Dear Parents and Guardians / A Thuismitheoirí agus a Chaomhnóirí,

Two Junior Infant Classes for September 2016

The Board of Management has decided to enrol two classes of Junior Infants in September 2016, in spite of the new building not being ready until October. The Board is very grateful for the co-operation of the staff in making this difficult decision. See school notice board for minutes from last night’s Board meeting.

Safety while exiting the school

We urge you to take extreme care at 2.30pm pick-up. As you are aware, there is a severe shortage of space at the school exit. We ask you not to drive into Church Avenue as car traffic adds greatly to the danger and congestion.

Cyber Safety seminar

We invite all parents to a cyber safety seminar on 9^th March at 8.50am 9.50am. Following this, 2^nd – 6^th classes will participate in a cyber safety workshop. Please email the office if you are planning to attend the parent workshop, if the numbers exceed our capacity (1 classroom), we will need to make alternative arrangements. The Board of Management has agreed to fund this and we would encourage as many parents as possible to attend, as we have a collective responsibility to keep our children safe in cyber space.

News!

Congratulations to Ella in 4^th class who won an art competition resulting in her piece of work being displayed in the window of Hodges Figgis in town. It is a picture of herself and her mum doing their favourite thing together; hanging out!

Also, congratulations to Noah in Junior Infants who was on Kidz in the Car on FM104 this morning. He spoke really well and told a jok2 “How much did the pirate pay for a pizza? – An arm and a leg!!”

6^th class enjoyed a 1916 tour with a fabulous tour guide, Aoife’s dad!

RAKA

The following children were awarded Random Act of Kindness Awards this week:  Eva, Conor and Tensaye Junior Infants, Rosa, Akanksha, Willow and Summer 3^rd, Lilas, Martha, Jade, Eve, Emma, Zach and Ethan 4^th, Thomas and Dan 5^th, Juliette, Margot, Ava, Emma, Joanna and Maebh 6^th. Devyn and Caimin ALC.

RARA

The following children were awarded Random Act of Respect Awards this week: Sunny Junior Infants, Luca Senior Infants, Eimear, Mary-Kate and Senan 2^nd, Layla 3^rd, Tess 4^th, and Otilia 6^th.

Frása na Seachtaine:  Tá mé anseo (junior infants to 2^nd class)

Tá ______ tinn (3^rd to 6^th classes)

Le meas,

________________________________

Róisín Conlon,

Príomh Oide

The PTA had its second meeting of 2016 on 3^rd February 

Below is a summary of just some of the items discussed. If anyone would like further details or updates on any of the items please contact your PTA class rep.

PTA FUNDS

The Treasurer advised that there is currently €2,495.37 in the PTA Account and €364.05 in Petty Cash.  The PTA money held in the BOM account is €8,519.   The PTA Chairperson recently met with the school principal to discuss the how PTA funds will be used to provide additional resources required by the school.  The principal furnished a list of items purchased to date with PTA funds, which will be shared with all parents in the next quarterly newsletter. It was agreed that funds raised by the PTA, which have not been used to date, would be kept until we are in the new school and know what extra resources we require.

FUNDRAISING

The PTA were delighted to hear of a €10,000 donation to the school from a family in the school community and would like to convey the gratitude and delight of the parent body as a whole to them on their very generous donation. We will be hosting the Table Quiz again in June.  As the new school garden will require a budget for the purchase of materials and plants it was suggested that the funds raised at the table quiz in June should be allocated to the Garden.

SCHOOL GARDEN.

We need help with planting! Parents who can volunteer their services please email Virginie or Annaba. [email protected] or [email protected]

PTA Member Laura Curry has being liaising with the Botanic Gardens regarding student participation in the design and planning of the new school garden.

NEW SCHOOL

The OPW are to update the BOM this week in advance of the next BOM meeting (Wed 10^th Feb) and the parent body will be informed of progress after that meeting and in particular whether there will be a double intake of Junior Infants in September 2016.