Newsletter 26th September 2018

Nut Allergies
A number of children in the school have a severe allergic reaction to nuts. Since this condition can be life threatening, all teachers are asking for your help in minimising the risk to these children by:

  1. Avoiding giving children nuts in school lunches;
  2. Avoiding giving peanut butter sandwiches, other spreads containing nuts such as Nutella and other products labelled “may contain nut traces” in school lunches;
  3. Asking children notto share their lunches.

Due to the severity of the problem, it is important that all parents carry out the suggested measures and reduce the risk of allergic reaction to these children.

Thank you very much for your co-operation.

Book Bills / Rental
Book rental/school contribution fees are now overdue. Please pay immediately or contact the school to make payment arrangements. We will be contacting you in the coming weeks re. any outstanding payments. Thank you.

Football News
At school (Cumann na mBunscol) level our teams are having mixed fortunes this year so far. Our girls have won one and lost one. Our boys have yet to record a win despite very good performances against large schools and with a team comprised mainly of 5thClass players.

The groups this season are as follows:

Cailíní (Roinn 2B)                                Buachaillí (Roinn 1A)

Ballylinan                                                  Ballylinan

The Rock                                                    Emo

Timahoe                                                     Graiguecullen

The Heath                                                  Holy Family (Portlaoise)

Derrylamogue                                        Killeshin

TripleP Parenting Programme
For those who have already indicated that they will attend, please note that the course will now begin this night week (Wednesday, 3rdOctober) at 7 p.m. We recommend this programme; why not ask a friend to come with you? If you’re thinking of attending, please contact the school immediately.

Voluntary Envelope Collection
The envelope collection is our main means of fundraising and allows us to provide better facilities, equipment and services for your children. The envelopes will be sent home every Tuesday (beginning next week) with the oldest child in each family.  Your contribution is voluntary and confidential and you will be issued with a receipt at the end of the year.

Photographs
On occasion children will be photographed in relation to school activities. Many of these photographs will appear on the school website, but sometimes the photographs may be taken by newspapers covering sports events, new infants in school, panto, etc. It is now common practice that only the child’s first name is used, if any. In the last few years our parents association has produced a calendar of the different class groups which has been very popular. Please let us know if you have any concerns about this issue. Please also see the school’s annually reviewed Child Safeguarding Statement on the school website (address below).

Head Lice
Like all schools we can have problems from time to time with head lice. In that event:

Treat any family member with head lice at once. Treatment for head lice can be purchased in lotions and shampoos from your local pharmacy. In order for some products to be effective, they must be left in the hair overnight.

Once you have treated and cleared your child’s head lice you should remember…

  • Use a fine comb to check your child’s hair every time it is washed (a comb is provided with some head lice products)
  • Ask your child not to use other people’s brushes or combs.
  • Head lice is a community problem, it is nothing to be embarrassed about.
    Thank you for your attention in relation to this matter.

Staff News
Mrs. Connolly is now on leave and we wish her well in the coming weeks. Welcome back to Ms. Lacey who will deputise for the duration of the leave.

Communion & Confirmation Dates
Confirmation will be held on Thursday, 4thApril 2019. Communion dates will be notified to you next week, along with further details.

Parking
Having seen the situation in many other schools, ours – believe it or not – is one of the smoothest running. Naturally, some waiting is unavoidable at peak times. Please ensure that you avoid double parking; this forces children to walk between cars which is not safe. Thank you all again for your cooperation.