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February Newsletter
Jan 30th
Upcoming events
Wednesday 31st Jan: We wish our School Debating team all the best as they debate the motion ‘Electric Cars are the best way to cut a country’s emissions’ in the fourth round of the Donegal Primary School’s Concern Debating League this week.
Thursday 1st Feb: All Grandparents’ (or family/ neighbour etc) are invited to our Grandparents’ Day this Thursday, 1st February. Second and Sixth Class pupils will first attend morning mass in the Chapel at 9.30am with St Bridget’s Cross making in the School Hall from 10am-12 noon. Sixth Class pupils will also attend a Sacramental Preparation in the Chapel on Thursday from 1.15pm-2.45pm.
Friday 2nd February: Our Student Council is organising a Non-Uniform Day this Friday, 2nd February. The charge is €2 per child (max €5 per family). Any proceeds will be for play resources as identified by the Council.
Monday, 5 February: There will be no school for pupils on this day. (Bank Holiday).
Thursday 8th: Second Class pupils will attend a Children of the Eucharist preparation workshop.
Tuesday 13 February: The Parents’ Association are organising a Valentine Bake Sale (€2 per treat). All support is appreciated (donations of homebakes, shop bought goods etc). There will also be free pancakes available for all children on the day.
Thurs 15th & Fri 16th February: The school is closed for Mid-term break.
RSE/Stay Safe
Stay Safe lessons will be taught this term. The teachers will issue notice of the lesson content of sensitive issues in advance of this. Please familiarise yourself with the information detail.
Silver Circle
The Parents Association will host a 5-week Silver Circle draw from Feb 22nd until March 21st this year. There will be three prizes each week of €80, €50 and €30. Your support for this fundraiser would be greatly appreciated. Further details to follow.
The school gratefully acknowledge receipt of €600 from the Parent’s Association. This money has been spent on musical equipment.
For your Calendar
The Ceremony of Light for Sixth Class pupils is scheduled for Wed 21st Feb at 7pm.
The school will be closed on Friday 8th March (Referendum Voting)
The Sacrament of Confirmation is scheduled for Tuesday 16 April at 6pm.
First Holy Communions are scheduled for Saturday, 11th May at 11 noon.
Please visit our website homepage for the School Calendar.
January Newsletter
Jan 17th
January Newsletter
School News
The pupils are busy at school this term and we look forward to a number of upcoming school events, including Vex Robotics for Sixth Class, a School Debating event, Credit Union Quiz, Féis Leitir Ceanainn, Scríobh Leabhair Gaeilge and the Children of the Eucharist programme.
We will once again host a Grandparents’ Day & St Bridget Cross-Making in the School Hall on 1 February 2024. All are welcome to attend.
Hot Meals programme
Our school has been included in the extended roll out of the Hot Meals Scheme. This means that the pupils will be able to avail of hot dinners provided at school. We hope this will start in April/May. We will be in touch with further details closer to the time.
School Enrolment
Please note that we are currently accepting enrolment applications for new pupils for the 2024/25 school year. The closing date for applications is 29th January 2024.
February Bank Holiday
Please note that the school will be closed for pupils on Monday 5th February (St Bridget’s Bank Holiday).
Parent’s Association
The Parents Association have postponed tonight’s meeting in the School Hall and will reschedule for next Wednesday 24th January at 7.15pm.
Survey
We encourage parents to participate in a Wellbeing Survey, details of which will be forwarded through an Aladdin in the next few days.
School Closure Info
In the event of an unforeseen school closure (ice/ snow/ frost etc), please note that we will inform parents of such closures in the morning via an Aladdin text.
Please make your own judgement call regarding attendance and travel on days where the school remains open during such weather.
Yours sincerely,
John Devenney.
Enrolment Opening on 8 January 2024
Dec 14th
Enrolment applications for 2025-26 schoolyear will be accepted from 6 January 2025 until 29 January 2025. Please use the online application form on the left tab-bar of the home page (New Enrolment link) or contact the School Office on 0749139295 for an application form.
Further information on Admission practices and procedures are posted on the school website.
Curriculum Day Closure
Dec 13th
The school will close for pupils on Monday 15 January 2024 to facilitate Staff training for the new Mathematics Curriculum
Christmas Carols & Music Show
Dec 13th
We will host a Christmas Carols and Music Service in the School Hall on Wednesday 20 December 2023.
Junior to Second Class: Starts at 10am
Third to Sixth Class: Starts at 11.15am
Dress rehearsal on Tuesday 19th December. The pupils are free to wear Christmas jumpers on the day (and for the remainder of the week).
