Newesletter February 2011

Newsletter 1/02/2011
STAY SAFE MEETING
In line with our child protection policy there will be a Stay Safe Meeting in the school on Thursday at 7.30. so far we have about fifty responses.
STAFF MEETING
Our last half in half out staff meeting will be held this Friday. Children will go home at 12 for infants and 12.10 for all other children. Under the Croke Park agreement there will be a change to current arrangements for staff meetings. Other arrangements to make up for some of the snow days will be discussed at the meeting. It is envisaged that the Standardised School Year will be more flexible so as compensate for any unforeseen disruptions in 2011/2012.
SPRINGTIME
Today is the first day of spring. Some of you might have noticed a few snowdrops poking their heads up of late. It is fascinating really to see how spring actually moves across the country: generally from the South West to The North East. In fact if you Google ‘The Green wave’ you can track the greening of the continent of Europe through the use of satellite imagery. This is also celebrated in Ireland as Saint Brigid’s Day. Brigid is reputedly to have been born in Kildare, just out the road from us. Christianity of that time superimposed its worship on pre-christian worship. Brigid was also a Celtic Goddess. The name in fact means the ‘exalted one’.
GREEN SCHOOLS
We had our Green Schools Inspection and are waiting for confirmation of success in attaining the Green Flag. Again, I have to say the children were great, one couldn’t but be proud of them. Once we get word, you will be informed and maybe we will have a little celebration.
SOCCER
The FAI (football Association of Ireland) will be doing after school soccer coaching sessions in the school for about six weeks. This will be followed by an Easter Camp and other activities linked to the Europa Cup. I expect that the sessions will happen on Tuesdays after school. There will more on this closer to the time. It is hoped that more girls will get involved this sport.
ATHLETICS
The Athletics event (Cross Country), which was cancelled before the Christmas break, will now be held on Thursday the 17th at 11 am. This is an all Lucan event involving schools from the Lucan area. We will be picking teams in the next week or so.
FOROIGE (YOUTH GROUP)
Foroige is a youth organisation for young teenagers who meet on Thursdays in the school. In fact last Thursday was their first meeting here. This group is the first of its kind in the Lucan area and draws children from all over Lucan. They currently have sixteen teenagers partaking in various activities in the group. I understand these activities involve: sport, cooking, debating, etc. Hopefully we will get them to work on our garden when the weather permits. There are five adult mentors to group. They are still recruiting and would expect to have at least 30 teenagers in the group shortly. If you have any teenagers who would like to get involved you are welcome to contact Jerry at 014514231 or you can come along to have a look for yourself on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm.

MOBILE LIBRARY
South Dublin mobile library is coming to visit the senior Infants at school on Tuesday the 8th of February. If you have a child in senior infants and he/she has a card, please send it in with him/her on the day. If you have a child in another class and would wish to join the library please call in anytime during the day to the library beside Superquinn.
The library service has also changed its times to coincide with the school closing time. You will find it parked outside the school on Mondays after school. Your child can bring his/her library book to school and exchange it in the mobile library.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Today is the Chinese New Year: the Year of the Rabbit. I would like to wish a ‘Happy (Chinese) new year’ to all those who celebrate it. Thanks Judy for the tip off.
CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY
Azlina one of our parents has kindly suggested that they, along with the Parents’ Association, will organise the class & individual photographs this year. The prices suggested are very competitive compared to the commercial companies who have been involved in the school to date; The Parents’ Association will have a share in the profits. You will be notified shortly after the mid-term break.
SCOUTING MOVEMENT
The Scouting Association of Ireland has been in contact with the school with the intention of starting up a scouting group in the building. This group will be open to all children in the Lucan Area. The tentative times are 6.30pm on Friday evenings; More on that later. The contact person is:
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
We will be entering a float in the St. Patrick’s day parade. Dermot is organising this with the Drumming Band. If you would like to get involved please, please contact the school.
ELECTIONS
The election has been called. Please, if you are eligible to vote, make sure you are registered and make that vote count by going along to the polling booth on February the 25th. You will notice a rare breed of animal in the area over the next few weeks; these are known as canvassers. Be sure to ask the hard questions and while you are at it you could also ask them:
1. Do they support the cuts to funding for primary schools even though the funding has never covered the running costs?
2. Do they support the cuts language provision and provision for children with special needs?
EAL teachers, Resource teachers, special needs assistants are being cut.
3. Do they support the increases in class sizes at primary school level?

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Activities on offer at the moment include: Hockey (Grainne, Aoife), Gaelic Football (Dearmuid, Maoliosa), Olympic Handball (Tom, Caroline), Art and Craft ( Martha), Drumming Band(Dermot),Basketball (To start soon), soccer (to start soon). There is no charge for any of these activities except for a nominal charge for art and craft materials. I would like to thank the teachers for giving of their time to organise these activities.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE AT THE ACETNS
Tae Kwando for children and adults, Irish dancing for children and adults, Bollywood dancing for children, Community Games, Foroige( Youth Club), Scouting(tentative), Cricket, Ballet,
SWINE FLU
Please be aware that Swine Flu has not gone away. Please ensure that your child has a clean face cloth every day
LICE
Please be vigilant and report any evidence
of lice to the school.
ENROLMENT
The final day for enrolment is this Friday the 4th of February.
COMMUNITY GAMES
The school is providing facilities for the Finnstown/Hanstead and Adamstown Community Games. The name is a little long but hopefully it will be abbreviated shortly. This year the focus will be on Basketball for the under elevens and track and field events.
SWIMMING
Swimming has started in the school. Currently 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th are attending lessons in the Clondalkin pool on Wednesday mornings. It is a compulsory part of the physical education curriculum that children partake in aquatics. Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to come along and assist.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
As you may be well aware, there is a severe shortage in second level places in the Lucan Area. There is a new secondary school in the pipeline. This may be an Educate Together Designated second level school. All children in this school and living in Adamstown currently have priority status in the Adamstown Community College, which is a relief as there are many in and around Lucan who cannot get a place in secondary school. Watch this space for further developments.