Dear Parents/Guardians,
A few reminders:
Ballymitty's Got Talent:
This will be held tomorrow from 11.30 - 1pm in the school. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes - cash prizes! And the winner tomorrow will perform at our official opening next Weds.
Reports
An envelope will go home to all families tomorrow with the following information:
School Reports for each child. These reports also have Standardised Test scores for most pupils included on them. These scores are a test of Reading, Maths and Spelling and are just a snapshot in time. The results are given in what are called STen scores from 1 - 10. If your child's STen score is 5 or 6, you will know that their performance on the test is average. For 1st class pupils who have done them for the first time they are marked differently. They will say Criterion Not Reached, Approaching Criterion or Criterion Reached. These scores are one of many ways in which we determine support for children. You can read more information about it Standardised Tests here: understanding-standardscores_eng.pdf
Staff List - This will inform parents about the teachers and SNAs in our school for next year which is always subject to change. It also outlines the class groupings for next year. As you know in this school, we have 6 Mainstream Classes so each year there are always split classes. It is important to remember that a class is split using our best professional judgement and also taking into account several factors such as friendship groups, social and emotional levels, siblings etc.
Split class lists - For the classes who will be split next year.
A copy of the BEAM programme which is a programme that I have put forward to the Dept for a pilot project. It is in an effort to try to meet the needs of our pupils in our school. Our school has insufficient Special Education teacher support and I have brought this project proposal to local community and political representatives. If someone calls to your door in that capacity you can mention this to them.
Official School Opening
On Tuesday afternoon from 1 - 3pm we would appreciate some parents' help to set up the GP room for teas/coffees for Weds. Also, we have some balloons to blow up (120 of them!!) so if anyone can help with that it would be appreciated. We are doing a call out for some Rice Krispie buns or cakes/buns for the teas/coffees. These can be dropped up Tues afternoon or Weds. morning. We are also asking if anyone has a Bubble Machine to create some fun for the kids!
You are all welcome to the Official Opening from 12.45pm - 2pm with teas and coffees after.
Junior and Senior infants can stay until 3pm on the day to allow parents to attend.
School Tours
School Tour for 1st/2nd will be held on Monday next. Bus leaves at 8.30am sharp for Pirate's Cove. Tour for 6th class is next Thursday June 22nd to Dunmore East Adventure Centre. Payments and permission slips for both tours are online on previous news articles.
Book Bills for 2023/2024
This year, the Department of Education are putting €96 towards the cost of books for parents. As we charged €100 for books last year, there is no charge at all for parents this year. This is a great initiative by the Dept. and books are paid for in most European schools. There will be some items that we always ask parents to purchase so we will add put these up later in June.
Thanks for reading!
Audrey