PTA NEWSLETTER SEPT 2011
Welcome to all new and returning students and their parents/guardians. We hope you had a great summer and look forward to seeing you at the varied and numerous events which will be held throughout the year.
Class Coffee Mornings
This year we are holding class/group coffee mornings during the first few weeks of term. This is an informal way for parents to get together and a great way for parents of children who have recently joined the school to get to know one another. Coffee mornings will take place after morning drop off in the parent room. Your PTA class representative will also attend. Details are as follows:
Monday, 26th September: Junior Infants (Cathy and Chloe)
Tuesday, 27th September: Senior Infants (Michelle and Daire)
Wednesday, 28th September: First Class (Andrea and Laura)
Friday, 30th September: Second Class (Grace and Suzanne)
Monday, 3rd October: Third and Fourth Class (Louise and Brendan)
Tuesday, 4th October: Fifth and Sixth Class (Fergus and Imelda)
Wednesday, 5th October: Special Classes (Deirdre and Aideen)
PTA Coffee Mornings for all parents/guardians will continue to be held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month.
Sponsored Walk to Courtown Woods
This year our annual sponsored walk to Courtown Woods is planned for Sunday 2nd October. Last year we raised a staggering €4251.50 which went towards the purchase of special educational equipment. Monies raised this year will go towards science equipment for use in the school classrooms.
We will need some parent helpers on the day – some to lead the way and others to man the juice station at the end – anyone who is interested please let us know!
After School Activities
There a number of additional sporting activities being provided to children during school hours this term (Rugby/Football/Hockey) as well as Irish Dancing after school. As a result, no PTA after school activities will be offered this term.
In Term 2 the after school activities that will be offered include Hip Hop Dancing, Drama and Arts & Crafts. This year parents will not be asked to supervise these classes, additional supervision will be provided by the school.
School Disco
Discussions regarding the ever popular school disco are already under way! Date yet to be confirmed but watch this space! These have been very successful and enjoyable evenings in the past. Many parent helpers will be needed to run tuck shop, juice station, supervise hall etc.
Your PTA and You
The School’s PTA plays a key role in offering parents opportunities to be involved in the school, as well as fundraising and supporting the school in many other ways.
Last year the PTA funded the School Soccer Jerseys, Equipment for the Special Educational Classes for Children with Autism, Bus to the Hallelujah Concert, Sports Day Medals and Ice Creams, the End of Year Event for 6th Class, Theatre Performance, and we have recently purchased a large amount of maths equipment for use in the classrooms. Events hosted by the PTA included the Summer Fair, School Disco, and Book Fair. In addition our regular activities and support also include Parent Coffee Mornings, After School Activities, and the Parent Library.
As you know, one of the four core principles of an Educate Together School is that it is democratically run, with ‘active participation by parents in the daily life of the school’.
According to our schools Parental Involvement Policy (January 2011) “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.”
There are a host of opportunities for parents to become more involved in the school. For example; volunteering in classrooms, fundraising, organizing social events, participation at events, policy-making and serving on school bodies like the Board of Management or the Parent-Teacher Association.
PTA Members are elected at our annual AGM, which is to be held in the coming weeks, and there are a number of spaces available for interested parents/guardians. Membership entails a commitment of one evening meeting per month during term time (limited to 1 ½ hours max). In addition we also need many volunteer helpers to help facilitate our numerous events and activities.
We appreciate that many parents feel unable to commit to formal membership however there are a whole range of things planned in the future that parents can get involved in. The more parents we have who are willing to give even half an hour here and there the more things we can offer! There will be sign up sheets for you to give your contact details at the class coffee mornings if you are interested in doing so, or alternatively text 0876763897 with your name and child’s class.
Remember! Parental involvement is a key feature of our school and has real benefits for the children, their parents and the wider school community in general.
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Siobhan Smyth (Chairperson)
Tracy Smith (Secretary)
Sarah Anderson (Treasurer)
