Another busy week this week in 6th Class …

• Collect at selected checkouts to give customers a choice – the supervisor will inform us which ones we can work at.
• We have been informed by Dunnes regarding the number of volunteers required per hour however if the store is quiet at that time only a selected number of checkouts may be open.
• All must wear similar colour top so that we are distinguishable to shoppers – please wear white.
• There are 12 white NETNS tee-shirts which will be available from Caroline Kennedy on the day for anyone who wishes to wear.
• Do not ask people for money directly- just leave the box where people can see it. All collection boxes will have notice stating Newbridge Educate Together National School.
• Ask each customer ‘Would you like me to pack your bags’ and if they say ‘No’ just smile and step back.
• Dunnes has a `no mobile phone’ at checkout policy – so we are requested to leave our phones off or on silent.
• There is no eating or drinking by volunteers permitted while bag packing at checkouts.
• Children under 16 are not allowed to pack bags at Dunnes so it’s adults or older siblings only.
• Make sure everyone is a great bag-packer!! No eggs or fruit at the end of bags. No mix of raw and cooked meats.
• Caroline Kennedy will be available in Dunnes throughout the day – wearing NETNS tee-shirt.

There are still volunteers required in order to fill all the slots – if you are available for an hour or two this Saturday 28^th particularly in the afternoon, please contact the office or text Caroline Kennedy at 087 1221610.

Thank you.

• Collect at selected checkouts to give customers a choice – the supervisor will inform us which ones we can work at.
• We have been informed by Dunnes regarding the number of volunteers required per hour however if the store is quiet at that time only a selected number of checkouts may be open.
• All must wear similar colour top so that we are distinguishable to shoppers – please wear white.
• There are 12 white NETNS tee-shirts which will be available from Caroline Kennedy on the day for anyone who wishes to wear.
• Do not ask people for money directly- just leave the box where people can see it. All collection boxes will have notice stating Newbridge Educate Together National School.
• Ask each customer ‘Would you like me to pack your bags’ and if they say ‘No’ just smile and step back.
• Dunnes has a `no mobile phone’ at checkout policy – so we are requested to leave our phones off or on silent.
• Children under 16 are not allowed to pack bags at Dunnes so it’s adults or older siblings only.
• Make sure everyone is a great bag-packer!! No eggs or fruit at the end of bags. No mix of raw and cooked meats.
• Caroline Kennedy will be available in Dunnes throughout the day – wearing NETNS tee-shirt.

The information evening that was to take place on Monday the 23rd of April has now been moved to Wednesday the 25th of April. It will take place at 7 0′ clock in the 5th class classroom.

The purpose of this meeting is to give you an opportunity to become familiar with the resources we will be using during the RSE programme . The evening will consist of a viewing of the “Busy Bodies” DVD and the corresponding “Busy Bodies” booklet.

Please take the time to read over the RSE policy prior to the meeting. This policy is available on the NETNS website or from the school office.

Kind regards,

Karen                                                           Eibhlín

Sixth Class Teacher                                     Fifth ClassTeacher

Many thanks again for your continued support.

The next PA meeting will take place as per original schedule on May 17th.

We need you to help raise much needed funds for the school. This is only an hour out of your time, but means a HUGE amount to our school.

Volunteers urgently needed for slots from 1 – 6pm on order to be able to run with fundraiser.

If you wish to put your name down, contact Karina in the office 045 445710 or text/ring Caroline Kennedy on 087 122 1610.

Thank you for your continuing support

Wednesday 29^th February, 2012

In attendance: PA Committee– Karel Kiely, Elizabeth Bartholomew, Fergus O’Connor, Eimear Carey (Principal), Neil Bartholomew (BoM), Aoife Munnelly (1^st Class Rep), Sheena Richardson (3^rd Class Rep), Ursula Donovan (6^th Class Rep), Yvonne O’Connor, Michael Kenny, Laura Tyrrell, Colleen Breen (Snr Inf Class Rep), Jennifer Buttner (Snr Inf Class Rep), Patricia Dolan, Mel Mimnagh, Fiona Flynn (Jnr Inf Class Rep)

Apologies:  Trish Leslie, Gavin Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Elaine Marquardt

Eimear spoke first about the School Policies Update as she had a prior engagement to attend.

1.     School Policies Update

Eimear indicated that the School Plan is available for all parents/guardians to view in the school.  Each member of the BOM has been given a particular school policy to review and bring back to the next BOM meeting. Then the process of further reviewing, consultations, committees etc. for each policy will take place.   Policies that are currently being worked on at the moment are: Child Protection, Health & Safety, Incidents & Accidents, Reconstitution of Classes, Medication, Communications, and Arrivals & Dismissals (incorporating adverse weather conditions).  When these policies are drafted sub committees are formed of BoM members, parents/guardians and, in some cases, possibly the children.

2.     Minutes

Minutes from the January PA meeting were proposed by Aoife Munnelly and seconded by Yvonne O’Connor.

3.     Matters Arising

Karel indicated that she will be asking for clarification from Eimear Carey and Gavin Kennedy on when items or events need the permission of the School/BoM.

