Dear Parents Issue: 03 October 12th, 2022
Fantastic news!!!:
- Since coming back to school in September, our SET & SNA teams (led by Mrs Cronin) submitted an “exceptional review” in the hope that we could get additional SNA resources for our school.
- Thanks to the Trojan work put in by all concerned we are delighted to announce that Scoil Chroí Naofa has had our allocation of SNAs increased from 2.83 to 4 full time posts!
- We welcome Mrs Geraldine Ferry to the Scoil Chroí Naofa team!
- This means that we now have 4 full-time SNAs: Mrs Hallissey, Mrs Trehy, Mrs Kinneen and Mrs Ferry.
Sincere thanks:
- I would like to express my sincere thanks to the GRETB who have allowed us indefinite use of their pitch (beside the old Clarin college) now that the Pres pitch is no longer available. We are so grateful.
Attendance:
- Congratulations to Ms Alani’s 3rd class on having the Best Attendance for September
School Uniform:
- Thank you to all parents, pupils & staff who have sent in their feedback regarding the proposed new school uniform.
- An on-line survey will be emailed to all parents today
- Please continue to submit any comments you have before Monday of next week (Oct 17th).
Band:
- Band practice started last week
- Children from 3rd up to 6th have been selected for either tin whistle, melodica, accordion or bell lyre.
- The children will bring home their instruments, so that they can practice their tunes every night as part of their homework. (This is especially important this year as only the girls in our current 6th class have ever played a musical instrument in the school band).
- Please remind the children that the instruments are on loan to them from the school & they should take very good care of them, so that they can give them back to the school in the condition they received them.
- The girls from 3rd up to 6th will perform in the band on the night that the Christmas lights are turned on in Athenry (Friday November 25th).
- The girls in 2nd class will be taught the tin whistle and will also be learning majorette routines. The majorettes will be part of the band for St Patrick’s day.
Heritage:
- RTE and the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland with the Office of Public Works present “Eye on Nature” – Ireland’s newest national wildlife and nature photography exhibition. These photographs represent the rich natural heritage that Ireland has to offer, showcasing our islands. The finalists are currently being exhibited on the grounds of Athenry castle.
- Mrs Monson’s 3rd / 4th class and Mrs Greally’s 4th class will be visiting the exhibition this week.
Cash4Clobber Collection:
- There will be a Cash4Clobber collection on Thursday October 20th, before the mid-term break.
- Bags can be dropped to the school from Monday Oct 17th up until the morning of Thursday Oct 20th.
- Please make sure the clothes are in plastic bags that are properly tied up and have no holes!
Athenry Library:
- The children in Mrs Murray’s Senior Infants class will visit Athenry library on Friday October 21st
- They will meet children’s author Dolores Keaveney who will also read them a story.
Halloween Fun day fundraiser:
- Friday October 28th is a non-uniform day. Your child may come to school dressed in their Halloween costume or they may come to school in their normal clothes. It is their choice, we certainly don’t want to put expense on parents having to buy a costume.
- Our only request is that props such as wands, swords etc. are left at home. It is better your child just wears their costume / face paint (without any props) coming in to the classroom.
- Please ensure your child is able to use the bathroom comfortably by themselves in their costume.
- Please note also, correct footwear is essential for the yard. (Most Disney princess shoes are not made for running in the yard!)
- Thanks to Kim Somers and her team at Flex-yo style / Ultra flex each class will also get the chance to do some fun Halloween dance routines in the hall.
- In keeping with tradition each child is asked to donate €2 for this non-uniform day and the proceeds will be given to Athenry Playground committee.
- The children will get their holidays for mid-term break on Friday October 28th. It is a normal school day i.e. Junior & Senior infants finish at 1.30pm and all other classes finish at 2.30pm. School re-opens on Monday November 7th.
Team Hope Christmas Shoe Boxes:
- The Christmas Shoebox Appeal is an annual campaign where thousands of individuals in Ireland donate shoeboxes filled with gifts to children affected by poverty in Africa and Eastern Europe. It is an opportunity to share a little joy and excitement with children who live in circumstances where these can sometimes be in short supply.
- To make a VIRTUAL BOX of your own with your child you can visit: https://www.teamhope.ie/christmas-shoebox-appeal/ and choose the items you would like to add. (Just follow the steps online).
- There are also instructions on how to build a physical box on the website. If you choose this option then you must drop the box to the school on the first day back to school after the mid-term break (Monday Nov 7th) as this is the deadline for the boxes to be collected.
Parent / Teacher Meetings:
- Parent teacher meetings for all classes from Junior Infants up to 6th class will take place on Monday November 14th and Tuesday November 15th
- You will receive an appointment closer to the time.
- The meetings will take place from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on both days and all children from 1st to 6th class will go home at 2.15pm on both days, to give class teacher time to get ready for their first meetings at 2.30pm.
Parents Council Information:
- The school has signed up with www.designacard.ie again this year. Each child will be given the opportunity to design their own Christmas Card. A sample of their designs will be sent home in November, giving you the option to purchase a pack of Christmas cards designed by your child. A portion of the sales price will come back to the school and be used by the Parents’ Council to fund different experiences / activities for the children.
General Reminders:
- Staff request all outstanding monies for book rental and school costs be paid as soon as possible. Please do this via the Aladdin app, if at all possible. (Any issues please contact the office).
- Please label all children’s clothes and belongings clearly including lunchboxes, drink containers etc.
- Please ensure your child brings their raincoat to school for days that will be wet. Outdoor activity is being encouraged by the Department of Education.
- Your co-operation to ensure that your child wears the full school uniform every day (except on PE day) is most appreciated.
- Check your child’s hair to ensure that any infestation of head lice is treated at once. Long hair should be tied back.
- Class teachers call the roll first thing in the morning, every day. If your child has an appointment in the morning, please notify the teacher the day before so that your child can be marked present.
- Birthday invitations should not be distributed on the school premises as it causes upset to the children who are not invited.
- Some children have a Severe Nut Allergy. Therefore, children are not allowed to have nuts at school.
- If you Change Address, Email or Phone Numbers, please inform secretary so she can update school records.
- Please DO NOT WALK UNDER THE BARRIER. The barrier is in constant use from 8am til 2.30pm. Parents and children should use the pedestrian entrances (i.e. the gaps in the wall).
Important Dates to note:
- Thursday Nov 24th Staff Webinar Term 1 – all the children will go home at 1.15pm
- Thursday December 22nd to Wednesday January 4th: Christmas holidays (school closes at 11.45am on Wed Dec 21st)
- Wednesday February 1st: Grandparents day
- Monday February 6th: St Brigid’s day bank holiday
- Thursday February 16th & Friday February 17th: February Mid-term break
- Tuesday March 22nd: School Photographer
- Monday April 3rd to Friday April 16th: Easter Holidays (school closes at 11.45am on Fri Mar 31st)
- Monday May 1st to Friday May 5th: May Mid-term break
Community Links:
- This year, Macnas are up to something big & different. Come down to Macnas HQ at Fisheries Field, Galway to see Con Mór, the Giant situated on the banks of the River Corrib on Saturday Oct 29th and Sunday Oct 30th 2022. Children & grown-ups are asked to make, find or bring a feather to Macnas over the Halloween bank holiday weekend, along with their message of hope attached to the feather and give it to Con Mór.
Samhain Shona daoibh go léir !
Yours sincerely
Fergal Naughton
Principal
