Holy Family National School

Rathcoole

June 16, 2009

Dear Parents,

The school will be closed this Friday 19th June as the teachers have an inservice/planning day.
A number of parents have offered to donate school books that they have at home and no longer need which is a welcome development. Any parent wishing to do that please bring the books to the school not later than Thursday 25th June.
Parents who received books last year under the Free Book Grant must return them by Thursday 25th June also.
Pupils throughout the school have been taught or are being taught the Stay Safe Programme. Each family is given a booklet - Stay Safe: A Parents Guide - which I hope you will find very useful.

M. Hoban
Principal.

June 10, 2009

To Parents of 6th class children:

The children in 6th class will be confirmed by Bishop Walsh in Holy Family Church Rathcoole this Friday 12th June at 11.00 a.m. We would ask all parents and children to be in their seats at 10.45am. The use of flash cameras and video equipment is not allowed during the ceremony. As part of their preparation for Confirmation the children are going on retreat tomorrow to a retreat centre in Firhouse. They will be accompanied by their teacher and Fr Michael Shortall. The children will be back at 1.45 p.m. at which time they will be allowed home, as Mr Manning will need time to put up some art work in the church.
Confirmation photographs will take place in the school at 9.30am on Monday 15th June. Parents who wish their children to return home after the photographs must inform the school in writing.

M. Hoban
Principal.

June 2, 2009

Dear Parents,

The school sports will be held this Friday 5th June, in Frank Cox Field in Forest Hills, weather permitting. The weather forecast is good but if the day is wet the sports will be held at a later date and children will go home at the normal times.
Children should wear shorts and T-shirts. They should have sun cream on them before they come to school as they will be out in the sun for about 3 hours.
Children can be collected from the school at 12.30 p.m.

M. Hoban
Principal.

May 25, 2009

Dear Parents,

Sponsored Walk 2009:
Our annual Sponsored Walk was very well supported and we thank children and parents for that. We expect that it will be a great success financially as well. We got off to a great start with two (2) donations of €500.00 each and two other donations of €200.00 and €150.00.
The final day for return of sponsorship money is this Friday 29th May.

School Tours:
We would ask that all school tours be paid for by this Friday 29th May if at all possible.

Staff Meeting:
All children will go home at 1.45 p.m. this Thursday 28th May due to a staff meeting.

M. Hoban
Principal.

May 7, 2009

Dear Parents,

Further to my letter last week re school tours etc. I have negotiated reduced prices for school tours and buses making a saving of over €1,000. The following dates and prices now apply:
Junior Infants .... €15 .... 23rd June
Senior Infants .... €15 .... 24th June
Classes 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Mr. Cassidy) .... €25 .... 23rd June
Classes 4th (Ms McCluskey), 5th and 6th ...... €25 .... 24th June
The cost of the buses will be paid for by The Parents Association.

M. Hoban
Principal.

May 6, 2009

Dear Parents,

Due to the fact that local GAA Clubs have major celebrations in place for this Sunday 10th May as part of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the GAA, we have decided to postpone our Sponsored Walk to 17th May at 2.30 p.m.
We hope that this is not an inconvenience for you.
On the positive side it will give everybody more time to fill up those sponsorship cards!!!

