Wed 25th April ’18

Passport day will be held on the 29th May 2018.

Homework – Be prepared for some family friendly activities instead of written homework for May/June. A chance for quality time together at your own pace.

In May we will continue with reading, mental maths, spellings and passport day project activities. In June, we will pare back even more!

PTA News

Style School @ DSP

Some of the fabulous items and raffle prizes available at Style School on Friday evening from 7pm in the Halla. Come early & grab a bargain, have a glass of wine with friends and enjoy some good company.

Credit Union Quiz

Very well done to 4th and 6th class at the recent Credit Union Quiz. Both teams performed admirably and while they weren’t the eventual winners, they represented the school so well and did us proud.

Save the date – Friday 27th April 2018

“Spring is in the air and we are delighted to introduce a new event to the PTA calendar.

This style event works on a few different levels.

The opportunity to recycle some clothes and items in your wardrobe that you may not wear anymore but want to find a good home for.
A spring closet clear out to make some room for new items you may pick up at the event.
A chance to meet other parents that don’t get the chance to attend coffee mornings or school drop off events.
A chance to raise some funds for your school
A social evening to browse through some fab clothes, pick up an absolute bargain.”

Love from the Fashion PTA

Many thanks

Suzie

Thanks to the school community

Before Spring Break we had two very successful events. Many thanks to you all for your support. As you know, the funds raised go to supporting the school and the children is a variety of ways.

Book Week

From the book sales at the one day book fair, we have received a credit of almost €400 for the school to spend on books with The Gutter Bookshop. In addition the school will received a discount price on any books purchased with this money. The children have already seen the benefit of this, with lovely new titles available in the classrooms.

Educate Together Fundraiser

The end of term coffee morning, including the amazing class performances, raised €563 for Educate Together who are very grateful for our support.

Cuppa tea, line dancing and mad hats – see you Friday morning 23rd March @ 8:30

Senior Infants practise line dancing with Joan for Friday morning cuppa entertainment. You can’t miss this one!

School closes 12:15 Friday 23rd March 2018

Hurray – we’ve made it to the end of the spring term in spite of snow, ice, grey skies and wet, mucky grass! We will have our end of term cuppa for parents/guardians as our annual fundraiser for Educate Together first thing Friday morning. Instead of a last Friday class visit, make your way to the Hall for chats and some entertainment by each class. We invite everyone to make spring themed hats to wear. Children will sing, dance or recite a poem. We aim to start promptly to facilitate parents/guardians who need to go to work.

Tree Week

Thanks to Jenny, Ella, Lorraine and Ms Malin for organising Tree Week activities. Every child had the opportunity to foster a tree. What a great opportunity to watch a tree grow, see the buds unfold and the leaves change colours. Connecting with nature is a truly enriching experience.

Storytelling from Moon and Sixpence

We had two wonderful storytelling sessions from puppet theatre company Moon and Sixpence. It was a treat to see children of all ages lose themselves in the magic of storytelling through the puppet show. All age groups loved the theatre proving that traditional storytelling is still a relevant, meaningful and highly entertaining way of learning about life. Sharing quality live theatre as a group was a magical experience.

Maths – very good

What with snow closures, re-organising Book Week, practising for Harry Potter play, winning the girls’ football league, choir practice, cleaning Sallyglen and many other school activities, we have not had a chance to celebrate our recent maths evaluation. Inspectors Edel and Mary spent two days visiting the classes and resource rooms and were very pleased with the quality of learning and teaching. An official report will be published online during the summer term. The highest accolade the Inspectorate are allowed to give is “Very good.” The inspectors wanted to explain that to us so we are not disappointed with the end result i.e. the official report. Meanwhile we can enjoy the verbal feedback they gave to Miriam, Clodagh and Jenny and be thankful for the wonderful teachers we have at DSP:

Children obviously enjoy learning and expect to achieve. There is clear evidence of understanding, recall, reasoning, connecting and extremely good strong basics. Clear directions are given.

