January 2020

School Newsletter, January 23^rd 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Happy New Year to you all. Please find below some important dates for your diary:

Grandparents Day: Jan. 29^th

Early school closure for Primary Langauge Curriculum inservice: Feb. 14^th @12:30

Pink/Red Day fundraiser : Feb. 14^th

Mid-term Break: Mon 17^th Feb-Fri 21^st Feb inclusive

Credit Union Quiz: Feb 4^th @7:30p.m.

First confession eve: Mon., Mar. 2nd

Fingal Athletics League: Mar. 3^rd Porterstown

Wellbeing Week: Mar. 9^th-13^th

School Closure: Mar.16^th&17^th

Catholic Schools Week:

Catholic Schools week will take place from Jan 27^th-31^st. Scoil Mhuire will host grandparents day on Wed, Jan. 29^th as part of the celebration for Catholic schools week. Grandparents from Junior infant and Senior infant classes will be invited to visit the class of their grandchild at 1:10p.m. and afterwards to the school hall for some light refreshment.

Primary Language Curriculum:

An information sheet on the new primary language curriculum is being sent home to-day with all children. On February 14^th school will close at 12:30p.m. to facilitate a further half day inservice for teachers on the primary language curriculum.

School Self Evaluation:

Thank you to all parents and children for filling out our maths questionnaires for school self evaluation. They were very informative and will guide us as we prioritise our targets for Maths as a school this year.  We have enlisted the support of a PDST(Professional Development Service For Teachers) Maths advisor to provide professional development for teachers in Maths during this term. This has proved very useful so far.

Digital Learning:

As part of our digital learning strategy in Scoil Mhuire, teachers received training in basic coding activities and ICT problem solving activities on Jan. 15^th last.

Tin whistle

Tin whistle classes will commence for 2^nd-6^th class on Jan. 27th with Ms. McWeeney as part of the music programme in Scoil Mhuire. Classes will take place during the school day. Tin whistles are purchased by Ms. McWeeney for 2^nd class and any new pupils from 3^rd-6^th.

Amber Flag:

An amber flag committee has been set up by Ms.Donohoe and the main goal for this year is to “value yourself”.  As part of our Amber Flag programme children are allowed wear something pink/red on Feb. 14^th, St. Valentine’s day. Children can bring €2 donation for the Pieta House charity. The school will also have a well being week beginning on 9th March with lots of different activities to encourage positive mental health and well being. There will also be a raffle on this day for all classes with lots of wonderful prizes. Proceeds from raffle will go towards sports equipment for school.

Active School Flag:

Scoil Mhuire is actively working towards an Active School Flag this year under the leadership of Ms. O’ Connor. Classes are engaging in daily busy breaks, daily mile and active homework. The school is hoping to hold a sponsored walk on April 24^th and an Active Schools week in the summer term.

Green School Flag:

Scoil Mhuire is working towards its 7^th Green Flag this year under the leadership of Ms. Gray and Ms. Lawlor. Global citizenship and Energy is the theme of this year’s flag. We are very lucky to have water, litter and energy wardens from 2^nd,3^rd&4^th who diligently monitor the school in these areas.

School Uniform:

Leddy Uniforms (01 8235466)(087 6205044) in 3 St. Brigid’s Shopping centre, Blanchardstown village is now the official uniform stockist for Scoil Mhuire. School uniform consists of blue pinafore, blue blouse, blue tie, blue v-necked jumper with school crest, black/brown/navy shoes, white/black/navy socks/tights. P.E. uniform consists of navy tracksuit bottoms, red hoodie/crew neck with school crest, white polo shirt and runners. Jun. and Sen. Infants wear school tracksuit Monday to Friday. Children are permitted to wear watches, flat rings and stud-earrings.  No other jewellery is allowed.  Nail varnish is not allowed to be worn in school. Please ensure that your child’s name is clearly marked on all items of clothing and books.

Parking:

Parents, please drive slowly and be patient in the car park. Ensure roundabout system is adhered to at all times. Please wait for your daughter on the cemented entrance and leave the main entrance door area clear for children to exit school safely. Children must be collected from our school and not from the Secondary school roundabout. Please inform the school and class teacher if your child is attending an afterschool class or afterschool care.

Healthy Eating Policy

Scoil Mhuire operates a Healthy Eating policy at all times. Children are encouraged to have a healthy lunch. Sweets, chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks are not allowed. Children are allowed a small nut free treat on a Friday. We are a Nut Free school and nuts or any products containing nuts are banned. In promoting our Healthy Eating Policy parents are not permitted to send in birthday cakes or treats for the class. We thank you for your continued support in this matter.

Hockey League

Congratulations to the 6^th class hockey team who had a wonderful win against Rathgar N. S. last Monday and are now top of the Leinster school hockey league table. Well done also to Ms. Carroll, their Hockey teacher. Thanks to all the parents for their support.

Is mise le meas,

____________________

Úna O’ Kelly-Principal