday a Bake Cake Sale will be held in the Halla. All baking offerings will be gratefully accepted, before 9am if possible. The classes will be allocated times during the morning to purchase some cakes so please make sure they have some money with them. Cakes start at 50c each.
We’ve said it before but please label all containers used to box cakes. It really facilitates their return.
Parents Contributions
Thank you to those families who have made a contribution already. I know the economic downturn continues to affect our community but it also has negatively affected grants we receive from the Department of Education. We rely on your financial help to run the school efficiently. Public funding for schools has fallen by 15% in recent years while running costs have risen significantly. We are happy to accept money in installments e.g. €5 or €10 a week if you’d prefer to pay this way.
More Dates for your diary
You might like to add these dates provisionally to your diaries
- Parent/ Teacher meetings on Wednesday/Thursday 26th & 27th November
- Christmas Bazaar on Sunday 30th November (to be finalised at Committee Meeting this evening)
Car-Parking
This continues to be stressful and potentially dangerous at drop-off and collection times. While we appreciate parents need to collect children safely from the school it is not acceptable to abandon cars carelessly in the car-park. I would urge people to use available spaces before parking alongside the middle spaces. Anyone not using a proper space should stay with their car to facilitate those wishing to exit. It really jams up the car-park when cars enter on the far side (nearest the shop) and possibly are forced to reverse out into the road with great danger to all concerned. More car-pooling is urgently needed if we are to safely use the limited car-parking facilities available to us. Thank you to those who correctly use the car-park or choose to park up the road, closer to Shamrocks entrance.
Morning Meet & Greet
I think we are seeing the last of our mild weather. Children will continue to line up from 8.35am until adverse weather forces us indoors instead. There is a significant number of pupils who surprisingly are not wearing jackets, hats etc. Please ensure your child wears a jacket from now on.
A reminder that no responsibility will be taken for children who are collected at 1.30pm and who remain on school grounds after that time. Please note that children are not allowed play anywhere on the grounds at this time. At the 2.30 p.m. finish time children awaiting collection should remain on school grounds outside main door. No responsibility will be taken for children who leave the school grounds after 2.30p.m.
Spare Uniforms
I’d like to remind you that there is a selection of spare grey pants, shirts, polo-shirts, skirts, pinafores as well as school tracksuits and jumpers available inside the main school door. Thank you to those who brought them in. They are in mostly very good condition and worth consideration.
First Communion Outfit
A brand-new First Holy Communion dress (marked size or age 9, with tags attached!) was donated to the school prior to last year as well as a veil, bag and shoes (size 33). They are available to look at in the main office. It would be wonderful if it suited someone to use it. Thanks again to the thoughtful person who passed them to the school.
Carrigaline Family Support Centre Information Evening
All are welcome to attend an Information Evening on Wednesday October 29th at 7.30pm. It will give an overview of the range of family support and community health programmes that are on offer in our area and the range of Mental Health Supports that are available. These include low cost counselling and low cost play therapy for children. Please let them know before this Friday if you plan to attend by contacting them on 021-4919299 or by email at cfsicc@gmail.com. They need to have an idea of numbers attending.
HSE School Health Team
We have sent home forms to be completed by the parents of children in Junior & Senior Infants. These must be returned on Thursday at the latest as they are being collected by courier. Even if you do not wish to avail of screening/ vaccinations these forms MUST still be completed. There is a section where you can indicate your refusal.
Shamrocks Fundraiser
A major fundraising event takes place on Monday October 27th (Bank Holiday Monday), a 5km walk /run from Shanbally to Ringaskiddy and back. They are looking for as many people as possible to get involved. Sponsorship cards are now out. Assemble at the Pitch, Shamrocks Grounds, Shanbally at 12noon.
Thank you,