M. Hoban
Principal.

April 30, 2009

Dear Parents,

I am writing to appraise you of a number of cutbacks in education that will have a significant detrimental effect on the education of your children in the next school year. I held an information night for parents on this topic in November but unfortunately there was a poor turnout at the meeting. At this stage you are probably fed up listening to bad news in relation to the economy and it would be very easy to switch off but that is not an option when it comes to the education of your children. Some things can wait but children only get one chance at an education. There will be 26 extra children enrolled in our school in September - the equivalent of an extra class - but we will have the same number of teachers. That means that most classes will have at least 30 children and some will have 33!!
There is a review of all Special Needs Assistants (SNA's) currently employed in schools catering for children with Special Education Needs. At present we have 8 SNA's - we will definitely lose one SNA and maybe more, which will make life very difficult for those children and teachers. Grants which we received annually from the Department for school books etc. have been withdrawn. Those grants were used to help parents experiencing financial hardship e.g. lone parent families, parents who are unemployed and those in serious financial difficulty - to buy school books each June. Those parents will still need financial help this June and our focus has to be on ensuring that every child has school books when they go into their new class in September. Each year we run a Golf Classic and a Sponsored Walk to provide educational materials, computer classes, music classes and to fund lots of different events for the children. To date they have always been very successful. Unfortunately, this year because of the current economic climate, it is not feasible to run a Golf Classic - too many companies that were our biggest supporters are in difficulty. Therefore we must put our emphasis on the Sponsored Walk which takes place on Sunday 10th May at 2.30 p.m. Each family is given a Sponsorship Card and I would appeal to you to make every effort to make this a success. Some of the money raised will have to be used to replace the grants that have been withdrawn by the Department. The rest will be used to pay for buses for school tours this year and fund various activities next year.
This term is always very expensive for parents - school books, uniforms, tours, confirmation and communion photographs etc. School tours have become very expensive but we are committed to them for this year at least - deposits have been paid - and we would not like to disappoint the children. To help parents I would suggest the following:
• School tours should be paid for before the end of May.
• School uniforms can be purchased in the school on Tues 16th and Wed 17th June.
• School books can be paid for right up to 30th June.
Other initiatives, suggestions and further information on school books, tours etc will be issued to you in the coming weeks.
It is never easy asking people for money especially in these difficult times but we cannot sit back and allow children be punished for a situation that is not of their making.
The Board of Management, Staff and Parents Association are committed to making the Sponsored Walk a great success for the good of all the children. Your help would be much appreciated.

M. Hoban
Principal.

April 27, 2009

Dear Parents,

All children will go home this Friday 1st May at 12.30 p.m. as the teachers are attending an in-service course on Physical Education.

M. Hoban
Principal.

March 30, 2009

Dear Parents,

Easter Holidays: The school closes for the Easter holidays next Friday 3rd April at 12.30 p.m. and reopens on Monday 20th April.

Voluntary Contribution: Many parents paid their voluntary contribution for this school year when paying for their books last June. Only those who did not pay at that time were given a note last week requesting a voluntary contribution to be paid before the Easter holidays, if at all possible. The Voluntary Contribution is used by the Board of Management for the day-to-day running expenses of the school.

Golf Classic: Due to the present economic climate there will be no Golf Classic this year. Proceeds from the Golf Classic in years gone by were used to purchase educational materials, pay for computer and music classes and buses for school tours. All our efforts to raise funds this year will be concentrated on the sponsored walk.

Sponsored Walk: The annual sponsored walk, organised by the Parents Association, will go ahead on Sunday 10th May. Sponsorship cards will be issued after the Easter holidays. The support of everybody will be crucial so that the services that are available to children now can be maintained for the next school year.

M. Hoban
Principal.

March 19, 2009

Dear Parents,

Inspectors from the Department of Education & Science are meeting the staff on Tuesday next 24th March as part of the Whole School Evaluation process. All the children will go home at 1.45 p.m. on that day.

M. Hoban
Principal.

March 13, 2009

Dear Parents,

A short note to remind you that the school will be closed next Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March for the St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir.

Le meas,
M. Hoban (Príomhoide)

March 11, 2009

Dear Parents,

As part of "Seachtain na Gaeilge" we are holding a Lá Gaelach in the school this Friday 13th March. This is the programme for the day:
9.00 - 10.40: Classroom Activities
10.40 - 10.50: Morning Break
11.10 - 11.25: Céili sa halla (Junior Infants)
11.25 - 11.40: Céili sa halla (Senior Infants)
11.40 - 12.00: Céili sa halla (1st Classes)
12.00 - 12.20: Céili sa halla (2nd Classes)
12.25 - 1.00: Lunch
1.00 - 1.40: Mórshiúil
1.40 - 1.55: Céili sa halla (3rd Class)
1.55 - 2.10: Céili sa halla (4th Classes)
2.10-2.40: Céili sa halla (5th & 6th Classes)
2.40: Amhrán na bhFiain

Parents are very welcome to come along and join in the parade but I don't think there is sufficient space in the hall for parents to join in the céili. We expect children to dress up - green to be the dominant colour.

M. Hoban
Principal.

March 3, 2009

Dear Parents,

At the request of the Parents Association I have organised an information night for parents on the Stay Safe Programme in schools. This will take place next Monday night 9th March at 8.00 p.m. and will last approximately one hour. You will also be given information on Child Protection Procedures in our school.
Some parents at times have requested to see the classrooms where their children are being taught. I will give parents an opportunity on Monday night after the meeting to visit their children's and other classrooms.

