The once long – awaited summer 2009 school holidays have come and, by now, have well gone by. An accident – free summer, among our pupils, buíochas mór le Dia. We sincerely wish our rang VI pupils of last year the very best and God’s blessings in their chosen secondary school. To all our new pupils – junior infants and others who have joined the ranks of the C.B.S.Bunscoil since September - we extend a céad míle fáilte. We hope that we all – daltaí, tuismitheoirí agus oidí – will work "ar scáth a chéile" during the coming years.

Welcome back:We would like to welcome Mr. Liam Mc Guane who has returned to our staff.

Welcome: We also welcome Ms. Bríd Anne Ó Shaughnessy as a new member to our staff.

Welcome: Our new curate and school chaplain is Fr. John Mc Govern.We extend a céad míle fáilte to Fr. John and hope his stay with us will be, at least, as long as Fr. Jerry.

No wheelies:These are not allowed in the school. These are a type of footwear which have small wheels inserted in the soles.

Swimming Classes on Fridays: As part of the P.E. curriculum, classes ( III to VI ) go to Ennis Swimming Pool on Friday afternoon on a rota basis. The pupils’ contribution goes towards the swimming pool’s set charge per session. Every pupil should be partaking in this exercise unless otherwise under doctor’s advice. Such medical advice should be conveyed to the classteacher by the parent. In such a situation, a pupil is taken to the pool with his / her class to observe. It is important to note that this period should not be understood as time off / half day from school. Should the exercise not be fully supported by participating classes we may have to re examine the practice with the view to cancelling altogether.

Parents’ Assocation: (P.A.) Our P.A. goes to great lengths to prepare, collate, count money etc. for the ‘Personal Pupil Accident Forms’. These were given out RECENTLY. If you wish your school - going child to be in this scheme please ensure that you return the filled form and €8 at the specified times and dates as per Parents’ Association Newsletter. Late applications can not be accommodated. Thank you to our P.A. committee.

lollipop lady operates - is the only pedestrian entrance/exit route for both pupils and adults. Your co –operation is required. The vehicular entrance / exit (silver gate) is reserved for staff cars only. Please keep this entrance yellow box clear for entering /exiting cars.

Nuachtlitir: The Nuachtlitir (Newsletter) from school usually is sent to tuismitheoirí (parents) before the end of Meán Fómhair (September), before Christmas, before Easter and before the summer holidays. The oldest school-going member of the family usually gets the Nuachtlitir to take home. The Nuachtlitir is a very important means of communication between school and home. Check, led’thoil, with your child at the above times to ensure that you receive a copy.

Pupils leaving school grounds: No pupil can be given cead (permission) for whatever reason to leave the school grounds without pre-arranged parental written /verbal request. Due to its implications, it is treated as a very serious breach of school rules should a pupil disobey this rule.

Litter: Please discuss with your child the importance of disposing of litter in the boscaí bruscair (litter bins) in school. Sufficient boscaí bruscair are provided inside the school buildings. No litter should be visible on school grounds externally or internally.

Healthy Lunches & Lunch waste: Children should be given healthy lunches only to bring to school. No junk allowed.

.

Pupil’s Property: - clothing, gear etc. - to be taken home at the end of each school day. Clothing etc. left in the school is collected and disposed of regularly and especially at mid-term breaks/holiday times.

To help eliminate pupils' clothing etc getting mixed up, please ensure that name tags are put on all belongings. This is particularly important for the Junior pupils.

Parking at taxi rank: Ennis Town Council has marked off and erected a "Disabled/ Set down" sign by the pedestrian entrance to our school. No car is to park at any time in this designated area for the above purpose. Should you do so, for whatever reason, your registration etc. will be recorded and reported to the Gardaí. Rather than being forced to take this step your co-operation would be preferred and appreciated.

Appointments: It is requested that parents /guardians make a prior appointment with the Principal/classteacher should you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s school progress.

Junior & Senior Infants: Should the Príomhoide (or his deputy) decide that a morning is too wet, the pupils in the aforementioned classes will be signalled into the school halla where school personnel will supervise them. This will be allowed between 8.40 r.n. to 8.59 r.n. Pupils will walk from the halla to their classroom when notified. Other arrangements are in place for all other classes.

**While it is great to see so many prams around, we wish to point out certain dangers attached to bringing them into the school yard especially in the mornings. Many pupils like to loosen up/run around and may crash into the pram…injuries to pupil(s) / baby may result.

Collecting Pupils: 1.40i.n. & 2.40i.n please ensure that you or your representative collect your child promptly at the above (appropriate) time. It is important to note that besides carrying out their own duties the infant teachers are very often required to carry out other important duties from 1.45 p.m. onwards.

School uniform/School tracksuit: It is important that one or the other of these are worn to school each day. Some second-hand tracksuit tops / uniforms in good condition can be purchased –at a reasonable price- in the school. First come…first served.

School books: By now it is expected that all pupils would have all their school/class books. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure same.

Used Postage Stamps: Drop in your stampaí poist (postage stamps) to the collection jar outside the secretary’s office in the school, led’ thoil. Last year we filled a refuse bag of same for the foreign missions. Why dump when these stampaí can help others. Waste not ..want not. Leave a quarter of an inch approx. of envelope all round the stamp.

Our annual Book Fair will take place this year from 23^rd to 27^th November.

We receive a large percentage of the money raised at the book fair in the form of books for our class room library. Parents are encouraged to visit the book fair. Reading will always be of benefit to pupils.

It is important that you ensure that your child is on time for school each morning….training for life, However, should your child be late it is important that you inform the teacher that morning.

Please refer to school rules as to how to inform the classteacher of your child’s absence. Such a system almost ensures that no pupil tries to ‘mitch’ from school.

The vast, vast majority of our pupils are fantastic children… a reflection of the homes from which they come. Most never cause any problems during their 8 years spent with us. What a great record. We want (require) this great standard of good behaviour to continue.

In the interest of consideration of ‘all children’s feelings’ we ask you not to send the above through the school. Please make such arrangements outside of school / school time. The sending in of birthday ‘treats’ to the classmates is a nice idea but with the rise in food allergies lately it makes it difficult to monitor who is eating what and when. There are other reasons, also, for asking for your co-operation in this.