Year: 2016

ADVENT FRIENDS:
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent.  Each child in the school has been allocated an “advent” or “special” friend in the lead up to Christmas.  Children should be particularly kind to the person without letting them know that they have been chosen.  No cards or gifts are necessary and should not be sent into school.

Confirmation:
A meeting for parents of children due to receive Confirmation in 2017 will be held in the school sports hall next Tuesday, December 6^th at 8pm.

Tuesday Dec. 13^th and Thursday Dec. 15^th
St. Anne’ Hall @ 7 pm.
Tickets will go on sale from Tuesday December 6^th for our annual panto.
Ticket sale times: 9.20 am / 1.40 pm / 2.40 pm daily from the school office.
Cost:  Adults €7; Children €3 (primary/post-primary) (pre-school children are free but must not take up a seat).

Your child/children will be on stage either Tuesday or Thursday night and due to space restrictions each family will be able to purchase only 2 tickets.  Should more tickets become available they will be offered by lottery.  If you require a 3^rd ticket please give your name at the school office.

Christmas Holidays:
School closes Thursday Dec. 22^nd at 12.30 pm. and re-opens Monday January 9^th.

Community News:

Ballylinan Juvenile G.A.A. Christmas Fair:
The annual Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday Dec. 11^th @ 2 pm. in the clubhouse.  Admission is free.  Local crafts, cake sale, festive fun and Santa’s Grotto.  Now taking orders for holly and noble fir Christmas wreaths.  Contact Frank Shanahan:  089 2100170.

Food Dudes Programme: 
Information will be sent home in the coming days about the programme which was established to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables.  This is our second time to run the programme in recent years and it is completely free.  Our start up date is next Tuesday (November 22^nd).

Parent/Teacher Meetings:
A reminder that the meetings will go ahead next Tuesday and Thursday (November 22^nd/24^th).  By now you should have received yourallocated time(s).

Some points to remember:

• Arrive on time
• Stay within the allotted time (10 mins).
• Please knock on the door at your given start time to advise the teacher that you have arrived.

Parking:

• Once again we are asking parents not to park in the staff parking areas in the morning.
• There is ample parking in the “Junior Play Area” at 3pm to avoid the need for “double parking”.
  Your co-operation would be appreciated.

Parents Association News:

The Parents Association are in the process of organising the school calendar for 2017 which includes photographs of all the class groups.  Organisations or companies wishing to take out an advertisement should contact Wendy Donoghue, Jane Morrin or the school office.  Cost:  €25 / €40.

Parent/Teacher Meetings:  The meetings will be held over 2 days, (Tuesday 22^nd & Thursday 24^th November).  In an effort to eliminate “waiting time” for parents we will introduce a new system this year.  Every parent will be allocated specific times for their children which will make it possible to meet a number of teachers (if necessary) in one visit.  Parents will receive a separate note today informing them of all the details they require.   

It is crucial that parents arrive on time for their appointment.

Homework Club: There will be no homework club on the days of the parent/teacher meetings (November 22^nd & 24^th).

Tin Whistle:  Some changes for this week –

Friday group moves to Tuesday (tomorrow 15^th)

Thursday group – no change.

1^st Communion Meeting:  (Parents only).

Thursday November 17^th at 8pm in school sports hall.

Halloween Fancy Dress:  The Parents Association would like to thank everybody for their contribution.  Total raised – €379.

Parents Association AGM:

Officers for 2016/2017:  Chairperson:  Wendy Donoghue

                                 Secretary:  Jane Morrin

                                 Treasurer:  Wendy and Jane will act as joint                                                                 treasurer.

In the “Principal’s Report”  Mr. Moloney thanked the outgoing committee for their work in the previous year including their involvement in Green Schools, grandparents mass, First Penance, school calendar, graduation and the organisation of courses for parents relating to internet safety, jolly phonics, anti-bullying and positive parenting.  It was also stated that if parents had issues or concerns that they should go directly to the school and not to the officers of the parents association.

In the Chairperson’s address Wendy thanked Mary Moore for her work as Treasurer over the past 3 years.

Positive Parenting Course:  The course continues on Thursday night (17^th) at the usual time.  Parents who wish to attend the First Communion meeting can transfer at 8 pm.

Parent Association A.G.M. – A reminder that the meeting is going ahead tomorrow night (Tues 8^th Nov) at 8.30 pm in the school.  Your support for this meeting would be much appreciated.

First Communion Meeting:  A meeting for parents of children due to receive First Communion in May will be held at the school on Thursday November 17^th at 8 pm.

Additional Teacher:  Welcome to Ms. Eleanor Lacey who has joined our staff and will be an additional Learning Support/Resource Teacher.

Tin Whistle:  For this week only both classes (Thursday and Friday groups) will be held on Friday.

Homework Club:  The club will go ahead as usual on Wednesday.

Halloween Photos:  On the school website www.ballylinannationalschool.com

Measles:  We have been informed of a possible case of measles in the school.  Please see the document on the back of this newsletter

School Closure:   A reminder that the school will be closed on Thursday November 10th.