Wednesday, February 23, 2011

School note February 23rd 2011

Dear parents,

I wish to bring the following to your attention.
School will be closed tomorrow Thursday and Friday February 24tth. and 25th.
School tours for all classes will take place on Thursday May 26th. The teachers are currently finalising arrangements. It is hoped that all parents will receive details of tour arrangements next week. This should help families to plan ahead. The school will facilitate any families who wish to pay instalments from March 7th.
The Parents Association will meet in the school on Monday February 28th. at 8.30 p.m.
Artist Leonora O Sullivan has so far visited Junior and Senior Infants, Second, Third, Fifth and Sixth Classes to work with them in a variety of media including fabric, clay, construction and painting. All classes will enjoy Leonora's expertise.  I am indebted to the Parents' Association for their financial support for this project.
The school has recently purchased 6 visualisers  for use with our Interactive Whiteboards.
The school is currently in the process of submitting its application for a Green Flag. A huge amount of work has been done in this area over the last 18 months and the evidence is everywhere to be seen.

Gach dea ghuí,

______________________ 
J. Lyons
Principal


Friday, February 11, 2011

School note February 10th 2011

Dear parents,
I wish to bring the following to your attention.
Several parents have contacted me to voice their fears about safety of children in the Car Park and in the general school environs. There have been a number of near-accidents recently. I appeal to all parents to be extremely vigilant and to park in designated areas only. Parking or stopping in a yellow box is forbidden as is parking in areas designated for bus or disabled parking.  Some bollards have been placed near the exit of the car park to mark out a safe walking area for children as far as the school gate. The Board of Management has written to An Garda Síochána for further direction in this regard.
School will be closed for midterm break on Thursday and Friday February 24th and 25th.
The Green Schools Committee is hard at work at the moment. Today, Tim Toomey of the Tidy Towns Committee visited the school to advise members of the Committee on keeping the school and its surroundings tidy.
Leonora O Sullivan who was our  Artist in School last year has started work in the school again this year. She began with Junior Infants this week working with clay and will return tomorrow. All costs paid for by the Parents' Association. Leonora will work with every class in the school this term
As part of the Croke Park Agreement, all teachers are now required to work 36 hours per year outside of school hours. This will take the form of School Development Planning, curricular planning or Continuing Professional Development, usually on Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m.
Ballybrown GAA club wish to announce that the juvenile club will hold its registration night on Friday February 11th. in the clubhouse from 8.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
Ballybrown Camogie Club Registration will also  take place tomorrow Friday 11th February  from 8.15pm-9.15pm in Ballybrown Club House. Cost: €20 for 1 Child, €30 for 2, €40 for 3 or more. Any new players please bring a copy of Birth Cert. Further Info Contact Sarah Byrnes Secretary - 086 7749886.
Gach dea-ghuí,

____________________ 

J. Lyons
Principal

Friday, February 4, 2011

School note February 3rd 2011

Dear parents,
We have had a very busy week in the school.
On Tuesday, Pat Broderick from Heritage Ireland visited the school. He brought his own churn with him and made butter. Over the course of the day, all children got the chance to turn the churn as he explained the process and the customs associated with buttermaking. Pat also demonstrated different styles of St Bridget's Cross to the classes and showed the children how the Crosses are made.
On Wednesday, we celebrated Grandparents Day as part of Catholic Schools Week. Fr. O Connor visited the school to take part in a prayer service. Afterwards, grandparents visited classes to share their childhood memories.  It was a memorable day enjoyed by all and I want to thank all the grandparents who delighted their young audiences.
The Parents'Association will meet tonight in the school at 8.30.p.m. in the Halla.
Recently, all families were invited to vote on the School Tour issue. 126 votes were submitted for the school tour. 101 voted to hold the tour annually with 25 voting for the option of having the tour every two years.
The Parents Association recently presented a cheque for €1000 to the school to meet the cost of Art classes by Leonora O Sullivan. Leonora, who was our Artist in Residence last year, will start next week. I am grateful to the Parents Association for their continued commitment to the school.
A new Green Schools Committee, co-ordinated by Mrs Hodgins, Ms Mc Carthy and Ms Fitzgerald, has been appointed for 2011. Litter, recycling and energy conservation are the priorities. The new Committee is hard at work Thank you to all the members of last year's group for their excellent work. The members who stepped down were presented with certificates to honour their superb contribution.
Gach dea-ghuí,

_______________________ 
J. Lyons
Principal