Green Week : 9th - 13th November 2009

Green Week

9^th – 13^th November 2009.

Throughout the week the children shall be encouraged to be more environmentally aware.

Paper awareness (teachers, students and administration staff shall be encouraged to make an extra effort to save paper; back-to-back photocopying, using waste paper for scribbling, doodling, rough-work, story plans, only administering one school note per family reduce waste!)

Water awareness (all classes shall be encouraged to make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of water which they use in their classroom, fill the sink to wash paint materials rather than leaving the tap running, use the stopper in toilet sinks etc)

Electricity awareness (all classes shall be encouraged to make a conscious effort to turn of lights/sockets when they are not being used – break times and home-time for example

Waste free snacks and lunches – Children and teachers shall be encouraged to carry their drinks, snacks and home packed lunches in reusable containers.

Walk/Bike/Carpool week – Teachers, students and their families shall be encouraged to make a concerted effort to walk, bike/carpool for at least one day if not the entire week during green week.

Green Schools

Teachers, parents, students and friends,
On Tuesday 20th October I met Claire Hinch; the assistant environmental awareness officer. On Wednesday I attended a Green Schools Seminar in Tallaght. During these meetings we discussed the establishment of a more dynamic Green Schools Committee in our school. I outlined the various activities and ideas which we have implemented in our school to date and through discussions feel that I have acquired a greater understanding of how Green Schools Committees are organised and run in other schools.
First we discussed the establishment of a Green Schools Committee. It was suggested that at least one child from each class should make up the committee. It was emphacised that it is extremely important that there is student involvement in the Green Schools cause as ' it is with their support and enthusiasm that a Green Schools Committee can make a difference'. It was recommended that the committee be made up of any other interested adults including teachers, caretakers,parents, grandparents or friends.
*If anybody is particularily interested in environmental awareness or has any ideas/suggestions/advice to offer us please do not hesitate to contact me.
*Green Schools student re-elections shall take place after our mid-term break. Any of our current committee members who are interested in remaining are warmly welcomed.
Following this we discussed the identification of Environmental Issues within and around our school in an attempt to identify targets for action and improvement. It was suggested that we interview our school caretakers to acquire from them an estimate of the amount of rubbish which is currently going to the landfill from our school. The idea would be to reduce, re-use and recycle as much of this waste as possible thus bringing down our schools waste costs and reducing our carbon number. Upon our committees establishment we shall distribute questionnaires to teachers enquiring about the waste disposal system in their individual classrooms. One request which we shall put to teachers for the future would be to do more back to back photocopying. At present I am aware that many teachers are already attempting to do this however our photocopier frequently mis-feeds when performing the action. This is something which definitely needs to be addressed. Another issue to be tackled is the disposal of lunch waste. At present the children are being requested to use a lunch-box to hold their lunch (thus reducing the amount of packaging used; cling film, tin-foil etc) they are also being asked to bring home thier lunch waste (yogurt cartons,sandwich crusts, apple cores etc) . As Green Schools co-ordinator I have been undergoing weekly inspections of classroom rubbish bins, whilst many children are implementing our lunch rules many are not, this is another issue which our Green Schools Committee shall attempt to tackle. One suggestion which was offered by Claire was to establish a tidy classroom competition within our school where the Green Schools Committee members shall do spot check son each classroom daily/weekly and award them points based on a traffic lights system. All of this shall be discussed when our committee members are appointed and our first meeting takes place.
Martha Wilson (Senior Infants Teacher,Green School's Coordinator)

ACETNS Student Council

The votes have been counted and representatives from each class have been selected for this year's student council. The first student council meeting will take place in Room 2, Wednesday 21st during lunch-time. Continue to watch this space for information on all the student council's work during the year.

ACETNS Lunch-time Football League

The group stages are now over in the lunch -time football league. After many exciting games over the past few weeks, we now know who has made it into the semi-finals!
Semi-Finals: Tuesday 20th October
Italy -v- Brazil & Ireland -v- Spain

The league final will be played on Thursday 22nd October.

trasna na dtonnta

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCHyKWvxAY0

Halloween Art Competition

Green Schools Overview

What is Green Schools?

