Christmas Newsletter 5/12/17
Christmas is upon us. The air of anticipation and excitement is palpable. The Junior Infant Carol Service will be held on Friday 15th December at 9.30 in the school hall. I hope it will help to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. The message of truth, love and hope is in evidence, in a very real way, every day, as members of the community are more than happy to give that little extra to each other.
The school will close at 12 o’clock on Friday 22nd December and re-open on Monday 8th January 2018. Children are not required to wear their school uniform on the day of the holidays. 
First Class Yard
We would like to thank all for their continuing patience in relation to the first class yard. We are very grateful to the Department of Education for the funding we have received to redevelop the area from the back gate up to the Scoil Áine building. The process of appointing a consultant and contractor is slow and frustrating. We hope work will take place over the Easter holidays. In the interim, we have spent approximately four thousand euro to make the yard as safe as possible while we await the commencement of the works. 
Healthy Eating
As a staff, we are very conscious of our responsibilities to ensure that children eat healthily in school. We are heartened by the variety of healthy foods in evidence in the children’s lunchboxes. However the day of the holidays can be a day of over-indulgence, when there are just too many treats brought into school. So, on days of all holidays- Hallowe’en, Christmas, Easter and summer, we respectfully request a small healthy lunch and drink as normal, with perhaps in one small treat. As we have a number of children with allergies we advise no sharing of food and no food to be sent in to classes on the occasions of birthdays etc. We thank you for your co-operation in this matter. 
School Enrolments for 2018
The closing date for enrolling children for September 2018 is 31st January 2018. Application forms are available in the office and on our website. Parents will be informed in February regarding availability of places. Our Enrolment Policy is available on our website. 
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic schools week will take place from Sunday 28th January – Sunday 4th February when Catholic schools give expression in a special way to the ethos of Catholic Education. |
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent Teacher meetings will take place on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th February. Parents/Guardians will be notified in advance of the date and time of their meeting. Teachers will endeavour to facilitate parents at times convenient to both parties. These meetings are very important, for both parent and teacher, and assist greatly in resolving any problems that might be raised, on either side. Should difficulties persist, parents are strongly urged to make contact with the class teacher, to ensure that the child’s needs/difficulties are met. It is far better to tackle a problem early on than to let it fester and escalate. Writing a note or making a phone call to the school is the first step to helping sort out a problem. 
Late arrivals
Late arrivals are asked to please use the door with the buzzer opposite Raheny G.A.A. to gain entry. We ask that you let your child proceed from this door on their own to their classroom. This will promote independence in the children but more importantly it will keep everyone safe. At present too many people are on the corridors after 9 o’clock and this presents a health and safety worry. We thank you in advance for your co-operation with this request. Dates for your Diary
Continuing thanks for all your goodwill and consideration throughout the year. Naíscoil Íde prides itself on its vibrant and fruitful relationship with parents and long may this continue. Please remember to keep in touch with what is going on in the school via our school website www.naiscoilide.ie
Finally can I wish everyone in the school community – Staff, Parents, members of the Board of Management and children – a very happy and peaceful Christmas, agus athbhlian faoi mhaoise dhaoibh go léir.
Clare Ring |