Problem solving is evident in class and in real life situations. Inspectors particularly liked that children were encouraged to come up with their own strategies. Children’s voice is strong and there is lots of child-led learning.

DSP is extremely strong in language and lots of maths language is being used.

Maths activities were meaningful and relevant. Excellent use of maths in the environment. Super secure environment where the children’s suggestions were all valued and it was okay to make mistakes. Enquiry based learning was seen. There is a clear love of maths and it is seen as purposeful. Learning logs are excellent.

There is great celebration of children’s work – displays are relevant and used to help keep pupils involved and created a sense of ownership.

There is an excellent variety of teaching approaches with a very strong pedagogy across the school which showed that the teachers were life long learners. Deep understanding of maths and how to teach it (two very different things!). Collective and collaborative practices were acknowledged, as were the innovative and creative thinking in the teachers.

Thank you DSP teachers and to the teams that work with them!

Maths activity: survey of representation of sports photos and articles in media

‘Break a leg’ to 6th class performing Harry Potter play tonight at 6:30pm!

Dates for your diary:

Sports Day – Thursday 21st June 2018

6th class graduation – Wednesday 27th June 2018

Lá le Pádraig celebrations. Táimid bródúil as ár gcultúr Ghaeilinne.

Book Fair and Wild at DSP Trees on Friday 9th March

DSP Book and Story Festival rescheduled

The Beast from the East and Storm Emma may have disrupted our Book Festival plans, but we bounce back!

Our annual Book Fair has been rescheduled to Friday March 9th. Again this year it will be in conjunction with local bookseller – Gutter Bookshop – our partner for the last two years. Classes will be brought down by their teachers to the book shop in the Halla throughout the day. During this visit they can buy books if they have brought in money. Alternatively they can reserve books for you to review, collect and pay for at pick-up that day. Payments by credit/debit card can be facilitated. In previous years many parents have found it useful to set expectations with the children, particularly the younger classes, who may not understand the cost of books. Note that every book sold results in a credit for the school to use in the bookshop during the year.

That day will also be an opportunity for the children to ‘Dress Up as your favourite character from a Book’ if they wish.

Other events in the classes that had been planned for Book Week will be rescheduled over the coming weeks.

Tree Week – take a tree home?

Invitation to all families to join in planting trees 1:00PM THIS FRIDAY – and take one home if you like – free! See poster below.

Maths Evaluation

Thanks to our teachers who worked very effectively with Inspectors Edel and Mary in evaluating children’s learning experiences and outcomes in maths and in reviewing teaching approaches in our school. Our two day evaluation was a great success. A report will be made available following consultation with the Board of Management.

Homework for families: Can you make a maths story or question or problem from these pictures of the snow clearing?

e.g. What shapes do you see? How many?

The maths evaluation required some changes to the timetable such as gymnastics with Ms Kennedy (above) and Mental Health lessons with Clodagh and Mr Doohan (below). Thanks to staff for their flexibility and to children for adapting to the changes.

Míle buíochas – a thousand thanks

Sincere thanks to the severe weather clean up team who came to the school on Sunday last and worked with Clodagh and Miriam to make paths safe for opening after the snow closures.

Keep The Date and Spring Clean 4 DSP

If last week you found yourself taking the opportunity to do a spring clean then remember that, in April, the PTA will host a ‘Buy My Dress’ event. Please put aside any high-end/designer/good quality/limited edition clothes (adult) for the school. More details soon.

Image result for Stella McCartney Dresses

Next PTA Meeting

The next PTA meeting is on Wednesday 14th at 7:30 pm. As well as the returning members, we’d love to have some new people there too. We need an injection of enthusiasm please! Numbers of helpers and organisers for the last few events have been down, and there is only so much that we can do : (

DSP PTA

School closed Tuesday 27th February for children

School is closed Tuesday 27th February for children. As part of a national initiative, staff are engaged in professional development:

Teachers – Primary Language Curriculum

SNAs – Communication and Wellbeing

Biodiversity explorations – how to be a change maker!

