30ú Eanair 2013

We’re doing our best to get outside for break times this week in spite of the wet and blustery weather. 1st – 6th classes have been most cooperative in keeping off the grass which is too wet and mucky. Each class was given a new set of yard equipment today thanks to PTA funding. We hope this equipment will be minded carefully and shared between all.

Knitting in 5th class

We are delighted to have parents in helping with activities in 5th class this term. They are learning knitting and cross stitching.

Knitting in 5th class

As part of our focus on numeracy, throughout the school, we are learning how to solve problems. This week our problem is : Why aren’t manholes covers square? Look out for our new problem each week and try to solve it at home!

Problem Solving display

Let’s solve a problem together!

The Board of Management recognizes that for many parents and guardians, a car is the only option for transporting children to and from school and also that the school is not ideally situated to accommodate this. To ensure the welfare of all in the school community, we ask that the following “Do’s” and “Don’ts” are observed.Please do

  • watch for children and allow pedestrians to cross in front of your vehicle.
  • observe common courtesy. Drop off and collection times can be stressful, we ask that pedestrians, cyclists and car drivers please be patient with each other
  • consider dropping off older children further away on Arnold Grove,  Hillcourt Road or Bellevue Road, to reduce the traffic congestion near the school
    • If approaching school from Arnold Grove, turn right onto Hillcourt or Bellevue Road
    • If approaching school from Hillcourt or Bellevue Road, turn left onto Arnold Grove

Please don’t

  • park your vehicle in the turning circle
  • obstruct designated parking spaces in front of school.
  • park in a position that might obstruct any of our neighbours from entering or exiting their drives.
  • park in a position that might prevent emergency vehicles from accessing the school or any of the residences in Glenageary Lodge, Arnold Grove or Hillcourt Road.

 Note the RSA’s Rules of the Road – “… you must not stop or park…

  • wholly or partly on a footpath, a grass margin, a cycle lane or track or a median strip
  • within 5 metres of a road junction unless parking spaces are clearly marked…”
The turning circle is beside the double gates of the big yard.

Turning Circle

Cakesale fundraiser  Friday February 8th

 6th class along with the PTA will be holding a cakesale to raise funds to help towards paying for their upcoming trip to UISCE -tThe Gaelthacht Irish College and Adventure Centre, where they will be going in April. Any donations of  cakes, buns, traybakes, biscuits etc. would be greatly appreciated. Bring along on the day or leave in kitchen day before.

Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying Talk for Parents/Guardians

Put this important date in your diary! John Wills from Barnados will give a presentation on Internet Safety on Wednesday 6th March @ 7.30pm. John has great ideas on how to help children develop good habits using the internet, phones and social networks.

 

23ú Eanair 2013

Our focus on numeracy is becoming more evident around the school where several examples of maths language and projects are on display. In one of the resource rooms this morning, children were able to identify 3D shapes e.g. cylinder and pyramid, and count faces and edges. Well done pupils from 3rd and 5th classes!

Using concrete materials for maths

3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th had very informative talks on Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying last Thursday. Thanks to John from Barnados and thanks to PTA for organising this. A talk for parents/guardians will be held in the school, possibly Wednesday 6th March. We will let you know when the date is confirmed.

How to use the internet safely

Mission Statement

Thank you to the Student Council and all the children in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes for their brainstorming and discussions on our Mission Statement. The Ethos sub-committee suggested we use a draft statement based on the Mission Statement from our sister school Monkstown Educate Together NS. The Student Co. and 3rd – 6th classes were very cooperative during discussions and contributed many positive words and phrases. Below is the DSPNS draft Mission Statement. Parents/Guardians are welcome to send comments/suggestions to our office email: info@dspns.ie for the Ethos sub-committee to review at their next meeting on Monday 28th January 2013.

Dalkey School Project aims to create a happy, friendly, inclusive, educational environment where each child is unique and valued. We are a welcoming school where diverse talents are appreciated, and the school community can work together respectfully. We cooperate to have a peaceful and safe atmosphere in which to learn and teach. We nurture each child’s potential and aspire to excellence. 

PTA News

A big thank you to Sinead O’Sullivan for all her hard work co-ordinating the ECAs for the past few years.  She is now stepping down from running the ECAs so we are urgently looking for someone to take over. If anybody is interested in co-ordinating the ECAs could they please contact dalkeypta@gmail.com or call Isolde 0870567965 or Nikki 0872283571.

Date for your diaries: we will be having our annual book fair on Thursday 14 & Friday 15 March. We also hope to have some children’s authors in on Wednesday 13th March to speak to the children. We are looking for a couple of authors for 2nd class to 6th class so if anybody knows any children’s authors, could they please let us know. Thank you.

