Month: September 2024

Newsletter 10^th September 2024

Cumann na mBunscol: The football season begins with away matches against Ratheniska for both boy’s and girl’s teams tomorrow. There is a charge of €7 for the bus, payable via Aladdin please. A separate communication will issue to parents / guardians of players, later today.

Music Generation: We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Music Generation Laois this year. Juniors, Seniors and First class will take part in the Early Years Music Programme, with music specialist Kim Melia. This will involve weekly session beginning on Thursday of this week. Plans are in the pipeline to include some of our senior classes, later in the term. There is a small charge per pupil, which we hope to spread over two payments, details to follow.

Ploughing Traffic: As you know, the National Ploughing Championships will take place in Ratheniska next week. Garda Traffic Management advises us that there will be a noticeable increase in traffic through Ballylinan on the mornings of Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18^th and Thursday 19^th September. The school will open and close at the usual times. We will be understanding and ask that you be patient; there is no need to rush to avoid being late.

Parental feedback: Your feedback helps to shape future planning for our school. If you did not get the opportunity to complete our Parental Feedback Survey at the beginning of the Summer, you might like to do so now.

Flu Vaccination:  We are very fortunate to have Ballylinan Pharmacy come onboard to offer the Nasal Flu Vaccine to our pupils this winter. The vaccine is offered free of charge to all children who wish to avail of it. More details, including parental consent forms, will follow in due course.

Newsletter 2^nd September 2024

Welcome back: Welcome back to all school community and especially to our new pupils.

Arrival time: School starts each morning at 9:15pm. Please note that the Board of Management provides supervision for pupils as they wait in line (at the rear of the school) from 9:05am, but not before then. On wet mornings, children can enter the school through the front door and are supervised in the sports hall from 9:05am.

Aladdin: Please check that we have the most up to date details for your child on Aladdin, including contact details, medical information etc. Please ensure that you have the most recent version of Aladdin installed on your phone and that you have notifications enabled. In the coming days, you will be asked to give your consent for a range of scenarios via the Aladdin App.

School Tracksuits: There was a slight delay with the delivery of our school tracksuits. These will be given directly to your child in the coming days. PE days will be notified by the class teachers in due course.

Lunches: You can continue to update your choice of school lunches via https://irishschoolmeals.ie/ using the login in details from the last school year. It is important to begin by choosing meals that you know your child will eat. You may provide a small healthy snack for morning break. NO NUTS PLEASE!

Invitations: We ask that you would not distribute party invitations at school. There is a new feature on Aladdin that allows you to share your contact details with the parents of children in your class. This may help you to arrange those all-important birthdays, playdates etc. Deatils on how to join the class list are availble in your Aladdin notifications.

Parents Association: Our school playground and basketball courts had a facelift over the holidays. Thank you to the wonderful team of parents who refreshed our basketball court markings, made and installed new backboards and nets and added playground games to our yard. Thank you also to our parents who welcomed our new parents with a cuppa on Wednesday morning.

Autism Class: Building work continues on the reconfiguration of our autism classroom. We anticipate that this will continue for a number of weeks.

Communication: Positive home school communication is vital. If you wish to speak to your child’s teacher, please call the school on 059 8625195 to arrange a meeting or phone call. Email is not the appropriate forum through which to raise or discuss concerns about your child.

Payments: Thank you to all who have paid the back-to-school expenses already. Payments can be made through Aladdin, by instalment if required.

Homework: There will be no formal homework for the month of September.

Free Book Scheme: The Free Book Scheme has been a positive development for our school. Please have a chat with your child about the importance of looking after their books so that books are in good condition for next years class.

School Lotto: The school lotto continues each Thursday. Your support is greatly appreciated. Sign up here.  

Recycling: Our Green School Committee continue to collect your cans and bottles. These are retuned for cash through the Deposit Return Scheme. We are currently saving towards the purchase of sensory equipment for our school.

Calendar: The calendar for 2024 / 2025 is availbel to view on our website.