Dear Parents/ Guardians,
I hope you had a lovely Easter break.
Wellbeing Week
This week we are celebrating everyone’s wellbeing and Ms Nolan, along with Ms. Doherty and Ms. O’Loughlin organised a fun filled and enjoyable week. As part of this on Friday 12th April, we will celebrate Colours Day where all the children can dress up in colourful clothes/ their own clothes. We will collect 2 euro per child or 3 euro per family where the proceeds will go towards Pieta House and Special Olympics Ireland. Children can give the money to their class teacher tomorrow. Your support is very much appreciated. Míle buíochas.
Fun Run
Our PA will hold our annual fun run this Sunday 14th April at 9.30am in Lucan Harriers Athletic track. It is a 2km run and a great opportunity to get the family together. Registered pupils of St. Thomas’ JNS will receive a t-shirt, medal, and refreshments. Registration is through Aladdin €10 for 1 child and €15 for two or more children. We have had a few queries about siblings in Scoil Áine participating in the fun run. We also have a sibling fun run collection where a sibling in Scoil Aine can be registered as a sibling of X in St. Thomas’ JNS and can participate in the fun run. If you have any difficulties with this, please contact us on info@stthomasjns.com or the PA directly on their Facebook page. Please register in advance to ensure your child receives his/her t-shirt and medal. It would be lovely to see you all for fun morning!
Names on coats We ask that all parents write their child’s name on their child’s school cardigan/jumper and coats please because as the weather improves, children will want to take off their coats when running around on yard. Having their name on their clothing ensures we can return clothing to its rightful owner.
Eircode We are updating our database and ask you to update your address to include your Eircode please. This is an important piece of information that the DES require us to have. Please update your Eircode at the bottom of the address bar yourself over the next two weeks using the Aladdin app.
Hot School Meals
I hope all the children have enjoyed their first week of hot lunches. You have to select your child’s hot lunches on a weekly basis. All choices need to be edited before Friday 12 midnight for the following week. If a child wants to opt out and not get a hot meal, please email Carambola at info@carambola.ie or call 061 500200 to inform them. If anyone has an issue with the menu please contact Carambola.
Please note, that the hot lunch is for big break only so children need to bring a drink and a snack for small break with them to school.
School Closures
We will close on Friday 3rd May (normal times) for Mid Term Break and will reopen on Monday 13th May.
We will be closed on Tuesday 28th May for staff training on the New Primary Maths Curriculum and Friday 7th June for European and local elections.
Afterschool Clubs
Smiling Soul Kids yoga will start on Tuesday the 16th of April – 30th of April for 3 weeks in Room 19 and again from Tuesday May 14th to Tuesday 11th of June. Available for all classes. Kids yoga gives children an opportunity to explore body and mind while gaining strength, flexibility and balance through fun positive and relaxing activities. They will benefit from learning life skills, which would help them to cope with stressful situations and build self-esteem and can enhance creativity. Children will also take part in:
- Mindfulness and relaxation
- Breathing techniques
- Art and journaling
For more details and to secure a place please contact Ms. Doherty at smilingsoulkidsyoga@gmail.com
STEM CLUB Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. 60 Euro for 6 weeks. Thursdays 2.40pm – 4pm. Lego, Coding, Science Experience, Design and Making. Please contact eskerlegoclub@gmail.com
Speech and Drama Club runs in the school on a Monday afternoon from 2.40 -3.45 for 1st and 2nd second classes. A new term will start on Monday 15th of April. To register your interest and find out more information please email eskerdramaclub@gmail.com
Benefits include:
- Development of oral language and expression skills.
- Gain confidence speaking to an audience
- Develop imagination skills and allow children an opportunity to discover their own creative styles through role play, drama games and oral language activities.
*Clubs are run independently from St Thomas JNS.
New Drama Classes
Every Tuesday 4-5pm: infants to 2nd class, 5-6pm: 3rd to 6th class. New term beginning in April. €100 per term. These classes are facilitated by fully Garda vetted primary school teachers and they will enable children to develop their social skills, communication, listening teamwork skills and self-confidence through fun and improvisation activities. Spaces are limited, call or text Molly at 0860605401 for more information or to book a space.
Teresa Moynihan
Principal