St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Our group will meet by Tomkins Suzuki Garage at 2.45pm sharp on March 17th. All are welcome. We hope to be one of the biggest, loudest and most colourful parade groups again this year.
The children remain under the care & supervision of their parents throughout the event (most parents walk along with the children in the parade.)
The group will disperse in the Community School car park, near the end of the parade route.
Everyone can dress-up for the occasion. Our theme is ‘outer space:’ black clothes with tinfoil stars attached, homemade alien masks or head gear, costumes that your child may already have (Buzz Lightyear, etc,) or St. Patrick’s Day garb/face paints/etc. [or come as you are.] Families could also bring their own bubbles or bubble machines.
Parent group working on our parade entry every morning: drop in… help needed.
School closed Thursday 17th and Friday 18th March.
Parental involvement policy: The Board of Management has now formalised a ‘Parental Involvement Policy’ for our school. This follows consultation with the Parent-Teacher Association, staff and a random sample of parents who volunteered in our classrooms over the past several months.
The document reaffirms the importance of parental involvement in the life of our school. The many benefits of such involvement are listed. As we know, parents as a group have a range of talents, abilities and skills that have the potential to enrich and extend the educational opportunities provided for the children.
The various guidelines in the policy should help to ensure that activities involving parent volunteers continue to bring maximum benefits for the school.
Regarding parents volunteering in classrooms, the document highlights the importance of confidentiality: it is important not to discuss your thoughts on how a pupil might be doing [academically/behaviourally/socially/emotionally] with any party. (Uncertainties in this area should be discussed with the classteacher or principal only.)
Beginning next week, parents who volunteer in the classrooms will be given a copy of the new policy and asked to sign a confidentiality form.
Our parental involvement policy will soon be uploaded to the school website. Parents can also request a copy from the office. The new policy will be referenced in the 2011-2012 school guide for parents & guardians (available September 2011.)
Þ The Rainbows after-school support programme is now fully subscribed. Jacinta (co-ordinator) will be in touch with families in due course.
Þ Evening class for parents & guardians (Maths): this class continues on Tuesdays, 7-8pm. Places are still available — please contact the office.
Seachtain na Gaeilge (SnaG:) (Irish language week) Radió SnaG broadcasts…. SnaG assemblies…. Léamh le Chéile…. Ceolchoirm Beag…. Ticéidí glasa (green tickets)…. Music-playing parents & staff….
For pupils and parents… Trath na gCeist Boird (table quiz,) Tuesday March 15th, 7pm. All are welcome. Mixed teams of 4 or 5 pupils and parents can be arranged on the night. Prizes and spot-prizes!
Damhsathon! (We raised €140 for the Courtown Lifeboat.)
‘Míle buíochas’ to Grace (our SnaG organiser.)
New therapeutic suspension equipment: Another tangible example of our commitment to enabling all our pupils fulfil their potential!
The different attachments (anchor-swing/flexion disc, cocoon swing, hammock, platform-swing, t-bar, etc.) mean a multitude of potential uses and benefits: Calming linear movements help prepare the child for the demanding tasks ahead…. A comforting space in times of need…. Posture development…. Improved posture control…. Vestibular stimulation…. Muscle development…. Deep pressure sensory input…. Sensory stimulation…. Refined balance and coordination….
Our Board of Management made the decision to invest in this equipment following advice from the senior occupational therapist who liaises with our special classes for children with autism.
Therapists from the HSE and the ‘Cottage Autism Network’ have already made good use of the new equipment during therapy sessions at the school. They have also provided guidance to our own teachers and special needs assistants regarding day-to-day use.
This investment was part-funded by our Parent-Teacher Association, who donated €4,300 (the proceeds of September’s sponsored walk.)
New Jerseys: These had their first outings last week – well done to all the boys and girls who competed in the GAA ‘mini-sevens’ football events.
The children voted on various options – and Daniel’s eye-catching design came out on top! When it came to ‘backing a worthy cause,’ Safia’s proposal to support Amnesty International garnered most support, (and Amnesty gave permission for the use of their logo.) Thanks also to Dave (parent) for designing the crest! This purchase of 20 jerseys was fully-funded by our Parent-Teacher Association.
Playground activities for 1st –6th classes The current choices are: outdoor chalk, football, basketball, ‘Mega Connect-4,’ ‘Cannonball Drop,’ hockey (Unihoc,) quoits (ring throwing) and, of course, free-play! Many thanks to Fergus for organising the rota.
Þ After-school swimming is fully booked, (almost 50 swimmers!) We hope to offer this activity again next year.
Þ Visit www.karennickell.co.uk to see lots of our art! Login: gorey. Password: swan.
Þ Coming soon… original & exciting musical theatre project at Gorey Educate Together!
Molly O’Duffy (ethos development officer) and Fionnuala Ward (education officer) from Educate Together HQ will visit our school on Thursday 24th March to meet pupils, parents and staff!
This visit follows on from the work to date of our own Ethos Review Committee, (who distributed questionnaires during the last school year.)
‘Let’s talk about ethos—Gorey Educate Together as a ‘multi-denominational, co-educational, democratic and child-centred school:’’ What’s going well and what can we improve?
Join Molly and Fionnuala for the parent session: 9am—9.45am in the PTA room. All are welcome.
Another date for your diary: Gorey Educate Together will host the national Educate Together Annual General Meeting – Saturday, 28th May 2011.
