Newsletter October 2nd 2023

Newsletter October 2^nd 2023

You may have heard that there is going to be an interruption in electricity supply in some parts of Dunlavin this Wednesday. We have contacted ESB networks and have been told that this will not affect Scoil Nioclais Naofa. If there is any change in this information we will text each family.

Well done to our U11 footballers who defeated Ballycane, Naas last Tuesday in the Kildare league. They will play Scoil na Naomh Uilig Newbridge, this Tuesday in Dunlavin at 11.30.

Our senior hurlers were unlucky to be narrowly beaten by Rathangan. They will have a game this Friday v Scoil na Naomh Uilig in Newbridge at 1pm. Please contact the office if you are available to drive.

There is a nine a side mixed hurling blitz for 3^rd and 4^th classes in Blessington this Thursday at 11am. Please contact the office if you are available to drive.

Music generation began last week. We would like to welcome Niall, Todd Doyle and Fiona Melady.

Niall is working on a music programme each Tuesday with 3^rd/4^th/5^th and 6^th classes.

Todd has begun guitar lessons and this will continue each Tuesday.

Fiona is taking students for piano lessons. This continues each Tuesday.

County photos took the children’s photos last Friday. They will return again to photograph any children that were missed. We will contact parents when we have a date.

The Board of Management is responsible for the management and governance of our school. The current Board is coming to an end at the end of October. A new Board will have to be elected and put in place before December 1^st. The Board is made up of two patron’s nominees, a teachers’ nominee, two parents’ nominees, two agreed candidates and the principal. Information with regard to the role of the Board will be emailed to all families during the week. If you would like to put your name forward for the role of parents’ nominee or would like to nominate another parent (please don’t nominate another parent without getting their agreement first), please contact Michael Moran at the school office (045)401495. (There has to be one male and one female nominee)

We would like to remind parents about any outstanding school fees. If there is any difficulty please contact the principal.School payments can be made in cash, by cheque or by on line payment as per details below

BIC AIBKIE2D

IBAN : IE56 AIBK 933244 65921015

We have organised an internet safety talk for children in 3/4/5/6 classes on November 9^th. There will also be a talk for parents on the same day. (time to be confirmed)

Please see below some guidelines on device usage.

. Guidelines for Screen time usage

1. Agree on a clear set of rules with your child on screen time in the

home. Talk to your child about when you think it is appropriate and

inappropriate to use screens. Agree times when screens are allowed and not

allowed in the home. For example dinner time, homework time and bedtime.

2. Do as you say. Modelling behaviour is THE most powerful way you can

influence your child’s behaviour.

3. Restrict the use of computers/devices in the bedroom. Devices should

ideally be accessed by children where parents can supervise them.

4. Buy an alarm clock for your child’s bedroom instead of allowing the

phone to be used as an alarm and charge devices in your room at night

time.

5. Pick one evening a week where you do a family activity together,

whether it’s movie night, games night. Doing activities together as a family will

help implement screen time guidelines and offer fun alternatives.

6. Join in, why not set some time aside to play your child’s favourite computer

game and discover the online world together.

7. Try not to rely on screens too much to keep children amused. It can

be easy to encourage children to pick up the tablet or play a game on the

computer to keep them occupied. This only confuses rules on screen time, try

and stick to the agreed rules with your child and remember to set a good

example.

8. Don’t have screens always on in the background. Turn off TVs and

Computers when not in use, these can be distracting for children if they are

trying to participate in another activity.

9. Chat with your child about what they do online…be aware! 1
10. Webwise.ie offer excellent advice on safe internet usage