Thursday, January 8, 2015

School note January 8th. 2015

 

8-1-2015.

Dear parents,

                                I would like to welcome all pupils, staff and parents back to school after the Christmas break.

                             Third Class pupils have just started a six-week programme of swimming lessons in Askeaton Leisure Centre. This is a great opportunity for all pupils to learn a lifelong skill.

                             Wassa Wassa Workshops are established providers of arts workshops and performances across the education and arts sectors. Wassa Wassa  will visit Ballybrown NS next week. All classes will enjoy a dance workshop by an expert facilitator on either Monday 12th. or Tuesday 13th. of January. Classes will last for 50 minutes to an hour. The cost is €2 per child. Please give the  money to your child's teacher. Thanks to Mrs Dillon who organised this most worthwhile activity.

                      The closing date to have your child's name on the Enrolment List for Junior Infants in September 2015 is Friday January 23rd. at 3 p.m. Please contact the school if you have not already done so. Letters to parents of prospective Junior Infants were posted on Tuesday.

                                    During the course of parent-teacher meetings, some parents expressed a desire for their child to repeat a class. Under Department of Education rules governing this issue, Circular 19/2011 makes reference to Circular 32/03 concerning retention of children in same class-

            Section 2.3 states: 'Under the Department's policy, children should only be allowed to repeat a year for educational reasons and in exceptional circumstances.'

 

            The area of children's health and encouraging healthy lifestyle is of vital importance to both parents and the school. Ballybrown NS has decided to become a Health Promoting School. Ms Katie Gibbons, 5th. class teacher, has kindly agreed to co ordinate this initiative.  As a parent we would encourage you to get involved and support our Health Promotion work. A  meeting will take place on Thursday January 15th at 8.30 p.m. in the school. Ms Mairead Kelly, Health Promotion Officer for the Limerick area will attend to advise on how best to proceed.

            As we begin 2015, I ask parents to avail of the parking area available in the Resource Centre and in the Church grounds. Please keep the Staff parking area and the bus areas free. Please do not obstruct traffic or park in the yellow box at the gate.

       

 Finally, I urge parents to ensure that your child's name is on all books, coats, fleeces etc.            

Gach dea ghuí,

 

________________

J. Lyons

Principal