School Year 2017/2018
Specialwelcomethe new pupils/families who have joined us this year.
JUNIOR INFANTS: Aaron McNulty, Adam O’Boyle, Aisling Howley, Alex Cooke, Aoife Flaherty, Aoife Porter, April Murphy, Ava Heffernan, Cillian Burke, DarraghMcLoughlin, Darren McGuinn,
Donnacha Flanagan, Emma Loftus, Fergal O’Boyle, FiachraMaughan, James Gallagher, Jamie Cleary,
Jamie O’Malley, Keira Hogan, Luke Brennan, Mason Coogan, Meadbh McGowan, Megan Whittaker, Muireann McHale, Noah Conway, Noah Hopkins, Oisín Lin, Oisín Sweeney, Rían Floyd, Ruairí Coggins, Saoirse Hopkins, Sarah Kenny, Síofra Walsh, Tara Walsh/Hefferan;
SENIOR INFANTS: Grace Porter FIRST CLASS: ÉabhaMcGoff
SECOND CLASS:DamhinMcCalmont, Emma Sweeney, James O’Hora
THIRD CLASS: Holly O’HoraFOURTH CLASS: Simon McHale;
SIXTH CLASS:SíneMcCalmont, Oisin Diamond; Asyln Bruce
FOURTH CLASS: Jack O’Reilly FIFTH CLASS: Liam Gaffney SIXTH CLASS: Eve McHale
Fundraising/Donations: Special thanks to The Parents Association who donated €2500 for the purchase of science equipment and paint for the sensory room.
What is the Parents Association: The Parent Association is the structure through which parents/guardians in a school can work together for the best possible education for their children. The Education Act, 1998 sets down the role of the parent association. The Parent Association works with the principal, staff and the board of management to build effective partnership between home and school. The Parent Association can advise the Principal and Board of Management on policy issues and incidents that may require a review of school policy, e.g. Bullying, Safety, Homework, Enrolment, Behaviour problems etc. Parent Associations can suggest and/or organise extra-curricular activities.
The Parent Association is a support for parents in the school. The Parent Association is not a forum for complaint against either an individual teacher or parent. The Complaints Procedure is the mechanism for this.
We have had a wonderful Parents Association who have been very involved in all aspects of school life. The time has now come to elect new members on to the committee. However, due to the very low numbers that attended the AGM on December 13th there will be an Emergency AGM on January 10th at 8pm in Crossmolina National School. I would appeal to all parents to attend this meeting as the parents association will not survive without the active involvement of you the parents.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN & PARENTS:
Our Insurance Company has requested that the following information is available to parents:
The school will open to receive pupils at 9.20 a.m. No responsibility is
accepted for pupils arriving before that time. On wet mornings children can shelter in the ‘Rainbow Shed’. Classes will end at 3.00p.m. (2.00 p.m. for Infants).
In the interest of child protection and security, adults can only enter the building after 9.20am by using the buzzer at the main front door (via steps). Please be patient if you have to wait a short time to gain access to the building. This is a security door and can only be opened by pressing the release button from the inside, so please avoid trying to open the door.
I know that the safety of the children is a huge concern for all parents and staff. Many thanks for your continued co-operation and support.
RECORDINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS AT SCHOOL PLAYS
We often receive queries in the office as to whether parents can take photographs or make video recordings of school events e.g. nativity plays, musicals, and other school events.
Parents are there at the invitation of the school, and it is up to the school to decide if it wishes to allow videos or photographs to be taken by parents during the event. However, schools understand that taking photos or videos for purely personal, family, or recreational purposes does not come under the Data Protection Acts. Accordingly, the Data Protection Acts do not apply.
However, individuals have a Constitutional unenumerated right to privacy, therefore parents/guardians are permitted to take photographs or videos for private, personal use only, and they must not be uploaded to any website to be viewed by others (e.g. Facebook). For more information on this issue Child Protection. please see www. dataprotectionschools.ie
AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES
· Every Monday—Traditional Music with Angela Masterson from 3pm—4pm (sharp)
· Boys’ Basketball Training—Tuesday (3-4pm)
· Every Monday—Art with Elsa from 3-4pm (contact Elsa)
· Every Thursday—Guitar with Paula Alexander (suitable for students 2nd class upwards) (from 3-4pm sharp)
· CumannnamBunscol (new dates in January)
ENROLMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 2018
If you have a son or daughter for enrolment in our school for September 2018, please hand their name and date of birth into the Office. The closing date for receipt of Enrolment Forms is January 19th 2018. We will be holding an Information & Enrolment Afternoon on Friday May 25th from 1pm—2pm.
BUDDY SYSTEM: We are again happy to have the TY students from ST. TIERNAN’S COLLEGE visit classes Junior Infants to Second Class sand carry out some reading activities with them. Thank you to the students and also to their teacher Mr. Colm Hendry.
GORTNOR ABBEY: We hare happy to have the TY students attend with Mentor Michael Fitzmaurice every Monday and do some football skills with First Class and Second Class.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK is from January 28th to February 3rd. To celebrate Grandparents Day and Catholic Schools Week in our school we will have a small concert
at 12 noon on Friday 2nd February. Everyone is welcome.