School is humming with the multiple lessons and spaces dedicated to changing mindsets and environment towards a more beautiful world. While 6th class learn about mental health and friendships, 5th and 3rd are acting on how to improve and enjoy the local environment. They are working through a process of dreaming big ideas then engaging in critical thinking – Which ideas can we put into action? How do we make it happen? What resources do we have? What do we need to do? We look forward to welcoming some biodiversity experts to the school to help us in this learning experience.

2nd class are learning about the water cycle and how to keep ourselves healthy and clean. Soon the whole school will be re-establishing a Green School Committee as we are aiming to earn our third green school flag over the next eighteen months.

Thanks to the PTA for a yummy breakfast!

Sincere thanks to the PTA helpers who chopped food and laid out a delicious breakfast for every child on Valentine’s morning. The clean up was very efficient and funds raised very welcome.

PTA news

Welcome back from mid-term everyone. The evenings are brightening a little – which means its time to enjoy some PTA events

Valentine Breakfast

Just before mid term break we had our Valentine breakfast in school. Children had a fun start to the day with their classmates, and got to wear PJs or Pink/Red clothes. Rushe’s Supervalu in Killiney generously provided all the food for the event again this year. We are very grateful for their ongoing support. It means that all the funds raised (€500) can go to providing In-School activities such as yoga and football.

DSP Book and Story Festival

World Book Day is March 1st – the global theme this year is ‘GET THE NATION SHARING STORIES FROM BREAKFAST TO BEDTIME’ and we have some fun ways this year to achieve this. Watch for the poster & details coming shortly.

We will host our annual Book Fair this year also on March 1st, in conjunction with local bookseller – Gutter Bookshop – our partner for the last two years. Classes will be brought down by their teachers to the book shop in the Halla on Thursday. During this visit they can buy books if they have brought in money. Alternatively they can reserve books for you to review, collect and pay for at pick-up that day. In previous years many parents have found it useful to set expectations with the children, particularly the younger classes, who may not understand the cost of books. Note that every book sold results in a credit for the school to use in the bookshop during the year.

Finally – Keep The Date!

Spring Clean 4 DSP

In April, the PTA will host a ‘Buy My Dress’ event. If you are spring cleaning, please put aside any high-end/designer/good quality/limited edition clothes (adult) for the school. More details soon.

DSP PTA

Discrimination against new Educate Together schools

Dear Miriam

As you may already be aware, over the past few weeks, large numbers of familiesacross counties Waterford, Wexford, Meath, Galway and Mayo were taken by surprise and left reeling by a recent decision taken by the Department of Education and Skills (DES). The DES have instructed Tramore ETNS, New Ross ETNS, Trim ETNS, Tuam ETNS and Castlebar ETNS to cut junior infant school places for 2018/2019 by half. This means that each of these schools can now enrol just 13 junior infants per year.

As highlighted by Ronan Moore, a father who had hoped to send his two young children to Trim ETNS, in the Journal.ie, this DES decision is incredibly frustrating and profoundly disappointing to parents and families who already face an uphill struggle when it comes to accessing schools with an ethos that reflects their own values. In his own case, he notes that his daughter now has a less than a 1-in-3 chance of getting a place at his family’s school of choice.

And it’s not just families who are feeling the effects of this decision, our school communities are shocked and dismayed at having to turn children and their families away; at being forced to implement an order they neither agree with nor agreed too. We have almost 25,000 students in our schools, but the same again on waiting lists!

A key part of the work of the Educate Together National Office is advocacy forschools and families that want an equality-based education for their children. However, as a charity our budgets are tight and unexpected campaigns, such as this one, draw upon our already stretched resources. In order to ensure that we are always in a position to take up the causes of our school communities as and when we are needed, we urgently need your help.