4.     Correspondence

Karel indicated that three issues had been raised in correspondence to the PA in the past month.  She also stated that any individual’s correspondence received by the PA will confidendtial.

a.      Adverse weather

This issue is being dealt with as part of the Arrivals and Dismissals policy; i.e. in the event of inclement weather that children could be allowed into the school building before 8.30am.  If any parent wishes to contribute any ideas/suggestions re this issue they can contact the Arrivals and Dismissals policy committee.

b.      Car Park

It was all agreed that the car park is a disaster; there are restrictions that have been set out in the mobility plan devised a couple of years ago and they just don’t work. Karel will outline to the Principal and Chair of the BOM that cap parl monitors could be present on further mornings to deter parents from parking on the grass and promoting ‘proper’ behaviour.  There is a possibillity of haivng the Kildare County Council Safety offcier five talsk to both children and parents/guardians.  It was said that there have already been accidents in the car park this school year involving damage to cars and a child being involved in an incident with a car.   All were agreed that the car park is on ongoing issue and will require ongoing solutions.  The following were specifically mentioned and suggestions made:

Issues

• Cars are entering the car park too fast.
• Cars reversing into spaces in the mornings – it has been suggested this is not safe due to children alighting from buses and not using the pathways correctly.  Reversing in at pick up time is not an issue due to children not out from classes before bell.
• Drop zone needs to be better managed, double parking at this zone being an issue.
• Parents/Guardians using mobile phone when driving into the car park.
• Parking on the footpath and the grass.

Suggestions for safety in the Car park

• Have Kildare Safety Officer come and speak with the children and to also supply information for parents/guardians. Maybe have the older children/Student Council create a project.  The PA will follow up on this matter.
• Placing signs on the grass to prevent people from parking there.
• Reminder to parents of younger classes to make their children aware.
• Older children helping younger children off the buses and help directing them to stay on the path.
• Review the current mobility plan.
• A committee set up specifically for Car Park management/Mobility.
• c.       Head Lice

In the event of head lice infestation a letter is usually sent out to the relevant class where it has occurred.  It was stressed that prevention is better than cure and being vigilant with your children’s hair by regularly checking and using a simple application of tea tree oil is shampoo should keep them at bay.  It was highlighted at the meeting that a policy has to come from the school regarding this and the PA has confirmed that it will work closely with the school on this matter.  We will be seeking HSE advice on this matter.

Karel did stress that if any parent/guardian had any issues/concerns with the school that they must follow correct procedure and contact the school in the first instance.

5.     Who wants to be a Thousandaire? Promoted by Pallas Marketing

Elizabeth spoke of the big fundraising  event that the PA has planned for November 2012.  Tom Shanahan from Pallas Marketing gave a short presentation to the PA and some BOM members on February 20^th.  He will be doing a further presentation on Monday, 12^th March at 7.30pm.  We need a group of at least 24 people to make up 8 teams of 3 people in order to make ithis event happen. This fundraiser is only as good as the team it has working for it.  Pallas Marketing provide full sales and marketing support for the teams and provide all press launch facilities, ticketing, signage. etc.  Pallas Marketing have indicated that a fundraiser of this size can yield anything from 22k for a school to a client of theirs that raised 80k!!

6.      Dunnes’ Stores Bag pack Saturday 28^th April 9am-6pm

Caroline Kennedy has been liaising with Dunnes’ Stores Management; the plan is to have time allotted to parents/guardians of classes, eg. of the two Junior Infants classes parents can select a one hour time slot anytime from 9-11am, two Senior Infants classes from, 11-1pm, 1^st class 1-2pm, etc.  We are aiming for 10-12 volunteers per hour. The roster for Bag Pack will be in School Reception and Caroline Kennedy can also be contacted on 087 1221610 if you wish to put your name down.  If your class time slot does not suit you, but you still wish to volunteer,please contact Caroline or PA email address.

7.      Board of Management Parents’ Representative Update – Neil Bartholomew

The BoM acknowledge all the hard work the PA is doing and would like to emphasize that it appreciates having a PA and how important it is.

Book Week runs from March 5th to 9th and the book fair people will be coming in on the 7th March.

Carpark – The BoM are aware of issues with the management of the car park. It is to be dicussed at the next BoM meeting on 5th March.

6th Class – This class will be going to the Gaeltacht in May.  They will be doing a class fundraiser.   It is requested that parents support the 6th class children in whatever fundraising event they may hold.

Garden Project – The school has been chosen for a garden project by Crafted in conjunction
with the Kildare Education Centre.

Policies – As alredy mentioned each member of the BOM has been given a policy to study and bring back to the next BOM meeting in order to start the review process of each, consultations, committees, etc. It is hoped that these policies can be finalised within the next couple of months.

Open evening – This will be the same night as the new parents information evening ; date to be confirmed.

The BOM will be attending a BoM training course on Saturday, 3rd March.

8.      A.O.B

• Suggestions of how we can increase contributions; breakdowns of what it costs to run each class per child, Money Clubs, all taken on board and to be suggested to the BoM to consider.  It was all agreed that 12% is an abysmal contribution rate to have for a school our size.
• Using text service to notify parents/guardians of PA meetings, as one more means of  communication to be used in informing parents/guardians of what is going on.
• Garden Club – would like if parents/guardians could volunteer their time to come and join them from 2.10-3.10pm on Tuesdays.  Contact garden @netns.ie to register your intention to come help.
• Copper Tuesday – The PA is delighted to see this saving initiative being rolled out by the Student Council.
• Date for your diary – NPC Kildare Branch 16^th June Education Conference – further details to follow.

Next PA Meeting –  Thursday 15^th March, 8pm

We look forward to welcoming families and friends of NETNS to come and have a look around our school and see some of the fantastic work that goes on behind the scenes on a daily basis!

Looking forward to seeing you all on 19th April.