October Newsletter 2017
We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Hanny, Leeroy, Joanna and Glenden who joined Ballybay Central School during September.
We are delighted that Rev. Gerry Clinton has taken over as Chairperson of the Board of Management. We are hugely grateful to Charlie Mills who has served as Chairperson since January 2016. Gerry will be visiting school to lead assembly each Thursday morning except for the 1st Thursday of every month when we welcome Andrew McMullan and his wife Beulah from CEF to assembly.
Cash for Clobber
All unwanted clothes, bed linen, towels, shoes (paired) may be left into school over the coming weeks for collection by Cash for Clobber on 24th October. The money raised from the collection will be used to buy much needed resources for the school.
Book Bills
Ballybay Central partakes in the Book Rental Scheme. All books are purchased by the school and are rented to children for the year. In order for the scheme to be a success we urge you to ensure text books, readers etc are kept in good condition. Any lost or damaged books must be replaced. Pupils write in workbooks and these are sent home at the end of the year. Book rental money also covers costs of photocopying. The school also provides copy books for children.
This year we are introducing two fees for the rental of books: Junior Infants-1st Class pupils cost €40/ 2nd-6th Class €55.
Please return payment by Friday 27th October, in an envelope with your child’s/children’s name(s) on it for the attention of Mrs McBride. If anyone wishes to speak to the Principal re the payment of book bills please ring the school and arrangements can be made to pay in installments.
Parents’ Association
Many thanks to the Parents’ Association for their kind donation of 15 Good News Bibles. This is greatly appreciated. The AGM of the Parents’ Association will take place on the 24th October (provisionally) and we would encourage parents to attend.
Shoe Box Appeal
Many families already donate shoeboxes to the ‘Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal’ each year. Sandra Anderson is going to give a talk about the appeal and show us some ideas for boxes. If any family wishes to prepare a shoebox for the appeal they should bring it to school on or before 27th October and we will pass it on to Sandra. For families who already donate shoeboxes through their church/library or any other organisation please continue to do so.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics continues every Fridsay until Halloween at a cost of €2 per child per week. The children are enjoying the classes with Lisa. Please make sure your child/children wears a t-shirt tucked into tracksuit/leggings for each class. Each class must be paid for in advance.
Code of Behaviour
Over the coming weeks the staff will be reviewing and updating our school’s Code of Behaviour which was last ratified by the Board of Management in 2009. A draft copy of the updated policy will be sent to each family. Please read the policy and should you wish to comment please do so and return to school by the given date. The Board of Management will then ratify the updated policy and each family will receive a copy. If you have an e-mail address could you fill in the from attached as this will save on printing hard copies (especially for policies) for each family.
Photographer
The photographer will be in school on Tuesday next 10th October to take school photographs. Please make sure all pupils are wearing their full school uniform. While photographs of each child/family will be taken, there is no requirement on any parent to purchase any photos.
Agri Aware Workshop
A workshop for children highlighting the dangers of a farm will take place in school on 9th November.
Homework
Homework is a very important part of your child’s education. It is used to reinforce work taught in school and it also prepares children to work independently, a skill required for secondary school. Many children are now attending the After School Service but it is still important for parents to check that the homework has been completed to the best of their child’s ability. Please do not assume that homework has been completed fully in After School.
Lunches
Please ensure that your child/children adheres to the healthy lunch policy. Drinks suggested are water or diluted cordial. Cartons of juice have a high sugar content and are not recommended. We expect all children to eat all their lunch everyday. Please don’t send lunches that are too big or include foods that your child doesn’t like as it is distressing for a young child in particular to have to eat food they don’t like!
Absent Notes
Please fill in the absence note (found in homework diary) if your child is absent for school for any reason. We are required to maintain records of pupils absences and if a child misses 20 school days or more they are reported to Tusla. These absence notes may be required at a later stage to confirm reasons for absences.
Closure
School will be closed on Monday 16th October as staff attend an Inservice Training Day for the new Primary Language Curriculum
Halloween Break —
School will finish on Friday 27th October, returning to school on Monday 6th November.