Green – Schools is a long – term programme that introduces participants (students, teachers, parents and the wider community) to the concept of an environmental management system. It fosters a strong sense of citizenship and leadership among participants that spreads far outside the school into the wider community. It promotes a strong sense of teamwork among teachers, students and the wider community to reach a common high level goal. It brings children into the decision - making process and makes them responsible for their decisions and actions.

The aim of Green – Schools is to increase students and participants awareness of environmental issues through classroom studies and to transfer this knowledge into positive environmental action in the school and also in the wider community. Schools that have successfully completed all elements of the programme are awarded the ‘Green Flag’. This award has to be renewed every two years.


The Green Schools Programme is based on Seven Steps

1. Green Schools Committee
This directs the school’s involvement in the programme. Ideally, the committee includes students, teachers, non –teaching staff, management and parents.

2. Environmental Review
A process of examining the school’s environmental impacts in order to identify targets for action and improvement.

3. Action Plan
This gives specific and achievable targets with proposed completion dates that will show real success.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation
Constant monitoring of the programme ensures that progress towards targets is checked, amendments made where necessary and success celebrated.

5. Curriculum Work
Curriculum materials are provided that give ideas on how to integrate environmental issues into lessons.

6. Informing and Involving
A publicity programme keeps the school and the wider community involved and informed through displays, assemblies and press coverage

7. Green Code
This is a statement of the school’s commitment to environmental good habits.

Green Schools

Parents, students, teachers and friends.

Adamstown Castles Green School's Committee was established towards the end of last year. This committee comprised of Tom and Ita representing the Board of Management, Olga representing the Parent’s Association, Moses, Naila, Noor and Jed representing the student body and myself, representing the teaching staff.

During the last two months of the school term a number of initiatives were undertaken. Firstly an assembly was held on 13th May which was Environmental Awareness Day. Teachers and students were introduced to their Green School’s Committee members, the aims of the committee were outlined and the whole school body were given an opportunity to discuss and question different concepts of Environmental Awareness and Care; Reducing, Re-Using and Recycling waste. A new bin system was established in each classroom, teachers and students were encouraged to separate their rubbish into recyclable materials and general waste. Teachers and children were encouraged to consider the individual role which they might play in reducing the amount of waste created by our school. It was suggested that lunch waste (food wrappings and leftovers) be brought home daily and that teachers would make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of paper which they use daily on photocopying by photocopying back to back and using waste paper for art class e.g. paper collages.
Walk on Wednesday was scheduled on May 20th. All children were requested to walk to school on this day, encouraging them to become more environmentally aware. A costume competition was held on this day also. Children were encouraged to create simple costumes from recyclable materials. Certificates and prizes were awarded to winning participants.

A Green Schools Notice Board was established within the school, this notice board provides details and photographs of all the Green Schools activities organised to date and also a schedule of future events.

Towards the end of the year a Yard Cleaning Rota was established, a number of children from the senior classes were appointed to undertake this.

Communication October 2009

Communication October 2009

Diwali: We wish all in our community who celebrate Diwali a very happy and joyful celebration. Just like at Eid a number of our parents will visit our classes to give our children a flavour of what Diwali is all about.

Sports After School: Please have a look at our blog for information on what is available after school hours.

Raffle: The Parents' Association is conducting a raffle to raise funds for the running and organisation of various events. Please support this raffle. Raffle will take place on Friday the 23rd of October.

Planning Day: The school will be closed on Friday the 16th fo facilitate a school planning day. This planning day is devoted to the development of the SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education).

Green Schools: Please check our blog for information regarding our green schools progamme. Martha is asking that the children make masks at home using recycled material. We will be holding a competition on Friday the 23rd of October and there will prizes will be best and most wierd and wonderful masks. So come on give it a try. Of course it would be nice if we could displayed these masks in the school.

Hockey: Weston Hockey Club is open for members in the Under 16's and under 14's age group; They are also looking for adult members. So, if you are interested, go along on Sundays at 10.45 to the club across from Superquinn by the Athletic track. You could also ask Grainne or check www.westonhockeyclub.com

