Year: 2018

Parent-Teacher Meetings
The meetings will be held over 2 days next week; Tuesday 27^th & Thursday 29^th November. Every parent has been allocated specific times for their children that will make it possible to meet a number of teachers (if necessary) in one visit. You should have received a separate note informing you of the details. It is important that parents arrive on time for their appointment.

Homework Club
There will be no homework club next week (26^th– 30^thNovember).

Parents Association AGM
This meeting took place on Monday 12^th November in the school. Many thanks to those who were in attandence. We are lucky to have such a well-meaning and supportive group of parents in this school!

Aistear Programme for Infants
Our Infant Classes are taking part in the Aistear programme. Aistear is an initiative for learning through play. As part of this, they visited the ‘pop-up café’ in the old school where they could practice their reading and social skills, all while having some fun! Thanks to those staff involved in organising and helping.

Staff News
Congratulations again to the new Mrs. Donnelly (formerly Ms. Farrell) on her recent marriage. We have ‘lost’ two Ms. Farrells in the space of a few months!

Attendance & Punctuality
It is important to use the ‘Record of Absence’ notes towards the back of the Student Journal if your child has been absent or is going to be absent from school. This is the best way to inform your child’s teacher who needs to know the reason for any absence. Please ensure that your child is on time for school in the mornings and if s/he needs to leave early do let us know in advance. Thank you for your cooperation.

Christmas Carol Service
Pupils from 1^st– 6^thClasses will be taking part in a Carol Service in Ballylinan Church on the nights of Tuesday 11^thand Wednesday 12^thDecember. Due to the large numbers involved, we will divide the children into two groups, one on each night. Details to follow.

Ballylinan N.S. Food Appeal
Following on from last year’s efforts we will be holding our food appeal again this Christmas. We’ll issue further details in the coming weeks.

Thank You
For your support as always!

Parent-Teacher Meetings
These are an important chance to have a chat with your child’s teacher about his/her progress. They will be held on the afternoons of Tuesday 27^thand Thursday 29^thNovember. Details to follow.

Parents Association AGM
This meeting will take place on Monday 12^th November at 7:30 pm in the school. Your support for this meeting would be much appreciated.

School Calendar 2019
The Parents Association is in the process of organising the school calendar for 2019 which will include 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, payable in advance before 30^thNovember. Thank you for your support.

First Communion 2019
As previously notified, this will take place on Saturday, 25^thMay. Please note that the following Monday, 28^thMay is a normal day and children are expected to be in school on the day.

Gaeilge
Frása na Seachtaine: Tá sos fliuch ann.Very appropriate for this week! Perhaps also Bhí sos fliuch ann and Beidh sos fliuch ann!  You can play around a little with these; Tá an bóthar fliuch. Tá sé ag cur báistí (go trom). Tá uisce ar an mbóthar. etc.etc. In this country we can’t be stuck for words to use on this subject!

Gritting of Roads
We have been advised by Laois County Council that road gritting and salting for the approcah roads to the school has been confirmed on the schedule of works by the Area Engineer for 2018. We hope that this will result in an improvement in road conditions during icy spells.

Parking
Now that winter has arrived there tends to be more cars at the school in the mornings and evenings. We remind you of the need to be patient and considerate to ensure safe and convenient parking for all. If you are using the ‘overflow’ car park to the rear of the school in the evenings, please drive slowly and be vigilant. Thank you.

 

 

 

Football News
Our girls’ football campaign has come to an end for this year, having lost to Ballyadams in an exciting semi-final in Portlaoise last week. The girls have so much to be proud of; they played their hearts out with great skill and spirit and they were in the game right to the end. Even better than that, they were wonderful sportspeople and the way they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was an example to us all. They were a credit to themselves, their families, their school and to Ballylinan. Maith sibh a chailíní, beidh lá eile agaibh!

Halloween
We will be dressing up for Halloween this Thursday October 25^th.  This is a fund-raiser for our Parents Association. If children wish to wear fancy dress on the day, they may do so at a charge of €3 (family €5). As it can be hectic that morning, this year we are asking that money be paid in advance if at all possible. No masks please and please bear in mind that infants in particular may need an outfit that’s ‘convenient’ for them to use. Please remember that for health and safety reasons we ask the children to refrain from bringing nuts to school. Thank you.

Gaeilge
We’re making an effort to increase the amount of Irish that we use in everyday speech. Táimid ag déanamh iarracht níos mó Gaeilge a úsáid. Each week we have a new ‘phrase of the week’. This week’s one in the photo below. An féidir leat na focail eile a rá?

