Parents' Association Welcome

From The Parents’ Association of St Vincent DePaul Infant and Girls’ Schools

Hi there,  

My name is Eve O'Donnell and I am the new chairperson of your Parents' Association. I am a parent to a girl in each school.  I look forward to supporting both schools, and thereby my girls, over the months ahead through the PA. 

So far, there are 4 of us on the committee, Claire Fitzpatrick (vice-chair), Tracy O'Donoghue, (Secretary/Communications) and Justyna Mullin (treasurer) but we are always open to having more members on this committee.

There is enormous value to the schools, and to the children, in enabling the enthusiasm of parents and guardians to become involved in their children's school development. To help outline these benefits and the variety of ways to do this, we (the committee) have organised an information evening hosted by the National Parents' Council on Wednesday 14th November. It will be held in the downstairs staff room from 7.30pm - 9 pm. All are very much welcome. 

To find out more about the National Parents' Council and all the resources they have to offer, you can find them at www.npc.ie

We also thought it would be helpful to parents to know that on the dates of 28/29/30th November we will be collecting for the SVP Giving tree in the school. This is an opportunity for the children to donate a Christmas toy/gift (unwrapped) to families who may be struggling financially in the lead up to Christmas. It's also nice to note that these presents are donated within our wider community. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. To find out more about all the interesting happenings around the schools and the workings of the Parents Association, please read the minutes of our last PA meeting below. (Thanks Tracy :))

All the best, 

Eve

St Vincent de Paul Girls and Infant school Parents Association Meeting

Date:                        Tuesday, 6^th November 2018

Attendees:          Claire McDonnell, Joanne Clancy, Claire Fitzpatrick (Vice Chair), John White, Paul McKinley, Patrick Johnston, Mary Mulligan, Aisling O’Meara, Justyna Mullin (Treasurer), Eve O’Donnell (Chair), Tracy O’Donoghue (Secretary)

New committee:

1. Chairperson: Eve O’Donnell
2. Vice-Chair: Claire Fitzpatrick
3. Secretary/Communications officer: Tracy O’Donoghue
4. Treasurer: Justyna Mullin

Agenda:

1. Status of Parents Association

• Board of Management decided not to divide the PA; it will stay as one

1. National Parents Council Information Evening

• Wednesday, 14^th November 2018 @ 7.30pm in the downstairs staff room (TBC)
• Training to cover topics such as the role and function of a PA, the committee, working in partnership with the school and increasing parental involvement/communication.

1. School Reports

1. Infant School – Mary Mulligan

• Change to Admission Policy updated on the school website (baptism cert no longer required)
• Active Schools Flag Initiative being led by Ms Owens, room 5
  1. the process aims to get schools more active, more often
  2. children to be allowed to run in the yard
• Office 365 being implemented
  1. SharePoint platform will enable better collaboration and planning for teachers and staff and eventually parents.
• Fire drill was completed on Thursday, 1^st November 2018
• Windows replaced in school, further restoration to be completed next year
• Other works completed: Dedicated Sensory Room, bench in yard extended, basketball posts removed.
• Request for volunteers to paint murals in the yard
• Request made to PA to fund:
  1. Digital Strategy & E-Learning Plan – 15 iPads @ €400 = €6,000
  2. Next level Guided Reading books – 12 sets of 40 books = €2,500
• There is a surplus of second-hand uniform sales in the shed. It was agreed there should be continuous sales held throughout the year.

1. Girls School – Eve O’Donnell (on behalf of Mr McElwain)

• Primary Language Curriculum in-service day took place on 5^th November
• The school is to apply for the Active Schools Flag. Ms Mulvey and Ms O’Flynn are forming a committee to steer the initiative which will include two representatives from each class.
• Ms O’Dwyer has taken over from Mr Salmon in 4^th class until Easter when Ms Mooney is due to return after her maternity leave.
• Ms Beadnall has taken over from Ms Edwards in 4^th class until the end of the school year.
• There will be a yoga day on Friday 9^th November with yoga instructor and past pupil Aoife Moore.
• Science Week runs from 12^th to 16^th Lots of activities planned including a Marine Science workshop for 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th classes and a Forensic Science workshop for 5^th and 6^th classes.
• 6^th classes will begin a tag rugby module organised through the IRFU on 12^th November
• 3^rd and 4^th class teams will take part in an indoor soccer tournament in Ballymun Comprehensive School on 13^th November
• Graffiti Classics string quartet show will be visiting on 20^th November
• Annual Book Fair will be with us for a week from 26^th November
• Parent Teacher Meetings are scheduled for 27^th/28^th November

1. Board of Management Reports

• Supportive of the PA and thankful for its efforts

1. Fundraising

1. School calendar – Patrick Johnston

• Calendars to be delivered Friday, 7^th December (TBC)
• Sales commencing Monday, 10^th December
• 2-3 volunteers needed to sell calendars in the morning and at collection
• PA to get volunteers
• Calendar art competition – winners to receive a framed copy of submission and certificate

1. Bag 2 School Clothing collection – Aisling O’Meara

• Date in January to be organised and communicated

1. Upcoming Events

1. Graffiti Classics String Quartet: Tuesday, 20^th November
2. SVP Giving Tree. 3 days giving (November 28, 29, 30^th)

• John White leading the event.

1. Tuesday, 18^th December – puppet show in Infant school
2. Santa Visit

• Wednesday, 19^th December (TBC)
• 2-3 volunteers needed for the event

1. Christmas Art Competition

• Each classroom to receive a folder to collect submissions - Eve O’Donnell
• €10 Easons vouchers as prizes (1 per classroom) - Eve O’Donnell
• Artist Paul McKinley to judge submissions

1. Treasurer’s Report

-Account balance >€5,000

-Upcoming expenses: Public Liability Insurance, calendar printing

1. School Hall Kitchen – Louise McAuliffe (absent)

-no update

1. Other

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