Time Capsule: You may notice that there is some construction work taking place behind the school in the pedestrian zone. This is a site for an obelisk which is included in the plan for Adamstown. We have been asked to contribute to a time capsule which will be placed in concrete under the monument to be opened in a hundred years or so. It is s suggested that each family write its own story about how they have come to live here, your hopes etc. This information is totally confidential in that it will be placed in the capsule for some future generation to open. This will be your gift to some future generation which will them give an insight or a snapshot of Ireland as it is ` now.
Swine Flu: It has come to our attention that a number of children have been off school of late. Given that a great many schools in West Dublin have suspected Swine flu cases we would ask parents to be extra vigilant with regard to hygiene (washing of hands and covering of nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing). If your child has an underlying medical condition, such as asthma, sickle-cell anaemia or other respiratory condition you are advised to seek medical advice if he/she is unwell. We ask that you keep your child at home, and inform the school if he/she has flu like symptoms. HSE Flu information 1800941100

Extra Curricular Activities

The Following are activities taking place in the school during and after school hours.

Rugby:
On Monday Mornings for all classes from second class to sixth class. This is an introduction to the skills of rugby and is run by the Barnhall Rugby Club in conjunction with the IRFU.
No payment required

Soccer:
On Monday from 4pm to 5pm. the Adamstown Soccer Club in Conjunction with the FAI are offering coaching sessions to all children who are interested in playing soccer with the Adamstown Club. Coaching sessons takes place in the Adamstown Community School.
No Payment Required

Hockey:
Monday: Coaching will commence shortly in the school yard or hall. This will take place from 2.20pm to 3pm. Contact Grainne
No Payment required

Tae Kwando:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday Nights from 7.30pm to 9pm for adults, teenagers and younger children. Coaching sessions are also held from 10.30 to 12.30 on Saturday Mornings. Contact Val Douglas at 0863200782 for more information.
Payment Required

Gaelic Football:
Adamstown Football Club in conjunction with the Dublin County Board of the GAA offer Gaelic football sessions during school hours on Wednesday for Infants to first Class.
No Payment Required

Adamstown GAA also offer football coaching sessions on Saturday Mornings at the scvhool from 9.30 to 10.30.
Cost: 2 euro

Olympic Handball:
Olympic Handball will commence on Wednesday the 14 of August in the school hall from 2.20 to 3pm. For third to sixth Classes.
No Payment Required

Ballet:
Ballet takes place in the school on thursdays from 3pm to 7.30 pm and on Fridays from 3pm to 6.30 pm. Contact Clodagh Brady at 0874152993
Payment Required

Chess:
We will also be setting up a chess club in the school to play in competitions on wet days

Raffle

Parents Association

Halloween Fun J Halloween Hampers
Raffles!! Raffles!! Raffles!!
Chance to win a Halloween Hamper Gift Pack!!!!
Parents can buy a raffle for €1
Gift a raffle for your child to enter raffle competition


Draw on 23rd October Friday
At the time of Halloween Assembly in the School
Email: acetnspa@gmail.com Ph: 086 0633087

Calendar 2009

Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2009-2010

PLEASE RETAIN THIS NOTICE FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION

FIRST TERM 1st September-22nd December (inclusive)

PLANNING DAY Friday 16th October
School will be closed to facilitate staff planning.

MID-TERM BREAK 26th October – 30th October (inclusive)
School re-opens Monday 2nd November

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY School closes Tuesday 22nd at 12:10pm

School re-opens on Thursday 7th January
SECOND TERM 7th January – 26th March (inclusive)

MID-TERM BREAK 17th February – 19th February (inclusive)

ADDITIONAL CLOSURE 17th March St. Patrick’s Day

EASTER HOLIDAYS School closes Friday 26th March at 12:10pm
School re-opens on Monday 12th April.


THIRD TERM 12th April – 30th June (inclusive)

MID-TERM BREAK Monday 3rd May (Bank Holiday)
& Tuesday 4th May
School re-opens Wednesday 5th May.

ADDITIONAL CLOSURE Friday 4th June
PUBLIC HOLIDAY Monday 7th June (Bank Holiday)

SUMMER HOLIDAYS Begin on Wednesday 30th June at 12:10pm.

Staff Meetings: Staff meetings are held once a month on the following dates:

11h September 9th October 6th November
4th December 5th February 5th March

7th May 11th June

N.B. On these staff meeting days school will end for the children at 12.10 pm

Parents are asked to note the opening and closing times of the school.

Junior & Senior Infants: 8:40am – 1:20pm
First – Sixth Class 8:40am – 2:20pm

The school cannot accept responsibility for pupils outside these hours and teachers may not assume responsibility for pupils outside these hours.