SCHOOL FOOTBALL/SOCCER We will be holding the following blitz games in the new year: Aidan Garvey Memorial Cup ; Jack Judge Memorial Cup; Ryan Lynch Soccer Blitz
EAMONN O’BOYLE BASKETBALL LEAGUE will commence in the New Year.
CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING:
Training Session at Belleek track (beside athletics track) for the cross-country teams on Tuesday 19thSeptember from 4pm – 4.20pm for all those who can attend. Mrs. Forde will be there at the training session.
Mayo National Schools Cross Country Championships Belleek, Ballina.Thursday 21st September at 11am
The cross country competitions are for :
third & fourth class Boys 1000m
third & fourth class Girls 1000m
fifth & sixth class Boys 1200m
fifth & sixth class Girls 1200m
*Practice in Belleek (beside track) on Tuesday 19th at 4pm with Mrs. Forde.
Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate 200 years of the Congregation of Jesus & Mary
The pupils from fifth and sixth class will represent Crossmolina National School at a Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate 200 years of the Congregation of Jesus & Mary in Knock Basilica on October 6th 2017. Full school uniform must be worn and pupils are advised to bring a good packed lunch with them. The bus will leave at 10am and will be back before 3pm.
REMINDER CALENDAR:
- PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS - Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th November. Junior & Senior Infants go home at the normal time of 2pm and all other classes go home at 2.45pm.
Your child has details of the time allocated for your meeting. If you have any other queries please contact the Office.
Please note that all meetings will take place in the Halla and entry to same will be via the basketball court side ONLY. - AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
- ENROLMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 2018We are now taking names of children wishing to enrol for September 2018. Please contact the Office at 096 31768.
- MMR VACCINATIONS for Junior Infants will take place on Wednesday 22nd. November. Information packs will be given to pupils to take home for parents/guardians to complete.
- CHRISTMAS ANNUAL : If you wish to order a Christmas Annual please do so before Wednesday 22nd November. The cost of the annuals are €3 each. Please put money in an envelope with your child’s name on the outside. Sample books are available in the Classroom if you wish to call in to have a look at them. Unfortunately we cannot order any annuals after that date.
NOTE FOR PARENTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR SCHOOL DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Tuesday 19th
Nativity Play at 7pm in St. Tiernan’s Church. Children should come fully dressed to the Church at 6.45pm (sharp) Full dress rehearsal on Friday 15th December so children will need to bring their costumes into school. .
Classroom dress-up parts:
Junior & Senior Infants - ANGELS
First & Second Class -SHEPHERDS – long coloured robes or dress with headdress.
Third Class – SOLDIERS;
Fourth Class (to be decided);
Fifth Class –VILLAGERS;
Sixth Class- NARRATION & MIME
Wednesday 20th
Classroom songs and drama – Junior Infants – 3rd Class.
Below are approximate times:
11am – Junior Infants
11.15am – Senior Infants
12 noon – 1st& 2nd (Ms. Duffy’s Room)
12.30pm – 2nd& 3rd (Mrs. Flanagan’s Room)
Thursday 21st
Classroom Plays 4th – 6th. Below are approximate times:
10am – 4th class
11.30am – 5th class
1.15pm - 6th class
Friday 22nd
CAROL SINGING ‘DOWN TOWN’ CROSSMOLINA: 3rd, 4th, 5th& 6th on Friday morning the 22nd December at 10am for Charity. Wear school uniform, warm jackets and Santa hat. Parents are welcome to help and join in with the singing.
Christmas holidays Friday 22nd December and on Monday 8th January the School will re-open.
CHRISTMAS SCHOOL RAFFLE: We have lots of prizes for our Christmas raffle. We will also have separate raffles on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st. Tickets on sale each day from 6th class and the Office. Tickets €1 for 1 strip; €2 for 3 strips and €5 for 10. From next week Ticket sellers will go to each classroom.
HEAD LICE: In lots of classrooms we have received reports from parents that their child/children have had head lice and have treated them. We really need to eradicate this problem so we would encourage each parent to treat their child’s/children’s head this weekend.
FOOTBALL FOR 1st& 2nd every Monday with Michael Fitzmaurice &Gortnor Abbey TYs:
Pupils should wear suitable warm clothing and runners every Monday until further notice. If the weather is dry then training will be on the basketball court and if wet then it will be in the Halla. Please bring your school tracksuit, socks and shoes to change into after training.
PARKING/TRAFFICin the interest of keeping all of our children safe, parents/guardians are requested to park between white lines, and come to the school gate to drop or collect their child/children at 9.20am, 2pm and 3pm.
Christmas Message from Mrs. Caroline Kennedy (Principal)
We are now drawing close to the end of what was a very busy first term in
Crossmolina National School. On behalf of all the staff I would like to thank you, the parents for your continued support and wish you all a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.
We are fortunate to have devoted members on our Board of Management and a team of dedicated parents who participate in the parents association. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge your hard and support and thank you most sincerely for all you’ve done and continue to do.
