Welcome back to school
Hope everyone had a healthy, happy holiday. So good to be returning in mild weather. For recession reasons we are hoping to alleviate things somewhat by subsidising the next block of swimming, yoga lessons and the usual bus to the Community Centre in the summer term. We also hope to purchase IT software, maths equipment, organise a homework club (more details later) and organise a parents’ event. All this is possible because of our annual DEIS grant. Let’s hope this isn’t the last year of support.
Whole School Evaluation
A Questionnaire for parents has been sent out. Please return as soon as possible, but by the latest Thursday the 12th of January.
Pre evaluation Meetings take place with officers of the Parent Association, the Staff and the BOM on Tuesday the 10th of January. Thanks to everyone for making themselves available and for your time and commitment. With the national re-election of BOMs there have been quite a few meetings this school year. Thank you again for your time. Much appreciated.
Staff Meeting
Please note the next Staff meeting involves a 12.30pm close as per the Calendar. Thank you all for your promptness in collecting children in time for our last staff Meeting.
ACT for Meningitis
Well done Gráinne and Rachael for your fund raising work for Meningitis. Wrapping presents, face painting and crafts for sale. Super ideas. Coverage in the local papers was excellent.
Activity Week.13-15th Feb (Afterschool Activities are cancelled for this week in February)
Our annual Activity week takes place this year on Monday the 13th, Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th of February. Plenty of time for planning the workshop you can offer us. All workshops are welcome. For new parents this is a three day break from the usual timetable. If you have an idea for a workshop or a speaker, please talk with your child’s class teacher re. age appropriateness and materials needed. Each teacher will fill in an Activity Week Timetable so get in early to select a specific spot. We will have a budget so expenses will be covered. Please agree any costs with the teacher first and then hold on to receipts. An opportunity for those hidden talents/skills to be showcased! We will down academic tools as usual for the three days Mon February 13th, Tues 14th and Wed 15th. Then we will have the Mid Term break for two days. Only five weeks away. We’ve had drama, creative writing, mask making, dance, fitness routines, talks by explorers, yoga, the Alexander Technique, Brain Training, science experiments, hands on maths, soap making, French, storytelling, poetry readings, textile work, journal creation, clay work, gingerbread houses, carbon footprints, skipping, launching rockets, cookie decorating, basket weaving, candle making, and gardening etc. in the past just to give you a flavour. Inspire us, we know we have a creative parent body. Teachers try to co-ordinate workshops so that the children do a good mix of hands-on activities as well as hearing speakers. Timetabling can be tricky so do bear with us. Parents don’t necessarily have to work in the class of their own child - if you have an ideal speaker for a senior group but your child is in Infants do run it by us and vice versa.
Towels Thank you to all parents and teachers who are now helping with the towels. As you know we have paper towels in all toilet areas (Since H1N1 outbreak) so we only use these towels for Art and in the staffroom. If you see a bag of towels in the foyer of the main building we would be delighted if you just take it and return them freshly washed. Many hands….
Book Club
The Student Council initiative to set up a book club was a great success. One book Kensuke’s Kingdom has been read and discussed. The next book, title a closely guarded secret, will be distributed this month.
Swimming
We will resume classes after the Mid-term break. Classes from 1st-6th will travel to the Kingfisher Club in Tuam as in Term 1. Cost will be €4 swimming pool and €3.50 for bus. All same as last term. Six weeks to from Feb 23rd to March 29th will be €45. With the subsidy (DEIS Fund) that will be €20 for each child.
Consent forms will issue very soon.
Car park
Please drive carefully in the turn around. Please do not park in the turnaround as the buses need clear access and other parents need to get through. Remember to drive slowly at all times at the front of the school for the safety of everyone and remind your child to walk at all times rather than run.
Attendance/Punctuality
It is widely accepted that there is a direct link between school attendance and pupil progress. Your co-operation with maintaining high attendance and punctuality (for a 9.20am start) is greatly appreciated.
As teachers have to fill in the category of absence when informing the NEWB it is essential that a note is sent in after every absence explaining it. Absence notes are available in the front hall on the Parent Association Notice Board.
Please note if a student is late it is better to come in and attend for the rest of the school day rather than miss the whole day.
Feedback and raising issues.
We welcome feedback and ask the school community to use the proper channels so that any issues are resolved as quickly as possible. A Flow chart was given to all families last year and to new families this year, detailing the steps. If you need a new copy these are available in the office. The main thing to remember is to approach the class teacher first and then allow time before embarking on the next step. Thank you all for your consideration in ensuring classes are not disturbed during teaching time. I particularly appreciate this, being as I am, a Teaching Principal. This is also true of phone messages. We check them at 11am and 12.30pm. We act on them as soon as we can. However we really need to know about major changes as early as possible. A message received after 1pm will not be received in time for a change to be made re bus etc.
Numeracy and Literacy Strategy
Our school will be putting in place recommended changes in line with the new strategy paper. For more info see www.education.ie.
Website Keep an eye on our website for news www.claregalwayeducatetogether.ie Thanks to Siobhán who updates the site regularly. We are hoping to get several policies on the website soon so keep an eye out. In the meantime the policy of the month is Maths, as it has been reviewed recently by staff and the BOM. It is now on display in the foyer of the main building. Please take it to read and return. All policies are available from the office- Deirdre is available on Wednesday and Friday mornings as usual and can download all you request.
Update to Parents from B.O.M. 12th December 2011
• Policies Reviewed: BOM reviewed and adopted the following policies:
Child Protection Policy
Mathematics Policy
Health and Safety Policy
• New members of BOM signed Declaration of Acceptance of Membership of the school Board of Management.
• Treasurers Report: Accounts are in order. Last payment made for construction of Modular Building.
• WSE: BOM discussed its role in the upcoming Whole School Evaluation.
