Newsletter 24th September 2019

Nut Allergies
A number of children in the school have an allergic reaction to nuts. Since this condition can be life threatening, all teachers are asking for your help in minimising the risk to these children by:
1.Avoiding giving children nuts in school lunches;
2. Avoiding giving peanut butter sandwiches, other spreads containing nuts such as Nutella and other products labelled “may contain nut traces” in school lunches;
3. Asking children notto share their lunches.

Due to the severity of the problem, it is important that all parents carry out the suggested measures and reduce the risk of allergic reaction to these children.

Thank you very much for your co-operation.

Book Bills / Rental
Book rental/school contribution fees are now overdue. Please pay immediately or contact the school to make payment arrangements. We will be contacting you in the coming weeks re. any outstanding payments. Thank you.

 Football News
At school (Cumann na mBunscol) level our teams are having mixed fortunes this year so far. Our boys have won both their matches so far. Our girls have yet to record a win despite some really good performances. The groups this season are as follows:

Cailíní (Roinn 2)                                   Buachaillí (Roinn 2B)
Ballylinan                                                  Ballylinan
Ballyadams                                             Emo
Ballyroan                                                  Ratheniska
Raheen                                                      Rath
Timahoe                                                   The Heath

Ballylinan Youth Club
Ballylinan Youth Club is holding a registration night  for parents tonight Tuesday 24thfrom 7pm to 8pm in St. Anne’s Hall. All children from 12-15 can be registered by their parents or guardians on that night. If any one would like to consider joining Ballylinan Youth Club as a volunteer, please contact Breege Clarke or any member of the club committee.

Voluntary Envelope Collection
This important envelope collection is our main means of fundraising and allows us to provide better facilities, equipment and services for your children. The envelopes will be sent home every Tuesday (beginning next week) with the oldest child in each family. Your contribution is voluntary and confidential and you will be issued with a receipt at the end of the year.

Homework Club
Homework club has recommenced! We provide children with the opportunity to complete their written homework under the supervision of qualified teachers. The club will run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons directly after school, from 3 to 4pm. Children are welcome to attend as many evenings as they wish during any given week.
The following fees will apply (which include the cost of insurance, light/heat, etc):

  • €4 per day or
  • €15 per week or
  • €55 per 4-week block

Photographs
On occasion children will be photographed in relation to school activities. Many of these photographs will appear on the school website, but sometimes the photographs may be taken by newspapers covering sports events, new infants in school, panto, etc. It is now common practice that only the child’s first name is used, if any. In the last few years our parents association has produced a calendar of the different class groups which has been very popular. Please let us know if you have any concerns about this issue. Please also see the school’s annually reviewed Child Safeguarding Statement on the school website (address below).

Lost Property?
We have lots of it! Please come and have a look in the front porch. Now is a good time to check that your child’s name is on their property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newsletter 18th September 2019

FearLess Programme
There was a very good attendance at the recent talk on how to deal with anxiety in children. For further information and more upcoming events etc. visit www.askaboutparenting.ie.

Homework Club
Homework club has recommenced! We provide children with the opportunity to complete their written homework under the supervision of qualified teachers. The club will run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons directly after school, from 3 to 4pm. Children are welcome to attend as many evenings as they wish during any given week. The following fees will apply (which include the cost of insurance, light/heat, etc):

  • €4 per day or
  • €15 per week or
  • €55 per 4-week block

Staff News
Congratulations to Mrs. Moriarty (a son) and Mrs. Donnelly (a daughter) who have both given birth recently! We also welcome Ms. Sarah Murphy who has taken over from Mrs. Donnelly.

Additional School Closure
A reminder that we have been informed that the school will be closed for inservice on Wednesday, 23rdOctober.

Ballylinan Youth Club
Ballylinan Youth Club is holding a registration night  for parents on Tuesday the 24th from 7pm to 8pm in St. Anne’s Hall. All children from 12-15 can be registered by their parents or guardians on that night. If any one would like to consider joining Ballylinan Youth Club as a volunteer, please contact Breege Clarke or any member of the club committee.

Book Bills / Rental
Once again thanks to all who have paid. If you have not yet done so, please pay as soon as possible. If you have any queries re. payment, please contact the school.

