OUR LADY OF MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL, PEARSE ROAD, SLIGO

Scealta
NEWS AND INFORMATION : WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER
2010
1. WELCOME BACK:
A big welcome back to everyone and many thanks
for your co-operation with our re-opening
arrangements. We especially welcome the new
Junior Infants and all of the new pupils who have
joined various classes throughout the school. We
hope you will all be very happy in Our Lady of
Mercy.
2. GREEN SCHOOL:
We are raising our 5th Green Flag on tomorrow
Thursday 16th September at 12.00 noon. Matt
Lyons, Mayor of Sligo together with Imelda Ryan
Jones representing An Taisce will join us. Any
parents who are free are most welcome to attend.
Congratulations to all concerned.
3 FULL UNIFORM AND STREET SHOES:
Thanks to the vast majority of parents for your co-
operation with this request. We will be insisting on
full uniform, including tie, on all days except P.E.
days.
4. JUNIOR AND SENIOR INFANTS SCHOOL BAG:
How smart this looks but do remember it’s for
school books only. Please do not put lunch or
drinks into this bag.
5. BOOK RENTAL, ART AND CRAFTS AND
PHOTOCOPIER:
Please send this money (amount as indicated on
book list) to your child’s teacher as soon as
possible (see book list for amount requested). Míle
Buíochas.
6. AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
These will commence next Monday 20th
September.
7. HOMEWORK CLUB & BREAKFAST CLUB:
Breakfast club commenced last Monday 6th
September and Homework Club commenced on
Monday 13th September.
8. CHOIR:
Choir will resume practices this week. Once again
the choir will take part in the Hallelujah Concert in
Dublin in December. At present there are no choir
vacancies. Auditions will be held if extra places
become available. Many thanks to Ms Sheahan
assisted by Ms McGee for their continued support
in this area. It is a wonderful opportunity for the
children.
10. PUPIL PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE:
Forms have gone out to all homes. As you will see
from the letter, the fee remains the same as last
year at €5.00 per child for school only activities and
€8.00 per child for 24 hour cover. Your child is
covered from the date your money is received in
 the office until August 31st, 2011.
11. SCHOOL LUNCHES – CARAMBOLA:
A small snack fund has been sanctioned in addition
to the lunch scheme. This will enable us to supply
a snack at break time for approximately one term
only to the existing number of children who are
already availing of the scheme.
12.HEAD LICE:
Back to school time is such a busy time of year and as kids are reunited after the long summer break it can often be
the catalyst for a head lice outbreak. As it is possible to have head lice for months without realising it, the outbreak
may only be detected when it starts to spread. This is never a pleasant occurrence, particularly as people of any age
can get a head lice infection. We all know that head lice is passed through close head to head contact which often
occurs between children in school during close work and play. Head Lice can be caught in school or just as easily in
other social and family situations. Nevertheless, it is the teacher’s vigilance that typically identifies the outbreak in
school. You might like to visit HYPERLINK "http://www.headlice.ie" www.headlice.ie as this website will answer any
questions you may have and make sure you know how to efficiently treat your child. PLEASE CHECK FOR HEAD
LICE WEEKLY
13. HEAT & LIGHT CONTRIBUTIONS:
Letters will go to each home later this month.
14. WEIGHT OF SCHOOL BAGS:
This is an area of concern to us all. However, we
have a policy regarding the weight of school bags.
Children are asked to bring home only the books
they need to do their homework on any given night.
Teachers remind children of this regularly. There
are facilities for children to leave their books safely
in school. If you would like to see a short version of
the policy re weight of school bags, you will find
this in the Homework Journal - alternatively contact
the office for the complete document.
15. CREATIVE WRITING – 5TH 6TH CLASSES:
Due to the huge success of the Creative Writing
experience last year, we welcome back our Writer
in Residence, Mr. Gerry Boland. This is a “golden
opportunity” for all the children involved.
16. DISPLAY PANELS IN YARD:
Please check for up to date news and important
notices.
17. APPOINTMENTS:
As always, if you have any concerns and need to
meet the Principal or any member of staff, please
make an appointment with Maura or Peggy at
Secretary’s Office.
18. TEXT-A-PARENT:
Shortly you will be receiving a text from the school
under this scheme. Please ensure that the office
has your up-to-date mobile number. This will be
used in the event of a critical incident only.
P.T.O.
19. H.S.C.L.:
The H.S.C.L. Room is open on Monday mornings
for coffee and a chat with other parents. Courses
have been advertised so if you are interested
please return completed forms to Ms Sandra
McNulty as places are limited. Any suggestions for
courses or classes are gladly welcomed. Ms
McNulty is always looking for parents to take part in
various types of sessions with the children.
20. SCHOOL WEBSITE:
Our website is continuously updated, please visit
www.mercypssligo@eircom.net
21. MOLLY & JOSHUA:
Our Lady of Mercy adopted a donkey called Joshua and a pony called Molly during the summer months. Molly and
Joshua reside in the Donkey Sanctuary in Castlebaldwin in Co. Sligo. You might like to visit them or visit HYPERLINK
"http://www.donkeys.ie" www.donkeys.ie to find out more about our new friends. You can also see photographs of
them on the Parents Notice Board in the foyer.
22. CODE OF BEHAVIOUR:
We encourage all parents to re read this document
and encourage your child to adhere to its contents.
23. SMOKING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS:
Under no circumstances is smoking allowed on
school grounds. Parents / Guardians we would
appreciate your co-operation on this matter.
24. MOBILE NUMBER - 085 8057614:
We have purchased a mobile phone for the office.
You can contact us on this number – 085 8057614
25. SUMMER WORKS:
Progress is slow with this project due to weather
conditions. Every effort is being made to complete
the project successfully as soon as possible. We
will keep you informed.
26. CONGRATULATIONS:
Congratulations to Ms. McGee on the occasion of
her marriage to Richard Bourke during the
summer.
Congratulations to Ms. Jeanette Towey on the birth
of her baby boy, Rúairi and to Bernie O’Hehir on
the birth of her baby boy Adam.
Congratulations to Ms. Keaveney on her recent
engagement.
27. BEREAVEMENT:
We express our sincere sympathy to Claire
Callaghan on the death of her father Joe
Callaghan, who died during the summer. May he
rest in peace.

DATES TO REMEMBER.

MERCY DAY EARLY CLOSING FRIDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER

12.00 NOON SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12.00
MID TERM BREAK SCHOOL CLOSES FRIDAY 22ND
OCTOBER 2010 AND REOPENS
ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 1ST
2010 AT 8.50AM.
CHURCH HOLY DAY SCHOOL CLOSED WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 8th
2010 (HOLY DAY)
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS EARLY CLOSING SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12.00
NOON THURSDAY 23RD
DECEMBER 2010

________________________ _______________________
MARY FINAN ROSEMARY SHEAHAN
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Parents & Families,

As this is the last Scéalta I will be sending to you before I retire on September 24 th, I
thank you for your kindness and support throughout my career in Our Lady of Mercy.
Your continued co-operation has been much appreciated. I wish you all the very best
in the future.

Kind regards

_______________________