Donating couldn’t be easier—simply follow this link to our website. Any contribution you can make, big or small, whether a single donation today or a monthly contribution would be enormously appreciated. Having a regular income stream puts us in a stable financial position, allowing us to direct our full attention to advocating on behalf of our schools and our cause.

Not only will your donation serve as an expression of solidarity with the families and school communities across the five counties mentioned above as they fight for their right to equality-based education, it will also help ensure that Educate Together can continue to fight so that all children in Ireland can access inclusive, equality-based education.

Thank you so much for your support.

Warmest regards,

Paul Rowe CEO

Wednesday 14th February is early closing at 11:30am

Love – value of the month

We will try to do our best and to take pride in our work.

We will include others in work and play.

We will compliment and encourage others.

Remember : Wednesday 14th February is early closing at 11:30am for staff training in Child Safeguarding

On Wednesday 7th February, 6th and 4th class investigated real and fake websites, had fun and learnt how important it is to question online content. The main learning outcome of the lesson was that research involves a lot of questioning. Children had discussions about not accepting what is said or printed without questioning and seeking proof.

Caretaker Mike’s farm featured on Ear to the Ground last week. Click here to see it: https://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/ear-to-the-ground-1023/10834489/

3rd class learn gymnastics with Ms Kennedy and Ms O’Connell

New Educate Together schools call for help

Hello all,

Some of you may not be aware but some schools in our Educate Together Network have recently received letters from the Department of Education advising them to place a cap on enrolments.

We are one of these schools and needless to say, we are completely devastated and angered by this.

Our school alongside so many others in our network is going from strength to strength. This is due to the hard work of our staff and community of families. We hoped to take in a full enrolment of 26 this year and now are faced with the unforeseen eventuality of having to cap this at 13.

We are meeting with our incoming parents to advise them of the impact that this cap on enrolments will have next Thursday the 8th of February at 7.30 pm in the school in New Ross.

I feel strongly that a show of support from the Educate Together Community will help our families realise that we are not alone in this fight. So I would like to extend this invitation to all members of the Educate Together Family, Board of Directors, National Office Staff, Start-Up Groups, Principals and Staff of other Educate Together Schools to attend.

—

Aoife Mahon

Acting Principal, New Ross ETNS

We can each help by emailing our local representatives – below is a brief sample. Please feel free to write your own comments. Local councillor emails are below

Dear ___________TD/Councillor

I/We write to request your support in taking action against the cap on places imposed on new Educate Together schools. This is a disgraceful reneging of government promises to offer choice of schools, including Educate Together schools, nationally to parents. I urge you to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister of Education immediately.

Yours sincerely

XXXX

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/children-turned-away-from-educate-together-schools-due-to-restrictions-1.3378138

Mindfullness

DSP Football

Changemakers through Biodiversity

Recognise anything in these maps? This is 5th class working on a general audit of the Sallyglen area as part of our change makers activities. Over the next seven weeks the children will work together to make Sallyglen a better place.

While 5th class are in Sallyglen, 3rd class will do a biodiversity audit of DSP grounds i.e. area within the fence. We have exciting plans about making the space we learn in a more beautiful diverse natural space.

Why stop in seven weeks time? Ideally, we will continue our environmental studies – with support from parents/guardians. Parent Ella McSweeney is helping make this project sustainable by setting up a parent/guardian network. If you like spending time outdoors, this is for you. Contact Ella 087-6874014; emcswney@gmail.com

This is a super opportunity to activate stewardship in the children. Do sign up – we can draw up various lists to suit the time you can give e.g. list of one-time helpers, weekly helpers, once a month helpers, one project only helpers. We know everyone is busy so we are open to different ways to make space for people to engage with school/local projects.