Change of Address, Phone Number?
If there has been a change in the past year or two, please make sure that we have been informed. You can call us or email us at the address below. Thank you.

 

 

 

Newsletter 11th September 2019

Book Bills / Rental
Once again thanks to all who have paid. If you have not yet done so, please pay as soon as possible. If you have any queries re. payment, please contact the school.

Infants
Our new infants have settled in well and from tomorrow (Thursday) will remain in school until 2 pm.

Homework Club
Recommences in Ballylinan National School this month. The club provides children with the opportunity to complete their written homework under the supervision of qualified teachers. The club will run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons directly after school, from 3 to 4pm. Children are welcome to attend as many evenings as they wish during any given week.The following fees will apply (which include the cost of insurance, light/heat, etc):

  • €4 per day or
  • €15 per week or
  • €55 per 4-week block

Tin Whistle
Tin whistle this Thursday 12th for all past playing members. Beginners will start on Wednesday 18th Sept from 3-4p.m. All welcome from 1st class upwards.

Football
Cumann na mBunscol competitions are now in full swing. Thanks to the teachers involved in coaching and bringing the boys and girls to matches. We get great support from the local clubs too!

School Calendar 2020
Our Parents Association has produced a school calendar in recent years and it has proved to be very successful not only as a fund-raiser but also as a keepsake. We will be taking photographs of class groups in the coming weeks.

Class Visits
From time to time during the year children will leave the school grounds to visit locations such as St. Anne’s Hall, Ballylinan G.A.A. pitch, St. Anne’s soccer pitch, ‘The Park’, St. Anne’s Church, the old school, the cemetery, etc.  It may not be always possible to inform you in advance that these “trips” will be taking place as they will be weather dependent but children will always be back to school by collection times.

School Closure
Further to last week’s calendar (available at www.ballylinannationalschool.com) we have been informed that the school will also be closed for inservice on Wednesday, 23rdOctober.

Community News
St. Annes F.C are back into their soccer season. Boys and girls all welcome.
U13s Wednesdays 7-8pm
U12s Thursdays 7-8pm
U11s Tuesdays 7-8pm (starting 17thSept.)
U8s academy- to be confirmed.
Registration €30, new players need to bring a copy of their birth certificate.

Change of Address, Phone Number?
If there has been a change in the past year or two, please make sure that we have been informed. Thank you.

Car Parking
Thank you for your consideration in parking in an orderly manner at the school and allowing plenty of time. Please ensure that you leave staff car spaces free in the mornings. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Newsletter 5th September 2019

Book Rental/School Contribution (Costs)
Thanks to everyone who has paid. Through the book rental scheme we try hard to keep costs as low as possible. The school contribution pays for the services provided for your children such as materials for art/science, assessment tests, photocopying, 24 hour personal accident insurance, etc. As we have to pay many of these costs in advance we would appreciate prompt payment. If you wish to discuss payment please contact the school in confidence. Thank you.

Book Grant
Families who qualify for the “Back to School Clothing Allowance” are also eligible for the book grant.  Please let us know.

School Tracksuits
Tracksuits ordered during the summer are now overdue for collection. No further orders can be accepted.

Parking
A reminder to parents that the junior playground is open for parking before 3 p.m. to facilitate collection. Please remember that the drop-off area is only for that purpose in the mornings; no double parking in that area is allowed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Healthy Lunch
We encourage the eating of healthy lunches. We ask you not send sweets, crisps (and similar snacks), chocolate, fizzy or energy drinks to school please. We also ask you to be careful about the quantity of food as children may feel they need to finish everything; that is not always the case.

Homework Club (1st to 6th Class)
Begins again on Monday September 9th. Details to follow; any queries please contact the school.

Tin Whistle
Starts back next week. Details to follow.

Swimming
Swimming starts this week for Mr. Dowling’s class. All other classes will have sessions throughout the year.

FearLess Talk
Parents (or anyone interested) who have indicated in the recent past that their child is unusually anxious may be interested in a free talk for parents of children aged 6-12 years. Wednesday, 11th September at 7 p.m. in Ballylinan N.S. Booking is essential. All welcome. Please email  sinead.higgins@tusla.ie .