The News

October 2017

THE BUDGET & SCHOOL FINANCES

         Again this year we hoped -in vain– that increases in grants to primary schools would be part of the budget. The austerity era cuts to school capitation grants remain.  We have tried as best we can to maintain the things that impact directly on teaching and learning in that time.  Despite much talk in the media  of  school being free the truth of the matter is that we, and most other primary schools, would be closing  for parts of the year if it was not for parental funding.  Without the money that parents pay towards school supplies to classes each September we could not supply classrooms with the requisites they need every day.  Even at that teachers regularly supplement these with their own money.

Heat, light, cleaning, water, insurance  and repairs & maintenance account for over €141K  of our Capitation & Buildings Grant  of €154k. That leaves practically  nothing for  everything else– books, printing and paper, educational equipment and additional educational programmes.

The voluntary contribution  (Maintenance Fund) allows us to purchase expensive specialised maths and science equipment and all else we need to provide the modern education your child receives.

    Our Maintenance Fund Appeal will issue by text with  E-payment codes after the mid-term break. We really need your financial support  to continue giving your child the modern education they need and deserve. We ask for €100 for one child or €150 for more than one or whatever you can afford.

STORM WARNINGS

         Anyone who remembers the terrifying experience of picking up children from the school during Storm Darwin in February 2014  will have been relieved that the Minister for Education acted decisively when facing Storm Ophelia recently.

Every student of the weather will be aware how difficult very exact forecasts are on a small island on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean but the predictions this time were very accurate. Thankfully Scoil Ide escaped damage to buildings and had only minor damage to the grounds this time. Our Tree Surgeons will again be conducting their annual survey of the grounds and checking that any trees in need of attention receive it.

If the warning had remained at Amber the likelihood is that schools would not have been instructed to close but movement may have been dangerous. We will always close for a Red Warning but parents should exercise their own judgement on safety in the event of extremely bad weather.

Storm Ophelia on our Weather Station

WELL DONE

ACE awards are given to pupils who excel in school life through Attainment,

Community Spirit or Effort.

Well done to our September ACEs.

VI:Nolan: Emily O’Brien & Niall Gillane

VI:Heaney: Rachel Madden Groves & James McNamara

VI: Boland: Julia Kerrigan & Matthew O’Donovan Quane

Jersey Check before the Games 

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN SCOIL ÍDE

1) Our rugby squads had their first games of the season against CBC Prep School on St. Munchin’s Pitches on Saturday, October 7th. Over 50 boys represented us in a series of exciting games.

2) Hockey Teams are playing in their first blitz of the year on Tuesday, 24th October. Great that so many girls are playing.

3) The Corn Crop was flattened by Ophelia but harvested and taken home by Mr. Foley’s 6th.

4) Monthly Assemblies: Each Standard from III up holds a monthly assembly to note successes and achievements and to have time to give thanks and reflect in communal prayer. Parents and grandparents are especially welcome to our Assemblies. The Assemblies take place on Friday mornings in the Hall at 9.05 a.m.

5) DRUMMING WORKSHOP As a midterm treat the 5th and 6th Classes enjoyed Drumming Workshops with John Bowker.

6) Ms. McKenna’s 2nd enjoyed an ‘old school’ experience of blackberry picking in the Bishop’s Field. They then baked Apple & Blackberry Pie.

7) 3rds, 4ths & 5th took trips to the City Library in the Granary to see and hear author  Marita Conlon McKenna, story teller Niall de Burca and an interactive Irish History live talk about World War I. Thanks to the Julie at the City Library for arranging these.

8) 3rd Classes observed the swallows for the month of September as they prepared to depart for warmer places and completed projects on our summer visitors.

9) After school on Fridays we hear some wonderful music as our Orchestra under Marian practise. Our Orchestra is made up of violins, cellos, recorders and flutes. It gives children who play instruments the great experience of playing together.

 Checking the Code for the Beebot.

SECONDARY APPLICATIONS

         For the last few weeks many Sixth Class parents have been attending secondary school open days to assist them in making up their minds about which school to apply to. Applications must be sent to the first choice secondary school before January 15th.

9 choices must be filled in on the form. If parents have decided on their first choice school they should send in the form to that school as soon as possible. If you wish to discuss your options with the Principal or class teachers please ring the School Office for an appointment.

PAY IT FORWARD LIMERICK

The Students’ Council is involved in a campaign called Pay it Forward Limerick.

This campaign suggests that if someone does you a good deed, instead of paying it back, you “Pay it Forward” by helping someone else.

The larger Pay it Forward Limerick Organisation wants to make Limerick the kindest city in Ireland.

The Students’ Council is running a series of campaigns. The main part of these campaigns is a little kindness.

The first project is called P.E.A.C.E. ( Promoting Environmental Awareness & Care through Education). We hope to improve the environmental footprint that Scoil Íde leaves behind by following a few simple guidelines and embracing some simple habits.

Another project is entitled Random Acts of Kindness. We have a list of simple things that we all can do daily that will help make the school a more pleasant place for all the Scoil Íde Community.

The Council are also working on 2^nd class yards as Kindness Ambassadors and are preparing a Halloween treat for First classes on Friday 27^th.

We will receive our Kindness Flag before Christmas too in recognition of the work covered in this area by the wider school community. Keep an eye on the newsletter for further initiatives during the year.

5th Class Bridge Builders

PARENTS’ COUNCIL

Thanks to all parents who supported the Parents’ Council  Used Clothing Drive which raised almost €700.

Team Hope  

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Running across all 3^rd classes this year.

 Leaflets were distributed  before the Mid term break  and the return by date is November 10^th.  Contact Carmel Naughton on 087 6716154 for any information (additional leaflets available outside school office)

Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated.

LAUDATO SI’ PROJECT

    Mr. D’Arcy’s 6th Class is working with Mary Imm. College students who are taking a module on Christian Anthropology. The students are interpreting Pope Francis’ Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, which deals with how we treat our world, for the 6th classes. The physical condition of our world is something that older children are acutely aware of and it concerns them greatly. We’re sure it will be a great learning experience for both children and students.

6th Class Robotics

JUNIOR INFANT APPLICATIONS

 The closing date for applications for Junior Infants September 2018 is the 1st February. Applications are made through the Scoil Ide Website. Places will be offered during the first week in February.

It is really important that parents apply before the closing date to avoid missing out on a place—as has happened. If your neighbours have children ready for school please let them know.

Calendar 2017-2018

October mid-term break: Closed Monday 30th October to Friday 3^rd November 2017 inclusive.

Christmas Holidays: Closing Friday, 22^nd December at 12.15 p.m.

Re-opening Monday, 8^th January 2018

February 2018 mid-term break: Closed Thursday 15^th February 2018 and Friday 16^th  February 2018.

Closed Monday, 19^th March 2018- Public Holiday

Easter 2018: School closing Friday 23^rd March 2018 at 12.15 p.m. Reopening Monday 9th April 2018.

Closed Monday 7^th May 2018 – Friday 11^th May 2018 Inclusive.

Closed Monday, 4^th June 2018 Public Holiday

Closing Friday, 29^th June 2018 at 12.15 p.m.

Scoil Íde is used as a Polling Station so we will be closed for any Elections/Referendums that may be called.