To the hard working staff, you give your all both in and out of the classroom and Crossmolina National School is a better place because of you. Thank you for your
commitment and dedication to each and every child in your care.
Finally, to the most important people - you the children, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Santa is good.
We look forward to welcoming everybody back on the 8th of January!
Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir ……...Caroline
Ballina Feis 2018
If you would like to enter your child into the Ballina Feis, please note the closing date for entries set out below. All entries are to be made direct as follows:
For Irish Entries: CaitlínBnUíDhómnaill, BeitheachBeag, Béal an Atha, Co. Mayo. Phone 096 22073
For English Entries: Kay Slater Mount Falcon, Ballina, Co. Mayo 09622184
Entry Fee: Poem €4
CATEGORIES Irish
CLOSING DATE 6th February 2018
FEIS DATE 18th February2018
CATEGORIES English
CLOSING DATE 14th February 2018
FEIS DATE 2/3/4/ March 2018
‘Scór na bPáistí’ All schools are invited to participate in ‘Scór na bPáistí’ to promote the cultural aspect of the G.A.A. Our Divisional Finals are to be held on in Moygownagh on 7th March. The list of events is as follows:
Figure Dancing; Solo Singing; Instrumental Music; Recitation; Ballad Group; Sean Nós Dancing Novelty Act; Set Dancing.One group only in each section can represent a school.
This year we are allowing participation from Fourth, Fifth and Sixth.
Auditions on Tuesday next 13th February from 3pm – 3.50pm in the school.To give us an idea of numbers, please indicate on the permission slip what event you would like to audition for (Figure Dancing; Solo Singing (traditional Irish song); Instrumental Music; Recitation; Ballad Group; Sean Nós Dancing Novelty Act; Set Dancing).
*Please return slip before Friday 9th February*
Notice to Parents/Guardians of Children making First Confessions
The pupils of Second Class will receive the Sacrament of Penance for the first time on Friday 23rd March at 11.30am in St. Tiernan’s Church. The Candidates should wear their school uniform and will be seated in the church with their class. Parents and family members are invited to attend.
Siblings wishing to attend should bring a note to class teacher on Thursday. Parent/guardian should collect sibling from Office at 11.15pm.
*DO THIS IN MEMORY MASS Sunday 25th March at 11.30am. Fr. Judge has asked for all First Holy Communicants to be present at 11.20am. Thank you.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GUIDELINES RE CURRENT FLU SITUATION
The Department of Education has advised parents that students with flu symptoms should stay at home. Those with serious medical conditions can still be vaccinated. Everyone is reminded of the basic hygiene etiquette re symptoms of colds and flu - Catch it, Bin it, Kill it - the importance of using and disposing of tissues hygienically and regular correct hand-washing techniques.
The main concern of staff and management of Crossmolina National School is to help prevent the spread of flu.
This week the school has supplied anti-bacteria hand gel, tissues and soaps, however, this in itself does not prevent the spread of germs.From Monday each class will have a supply of paper towels and we would ask that by Monday also each child would bring in their own individual towel in a small plastic lunch bag (a small face-towel will suffice), tissues, and hand gel. The school will continue to supply the soap.
In conjunction with the Parents Association, we are currently looking at paper towel dispensers/hot air hand driers for all bathrooms. We are trying to make children more aware of hygiene and spreading of germs and we would be grateful if you could assist in carrying out the awareness at home. The following is quoted from the Information Sheet received in school:
“Respiratory Etiquette – students/staff should cover their mouth and nose with a paper tissue when coughing or sneezing. If no tissue is available they should cough or sneeze into the inside of their elbow. A tissue should be used only once and disposed of quickly and carefully (a dustbin is fine). Waste, including used tissues, may be disposed of in the normal way. There is no need to take special precautions in the handling of such waste.
Hand Hygiene – students/staff should wash their hands with soap and water. Hand drying facilities must not be shared between people. Hence the type of hand drying facilities that can be used include paper towels (which are disposed of into waste bins), hot air hand dryers, roller towels, or students and staff members could be asked to bring in the use of their own individual towel. ”
Wishing you all a safe and happy Easter break
School re-opens Monday 9th April.
FUNDRAISER FOR CROSSMOLINA NATIONAL SCHOOL:
Mrs Kelly’s husband, Alan, will run the Boston Marathon on April 16th 2018 to raise funds for Crossmolina National School. Each family is getting a Sponsorship Card to try and get as much sponsorship as possible. All Cards must be returned to the Office before Friday 13th April. Put money and Cards in an envelope with Child’s/ family’s name on the outside. Special thanks to Alan Kelly for offering to do the Marathon as a fundraising event for our school. We wish him the very best of good luck.
Support us in our efforts to raise money by buying a line and guessing the time it will take Alan to complete the 26.2mile course. Each line costs €2 or 3 lines for €5. There will be an adult’s and child’s prize for the closest time. A draw will be held if a number of people guess the correct time to determine the overall winner.
| Christmas Newsletter 2016 |
