Dear Parents,
With the Midterm break taking place next week, I would like to bring the following important notices to your attention.
School Mass/Midterm Break
The annual mass to mark the successful beginning of the school year takes place on this Friday, October 28th in the school hall commencing at 11 a.m. All parents are invited to attend. Please note that non Catholic children will be going home at 10:45 a.m. Children from 2nd to 6th class will attend the mass. The school will close for the Midterm break immediately after mass and all other children will finish at approximately 11:45 a.m. The school will reopen on Monday November 7th at the usual time.
School Meals.
We can confirm that all children will receive a daily hot lunch commencing on November 7th on returning from the midterm break. The food will be supplied by Martina’s Homemade Foods based in Kilala.All families should have received the login details, usernames and passwords for access to the company website where you can choose from the daily menu. We are assured that all food fulfils the cultural requirements of the children. If you have not received the passwords and login information, please let us know as a matter of urgency. The website address is https://www.martinashomemadefoods.ie
After School Activities
Our thanks to parents for returning our after school activities booking form. The activities will commence immediately after the midterm break. Unfortunately we could not accommodate all of the children with their first choice activity. As stated on the application the places were allocated on a first come, first served basis. However we hope to include all children in their first choice in the next series of activities which should commence during term 2. The activities will run from 3p.m. to 4 p.m. on the relevant days. Children will be informed of their activities tomorrow.
Swimming Classes.
We are delighted with the positive feedback from our parents, children and teachers relative to the recommencement of swimming lessons. Sixth class has now completed their course and we will commence lessons for all children in Fifth Class starting on Monday November 7th, our return date after the midterm break. These lessons will run for seven weeks from November 7th to December 19th. All associated costs will be covered under the DEIS scheme. Looking forward, the following swimming lessons have been scheduled as we move through the school year:
Fourth Class: from January 9th 2023 to February 13th 2023
Third Class: from February 20th 2023 to March 27th 2023.
Athletics Course.
The children in our Second classes will take part in a three week athletics course at Claremorris Athletics club as follows:
Ms. Watchorn’s Class : November 7th, 14th 21st.
Ms. Ruane’s Class : November 28th, December 5th, December 12th
All associated costs will be covered under the DEIS scheme.
Childline Fundraiser.
We send our sincere thanks to the parents for their generous support of our recent Childline charity fundraising breakfast. The day was a resounding success with the total amount raised at €700. Well done to all of the children (and members of staff!!!) for dressing up in the spirit of the occasion. Thanks especially to Ms.Olivia Burke for organising the event and to Jeff and Mary Nolan from Super Valu Ballyhaunis for their very generous gesture in sponsoring the event again this year.
Hallowe’en Dress up Day.
Tomorrow, Thursday 27th November is our annual Hallowe’en Dress up day. The children and teachers will be encouraged to dress up in scary costumes. This is usually a very enjoyable day for the children and we ask that as many children as possible participate.
Shoebox Appeal.
As you may be aware, the children in Scoil Íosa are supporting the annual shoebox appeal for children in need. Mr Henry is co ordinating the collection of the shoeboxes. In order for them to reach their intended destinations in time for Christmas, the boxes will be collected in the first week back in school after Midterm break (November 7th-11th). We thank you for your support.
Parent/Teacher Meetings.
Parent/Teacher meetings will take place from 1:30 p.m. on Thursday November 24th and Friday November 25th. The children will finish at 1 p.m. on each of these days. Appointment times will be sent to parents directly after the midterm break.
Standardised Testing.
All children from 1st to 6th class will take the Drumcondra standardised tests in English and Maths in the week beginning November 14th.
Finally, on behalf of everyone at Scoil Íosa, I wish to thank you for your ongoing support in what has been a less than ideal start to the year in terms of the schools accommodation situation. We hope to have the new classrooms in place in the very near future and apologise most sincerely for the delays incurred in putting the buildings in place. Rest assured that this was definitely not of our making and we as a school and a Board of Management have been subjected to unnecessary delays which have been a source of considerable frustration. Hopefully these issues will be rectified soon and that we can commence the construction forthwith. We ask for your continued patience in this regard. Hopefully you will all enjoy the midterm break and we look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 7th November.
Regards,
- Dennedy