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6th Class Graduation

Dear Parent(s) and 6th Class,

We will have our first ‘socially distanced’ graduation ceremony on Wednesday 24th June. We ask you to arrive at 7:15 so that we can begin on time at 7:30. Arriving on time is important to allow for parking. You will be directed to the rear of the school before we begin.

We really wanted to give you an oportunity to return to the school in person rather than organising a virtual ceremony. How we wish that the 6th Class could meet in the normal way! Unfortunately with restrictions as they are this is just not possible, the school has to act responsibly and so must you. There are still restrictions on our behaviour that we have to follow. We really appreciate your cooperation to ensure that things can go ahead smoothly and safely.

1. One (and only one) car per family is allowed to attend the graduation ceremony. (There will be no space for more.)
2. No one will be permitted entry on foot.
3. Parents and siblings must stay in the car during the ceremony.
4. Parking will be spread across the basketball courts at the back. You are required to follow stewards’ directions.
5. Only the graduating pupil will be allowed to leave the car. Their names will be called out one by one by at the beginning and they will be seated – beside each car – at a safe 2m distance.

6. Pupils may wear something of their own choosing. If weather allows, they will be outside the car for the duration so a jacket or light coat may be needed. (We have ordered hoodies for each pupil and they will be delivered to you in the coming weeks but due to circumstances beyond our control they won’t have arrived by next Wednesday.)

We really want this to be a special evening for your child. Parents, please go over the above with them before the ceremony and remind them of the need for physical distancing among their classmates.

It would be fantastic to see the Ballylinan colours of green and gold adorning your car to add to the celebration! We look forward to welcoming you on the evening.

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Book Drop & Collection

Tuesday, 16th June
4 – 8 p.m.

Dear Parents,

Please park as normal and enter the school playground by the Athy (Infant) end where there is more space. There will be staff members to guide you and queueing will be in operation in the playground.

All property will be in the school hall: bundled, bagged and labelled. As you arrive at the rear doors of the hall, a staff member will take any books that you are returning (see below) and return your child’s property to you. Four hours is a decent amount of time, but we ask for your patience and understanding if there are busy times. You might need be prepared in case there are heavy showers; either with an umbrella or by waiting in your car until the rain stops.

Please remember physical distancing. For that reason we ask you not to bring children with you if that is at all possible.

Thank you all very much for your cooperation.

Books to be Returned
(you are likely to have the following)

Junior & Senior Infants
No books to be returned
(art folders to be collected)

Room 1
2nd Class
Busy at maths 2
Jolly grammar 2
Read at home 2

3rd Class
Busy at maths 3
Read at home 3
Jolly grammar 3

Room 2
Jill’s New Rollerblades (Folens)
Read at Home

Room 4
1st Class
Read at Home

Room 7
3rd Class
Read at Home 3
Busy at Maths 3
Jolly Grammar 3

4th Class
Read at Home 4
Planet Maths 4

Room 9
Planet Maths
Read at Home

Room 10
Holes by Louis Sachar
Planet Maths
Jolly Grammar
Earthlink
Bun go Barr
Read at Home

Room 11
5th Class
Planet Maths 5
Read at Home 5

6th Class
Planet Maths 6
Read at Home 6

Room 12
Planet Maths
Read at Home
Unlocking History

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On Track (Active Week)

Please remember to get rented books ready to return; they will need to be returned this Tuesday 16th June. Your teachers are still available to be contacted at their classroom email addresses and they would encourage you to continue with your maths and reading if you can.

Welcome to Active Week! We’re taking a whole-school (rather than room-by-room) approach for the last couple of weeks.

Here is a menu of fun, whole school activities. Please engage with them as much as possible. Remember to take lots of pictures and send them to ballylinan1@yahoo.ie. Your photo’s will be shared on the school website on our Activity Week Gallery.

If the weather doesn’t play ball, you can play ‘dodge the showers’!
Active Week menu

(See last week’s Creativity Week Gallery in the menu above.)

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Important Update for Parents of 6th Class

Dear Parents,

RSE Booklet
Please note that the HSE ‘Busy Bodies’ booklets are included with your child’s books today. This contains information on relationships and sexuality. Some of this has been covered in class this year but obviously not all of it, given the circumstances. You might like to talk to your child in an appropriate way about the information provided.

Transition from Primary to Post Primary School
Booklet

Webinar (through Laois Education Centre)
for Parents of 6th Class Primary Pupils

This session for parents of 6th class primary pupils will consider the transition from Primary to Post Primary school. We will consider the three focus areas of Context of Transitions, Differences and Challenges, and Practical Strategies
Key areas addressed in this session are:
– Supporting parents and students to manage change.
– Identifying common contexts of transition and the complexity involved in those transitions from on setting to another.
– Practical and straightforward ways to support students transitioning to Post Primary.
Date: Thursday 18th June 2020, 7-8 p.m.

Registration Link