ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY: We have a very high attendance and punctuality rate in Saint Mary's and for that we are very thankful to all our parents and guardians.
The twice annual 'School Attendance Returns' are due soon, so now is an opportunity to explain how attendance recording and reporting works in schools.Attendance is recorded daily by the class teacher on our online roll books via Aladdin 40 minutes after school starts at 09:15 in accordance with National School Rule number 55. If later than 8:35, the time of arrival is also recorded here (this is calculated by Aladdin into learning time missed at the end of the year).There are two reporting mechanisms for attendance where attendance is reported to TUSLA, the child and family agency. Please see link for more details on these two attendance referral mechanisms. Information Note on Attendance Referrals.
Can we please ask you to continue to ensure your child is on time for school every morning. We understand that children may be late occasionally. That is a given. Please inform the class teacher, so they can input the reason on Aladdin. If you feel that you are unable to have your child in school by 08:35 every morning can you please give me a call at 01-2886830 to discuss.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS: All have already started or will start this week.
- After School Sports: Ms. Cartwright/ Ms. Doyle Monday afternoons. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Homework Club: Monday to Thursday afternoons. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Johnny's After School PE Club: on Tuesdays for junior classes and Thursdays for senior classes in Booterstown Park. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Chess Club with Paul: Thursday afternoons: Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Spanish Club with Olé: Thursday afternoons. Contact Cristina @ ✆ +353857884001 | ︎ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Art Club with Evelyn: Tuesdays afternoons. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Alto School of Music: Ukulele and guitar lessons. Monday afternoon. Piano lessons have started on Friday afternoons. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.
- STEAM Academy. Wednesday afternoons. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please liaise directly with the club organiser if you have any queries regarding starting dates, days, times, costs, holiday breaks, and dates the relevant after school clubs finishes etc.
TRAINING DATES & MATCH DATES: for soccer, hurling, and football will be given to classes and students involved when up and running throughout the school year.
MIND WANDERING STUDY: for Junior and Senior Infant parents:
Are you a parent interested in mind-wandering in young children? Researchers at UCD & QUB are hosting an interactive World Café research event on 20th February at UCD! Click here to reserve your free ticket! https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/knowledge-exchange-workshop-on-mind-wandering-in-early-classroom-settings-tickets-756346521807?aff=oddtdtcreator
FRÁSAÍ NA MÍOSA/ GAEILGE/ CONTENT LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING: Más féidir libh cabhrú le bhúr bpáiste frásaí na míosa a chleachtadh sa bhaile. 1. Lá Fhéile Bríde 2. Bain sult as. 3. Go n-éirí leat.4. An féidir liom páirt a ghlacadh?
RCSI TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL: Teddy Bear Hospital is a free ticketed event that aims to alleviate childhood fears about healthcare environments and increase health literacy in school-aged children. Tickets can be booked through Eventbrite which will open in February and be advertised on social media as seen below. This event is aimed at children aged 4-10, though children outside those ages are encouraged to come if parents feel it would be beneficial or if a family wishes to attend with their siblings. Older children for whom this event would be developmentally appropriate are welcome to the Sunday session where RCSI will have a higher ratio of volunteers to children.The event is volunteer-led and run by medical, physiotherapy, pharmacy, and therapeutic technician students from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. RCSI students are all interested in working with children and in providing a fun interactive experience for all who attend. RCSI encourage all children to attend with their Teddy so that the Teddies can get their annual check-up, fix up any rips or tears, and learn how to keep healthy. There will be 12 different stations that teach children and their teddies about different aspects of healthcare such as, surgery, food and nutrition, first aid and so much more!Description of session details for Teddy Bear Hospital weekend below:
Saturday, February 24th, 2024 Sessions 1, 2 & 3: All children aged 4-10 years old
Sunday, February 25th, 2024 Session 4, 5 & 6: Inclusive smaller sessions in a quieter environment for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. There will be more volunteers to individualize the session for each child. More details found on : Facebook - @RCSIPaediatricSoc ;Instagram - @rcsipaediatric ;X - @RCSIPaediatric and Youtube - @paediatricsocietyrcsi329
Kind regards
Noel Scully.