All classes are engaging in environmental, garden, Sallyglen, forest, beach school projects over the course of the year so we would love to have parents/guardians from every class. Last summer some DSP families harvested delicious fresh produce from our fruit and veg garden. Free fresh healthy food and learning opportunities for children and adults. Give Ella a text or email and sign up!

5th class discuss values essential to being Friendship Keepers as part of restorative practice lessons

Forest Fridays and Volunteers reminders

Senior Infants, 2nd, 4th and 6th classes will experience 9 weeks of outdoor education in Killiney in the course of this year. We are obliged to ask any parent/guardian who wishes to volunteer on a regular basis e.g. with reading, cooking, Forest Fridays, art etc. to be Garda Vetted. Gillian has forms in the office.

Line dancing in Senior Infants thanks to Joan

Concerns about your child? Drop-in clinic in Loughlinstown

All families experience ups and downs in the course of bringing children through the education system. If you have any worries that you would like advice on, the HSE host a clinic for parents on the second Tuesday of each month. Click on the link for more information:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/PrimaryCare/pcteams/dublinsouthpcts/dunlaoghaireglasthulepct/dropinclinic.html

Some parents have already accessed this service. They reported on the weight off their shoulders through having a trusted adult to chat to in a confidential space. As parents/guardians, we need to be kind and compassionate to ourselves in order to be kind to others.

Scroll down for more information we posted on our first blog in January including services for children with additional needs.

How can we be friends for others? How can we help others be friends after a disagreement?

F=Fair

R=Respect

I=Inclusive

E=Empathy

N=Nurture

D=Did you giraffe?

S=Safe

Senior Infants trip to the Lexicon – plus more…

Early school closure Wednesday 14th February. Children go home at 11:30am

Staff remain on site for training in Child Safeguarding Policy as part of a national initiative.

Our two day midterm follows on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th February 2018.

Whole day school closure Tuesday 27th February.

As part of the national literacy plan, teachers receive training in the Primary Language Curriculum. The Board will fund SNA training in well-being and communications.

Storyteller Batt Burns captures the imagination of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes

Recycle old iPods

Do you have a spare or unwanted ipod at home? We plan to expand our use of audiobooks in the school and we are looking for donations of ipods or mp3 players. If you have an ipod you would like to donate, please drop it off at the office or in the upstairs lobby with Ms.Kennedy.

Health and Safety

Thank you to everyone who has kept sick children home. The ‘flu is still affecting many in the school community so do continue to keep sick children home. See link:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/F/Flu-influenza-%2C-seasonal/Symptoms-of-seasonal-flu.html

We have been alerted to a case of Scarlet Fever in the school. Please click on the link below for further information

http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/S/Scarlet-fever/

Board of Management Summary Report

A meeting of DSPNS Board of Management (BOM) was held on Monday 22^nd January 2018

Items on the agenda included the Treasurer’s Report, Principal’s Report, Communications Report, Maintenance report, Voluntary Contributions report, and Buildings report. Specific items included:

The Board thanks those who have submitted Voluntary Contributions of €15,877 to date.
The Board requests support for planning 40^th birthday celebrations of DSP. More information to follow.

Next meeting: Monday 5^th March 2018 7:30pm

Zeeko Internet Safety Talk

We had a super talk for children, teachers, SNAs and parents/guardians on 11th January 2018. Dave, the presenter, spoke about how important it is that we empower children to develop digital health. Parents/Guardians were encouraged to oversee friends on Snapchat – check children only have friends who are friends in the real world.

One way towards safe internet use is for children to develop a relationship with a chat-buddy i.e. a trusted, non-judgemental adult. Children know more about internet games etc., yet older family members have more life experience, maturity and wisdom – and have dealt with many issues.

Two tips:

Turn off location on children’s devices to prevent them being tracked through Snapchat or Instagram etc.
Use the T-shirt rule: get children to think are you proud of what you are posting?
Stop Block and Tell

For more information, see the following links:

commensensemedia.com – good for parents to learn how to deal with internet

http://www.zeeko.ie

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