Happy Winter Solstice to you all!

Winter Market scene

What a busy few weeks we are experiencing. The winter market was once again a great success. See notes below from the PTA.

The Variety Show was the first time we have had all members of the school community at an event together. Judging by feedback, it was a very enjoyable evening for participants and audience. Thanks again to all who helped make it happen.

Today we had our end of term whole school assembly. We sang some seasonal songs together. It was the final assembly for Ms Ellis who is retiring. The children created a book of poetry and pictures for Ms Ellis as a farewell gift. Some children read their poems and the book was then presented by Erica and Orla. Ms Ellis has been part of the DSP community for many years as parent, teacher, Board of Management Chairperson and teacher representative. She has a wealth of knowledge on the history and proceedings of DSP and could always be depended on for a straight forward answer to any question, and clear solutions to problems.

Winter Market – A big thank you to all the parents, teachers and children who helped out in the run up and at the Winter Market itself on Saturday the 10th of December. A big thank you also to all those who attended on the day thus ensuring that it was a very successful event again this year raising over €6500. The funds raised will be used to provide extra activities for the children during school hours such as dancing, playball, art projects and resources for the classroom.

School closes  Thursday 22 December at 12.15pm. School opens 8.30am Monday 9 January 2012.

.

Dear Parents/Guardians

Re: Variety Show Arrival and Dismissal

We would like our Variety Show to be an enjoyable event for everyone. We ask for your cooperation in making arrival to and dismissal from the show as safe and stress-free as possible.

Parking is limited in CBC School Monkstown so do allow time to park on nearby streets and walk to venue.

Children should arrive at 6.45pm dressed in their costumes. See previous Blog entries if you need reminders re colours. Safe footwear is essential – trainers, runners, plimsoles are good; crocs, high heels, ugg boots are not suitable. Warm coats/hats etc. should be worn for dressing rooms as this area is not heated.

2^nd – 6^th classes: Teachers will check in children at entrance to dressing rooms at side of Hall.  Children can bring personal devices, e.g. DS, for use while waiting to perform. Please label personal devices or put in a labelled ziplock bag so they can be easily returned to children after the show. No food or drink is required. Water will be provided for children.

Junior/Senior Infants & 1^st class: Teachers will check in children and seat them in front rows of audience in Hall as class groups. Parents/Guardians must go to their own seats then. Children may not sit on parents’ laps during performance due to Insurance regulations.

All children must be checked off class teachers’ lists at the end of the show. 2^nd – 6^th classes will go to the dressing rooms to collect their coats etc. Children will return to the stage to be dismissed one class at a time. We would appreciate your cooperation in helping us manage the dismissal of classes as safely and calmly as possible.

We thank everyone who has worked hard to make this show happen. We hope you enjoy the evening.

Yours sincerely

Miriam Hurley

Principal

3rd class dance practice

5th class dance practice

 .

DSPNS Newsletter 7ú Nollaig 2011

We had a whole school assembly on Monday 5 December to mark our focus on Peace for the month. We looked at the many events that are celebrated by different believers and non-believers throughout the world at this time. We also listened to a poem written by renowned poet Maya Angelou:

On this platform of peace, we can create a language

To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other

Our aim is to try to be empathetic, to try to understand and accept one another with all our differences, to show tolerance and respect.

We had our first whole school practice of our Variety Show yesterday. It promises to be a good one in spite of the fact we do not have the option of doing  a dress rehearsal at the venue! Do remember to check the school website ‘Blog’ for colours of costumes as per last week’s newsletter. Clothes for stage should ideally be light e.g. cotton, as stage can be hot. However, children will need warm coats/hats etc. for the dressing room areas as accommodation here is quite basic. Please see letter overleaf from Chairperson  of BOM re Variety Show.

Growing and Learning

These are just some of the great pupils we have at DSPNS. It is great to see them learning from the whole school show and at the same time getting on with completing written work – all part of our delivery of a rich and broad curriculum.

Super Seniors show their finished work

4th class lunchtime football league

Winter Market Saturday 10^th Dec 11.00am – 3.00pm

Don’t miss this great event! It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year! Thanks to the PTA for their hard work getting all the organization done!

 .

Many of these children showed a huge improvement in cooperating in class. Some are on a second nomination for continuous respectful behaviour. Congratulations to all!

6th class

5th class

DSPNS Newsletter 30ú Samhain 2011

Our ethical education programme will shift focus to peace for December. We ask parents/guardians to continue to encourage respect and cooperation as these are values and skills we need to continue promote on a daily basis.

Senior Infants dance practice

Singing, dancing and guitar routines for the DSP Variety Show are progressing well. A huge thank you to Karen, our choir master, for teaching us to sing new songs in rounds and parts. We had our first practice together as a group from 1^st to 6^th classes in the Halla yesterday. It is very good training for the children to stand quietly as a large group, to sing in harmony together, to return to silence, to move on and off stage quietly. We are also very grateful to Ms Casey who is teaching all classes to memorise simple and complex dance moves.  We expect the show to be highly entertaining. Many thanks also to Fiona who has done an immense amount of behind-the-scenes preparation, consulting with staff, PTA and CBC premises staff.

Senior Infants dance

All children should arrive dressed in costumes at 6.45pm on Tuesday 13 December to CBC Monkstown Hall. Costumes are as follows:

Junior and Senior Infants: dress as colourful as possible

1^st class: black and white clothes

2^nd class: green and white clothes

3^rd class: old, oversized clothes

4^th class: all black

5^th class: girls – costumes from Ms Casey; boys – all black

6^th class: girls – rara skirt, leggings and colourful t-shirt; boys – jeans (no rips, not oversized) and t-shirts.

All children must wear safe footwear: runners, trainers, plimsoles are good; Ugg boots, high heels, Crocs are not suitable.

Tickets order forms will be in schoolbags next Monday 5 December.

Garden Clear next Saturday 3 December 10.00am – 3pm

A small number of people did a fantastic clear on the front garden in October. We need more people on board this Saturday to clear the back garden. Please consider giving one hour to help this Saturday. Phone the office to let us know what time you can attend so that head gardener Declan can plan the day.

Reminder:  Friday 2^nd December is the last day for the St Vincent De Paul Toy collection.

Winter Market – Saturday December 10^th7

The biggest fund raiser of the year, The Winter Market, takes place on Saturday, December 10th from 11.00am till 3.00pm and we are looking forward to seeing you all there.

The funds raised are used to provide extra activities for the children during school hours such as dancing, yoga, playball, art projects and resources for the classrooms.

Collection of Toys, Books and DVDs for the winter market will start this week from Thursday December 1st  and end on Thursday December 8th.

Boxes will be placed beside the lift entrance on both the top and bottom floors.

Please ensure that all toys are in good condition, that cuddly toys have been washed and jigsaws etc have all their pieces.

The bottles for the bottle stall will be collected on Thursday December 8th.

If any one has an hour or two to help out at the Winter Market we would be delighted to hear from you. Please sign up on the helper sheets located on the noticeboards and outside the classrooms.

Many thanks in advance from the PTA..