M. Hoban
Principal.

February 13, 2009

Dear Parents,

The school will be closed next week for mid-term break and reopens on Monday 23rd February.

M. Hoban
Principal.

February 6, 2009

Dear Parents,

Inspectors from the Department of Education & Science arc carrying out an inspection of the school over the next few weeks. This inspection, called a Whole School Evaluation (WSE), is a comprehensive look at all aspects of school life and involves meetings with Board of Management, Principal and staff, Parents Association as well as visits to each classroom. The Inspectors are meeting the staff next Wednesday 11th February at 1.45 p.m. - all the children will go home at that time.

M. Hoban
Principal.

January 21, 2009

Dear Parents,

Due to the death of the brother of Mr. Martin Hoban (Principal), the staff meeting arranged for tomorrow has been cancelled, so children will go home at the usual time of 2.45 p.m.

H. Melia

January 19, 2009

Dear Parents,

I wish to remind you that if you have a child due to start school in September 2009 applications for enrolment for our school must be made before Friday, 27th February. Application forms are available from the secretary's office. After that date places will be allocated in line with the school's enrolment policy. Brothers/sisters of children already enrolled have priority for enrolment but an application form must be filled up by Friday 27th February. Notices to this effect will be read out at Masses in the churches this coming Sunday. If you know of a neighbour or friend who may not be aware of this rule you might bring it to their attention, as places may have to be limited. If you are in any doubt about having applied for enrolment for your own child please contact the school secretary immediately. Phone 4580570

M. Hoban
Principal.

January 15, 2009

Dear Parents,

All children in the school will go home next Thursday 22nd January at 1.45 p.m. due to a staff meeting.

M. Hoban
Principal.

January 8, 2009

Dear Parents,

Those of you who attended the general meeting of parents held on 24th November and from media coverage will be aware that there are a number of cutbacks in education which came into effect on 1st January 2009. One of those cutbacks is the provision of substitute cover for teachers who are absent.
We have put the following arrangements in place between now and the end of June to minimise disruption to the school if a teacher is absent on uncertified sick leave or other absences where substitute cover is not provided:
• Children in Junior Infants will be divided up between the other two Junior Infant classes.
• Children in Senior Infants and 1st class will be taught by Learning Support/Language Support Teachers.
• Children from 2nd class to 6th class will be divided up among other classes throughout the school - they will not be taught but will do work assigned to them by their teacher.

M. Hoban
Principal.

December 18, 2008

Dear Parents,

The school closes for the Christmas Holidays on Tuesday next 23rd December at 12.00 p.m. and will re-open on Wednesday 7th January.
School calendar on sale at the moment - it features children's portraits of themselves and also includes dates for various school events in 2009 such as school closings etc. The calendars are €5.00 each. It would make an ideal Christmas family present.
January Sale: Clothiers Menswear, Monastery Rd Clodalkin are holding a stock clearing sale of school uniforms and tracksuits from 2nd January onwards with reductions of 20%.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout the year and to wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas and every good wish for 2009.

M. Hoban
Principal.

December 15, 2008

Dear Parents,

Once again it has been brought to my attention that there is an outbreak of head lice in the school. It is vital that you, as parents, examine your child's head on a regular basis and treat accordingly. It is also essential that you make a special effort when you receive information such as this. Do it today - do not put it on the long finger.
The following tips may be of help:
1. It is very important to get treatment for lice and nits as soon as you find them. People who have lice for some time begin to feel unwell.
2. Head lice can cause other more serious infections if they are left untreated.
3. Treat your child's hair with special shampoo or lotion, which is available from your local pharmacy.
4. Disinfect clothes and personal items: e.g. combs, brushes, hats, etc after initial treatment.
5. Combing the hair regularly can help to keep lice away.
6. Impress on your child the importance of not using other people's combs or borrowing items of clothing: e.g. hats, ribbons, scarves, etc.

M. Hoban
Principal.

December 4, 2008

Dear Parents,

Remember it's OUR children who lose out!!!
A reminder that your support is greatly needed this Saturday 6th December 2008, to demonstrate our outrage at the budget cuts in education. Assemble in Parnell Square at 12:00 noon. March commences at 1.00 p.m. to Merrion Square and is the "grand finale" of countrywide demonstrations. If we, the parents, don't fight for our children's right to an education then who will. Support their future.