Pop into class last Friday of the Month

As notified in December, parents/guardians of all classes are welcome to pop into class with children this Friday morning for a quick look around. If you can’t make this Friday, there are plenty more opportunities: 22nd Feb, 22nd March, 26th April, 31st May, 28th June 2013. There is no obligation to pop in. Lessons will begin promptly so classes need to be vacated by 8.45am. Children are expected to assemble as usual in the yard – or hall, if weather is inclement. Junior and Senior Infants continue their usual last Friday of the moth routine.

Drop Off Pick Up Time

A neighbour reported parking/traffic problems outside his house last week and a rude response from the person in question. We reiterate our appeal to parents/guardians to be respectful of one another  – and particularly of our neighbours who reside in this area – at drop off and pick up times. Thank you to those who are parking away from the gates and encouraging children to walk a small distance. Fewer cars outside the gates means this area will be safer for all our children.

Garden News

Wondering what’s happening inside the railings near the big yard? Boxes are under construction to facilitate growing vegetables. The pond area will also be made safer and more accessible as part of this project. Many thanks to the PTA for funding this and to Declan and his team for their work. Thanks to all parents/guardians who contribute to our various fundraisers that make possible the great variety of activities to take place at DSPNS.

16ú Eanair 2013

6th class Creativity in the Classroom

Thank you to all parents/guardians who completed the Numeracy Survey. We discovered Question 5 – Do you have any suggestions on approaches to maths homework?  – did not allow for people to submit comments on the online survey. If you would like to comment, please email to: info@dspns.ie . Meanwhile, teachers will be working on identifying aspects of class work that can be improved with regard to our approaches to teaching and learning numeracy.

Junior Infants doing GAA session

We continue to have a varied range of physical activities for pupils. This term we have  Tag Rugby on Mondays and Playball on Fridays for 3rd – 6th classes, and GAA for Junior Infants – 2nd class on Tuesdays. Class teachers may also do other physical exercises with children e.g. Junior Infants and 4th did some relaxation exercises this week. It is always a good idea for children to wear comfortable clothing to facilitate these lessons and to allow children freedom of movement during yard times.

4th class relaxation exercise

Barnados representative John Wills will deliver a talk and discussion session on Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying in classes 3rd – 6th tomorrow Thursday 17th January 2013. The PTA invited John to lead a parents/guardians session last summer term. This was very informative. It is important that you ask your child what s/he learned from the talks about Internet Safety. Reminder: children under 14 years of age are not permitted to register with Facebook.

Lost Property will be on display tomorrow Thursday morning. Apologies it did not happen this morning. Sale of uncollected coats will be held Friday 8.30 – 8.50am..

9ú Eanair 2013

Bliain Nua Shona dhiabh go léir agus fáilte ar ais ar scoil! Happy New Year to you all and welcome back to school!

Junior Infants on the first day of the new term

It is great to see the children well rested and ready for learning again. Junior Infants have moved to different seats in their room. Today they made a marla snake that was taller than Jack! They were very quick to show their new word ‘I’ which is on the English display board. 1st class practised rolling on the mats in the Halla yesterday. They had to listen carefully and watch the teacher to learn how to do it the right way.  4th class used their Hall time to do some team skills using the parachute. 6th class welcomed Michelle Read, playwright, to lead creative writing lessons this term.

Team work using the parachute

Happiness

Our school value for the month of Jaunary is Happiness.

We will spread happiness by showing a positive attitude to work and play.

We will spread happiness by helping others and by being cheerful and kind.

We will be grateful for all that we have.

Thanks for spreading happiness – and keeping children safe!

A big thanks to parents Jenny, Fiona, Liz, Declan and John who helped Michael sweep the yard clear of broken glass on Tuesday morning.

We welcome the Lorenzo family to our school. We hope they will get to know people soon, especially families in 2nd and 4th, and feel part of our school community.

1st class warm up for gymnastics lesson

Numeracy Survey

We posted a numeracy survey for parents/guardians on our website homepage in December. If you did not get a chance to complete it, please do so by tomorrow THURSDAY 10TH JANUARY 2013. We are working on School Improvement Plan (SIP) in relation to numeracy this term. The password for the survey will be sent via textaparent.

PTA

The first PTA meeting of 2013 is being held next Wednesday at 7.30pm in the school. If any parents would like to become more involved in the PTA or have any suggestions or comments for the PTA please come along or contact Isolde – 0870567965.
Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) start back Monday 27th January apart from hockey which started back on Tuesday 8th January. Look out for forms in childrens bags today. If you wish to secure a place for your child(ren), please fill in the forms and return to the PTA postbox (outside the secretary’s office) asap.

Choir practice

Lost Property

Lost property is overflowing with beautiful coats and jackets. Next Wednesday 16th January, lost property will be on display for parents/guardians to retrieve items from 8.20-8.50am. Anything not claimed will go on sale on Friday 18th January 8.20- 8.50am, and funds will be donated to charity.