Congratulations to all children who were nominated for spreading happiness in school last week. Here we feature 6^th and 3^rd class pupils.

There is a huge amount of active learning taking place in school. 5^th class explored the changes Martin Luther King and civil rights people instigated. Neil and Jennifer read their pieces at our whole school assembly celebrating the January value, Happiness. Below is Neil’s piece. (A technical hitch prevented Jennifer’s inclusion today.)

 Board of Management: Update on school extension

Most children have settled back to class routines well. Well done to all who are showing a positive attitude to work and play. Congratulations to all who were nominated for spreading happiness and helping others. Well done in particular to Alannah, Jasmine and Molly for consistently including others in activities at yard time.

We ask parents/guardians to support endeavours to maintain a positive learning environment by encouraging children to behave appropriately. If you receive a phone call or letter regarding your child’s participation and behaviour in school this month, please take appropriate action as soon as possible.

We are renewing efforts to encourage children to keep fit and healthy. We ask you to promote WOW: Walk or Cycle on Wednesday. Talk to other parents to set up a walking bus. If you are using a car, try parking away from school gates and walk the last bit to school. Look up www.nationaltransport.ie for other ideas.

PTA

                        Miriam Hurley

It is great to see children and adults coming back to school well rested after the Christmas break. We are continuing our focus on core values from our Ethical Education programme. Last term we worked hard at fostering Respect, Cooperation and Peace.

Our focus for January is Happiness:

Parents/Guardians can encourage children to develop these skills by reminding them to get homework done, to help with some household tasks, to acknowledge the good things in our lives even when we are having a bad day. Thanks to Seán for spreading some Happiness early in the term. Bhí sé ag caint Gaeilge i rang a 3. Seán’s Irish impressed his teacher so he was asked to come to the Principal’s office. “Tá sé go hiontach” arsa Mr Finucane.

Many other children are keeping us – and our visitors  – cheerful. Ten students from Church of Ireland College of Education came to learn more about Educate Together schools. They really enjoyed the visit and were impressed with ideas explored in 4^th and 5^th classes. They attended assembly in Junior and Senior Infants and gave a spontaneous applause to 3^rd class for singing “Happiness” by Ken Dodd. Thanks to teachers for facilitating visits.

Thanks to Dan, Eve and Rosie in 5^th for remembering to contribute art work to brighten up our newsletters and website. That request was issued in December! Well done for listening and taking action!

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!

DSP Variety Show

Thanks to lots of voluntary work, parents Fiona Dignam, Karen Blanzy and dance teacher Catherine Casey have created a variety show involving the whole school this half-term. Teachers and support staff have also been working hard with the children in preparing for the big event. The school hall is too small to hold a show of this size so other venues were approached. Due to the availability and cost of various venues and the necessary availability of the directors of the show, it is only possible to have one performance. Due to the capacity of the hall in CBC Monkstown, we are limited to an audience of 300, which is approximately 2 tickets per family.

This is the first time in a long time that a show of this kind has been put on by the school and it has been a great learning experience. In spite of huge voluntary work, there are some costs associated with putting on the performance. Initially the plan for the show was to have it as a fundraiser for the school. However, given the timing of the show and its proximity to other fundraising events and the single night performance, this is not its focus. The most important aspect of the show is the experience for the children working towards an entire school performance on stage together.

The pricing of the tickets was set to break even with the costs associated with the show. In keeping with DSP tradition and the Educate Together principle of inclusivity, there is always an option for families to select a non-payment option. This was omitted from the ticket form in error.  It is important that families feel that they can come to see their children in a school performance without charge.

Therefore, payment for tickets is not compulsory and tickets will be issued regardless of payment. Refunds can be organised of payments already made for those parents who wish to do so, by completing the attached form and returning to the school secretary. Please return your ticket request form by tomorrow afternoon to assist the volunteers that are coordinating the allocation of tickets.

Many thanks to everyone involved in organising the event.

Enjoy the show!