Parents Association - December 2008

November 20, 2008

Dear Parents,

Reminder: A general meeting of parents will take place in the school hall on Monday next 24th November at 8.00 p.m to inform parents of the proposed cutbacks in education, how they will impact on our school from 1st January 2009 and what possible steps can be taken to have the cutbacks reversed or minimised. Your attendance would be appreciated.

M. Hoban
Principal.

November 10, 2008

Dear Parents,

All children will be going home next Friday 14th November at 1.45 p.m. due to a staff meeting.
Parent/Teacher meetings will take place outside of school hours on the evenings of 25th, 26th and 27th November. You will be given a specific time by your child's teacher in the coming week.
A general meeting will take place in the school hall on Monday 24th November at 8.00 p.m. to inform parents of the proposed cutbacks in education and how they will impact on our school from 1st January 2009. I will remind you of that meeting nearer the time.

M. Hoban
Principal.

October 23, 2008

	Dear Parents, I am sure you are well aware by now of many of the major cutbacks announced in the Budget on 10th October and maybe you have had your fill of comment and analysis about those in the media. However I think it's important that you are fully aware of the cutbacks in Education which have not been highlighted as such to date but will be over the coming weeks and the implications for our school, children and parents next year. The main educational cutbacks are:

	Pupil/Teacher ratio increased from 27/1 to 28/1. This will result in an increased number of children in classes making us the worst in Europe for class size beating the U.K. - one victory we should not be proud of.

	A ceiling of 2 English Language Support Teachers per school. We already have 2 Language Support teachers in Holy Family N.S. and I envisage that being reduced to 1.

	No substitute cover for uncertified sick leave for teachers. Children will have to be sent to other already overcrowded classes or in some cases may have to be sent home.

	All equipment and resource grants for Resource Teachers working with special needs children abolished. This annual grant although inadequate was used to purchase educational materials for children with special educational needs - our most vulnerable.

	School Book Grant abolished except for schools in disadvantaged areas. This annual grant helped to buy the most basic school books for children whose parents were unemployed, single or were experiencing exceptional financial difficulties. Again this affects our most vulnerable children.

	Grant for school library books abolished. This grant was paid to local libraries to help provide a limited stock of library books for schools.

	At national level parents, teachers and Boards of Management are coming together to oppose those cutbacks and have them reversed. You can help by contacting your local T.D., Senator and local Councillors and voice your opinion and by attending a protest rally in Dublin organised by the INTO on Saturday 6th December. M. Hoban Principal.

October 14, 2008

Safe Parking

We the Parent's Association, having received numerous complaints from parents on this issue, would like to express our concern about the level of illegal and unsafe parking at the school both during morning drop-off and afternoon collection. There is an accident just waiting to happen where one of our children will be seriously injured or worse still killed due to lack of consideration shown during this busy time.

In the interest of safety and traffic management the Gardai have had additional road markings put in place - double yellow lines where parking is prohibited and zigzag lines on approaching the school entrance.

Here are some very simple small rules that will go a long way to ensuring the safety of our children.

1 . Do Not Park where double yellow lines exist.
2. Do Not Park on the footpath.
3. Do Not Park where it obstructs pedestrian, as those with buggies are being forced onto the road to pass cars.
4. Do Not Park where you are blocking a driveway.
5. Do Not Park Or Stop at either of the entrance gates to the school.
6. Do Not Park Or Stop on the zigzag lines outside the school.
7. Do Not Park Or Stop where it obstructs the School Warden's view of oncoming traffic.

All of the above are actual "rules of the road" and are upheld by the law.

For those of us who have to drive our children to school there is ample legal safe parking within short walking distance from the school.

Please Do Park in these legal safe parking spaces but most of all
Please Do keep all our children safe!!!

Parent's Association October 2008

October 2, 2008

Dear Parents,

This Friday 3rd October is Goal Jersey Day - children and adults wear their favourite sports jersey instead of their uniform and contribute a small amount (usually €2) to the well known Third World Charity Organisation "Goal". We look forward to seeing an array of colourful jerseys on the day.

M. Hoban
Principal.

September 22, 2008

Dear Parents,

All children in the school will be going home next Friday 26th September at 12.30 p.m. due to a staff meeting.

Yours sincerely,
M. Hoban
Principal.

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