Newsletter September 2013

Deireadh Fómhair

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Fáilte ar ais … welcome back to Scoil Chóca Naofa for school year 2013/14. Everyone looks so healthy after the fine summer.

Special welcome to all out NEW PEOPLE—Ms Kenny and Ms Barry our new teachers; Ms Goggin who has returned from leave;  Julia Hofman (5th Class), Maja Tolwaj (4th Class), Patrycza Michalska(1st Class); Julia Waszewska (Senior Infants); and all our new Junior Infants who have settled in so well. Ms Wilson and Ms Ní Dhálaigh will inform you about routines/timetables as we progress through the year.

Congratulations to Ms Burke who had a beautiful baby boy during the summer.

WASPS

Autumn is a time when we see an increase in wasp activity. Sugary lunches are a great attraction …. So consider carefully what you give your child for lunch.

CHILDREN SAFETY

Our Parents Association did great work last year in creating SAFETY AWARENESS on MILL LANE:

1. DROP OFF BOX at junction on lane (no parking)
2. PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE through CHURCH GROUNDS (John is manning the gate)
3. MARKED WALKWAY THROUGH CHURCH GROUNDS—point this out to your child as you come into and leave school
4. LOLLIPOP LADY … you should always cross with Carmel.
5. DRIVERS—please slow down coming to crossing.
6. Talk to your child about THE SAFE CROSS CODE
7. ONLY STAFF CARS IN STAFF CAR PARK—NO PEDESTRIANS
8. Respect for our neighbours on the Lane when parking … please do not park in gardens, across gates, etc.
9. To our Cyclists—great to see so many cycling/scooting to school—but please NO CYCLING/SCOOTING in school grounds
10. You should also remind your child that she should go straight to the yard when she enters the school: some children are going back to the gate to meet with friends. CHILDREN MUST STAY IN THE YARD.

Let us all cooperate and KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

SYMPATHIES

The school community extends its sympathy to Catherine (6th Class) and Taiwo (4th Class) Omolaoye and to Amanda O’Brien (3rd Class) on the loss of their Dads during the summer.

Our sympathies also to Fr PJ and Fr Des on the loss of their brothers.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a nAnamacha.

PAYMENTS

Thank you for your prompt attention to school payments… Remember to put all payments into an envelope with your child’s name and class. Also remember to label all articles belonging to your child … cardigans, lunch boxes, …. etc

OUR NEW FIELD

It was great to have all the space of our field on Thursday for Athletics. Thank you to all involved in getting it to this stage over the summer holidays … lots of hard work.

Teachers will inform you about PE days for this year—parents please ensure that your child wears her school uniform every day … tracksuits only on PE days. I am hoping that our senior students (everyone upstairs, especially 5th and 6th) will set good example for our younger girls this year.

RUNNERS ONLY on PE days—not Converse, not Vanns or other “fashion” statement footwear which provide no support.

While we do not specify “shoes” in our school rules, I strongly advise that school shoes be sturdy for playground activities (running, skipping, etc) and weather -proof (think of how uncomfortable it would be to sit in wet shoes all day).

Parents’ cooperation is vital in helping children to follow a code of discipline.

OUR NEW FIELD

It was great to have all the space of our field on Thursday for Athletics. Thank you to all involved in getting it to this stage over the summer holidays … lots of hard work.

Teachers will inform you about PE days for this year—parents please ensure that your child wears her school uniform every day … tracksuits only on PE days. I am hoping that our senior students (everyone upstairs, especially 5th and 6th) will set good example for our younger girls this year.

RUNNERS ONLY on PE days—not Converse, not Vanns or other “fashion” statement footwear which provide no support.

While we do not specify “shoes” in our school rules, I strongly advise that school shoes be sturdy for playground activities (running, skipping, etc) and weather -proof (think of how uncomfortable it would be to sit in wet shoes all day).

Parents’ cooperation is vital in helping children to follow a code of discipline.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

We have a very active PARENTS ASSOCIATION in Scoil Chóca. They meet once a month and are involved in all areas of school life: safety, information, social activities, fundraising, etc.…. They organised the welcome COFFEE MORNING on the first day. New members are  very welcome.

Parents Association has organised for Maureen Griffen to talk to parents on INTERNET SAFETY on WED 2nd OCT. With the widespread use of internet, mobile phones, social networking, parents need to be aware of how their children can use these valuable resources SAFELY.

WATCH FOR DETAILS ON PARENTS NOTICE BOARD IN YARD

MAYNOOTH SWIMMING POOL