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Balscadden National School Parents Association |
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Newsletter Autumn 2009 Balscadden Parents Association would like to welcome all new parents to Balscadden school. The parents association meet once a month in the school to discuss a range of issues. They are also involved in Christmas, Easter and Sports Day. If you are interested in becoming involved please contact Lorna: 086 3203398 or Paula: 086 8197346 for further information. New members are always welcome.
The Newsletter is published 4 times per year (Halloween, Christmas, Easter & June), to try to keep you up to date with just some of the things happening in the school.
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION Requests for Voluntary Contributions are now being sent home to parents/guardians. With Dept. of Education cut backs, the support the voluntary contribution gives to the school is invaluable. We realize that this is a very expensive time of year for parents but by contributing at this time, all our children will benefit throughout the year.
GREEN SCHOOLS NEWS We are applying for our water conservation flag under the Green School Scheme. Doug changed our classroom taps from screw to lever during the summer and the water from the water butts is being used for cleaning up after art. We have also started putting water displacement devices into the toilet cisterns.
INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARDS The school has now been fitted with 4 new Interactive Smart Boards. The cost of each board was €3300 and each laptop €620. Many thanks to Ms. Donnelly for all her hard work in researching and setting these up. The Board of Management has funded 3 of these and the Parents Association has funded 1. Ms. Donnelly along with the other teachers have passed on their thanks to the parents for funding this and has advised that any parent who wishes to see the boards in operation should contact her to do so.
‘WALK TO SCHOOL’ Walk to School has been a huge success. We are meeting every morning at 8.30 at the church. On an exceptionally wet morning there will be a sign at the church indicating cancellation of the’ Walk to School’. Many thanks for your support. I. Donnelly
SCHOOL WEBSITE The school website (www.balscadden.com) has been up and running for the past three years now. We continue to endeavour to use the website to reflect the range of activities that the children are involved in throughout the school year. For example, the school football teams, the choir, the Green School initiative, athletics, artwork, poetry work, podcasts etc. We would like to take this opportunity to invite parents to make suggestions for any additional to the website that might be relevant to children and parents alike. You can email your suggestions to Mr. White at balscadden.ias@eircom.net
NPC NEWSBRIEF This is available via a link on the school website.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
26th Oct-30thNov Mid Term 13th Dec Hallelujah Concert 12th May Confirmation 22nd May 1st Holy Communion
FIRST COMMUNION The First Communion class had their Enrolment Ceremony on Sunday 11th Oct in Balscadden Church. Thanks to the parents who organized the event and to Ms Meehan . The children were excellent !
SCHOOL CREDIT UNION We hope to have this up and running after mid-term. It will be run by the children of 6th class, but we also need some help from 6th class parents. If you’re free to help for 1 hr on a Thur morning from 9-10 then please contact Teresa Moore on 086 8112678.
FIFTH CLASS Fifth class attended a presentation by the author Aubrey Flegg in the Balbriggan library. They went on a tour of ‘old Balbriggan’ as part of their local history project. A presentation of this project has been sent to their partner school in Sweden. It will be available for viewing on the school website. They are hoping to start work on the garden this week getting it ready for spring planting. Fifth class also had their first live link to a Spanish school. They are practicing their Spanish during these links which we hope to do once a month.
CHOIR The choir will be performing in the R.D.S. on December 13th at 8.15pm. They will also be singing on two nights in the school during December.
PARKING—BUSES We ask that people DO NOT PARK or stop in the BUS SET DOWN area or turning circle at school gate. Doing so endangers our children’s safety. We would also ask people to keep to the speed limit on the school road.
SPANISH PROJECT Our Spanish project for 5th and 6th will continue this year. Classes of 1½ hours duration take place each Thursday.
SIXTH CLASS Congratulations to last years 5th class, who were regional finalists in the schools tidy town competition for their garden project. Well done!
AND FINALLY …… The Parents Association would like to thank you for you support and hope you all have a great Halloween !
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