Newsletter October 1st 2024
Hard luck to our U11 footballers who were narrowly defeated by Athgarvan last Tuesday in the Kildare league. They will play Nurney this Thursday in Dunlavin at 10.00.
Music generation lessons began last week. We would like to welcome Niall, Frankie Lane and Fiona Melady.
Niall is working on a music programme each Thursday with 2nd/3rd/4th/5th and 6th classes.
Frankie 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 send back proofs of the photos in a few weeks and parents can then make a decision as to whether they want to purchase them or not.
We would ask that nasal flu vaccine forms are returned online or to the school office by Friday October 4th.
We would also ask that any vision screening forms for infants are returned to the school office immediately.
Please note that there is NO hurling training this Tuesday after school.
We would like to remind parents about any outstanding school charges. 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
One of our teachers, Rónan Byrne, currently working in Solas, is running the Dublin City Marathon to raise money for much needed communication devices for some children in our school. He has set up an ‘i donate page’ where people can donate to the cause. Alternately donations can be dropped into the school office or parish center. Please see poster attached for QR code if required.
Please see some advice we have been sent in relation to screen time usage for children.
Guidelines for Screen time usage
- 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.
- Do as you say. Modelling behaviour is THE most powerful way you can
influence your child’s behaviour.
- Restrict the use of computers/devices in the bedroom. Devices should
ideally be accessed by children where parents can supervise them.
- 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.
- 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.
- Join in, why not set some time aside to play your child’s favourite computer
game and discover the online world together.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chat with your child about what they do online…be aware!
- Webwise.ie offer excellent advice on safe internet usage