S.N. Naomh Seosamh

06/09/07

A Thuismitheoirí/Chaomhnóirí
EMERGENCY CONTACT FORMS
Please find enclosed with this letter, emergency contact forms for your children. Please
complete one form for each child and return them to the school immediately.

SCHOOL MILK/WATER
This term Dawn Dairies are offering the option of milk or bottled water. Milk will cost €13 for the term and water €19.50. Please complete the attached leaflet if you are interested.

RANGANNA GAEILGE
Irish classes will be commencing in Áras Forbairt Acla, Crumpaun, Keel, Achill shortly. Details from 098 43292.

GENERAL INFORMATION
School opens at 9.20 a.m. It is important that the children develop the habit of being punctual for school. Children who are in the yard before this time are not the responsibility of any member of staff. School finishes at 3.00 p.m. (2.00 p.m. for infants). Children in the yard after this time are not the responsibility of any member of staff.

There are two breaks daily at school, First Break starts at 11.00 a.m. and finishes at 11.10 a.m., Lunch Breaks starts at 12.30 p.m. and finishes at 1.00 p.m. Children are supervised in the yard by teachers during these times.

In the event of a pupil being absent from school through illness or for any other reason, the class teacher must be informed by note on the pupil's return to school. If it is anticipated that the absence will be of a lengthy duration, the class teacher, should be informed by note as soon as is possible into the absence. Where the aggregate number of school days on which a student is absent from Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Seosamh during a school year is more than 20. The school is legally obliged by the Education Welfare Act (2000) Section 21, to inform an educational welfare officer in writing.

Where it is necessary for a pupil to leave school early, a note must be sent to the class teacher. Parents/Guardians are asked to call personally to the classroom to collect the child. Any person collecting a child on behalf of the parents/guardians should present written authorisation with a telephone contact number.

Children should have their names on their uniforms, coats and other personal property such as school books, copies, lunch boxes, etc. The school does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to such property.

A school meals scheme is in place and all children are given the option of participating in the scheme. Please consult the weekly menu daily to check what lunch is being supplied, if your child will not eat part of the lunch on a particular day please send an alternative. Our school operates a healthy eating policy. Please do not send sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks or crisps with your child for lunch. On Fridays however, your child may bring two treats to school.

Our school uniform consists of a navy jumper (not huddies), a white tee-shirt with a collar, navy trousers, plain navy tracksuit bottoms, (no stripes or large logos), skirts or pinafores. Black or dark shoes or runners are preferable. All children are expected to wear this uniform on all school days and while representing the school at any extra-curricular activities. A child arriving at school without full uniform, should provide a written note to class teacher explaining the reason for non-compliance. It will make life easier on everyone if everyone complies. Michael Joyce our P.E. teacher attends the school on Thursdays, children should wear runners on this day.

Children who are ill should not be sent to school. Requests to remain indoors at break times should only be made in exceptional circumstances (limbs in plaster, recovering from/awaiting surgery). These requests should be made in writing to the class teacher.

Please check your children's hair tonight and regularly thereafter for outbreaks of Head Lice. If your child experiences an outbreak of head lice, please inform the school immediately, so that other parents can be informed to take immediate action to treat the infection.

As a general rule, every child from first to sixth class inclusive is given homework each week night. Parents/Guardians are asked to ensure that their children complete the homework each night. In the event of the homework not been attempted or not been completed, teachers may insist the homework is completed by the children during some of the breaks, or extra work assigned to be completed at home. Where exceptional circumstances prevent the completion of homework, please forward an explanatory note to the class teacher. Do not do your children's homework for them. Please check your children's homework for neatness and point out mistakes. Oral work is as important as written work. Please listen to your children reading and examine assigned spellings and tables nightly. Parents and guardians should check homework each night and sign the homework diary. Reading, project research or revision may be assigned at weekends, as a general rule there will be no written work at weekends.

Children from first class to sixth class must not bring toys or games to school. Children in the infant classes may bring one or two small toys to play with during break times. The use of mobile phones by children while in the school is prohibited. If a child needs to contact a parent while in school, they may use the school phone. Children should not bring tippex or any sharp objects such as penknives, scissors etc to school with them.

Please make sure your children's books have been covered and that their names are on them. The money for the book rental will be collected in early October.

Swimming classes for all pupils in the school will commence on Friday, 9 November and will run every Friday until the 14 December. Please note the change of day this year.

Des Cafferkey will return to the school on Monday. He will take first to sixth classes for tin whistle lessons every week. All children in these classes must have a ‘D’ tin whistle and a folder for Monday. Tin whistle tunes are to be practiced every night.

CONTACTING THE SCHOOL/TEACHERS
In so far as is possible we would advise all parents /guardians wishing to contact the school by telephone to do so between 10a.m. and 12:30p.m., daily, please leave a message with Ann Gallagher and the teachers will endeavour to contact you as soon as is practically possible.
Formal parent teacher meetings will take in either December or January.
Any parent/ guardian, wishing to meet with the teacher to discuss the academic progress of their children, is asked to send a written note to the teacher, who will arrange a convenient time to meet.

MISE LE MEAS

Damian Mac Giollabháin