Dear Parents/Guardians,
We welcome everyone back to school this week. We especially welcome our 13 new junior infants as well as the 5 new pupils who have joined other classes! Here's to a productive and happy year for everyone!
A few reminders as usual
School App - iClassCMS
We recommend that all parents reinstall and download the app - iClassCMS. This app was upgraded during the summer so please re-install the app. If not, you won't get notifications and the absentee note will be missing. This app is linked to our website so any updates there are sent via the app. Please turn on your notifications and make sure the app is on your main screen as we do send some individual class reminders.
Absentee Notes
Please fill these out anytime your child is absent. It is so important that this is done as Túsla can ask you for explanations for absences if there are continued absences. Any child who misses 20 days or more will be sent an automatic letter from Túsla to remind them of the importance of regular school attendance.
We also want to remind parents of the importance of children being in school at 9.10am every morning and to avoid early collections if at all possible.
Every school day counts!
Fresh Today
There have been some initial hiccups so the Junior Infants will not be receiving any hot lunches until they are in school for the full day on Monday Sept. 9th.
A reminder that any changes you wish to make must be done by the Thurs. of every week by 5pm. They have made some changes in their menu and in their food choices for example the mozzarella/pepperoni ciabattas are now wholemeal.
Homework and Reading
We usually don't start this until late Sept to allow children time to adjust. However, this year we will be focusing on reading as we settle back into school. In line with this the mobile Wexford Library unit will visit the school four times over the coming months. The first visit will be next Weds. Sept 4th so each class will get a chance to visit the unit. Wexford Library want each child to have their own school based library card so we will be asking parents to sign permission slips for these. So this will allow pupils to take books out on loan.
GAA
Morning GAA training for Junior Infants - 2nd starts next Tues. Sept. 3rd at 8.30am. As it is football until Dec. pupils just to bring in their gum shields.
Morning GAA for 3rd - 6th started today and continues every Friday at 8.30am. While the weather is good we ask that pupils bring in their football boots, a spare pair of socks as well as gumshields.
Rackard League Football matches for 4th - 6th will commence the week after next so we will keep you informed of those fixtures/dates.
Communication with staff
We remind parents that for any general information/enquiries/questions/reminders you can email Helena at ballymittyns@gmail.com and any more specific, personal information about children etc you can email Audrey at amccarthy@gmail.com
If you wish to speak with a teacher, please call and Helena will request a call back.
Keep an eye on the App for any messages and updates.
Day of Closure
All schools are closing for a Maths Curriculum Day - this is Weds. Oct. 9th for our school.
Also, each school is permitted to have a Half in/Half out staff meeting which means the school closes for one hour early three times per year. The first of these Half In/Half out meetings will be Monday Oct. 14th so all of the pupils will go home at 2pm that day.
Have a lovely weekend everyone, enjoy the late summer!
Audrey