Liz McGovern
Chairperson, Board of Management

I would like to receive a refund of the payment made for tickets for the Variety Show

Name:                  _________________________________________________

Child’s Name:          _________________________________________________

Amount Paid:        ____________

Payment Type:      cheque / cash                  (please circle)

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.

All classes are practising hard for our whole school concert in December. Here are some photos of dance lessons with Ms Casey.

Dig a Little Deeper

Zippity Do Da

There will be a great line up of music, song and dance on the night of the show. Put this event into your diaries:

Date: Tuesday 13 December 2011

Time: 7pm

Venue: CBC Monkstown school hall

PTA Christmas Card Fundraiser

Christmas cards designed by your children are in bags today. Please read accompanying letter. Return letter and cards order to PTA Box near office entrance in a sealed envelope, marked with your child’s name and class.

Family Charity project

As you know every year at this time, St. Vicent De Paul hold their annual Toy appeal which will help many underprivileged families this Christmas.  Next week from Monday 28^th Nov to Friday 2^nd Dec, there will be a box in Gillian’s office where you can leave your presents.  Perhaps you would like to buy a present for your child’s age group, or some generic suggestions from SVP are book tokens, cinema vouchers, DVDs.  They also ask that you do not wrap the gift.  If you have any questions please contact Ailish  (086-150 4633) or Colette  (087-202 9932)

School News

Teachers and parents/guardians are working together through participation in our annual Parent Teacher meetings this week. Thanks to all for changing schedules to facilitate this event that is essential for every child’s progress at school. Meetings for Individual Education Plans for many pupils are also in progress. Again, these meetings are vital for the children’s educational development. Thanks to all for participating and working on the children’s behalf.

In spite of the challenges of changes in routines, several projects continue during the school day. The Food Dudes project has resulted in lots of tasting and eating of fruit & veg for children. Enthusiasm is building for our Christmas Show. Keep evening of Wed 13 Dec, 7pm in mind for show date; venue CBC School Hall, Monkstown. More details to follow.

Thanks to all who have signed up for Severe Weather Volunteer group. Please phone office if you would like your name added.

BOM

Jonathon Westrup, Chairperson DSP, and Liz McGovern, Chairperson BOM, met with me on Monday. BOM nominations and school ethos were discussed. The various positive behaviour strategies in progress in school – e.g. focus on an Ethical Education value each month – were acknowledged as helping towards maintaining our ethos. The issue of a minority of school community members not respecting our ethos was raised as a matter of concern – e.g. refer to letter from PTA overleaf. One of the duties of the DSP is to support and encourage our school ethos. Cooperation from all school community members will be needed at all events if our current traditions and variety of events are to continue.

Miriam Hurley

Re: Halloween Disco

Dear Parents/Guardians

If news has not filtered back yet from the children already, we just want to confirm that The Halloween Disco was once again a great success. This year, the PTA made a profit of €246! Special thanks go to the organisers Julie Hennessy, Orla Doris and Isolde O’Leary.

Although the majority of children who attended behaved themselves showing respect and good manners in accordance with all the work that is being done within school at the moment, a minority of children did not.

Problems arose when a few children tried to leave the school premises by climbing over/under the railings and charging at adult supervisors at the gate. This behaviour was not only dangerous but it showed a lack of respect towards those who had given up their time to organise and supervise this event. Also some children used unacceptable language towards others, again showing a lack of respect.

To avoid a reoccurrence of this next year, it was agreed by the PTA that a code of conduct will be drawn up for next year’s Halloween Disco. Information will be issued to parents in advance outlining the rules of the disco and consequences of inappropriate behaviour.

It would be a shame to eliminate this event, as so many children enjoy it. We ask parents for their cooperation and to discuss the importance of good behaviour with their children. In addition more adults will be needed to be on duty outside the school building to supervise any children who want to take a break from the disco and go to the basketball courts.

Thanks again to all the adults who made this event such a success! And to all the children who simply enjoyed the dancing, mad hair, face painting and having fun in a cooperative way, thanks – it was a pleasure!

Many Thanks,

PTA