S.N. Naomh Seosamh

13/03/2008

A Thuismitheoirí/Chaomhnóirí,

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir. Cáisc Shona Daoibh freisin.

EASTER HOLIDAYS
Easter Holidays will begin tomorrow. We will close at 11:00a.m. School will reopen again on Monday, 31 of March 2008. Children do not need to wear their uniforms tomorrow.

ASD CLASS
Please find a letter about the establishment of a special class for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on the reverse of this letter. We will be happy to deal with any questions or queries you may have. We will keep you up to date of all developments.

FIRST CONFESSIONS
We congratulate Roisín McNulty and Elena Cafferkey, who made their First Confessions yesterday.

LÁ ‘LE PÁDRAIG
The children from second class to sixth class will play in Bunnacurry Church after 11:00a.m. Mass on Monday, the 17 of March.



Is mise le meas
_________________________
Damian Mac Giollabháin

SPECIAL CLASS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN
WITH AUTISTIC SPECTURM DISORDER

A Thuismitheoirí/Chaomhnóirí,
In recent years the Department of Education and Science has invested heavily in the provision of services for children with varying degrees of special educational needs. You will be familiar with the support that has been made available to pupils in our own school in the form of Learning Support and Resource Teaching.

Over the past few years the Department of Education and Science has established many special classes to offer specific support to children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The nearest class at present to children from Achill is the unit attached to Newport National School. Towards the end of 2007, our school was approached to investigate the possibility in establishing such a special class. The principal met with the local Special Education Needs Organiser on numerous occasions since then to examine the practicalities and the impact such a class would have on our school community. The issue has also been discussed at staff meetings and at meetings of the Board of Management. The Board of Management and teaching staff met with the Special Education Needs Organiser last week and discussed the issue further.

The unanimous decision of the Board of Management and staff of our school is that a special class to meet the needs of children with autistic spectrum disorder from the parish of Achill will be established at our school in autumn 2008. The Board of Management will now proceed with the project.

The special class will be housed in temporary accommodation in a pre-fabricated self contained unit on the school grounds. The unit will have a full time specially appointed teacher and will cater for no more than six children. At the outset the class will probably begin with one child. A Special Needs Assistant will be appointed also. More SNA’s will be provided as there is need for them.. The class will have regular access to speech and language therapy and other supports. It is envisaged that the children will spend most of their time in the special class. They may, however, be provided with opportunities to integrate with the mainstream classes in the school for some activities.

We are very pleased that our school has been selected for the provision of such a much needed facility for the children of Achill. The establishment of this unit in our school will be a challenging and exciting undertaking for all of us. We depend on you the parents for your full support and co-operation for this much needed facility. We will keep you informed of progress on a regular basis.

Is mise, le mór mheas agat,

_________________________

Damian Mac Giollabháin




05/03/2008

A Thuismitheoirí/Chaomhnóirí,


ARRANGEMENTS FOR DROPPING OFF AND COLLECTING CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL

In the interest of safety we would ask all car users at the school to park the Bun a ’Chorraigh side of the ‘V’ entrance gates to the school yard when dropping off and collecting children from school at 9:20a.m. and again at 3:00p.m. This is to allow the school bus to pull in and out on the ‘Caiseal’ side of the ‘V’ entrances. These arrangements will be on a trial basis and will start on Friday the 7 of March.

STAFF MEETING
The teachers will be having a staff meeting on Thursday, March 6 2008. All children will go home at 12:30p.m. The bus will operate at this time.




Is mise le meas
_________________________
Damian Mac Giollabháin

03/03/2008

A Thuismitheoirí/Chaomhnóirí,

STAFF MEETING
The teachers will be having a staff meeting on Thursday, March 6 2008. All children will go home at 12:30p.m. We apologise for the short notice. The bus will operate at this time.

MR. JOYCE
Mr. Joyce will not be with us this Wednesday, he will be with us Friday instead. Children should wear their P.E. runners on Friday.

EASTER HOLIDAYS
Easter Holidays will begin on Friday, 14 of March 2008. We will close at 11:00a.m. School will reopen again on Monday, 31 of March 2008.



Is mise le meas
_________________________
Damian Mac Giollabháin