Newsletter 5th December

Christmas Carol Service
Pupils from 1st – 6th Classes will be taking part in a Carol Service in Ballylinan Church on the night of Wednesday, 14th of December. Due to the numbers involved, we have divided the children into two groups on the night. The service will take place at 7 and again at 8 p.m. We have allocated 4 tickets per family and there will be a charge of €3 per ticket. Payments may be made via the Aladdin app from this Wednesday 7th December. Thank you. You are most welcome to come and join us for just a few prayerful moments to focus on what’s most important at Christmas.

Wriggly Nativity
Junior & Senior Infants and 1st Class will be taking part in the ‘Wriggly Nativity’ on Friday week (16th December) at 12:30 in the Dunne/Sourke hall in the school. There will not be any tickets for this event and all are welcome.

Ballylinan N.S. Christmas Food Appeal
We are trying to help in a small way by having our food appeal this week on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th December. If you – or a family you know – would benefit from a hamper this year, please contact Ms. Goff: maryegoff.ballylinan@gmail.com. Please be advised that any enquiry will be handled discreetly and in the strictest confidence. Click to read more details.

Online Presence
We are also reviewing our online presence with a view to better communicate what goes on in the life of the school. We are considering using a social media platform such as Instagram etc. If you would like to comment or make suggestions, all views are welcome at feedback.ballylinan@gmail.com . Thank you.

Admissions to Ballylinan N.S. 2023/24
Please note that applications for the 23/24 school year will be open from Thursday, 5th January until Friday, 3rd February 2023. Further information on how to apply will be issued in due course. If you are aware of anyone who may wish to enrol a child for next year, please let them know these dates. Thank you.

Public Health Update
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
fever (temperature of 38 degrees or more), including having chills
dry cough
fatigue (tiredness)

Your child may not have all of these symptoms, they may vary. S/he may go to school with a runny nose or sneezing as long as they:
have no other symptoms
do not have a fever
are otherwise well

but if your child has a runny nose and feels unwell or is off form, they should stay at home. Thank you for your cooperation.

Advent Friends
As in previous years, each child in the school has been allocated an “advent” or “special” friend in the lead up to Christmas. We are asking that children should be particularly kind to the person without letting them know that they have been chosen. No cards or gifts are required; the pupils will make cards in school.

Christmas Holidays
The school will close for the Christmas holidays at 12:15 for Infants and 12:30 for all others on Wednesday, 21st December.

Thank you for your support as always.