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 are being sent home every week with the oldest child in each family. You are reminded that your contribution is voluntary and confidential and you will be issued with a receipt at the end of the year. Your support is much appreciated.

Lost Property
Remember that we have amassed a collection of school jumpers, jackets, scarves, tracksuit tops etc.  Please come and see if your lost property is here before we donate it.

Community News
Why not pay a visit to the Pop-Up Café in the ABK Centre (old school)? There’s a lovely atmosphere and it’s a nice place to meet for a chat. Tea, coffee and some treats served. Give it a try! Open to all on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please bring a friend! Donations welcome.

Open Night
Ardscoil na Tríonóide Athy Open Night: tonight, Monday 22^ndOctober at 7 p.m.

 Attendance & Punctuality
Your child’s attendance at school is vital to their education. It is important to use the ‘Record of Absence’ notes towards the back of the Student Journal if your child has been absent or is going to be absent from school. This is the best way to inform your child’s teacher who needs to know the reason for any absence. Please ensure that your child is on time for school in the mornings and if s/he needs to leave early do let us know in advance. Thank you for your cooperation.

Green School News
Your child should have received a bookmark to remind us to make an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste. If you have seen the recent photos of tons of plastic floating in our oceans you’ll realise how important this is. If we can each make one small change it adds up to a lot!

Parents Association AGM
Will be held in the school on Monday, 12^thNovember at 7:30 p.m.

First Communion
Important: meeting for parents of children making First Communion next May will be held in the school this Thursday 25^thOctoberat 8:15 p.m.

Closures
School closes at the usual times this Thursday (voting in the Presedential Election will be on the following day) and re-opens on Monday November 5^th.

Book Bills / Rental
Thank you for your payments. Some book rental/school contribution fees are still overdue. Those with bills outstanding will receive individual letters in the coming days. If you have overlooked payment or wish to discuss same in confidence, please contact the school to make arrangements. Thank you.

Football News
Our Cumann na mBunscol group stages are drawing to a close. It was a challenging year for the boys this year but they played their hearts out as always and we have now reached the knockout stages in the Division 1 Shield. Our girls’ journey continues – they have reached the playoff stages in their division. Both teams have matches tomorrow and it’s do or die from here on!

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 are being sent home every week with the oldest child in each family. You are reminded that your contribution is voluntary and confidential and you will be issued with a receipt at the end of the year. Your support is much appreciated.

Halloween
As in previous years we will be dressing up for Halloween on Thursday October 25^th. This is a fund-raiser for our Parents Association. If children wish to wear fancy dress on the day, they may do so at a charge of €3 (family €5). As it can be hectic that morning, this year we are asking that money be paid in advance if at all possible. Thank you.

Stay Safe Programme
This is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. Its objective is to prevent child abuse and other forms of child victimization. It is implemented within the broader context of Social, personal and health education. SPHE fosters the development of the human being both as an individual and as a member of society. “It includes areas of education ranging from self-awareness and self-esteem to issues concerning health, nutrition, substance use and misuse, the prevention of child abuse, relationships, sexuality and citizenship”. In common with other strands of the SPHE curriculum the implementation of the Stay Safe programme is a collaborative process which involves parents, teachers, Boards of Management, and the wider community taking a co-ordinated approach to child protection and child abuse prevention through safety skills education. The annual programme will be implemented across the school in the coming weeks.

Change of Contact Details?
Please make sure we have up-to-date contact detailsfor you. This is important, particularly if we need to contact you in an emergency.

Upcoming School Closures
School closes at the usual times on Thursday, October 25^th(voting in the Presedential Election will be on the following day) and re-opens on Monday November 5^th.

 

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 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. Your support is much appreciated.

Aistear Programme for Infants
Our Infant Classes will be starting the Aistear programme after Halloween. Aistear is an initiative for learning through play which we began to implement last year. In our experience the children both enjoy it and really benefit from it. If you have any questions please ask your child’s teacher.

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

Lost Property
We have amassed a collection of school jumpers, jackets, scarves, tracksuit tops etc. Please come and see if your lost property is here!

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

Tin Whistle
Classes will resume this week. If you are interested please contact the school.

Change of Contact Details?
Please make sure we have up-to-date contact details for you. This is very important, particularly if we need to contact you in an emergency.

Thank You
For your support as always.