Newsletters Archived

First Communion Preparation Meeting for Parents
The second meeting for parents of children preparing for 1st Holy Communion takes place tomorrow, Thursday, 23 January, at 8pm in the Parish Centre.  At least one parent of each child must attend this meeting. If you are unable to attend, please contact the Parish Office at 8213218.

Catholic Schools Week 
Catholic Schools Week (CSW) will be celebrated from 26th January to 2nd February 2014. The theme for CSW this year is ! Catholic Schools: places of faith and learning. The week will celebrate our schools, where Faith is learned, lived, shared, served and celebrated. St Mochta’s Parish will be celebrating our Parish Schools with special liturgies on Sunday 26th at 10.30 for St Mochta’s NS and St Patrick’s NS at 12 o’clock masses.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

3rd-6th Mangahigh Maths Challenges
A reminder that Mangahigh Maths challenges are set from time to time for our older classes. Please encourage your child to complete these at home as they are a great way to consolidate and reinforce work done in school. The challenges are fun and there are Maths games that help with memorising tables too.

Birthday parties
If your child is having a birthday party and inviting children from the class, the distribution of invitations must be done outside school, as children who are not on the guest list can feel upset and isolated. Please do not ask school personnel for class lists, phone numbers or addresses of children in the class. Schools, like all institutions, must adhere to the terms of the Data Protection Act.

Parents Association News

School Calendars For Sale
If you have ordered a School Calendar at the Christmas Fair and have not yet received it,! it is available for collection from the school office at your convenience. There are also spare copies of all classes still available for sale at €5 each.

Reminders

Nuts Allergies in School
We have a number of children in the school who are allergic to nuts.  We are therefore asking that no child brings nuts or products containing nuts (e.g. Nutella, Peanut Butter, etc) to school as part of their school lunch.  We would greatly appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.

Absences due to illness
Whilst there is no need to telephone the school if your chil! d is sick, we would greatly appreciate if you would contact us if your child contracts a contagious illness e.g. measles, mumps, rubella, etc.  There are children in the school who are at increased risk of contracting these illnesses.  Parents must acknowledge their child’s absence from school, in writing, at the back of the child’s School Journal (Education Welfare Act). Parents of Junior and Senior Infant children should speak to the teacher at the class line on the morning of their return.

Sick Children at School
Please do not send sick children to school for the following reasons:

• Children are unable to cope w! ith the demands of school when they are unwell.
• Infection spreads rapidly in the confinement of the classroom.

Healthy Lunch Policy
We operate a Healthy Lunch Policy in the school.  Fizzy drinks, crisps, popcorn or sweets are not permitted.  On Friday, children are allowed one treat, e.g. a bar.  Please help us maintain the health of our children by following the guidelines in the School Booklet which is available to view at w! ww.stpatricksns.ie.

Meeting with Teachers
All questions/queries re school should be directed initially to the class teacher. Please contact the school secretary to make an appointment. (For safety reasons it is not possible for class teachers to meet with parents without an appointment as supervision arrangements have to be put in place. For the same safety reasons, teachers cannot take or make phone calls during class time). Parents of Infant children may be able to have a quick informal word with the class teacher when collecting their child at home time.

Staff Car Park
Please note that parents are asked not to park in the Staff Car Park between 8.00am and 2.30pm, the only exception being parents collecting disabled or injured children.  We would be grateful if you could also inform anyone who may be collecting your child/children on your behalf of this procedure.

If you are returning to the school to drop off forgotten lunches, schoolbags, etc. during the school day, we would ask that you park in the bus stop area and enter via the Pedestrian Gate. (Please close gates after you leave).  We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

 Extra Curricular Activities

Downey Lanigan Academy of Irish Dance
Irish Dancing Class! es at St Patrick’s N.S.  Send your child to learn this great social skill, which is now famous all over the world.  We cater for all levels, for fun or World standard, from Junior Infants. Enquiries: Bernadette Downey-Lanigan B.A.D.C.R.G. - 0876204772.

The Computer Clubhouse
The Foróige Blanchardstown Computer Clubhouse provides a creative and safe after-school learning environment where young people work with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence in themselves, through the use of technology. We curr! ently run a home work group, movie making group, art and media group, along with evening drop ins which allow young people engage with technology such as photography, music, visual media and computers.

The clubhouse is open to members from age 10 years upwards and is free.

Please see Poster on Parent Information Noticeboard (at Reception) giving times of groups and contact details for the clubhouse.

Spanish for Children
Fun & stress-free, after-school classes in St Patrick’s NS, for 3 - 14 year olds (using La Jolie Ronde materials). Six age-specific levels from which to choose. Small classes, with lots of individual attention & learning, guaranteed. Term 2 (17 wks) started 7th Jan. All classes taught by qualified & registered Spanish teacher. Limited availability. Book now. Don’t miss out! Contact marygalvin@upcmail.ie / 087 267 4809 / www.spanishclasses4children.com for details. Gracias, Mary

Dublin Parks Tennis
Registration & Coaching for Spring 2014 takes place on Saturday 8 February at Riverwood Estate, Castleknock! and on Wednesday 12 February at Laurel Lodge Community Centre, Castlek! nock. Tel 8338711 or email parkstennis@eircom.net for more information.