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NEWSLETTER 07/11/16

Parent Association A.G.M. – A reminder that the meeting is going ahead tomorrow night (Tues 8th 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 17th 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.

infection-in-school-measles

 

 

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NEWSLETTER 26/10/16

Halloween:  Dress-up on Friday.  Contribution of €2 per child or €3 euro per family.  We hope everyone will have a great and a safe Halloween.

Parent Association A.G.M. – See below.

Message from Ballylinan NS Parents Association

Parents Association AGM

Tuesday November 8th @ 8.30 pm. in the school.

Recognising the fact that parents have busy lives and following consultation, the Parents Association for the current school year will introduce some new changes (with the permission of the A.G.M.) –

  • A core committee (5/6 people) will be set up which will meet between 3 and 5 times in the year or on a need basis.

  • Parents who do not wish to be part of the committee can give their names as volunteers for special occasions – First Confession, Graduation, etc as the need arises.

  • By attending the A.G.M. it does not mean you will get a job!

  • By attending the A.G.M. you are indicating your support for the school, your children and for each other.

  • The role of the Parents Association is to work with the Principal, staff and Board of Management to provide the best possible education for the children in the school.

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NEWSLETTER 20/10/16

MID-TERM:
School closes on Friday October 28th at the usual times and re-opens on Monday November 7th.

SCHOOL CLOSURE:
The school will be closed on Thursday November 10th for teacher in-service.

 HALLOWEEN:
We are “dressing up” for Halloween again this year on Friday October 28th.  As in previous years we are asking for a contribution of €2 per child or €3 per family.  Any funds raised will go to the Parents Association.  No masks please and no “one piece” costumes for infants!!

MORNING PARKING:
We would ask parents to avoid using the staff parking area (to the left and right) in the mornings please.  The spaces at the back facing in the direction of Athy and Ballylinan village are available.

FOOTBALL:
Our Cumann na mBunscol adventure came to an abrupt end on Tuesday when our boys were beaten 6-6 to 5-7 in what was described as “the match of the season”.  We are extremely proud of the team and especially the fact that they fought back from being 9 points down to come “within a whisper” of winning the match.  Well done to all!  Our boys “development squad” has been invited to play two away matches and these will take place in the coming weeks.  A big “thanks” to Mrs. Connolly, Mrs. Julian, Ollie Walsh, Frank Shanahan and others for all their work over the last 8 weeks and the staff “back at base” who made it possible!!

COMMUNITY NEWS:

Ballylinan G.A.A. – Kids Halloween Disco Friday 28th October, GAA Clubhouse – 6pm – 8pm.  Prize for best costume.  Admission €2.

 Ballylinan Running Club/Rachel Fenlon – Fancy Dress Family Fun 4km Walk/Run/Jog – Sun 30th Oct @ 2pm from St. Anne’s Hall.  Registration and face painting from 1 pm.  Adults €5, Child €3.Refreshments afterwards.  Prizes for best costumes on the day.  In support of Rachel’s goal to volunteer as a teacher in Kolkata, India, June 2017 with Froebel-Hope Teacher Education Partnership.

Arles School Parents Association – Talent Contest & Halloween Fancy Dress disco and games, Arles Hall, Sunday 30th Oct, 4pm.  Admission €5.

 

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NEWSLETTER 11/10/16

Sacraments:

  • First Penance: Tuesday March 14th at 7pm.

  • First Communion: Saturday May 20th at 11.30am.

  • Confirmation: Thursday April 6th at 2pm.

 Voluntary Contribution:

Envelopes will be sent home today (Tuesday)

Mobile Phone Policy:

A draft of the updated policy has been posted on the school website (ballylinannationalschool.com) and we would welcome any comments or observations.

Positive Parenting Course:

The course continues this week at 7pm Thursday night.  If you were unable to attend last week you are welcome to join in this week.

Welcome/Congratulations! 

 Welcome to Ms. Sukprasert who joins our staff this week and congratulations to Ms. Farrell following the birth of her son Matthew (a little early!)

Halloween:

 As in the past we will be dressing up for Halloween on Friday October 28th.  This is a fund-raiser for our Parents Association.  More details to follow.

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NEWSLETTER 04/10/16

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.

 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.

Photographs:
On occasion children will be photographed in relation to school activities.  Most 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.

Ballylinan Parents Association Parenting Course:
Thanks to the parents who have enrolled for the course starting on Thursday night – Oct. 6th at 7pm.  It is still possible to attend but please let us know beforehand.

Football News:
The boys welcome Clonaslee today in a “top of the table clash”.  The winner of this match will go straight to the final while the loser will play The Heath in the semi-final.

The girls host Killenard on Thursday at 12.45 pm.  The next phase of the competition has yet to be decided as it appears there is only one “stand-out” team.  All to play for!

 Book Bills:
Another reminder!

Staff:
Ms. Farrell has commenced her maternity leave slightly early and we wish her well in the coming weeks.  She will be replaced by Ms. Sukprasert (Dunne) from next Monday.