Month: September 2015

Head Lice

Every September we get the usual outbreaks of head lice in our school. If there is evidence of nits or lice in your child’s class we will send a health warning to you. Please do not ignore it and assume your child is immune. The only way to eradicate lice is if everyone checks and treats accordingly. If a child is infected and is not treated the whole class will be reinfected again.

Sight and Hearing Tests

Children in Junior and Senior Infants will bring home forms from the HSE this week regarding Sight and Hearing screening tests. Please sign and return even if you do not want your child screened. We do not have a dat for the examination yet.

Top Ten Writing Tips for Parents/Guardians

Top Ten  Writing Tips for Parents/Guardians

Infants to 1st

  1. Model writing yourself – shopping lists / letters / cards etc.
  2. Provide a special place for your child to write / scribble provide a variety of materials- crayons markers /pencils (box)
  3.  Display your child’s name as often as possible i.e. Sean’s Room.
  4.  Teach your child the letters in his own name.
  5.  Provide alphabet books friezes.
  6.  Write messages / reminders to your child.
  7. Encourage child to write his / her own messages. Computer.
  8. Praise your child’s efforts.
  9.  Ask child to read their own messages.
  10.  Respond to the messages and not to grammar and spelling

 

2nd to 4th

  1. Praise your child’s efforts – respond to the message and not spelling / handwriting grammar.
  2. Look for opportunities for purposeful writing activities at home – writing greeting cards, notes, telephone messages.
  3.  Encourage your child to use a word processor / computer.
  4.  Provide a quiet writing /study area for your child well equipped with pencils/ paper
  5.  Encourage your child to keep a diary.
  6.  Support your child’s spelling attempts.
  7.  Encourage him to have a go at spelling difficult words.
  8. Use scrapbooks to support the child’s hobby / special interests. Presents that support writing.
  9. Make sure your child has a dictionary to help with writing.
  10. Help child fill in personal details on forms etc.

5th and 6th 

  1.  Encourage your child to keep a diary. Respect privacy.
  2. Encourage your child to write for real purposes everyday – shopping lists / phone messages etc.
  3. Praise the effort and respond to the message and not the handwriting, grammar etc.
  4. Make sure that your child has access to a dictionary, thesaurus to help with writing.
  5. Allow your child work on a word processor.
  6. Try crossword puzzles and ‘Find the word puzzles’.
  7.  Provide a range of attractive writing materials – coloured pens, fancy paper.
  8.  Encourage your child to write greeting cards / thank you notes etc.
  9.  Encourage your child to take part in writing competitions / community projects.
  10.  Show your child that you value writing by writing yourself.

Epayments

This week we began accepting E-payments for classroom charges like homework journals and books, art and craft /photocopying, and accident insurance.  There were a few hiccups to begin with….. the family art and craft payment was initially showing up as E45 instead of E70  but we have sent another request for the balance to the parents who paid it before we made a correction. We also had one wrong amount for 5th/6th payment. We rectified it this morning and refunded anyone who had made an overpayment. We want to apologise if you experienced either error.

For the vast majority who paid online it went very smoothly and it will make a HUGE in the office, where in the past we spent most of September counting money. It will also free up time in the classroom as the teachers won’t have to record any payments. Thanks to all the parents who have already used the system and we would ask others to please try it.

https://www.aladdin.ie/p/24807292

For parents who find themselves unable to pay for whatever reason, please talk to Mr. Courtney in the strictest confidence.

Junior Infants Lining Up

The Junior Infants have settled into school  so well that the teachers feel they are ready for the next big step…..walking into their classroom in their lines.  They have already practiced  lining up, so from Monday 7th of  September, we ask parents to allow the children to stand with their class in the Junior Infant Yard.

When the bell rings the teachers will come to collect the class and the children will walk in their line to their classroom.  Parents are requested not to congregate near the doorway  or enter the building as the teachers need a clear view of all the children.  Parents should wait in the yard until the children have gone in.

Thank you for your continued support,