There will be a draw for a Christmas Hamper and Selection Boxes on the day. Tickets are €2 each, or three for €5 . They can be purchased in the Office or bought on the day.
The Parents’ Association will serve teas on the day. Please let Pauline G know if you are in a position to help out on the day. Donations of biscuits, buns etc by Tuesday 19th would be greatly appreciated.
Santa is due to pay a visit to the school later next week.
Enrolment Info
Dec 13th
Enrolment 24/25 Notice
PART 1 – Admissions to the 2024/25 school year
Application and Decision Dates for admission to Kilmacrennan NS 2024/2025
The following are the dates applicable for admission to Junior Infants
| 1 | The school will commence accepting applications for admission on: Monday 8 January 2024 |
| 2 | The school shall cease accepting applications for admission on: Monday 29 January 2024. |
| 3 | The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application is: 19 February 2024 |
| 4 | The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is: 26 Feb 2024 |
Note: Applications made after the 21-day period will be processed as late applications. The school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy.
Failure of an applicant to accept an offer by F may result in the offer being withdrawn.
Special Class Application and Decision Dates for admission to Kilmacrennan NS 2024/2025
The following are the dates applicable for admission to the school’s Special Classes which caters for children with Autism
Note: The figures set out below in relation to the Special Classes are subject to change dependent on whether current students in the Special Classes retain their place in the school and whether a student(s) transfers into the school after the publication of this Notice.
| 1 | The school will commence accepting applications for admission to the special class on: Monday 8 January 2024 |
| 2 | The school shall cease accepting applications for admission to the special class on: Monday 29 January 2024. |
| 3 | The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application for admission to the special class is: 19 February 2024 |
| 4 | The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is: 26 February 2024 |
Note: Applications made after the 21-day period will be processed as late applications. The school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy.
Failure of an applicant to accept an offer by the specified date may result in the offer being withdrawn
Other Year Groups Application and Decision Dates for admission to Kilmacrennan NS 2024/2025
The following are the dates applicable for admission to other year groups (Senior Infants to 6th class):
| 1 | The school will commence accepting applications for admission to other year groups on: Monday 8 January 2024 |
| 2 | The school shall cease accepting applications for admission to other year groups on: Monday 29 January 2024. |
| 3 | The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application is: 19 February 2024 |
| 4 | The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is: 26 February 2024 |
Note: Applications made after the 21-day period will be processed as late applications; the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy.
Failure of an applicant to accept an offer by the specified date may result in the offer being withdrawn.
Information about the number of places that will be available in the next school year 2024/2025
The figures set out below in relation to the Special Class are subject to change dependent on whether current students in the Special Classes retain their place in the school and whether a student(s) transfers into the school after the publication of this Notice.
| The number of places being made available in Junior Infants is | 30 |
| The number of places being made available in the special class* catering for children with ASD is 1. | 1 |
| The number of places being made available in other year groups: | |
| Senior Infants 0 places | 0 |
| 1st Class 0 | 0 |
| 2nd Class 4 | 4 |
| 3rd Class 0 | 0 |
| 4th Class | 3 |
| 5th Class | 1 |
| 6th Class 0 | 0 |
Kilmacrennan NS has not accepted applications for places prior to the commencement of Section 62 of the Education (Admission to Schools) 2018 on 1 February 2020.
Nuacht Litir
Dec 4th
Nuacht-Litir na Nollag
All pupils are busy at school at the moment and many have been enjoying swimming lessons, football leagues, Science Day, GAA coaching and outings over the past few weeks We wish to congratulate our school Debating team who recently qualified for Round Three of the Concern Debating Championship. Comhghairdeas leis na daltaí ó SN Cill Mhic nÉanain a ghlac páirt sa chómórtas filíochta Guth Ghoill sna Dúnaibh ar na mallaibh. Congratulations to all those who participated in the recent Irish language poetry event in Downings and well done to our winners. We also have a team competing in the Cumann na mBunscol quiz this week and we wish them well.
The Parent’s Association wish to thank all who helped and contributed to ensure that the recent movie night in the school was a success.
In the interests of road safety for all, we wish to thank you for the ongoing efforts to keep the pedestrian crossing area on the main road clear of parked cars. We note that An Garda Síochána members have attended there on occasion too, and thank them for their continued support.
We have scheduled our Christmas Shows/Carol Service for the morning of Wednesday 20th December. We will host a draw for a Christmas Hamper on the day.
We hope to have a Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 22nd December.
We will close for the Christmas Holidays at 12noon on Friday 22nd December, and re-open on January 8th.
