Thank you to all the Parents, Guardians, Pupils and Staff for their co-operation during the very busy month of September. A big welcome to the pupils and their families, that joined the School during the Month of September. Some great news is that we have 152 pupils enrolled and all teaching posts are secure.

Important Dates

The important dates to put in your diary this month are Mid Term Break. Friday 28th October is the last day of school and the school will close for one week for Mid Term break (31 Oct – 4 Nov inclusive). School will re-open on Monday 7th November 2011. Maths Day Thursday 20th October. Maynooth Educate Together Open Day Saturday 22th October. Dress up Day Friday 28th Oct (€2 per child)

Arts & Craft/Photocopying Fee

There are a large number of families still to pay €65 Arts/Crafts/Photocopying fee for their child(ren). Please send the money in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name to their class teacher. Alternatively two Parent volunteers will be on the corridor collecting fees for 10 minutes each morning this week.

Punctuality

Children should arrive on time to school each day. They should join their class line at 8.30am sharp.

Immunization

Reminder to Junior Infant Parents/Guardians to return their Booster Immunization Forms ASAP. Immunization will take place on Tuesday 18th Oct.

Attendance

Attendance in school is very important to your child’s education. If a child misses 20 days or more the school is obliged to report that child’s absence to the National Education Welfare Board. On each occasion your child is absent from school you should furnish a note of explanation to your child’s class teacher on their return to school. Children who are ill should not be in school (see Administration of Medication Policy on the school website www.maynoothet.ie) Please find attached absence notes for the convenience of Parents/Guardians. Others will be available on the corridor throughout the year, please feel free to pop in and take another if required.

Standardised Testing

All children from 2nd -5th Class undertook standardised testing in English and Math’s during the month of September. If you would like to meet with your child’s class teacher to discuss their results please make an appointment with the school secretary.

Appointments

Morning collection and afternoon dispersal are busy times for teachers. Often they cannot give Parents/Guardians their full attention. If you wish to meet with your child’s teacher, please contact Hilary in the office to arrange an appointment 01-6106823.

Sport

Marie will be coaching Olympic Handball at lunch time on Mondays (Boys) & Tuesdays (Girls). Eoin & Amy will run a soccer league at lunchtime on Wed, Thur & Fri. Gaelic Football Training will take place on Tues & Thur 2.15 -3.00pm. Children need to wear track suit and runners on the appropriate days if participating in sport.

Visitors

Mairín has been in Maynooth Educate Together doing Teacher Observation based in 2nd class but has visited many of the classes in the school during her observation. Bronagh is a Transition Year Student from Maynooth Post Primary School on work experience every Friday. Rachel is undertaking SNA course and is on work experience in Angela’s class.

Yoga

The children in Clare and Libby’s classes have recently started Yoga classes with Anya on Tuesdays. This is part of their Learn Together Curriculum.

Grandparents Day

Sian’s Grandmothers visited Eoin class on Grandparents day. They shared stories about their lives with the class. Thank you to them both for their contribution to the children’s education and for celebrating this special day in Maynooth Educate Together.

European Day of Languages

This event happened on Monday 26th September. It was a great success. Children took part in singing hello in lots of languages, quizzes, poetry reading & traditional story telling. Well done to Elaine Miller for all her hard work in organising the day. There is a dedicated notice board on the downstairs corridor with photos and work samples from the event. Come in and have a look.

Language of the  Month

Each  month  we will be celebrating a language in our school that some of the children have a connection with. Afrikaans is the language for October. Everyone is welcome in to see the display and learn some new words.

Physical Education

PE will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays every week. Your child should wear suitable clothing – tracksuit & runners on these days. If your child is wearing runner with laces, please take the time to show children how to tie their laces. Children in the Junior Classes should not be wearing shoes with laces unless they are able to tie them. Please ensure you child can zip his/her own coat as the weather is getting cooler.

Miscellaneous

Please label your children’s clothing, especially jumpers & coats. A spare clothes bag should be given to the Junior Infant teachers for your child. The bag should be clearly marked with your child’s name and contain a tracksuit bottoms, t-shirt, underpants & socks. The bag will remain in the school for the duration of the school year. Please remind your child that he/she is responsible for coats, hats & scarfs and to take good care of them at school. Lost items of clothing should be claimed asap as the school cannot store them indefinitely.

Volunteers

The school always welcomes volunteers in all areas. Please let you child’s class teacher know if you would like to volunteer. A big’ thank you’ to the Parents who volunteered last month.

Items for the News Letter

If you have good news to share with the school community or would like something important to appear on the monthly newsletter please contact Elaine or email secretary@maynoothet.ie. Maybe your child has been part of a winning team or activity, maybe there is something happening in the area that other families may be interested in.

Head Lice

There has been reports of Head Lice in the school. Please check your child’s hair and treat them for head lice if necessary.

Rules of Set Down Areas on School Grounds

Parents/Guardians driving into the school must use the lanes designated for general use marked as ‘SET DOWN’. Parents/Guardians are not allowed to use the Bus Lane or the BUS SET DOWN or the STAFF CAR PARK. This puts children at risk. Bus Lane must be free to allow access to busses. Even if you are late dropping your child off or collecting your child, you are not allowed to use the Bus Set Down Area or Staff Car Park. These rules apply to all the Parents/Guardians  of children in mainstream and ADS classes. Let us remember the safety of all the children in the school.

Fire Drills

Our first Fire Drill was very successful. The next Fire Drill is scheduled for the 27th October.

Learn Together Notice Board

Each month a different class will be displaying what they are studying in the Learn Together Programme. It is located to the right of the Staff room on the downstairs corridor. Make sure you call in monthly and keep up to date.

Pre -Enrolments

Maynooth Educate Together’s enrolment is on a first come first served basis. If you have younger children in your family and you would like them to attend Maynooth Educate Together please ensure that they are pre-enrolled as soon as possible. You can get pre-enrolment forms on the website or by calling into Hilary in the office. If you have friends, family or neighbours who wish to pre- enrol their child please encourage them to make them aware of this information.

Update of Records

Please return your updated contact details forms to the school asap. A large number of forms still have not been returned.

Parents Association

Sponsored Spooky Walk. Thursday 27th October @6.30pm, Maynooth. Sponsor Cards/Further information will be sent home asap. Parents/Guardians will be responsible for supervising their own children. Money raised will benefit our school.

Dress Up Day is on Friday 28th October, children come to school dressed in their Halloween Costumes, children bring €2 donation towards Educate Together National Fundraising Day.

Parents Association Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th November 2011. Elections for the Parents Association Committee will take place. All Parents/Guardians can stand for election if interested and all Parents/Guardians have a vote on the night to decide the PA Committee. Elections for Male/Female representatives for the schools Board of Management will take place on the night also. Any Parent/Guardian interested can be nominated. Each Parent/Guardian  will have a vote on the night. Further details and nomination forms to follow.