Category: Newsletters

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.

STAFF/GIFTS:
The staff of the school has requested that due to the financial pressure on families at this time of year, children should not bring in presents / cards for staff this year. We very much appreciate the thought but feel it is an unnecessary expense at this time.

PANTO TICKETS:
Tickets are on sale every day at 9.20 am / 1.40 pm / 2.40 pm.  The list of children performing each night is displayed inside the main door.  Volunteers:  Our Parents Association is providing refreshments at the Panto for the back stage “team”.  If you are available to help out please contact the school 059 86 25195.

SCHOOL CALENDARS:
The calendars are currently with the printers and should be with us shortly.  The price of the calendar will be €7 and will include photographs of all the class groups and football teams.

BALLYLINAN JUVENILE GAA:
Reminder  Christmas Fair takes place in the GAA Club House on Sunday 6^th December @ 2pm.  Santas Grotto – cake stalls, Christmas wreaths, raffles, buzz off, Irish dancing, money stick, carol singing, crepes. Admission free.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS:
School closes Tuesday Dec 22^nd at 12.30 pm. and re-opens Wednesday January 6^th.

HOMEWORK CLUB Changes to next weeks schedule:
Monday 7^th – AS NORMAL.
Tuesday 8^th, Wednesday 9^th, Thursday 10^th – NO HOMEWORK CLUB.

SCHOOL  CHOIR
This is the time of year when we ask the children to give something back to the school and also to support their school and class – mates. Over the next few months we have 3 major school celebrations. Choir permission slips are being sent out to families of children in 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Class.

 First Confession          Wednesday March 8th (7pm)
Confirmation                 Saturday February 27^th (11.30 am)
First Eucharist              Sunday May 22^nd (11.30 am.)

PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS:
The meetings will be held on Tuesday November 24^th and Thursday November 26^th from 3.15 pm. – 5.45 pm.  As usual times will be allocated alphabetically (surname) over the two days.  More details later.

 BOARD OF MANAGEMENT 2015 – 2019:
Ballot papers are attached for election of the parents nominees on the new board.  Each parent/guardian is entitled to vote for one mother and one father.

ANTI-BULLYING:
The National Parents Council will provide training for parents on Thursday night, November 12^that 7.30 pm. in the school – guest speaker – Gráinne Quinn.  This is a very important issue and should be of great interest to all parents.

 *For organizational reasons please complete the form below (if you will be attending) and return it to the school by tomorrow, Wednesday 11^th at 3 pm.

———————————————————————–

I will attend the anti- bullying training on Thursday November 12^th at 7.30 pm.

Signed: _________________________

BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS:
We are asking parents not to send birthday invitations to school.  This has caused upset in the past and it would be better done parent to parent. 

EARLY ARRIVALS:
Some children are arriving to school very early.  While it is great to see the enthusiasm, supervision of pupils does not begin until 9am.  This will become more problematic as the weather deteriorates.

FIRST COMMUNION MEETING (parents only):
Tonight at 8 pm in the school sports hall.

SCHOOL CALENDAR:
At a recent meeting of the Parents’ Association it was decided to produce the school calendar again this year as a fundraiser.  If you wish to place an advertisement for your business into the calendar or know of any other business who may be interested, please contact the Parent Council Chairperson, Wendy Donoghue on 087 0519345.  Cost:  Half size (bottom of page) = €25;  full size (3.5 cm x 13.5 cm) €40.  Ads need to be submitted in digital form by email to ballylinanpa@gmail.com.

FIRST COMMUNION METING:
A meeting for parents will be held in the school sports hall on Thursday November 5^th at 8pm.  This is a joint meeting with the other parish schools.  Please note that the meeting is for 1^st Communion parents only.

 STAFF CHANGES:
Welcome back Ms. Bronwen Kiernan who takes up the post of shared resource teacher.  Mrs. Connolly will shortly go out on maternity leave and will be replaced by Ms. Stephanie Farrell.

 HOME READING PROGRAMME:
You will be receiving more information in the coming days about the roll out of the programme.  We hope it will be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone.

PANTO:
Rehearsals have began for “Puss ‘n Boots”.  It looks and sounds great!

SWIMMING – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER:
Wednesdays       Ms. Brennan – 1^st Class (Athy)

Thursdays          Ms. Cunningham (Portlaoise)

Fridays               Ms. Mulhare (Portlaoise)

ANTI-BULLYING TRAINING FOR PARENTS:

Thursday 12^th Nov @ 7.30 pm in the school.
The National Parents Council Primary/Post Primary have developed an Anti-Bullying Programme for parents of primary/post primary children.  The session will enable you to support your child regarding issues of bullying and will also inform you about the new Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools.