Month: 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 5^thClass 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, 3^rdOctober) 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, 4^thApril 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Bills / Rental
Once again thanks to all who have paid. If you have not yet done so, please pay as soon as possible. If you have any queries re. payment, please contact the school.

Infants
Our new infants have settled in well and are now remaining in school until 2 pm.  The children now line up at the back of the school with the other classes; another milestone reached! Please remember that the bell goes at 9.15 am and remember some extra lunch, but not too much!

Homework Club
The club is now up and running again for another year. You should have received notice of same. If you would like your child to take part, please contact the school.

Tin Whistle
Classes will resume in three weeks time; the first week of October. Thursday 4^thfor past players and Friday 5^thfor beginners.

Football
Cumann na mBunscol competitions are now in full swing. Thanks to the teachers involved in coaching and bringing the boys and girls to matches. We get great support from the local clubs too!

School Calendar 2019
Our Parents Association has produced a school calendar in recent years and it has proved to be very successful not only as a fund-raiser but also as a keep-sake. We will be taking photographs of class groups in the coming weeks.

Athy College
Children from 5^th and 6^th class will visit Athy College on Friday week (21^st). The College is holding an Open Evening on Thursday 20^thSeptember for parents and students who are interested in enrolling for Sept 2019 or if you would just like to visit.  All are welcome between 6 and 8 pm. Parents of children in 5^th Class should now be making plans for their child’s secondary education.

Class Visits
From time to time during the year children will leave the school grounds to visit locations such as St. Anne’s Hall, Ballylinan G.A.A. pitch, St. Anne’s soccer pitch, ‘The Park’, St. Anne’s Church, the old school, the cemetery, etc.  It may not be always possible to inform you in advance that these “trips” will be taking place as they will be weather dependent but children will always be back to school by collection times.

Car Parking
Thank you for your consideration in parking in an orderly manner at the school and allowing plenty of time. Please ensure that you leave staff car spaces free in the mornings. Thank you for your cooperation.

Junior Cert
Congratulations to all our past pupils who received their Junior Cert results this week.

Triple P Parenting Programme
We work closely with the Midland Area Parenting Partnership. We’re delighted to announce that a parenting programme (for parents of children 2-10 years) will be held in our school, beginning on Wednesday, 26^thSeptember from 7-9 pm. There will be no charge and we recommend it. Places are limited and booking is essential. Contact Midland Area Parenting Partnership Office at 0906 – 447 111 or Sinéad Higgins at 086 – 821 5102.

 

Book Rental/School Contribution (Costs)
Thanks to everyone who has paid. Through the book rental scheme we try to keep cost as low as possible. The benefit to families is often greater in the senior classes. As previously explained the school contribution pays for the services provided for your children such as materials for art/science, assessment tests, photocopying, 24 hour personal accident insurance, etc. As we have to pay many of these costs in advance we would appreciate payment as soon as possible. Thank you.

Book Grant
Families who qualify for the “Back to School Clothing Allowance” are also eligible for the book grant.  Please let us know.

School Tracksuits
Tracksuits ordered during the summer are now overduefor collection. No further orders can be accepted.

Parking
A reminder to parents that the junior playground is open for parking around 3 p.m. to facilitate collection.

Healthy Lunch
As part of our policy we are asking that parents do not send sweets, crisps (and similar snacks), chocolate, fizzy or energy drinks to school please. We would also ask you to be careful about the quantity of food sent in as children may feel they need to finish everything and that is not always the case.

Homework Club (1^st to 6^th Class)
Starts back Monday September 10^th.

Tin Whistle
Starts back next week. Details to follow.

Swimming
Swimming starts this week for Ms. Hogan’s class. All other classes will have sessions throughout the year.

Community News
Ballylinan Youth Club Launch Night on Tuesday, 18^thSeptember in St. Anne’s Hall from 7-9 p.m. Ages 12-15, registration €5. Parents must accompany children on the night.