November Newsletter
Nov 8th
1 November Newsletter 2023
Dear Parent/ Guardian,
Board of Management Election
The four-year term of our Board of Management is coming to an end later this month and I wish to thank the outgoing Board for their dedication and commitment to the school over the last number of years.
We propose to hold a meeting to elect parent nominees to the incoming Board in the School Hall on Tuesday, 14 November at 7.15. Nominations will be sought at the meeting from parents for persons to stand for election as parent nominees on the Board for both a mother’s panel and a father’s panel and a ballot held.
Parent’s Association
The PA are holding a meeting in the school on Tuesday, 14 November at 730pm (following the Parent Nominees to the BOM meeting process). All are welcome.
In other News,
The deadline for the Christmas Shoebox Appeal is this Friday morning, 9 November at 9.30am. If participating, please drop your box in to the School Office by then.
GAA coaching lessons will take place for all classes this term on Fridays of each week. Second and Fifth class pupils have started swimming lessons this term.
Details of a HSE Children’s Vaccination programme have been sent home with pupils in Snr Infants only. Please return your preference to the school in the enclosed envelope by the weekend.
We wish to congratulate our Debating Team on winning Round One of the Donegal Concern Debating Competition and we look forward to Round Two later this month.
The Parent-Teacher Meetings are scheduled for the afternoon/early evening of Thursday 23 November. Class teachers will arrange an appointment form in due course.
Guth Ghoill, an Irish language poetry event, is scheduled to be held in Downings on Saturday 1 December. Please let us know this week if your child is interested in participating.
Reminder: to refresh names on jumpers, t-shirts, coats, personal belongings etc; particularly needed by swimming groups as items of clothing mix-ups can often happen.
Reminder: No parents to drop/collect their child by car at the School Gate. This area is reserved for bus and staff parking only.
This Newsletter is also posted on www.kilmacrennanschool.com (under School News).
Kilmacrennan NS
Nuacht Litir na Samhna/ October Newsletter
Oct 3rd
Parents’ Association News: The Parents’ Association (PA) are holding the Annual Halloween Family Quiz in the School Hall on Thursday, 26 October at 7pm. All children attending must be accompanied by an adult. The PA ask for donations for prizes (biscuits, sweets, small vouchers etc). It’s €5 per family for the quiz. Raffle tickets will be sold on the night and there will be a tuck shop too.
Pupil Events: Well done to all who took part in the School’s Cross-Country event in Milford recently. Our U 9 Boys and Girls, our U 11 Boys and Girls and our U 13 Boys won Team Gold, while our U 13 Girls won team silver medals. Kilmacrennan NS won the Best Overall School Award on the day. The top four runners in each team qualify for the Donegal School’s Cross-Country Finals and this will take place in Inishowen in mid-October.
The school will participate in the Letterkenny District League (Soccer), with the first game scheduled for later this week. The School House Leagues are up and running for Fourth to Sixth with the First to Third Class League scheduled for next term.
Wainfest: A number of classes in our school will attend Wainfest Literary events this month; (details to follow). Pupils in Second and Fifth classes will partake in swimming lessons next term (details to follow).
Parent-Teacher Meetings: The SET teachers will schedule meetings of pupils availing of Learning Support or English as an Additional Language (EAL) in late October, while the PT meetings are scheduled for 23 November.
Board of Management News: We wish to welcome Fr Martin Chambers as the new Chairperson of our Board of Management, and wish him all the best in this role. We too wish to thank Fr Patrick Dunne, outgoing Chairperson, for his much valued dedication and service over the terms of the last two Boards of Management and wish him well in his new post. We too offer our sympathy and condolences to the families of the recently deceased Mrs Anne Gallagher, Churchill (who taught for approximately forty years in our school) and to Fr Conaghan, our former Chairperson.
The four-year term of the present Board of Management is due to end on 30 November. We will be in touch regarding the formation of a new Board shortly, with Parent Nominee meeting on 14 November.
Please note that we post an Agreed Report from each Board of Management meetings under the Parents’ dropbar.
Halloween Holidays: The school will close for the Halloween Holidays at 3pm on Friday 27 October and re-open on Monday 6 November. Pupils are free to dress up in Halloween costume on the day, if they so wish.
Parent Seminar
Sep 28th
Please find attached information about upcoming School Avoidance Seminar being hosted through Tusla Prevention Partnership and Family Support under Tusla Parent Support Champions Learning Communities Fund. The Seminar is aimed at parents where a child may already be starting to show signs of school avoidance and educators as well as support practitioners. This event takes place in Letterkenny on the morning of the 14th November. Feel free to share the event with parents. Booking through Eventbrite is essential.
