Dear Parents,

First Holy Communion Day is upon us. I hope that you are all looking forward to a great day. Making First Holy Communion is one of the highlights of the Catholic school year.

Very Reverend Fr Seamus Connell P.P. will preside over the ceremony. Mass starts at 1.00 p.m. and we request that the children be in their seats by 12.45 p.m.

Photographs may be taken after the ceremony in the church. Weather permitting  photographs may also be taken outside the church .

During the ceremony and for the duration of the Mass, to maintain the sanctity of the sacrament and in the best interest of the children, it is requested that everyone refrains from taking photographs.

The Church Car Park will not be able to accommodate the cars belonging to parents etc attending the ceremony. Arrangements have been made so that cars can be parked in Ladyswell National School Car Park behind the church. There is a short direct walkway to the church from the Car Park. The gate to the Car Park will be manned.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Very Reverend Fr Seamus Connell, the Parish Priest and Ms Aoife Mc Taggart & Ms Sarah Middleton, class teachers, for the work they have completed with your children in their preparation for the sacrament. Additionally we are all deeply indebted to the class teachers who prepare the choir, Ms Elizabeth Ann Kirwan who conducts the choir and Mr Liam Neary who accompanies the choir on the guitar.

Mr Vincent Cahill, a professional photographer, will attend the school on Tuesday 28^th May to take photographs of the First Holy Communion Children. Information regarding cost has been forwarded already. The children will be free to go home at 12.00 p.m. on Tuesday

The Parents’ Association are hosting a celebration for the First Holy Communicants  on Thursday 30^th of May in the school. I am deeply grateful to the parents who generously give of their time to organise this event for the children making First Holy Communion.

Is Mise Le Meas,

__________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide

Dear Parents,

Thank you so much for the books that have been donated to the school. Thanks to your generosity, we have collected almost 200 books which are currently being sorted so they can be added to the classroom libraries. We still need your help! If at any time you are clearing out books or toys that are in good condition (not soft toys), we would greatly appreciate if you would consider donating them to the school. Your ongoing support continues to help our school develop and grow. If you have any books/toys to donate, please contact Ms Connolly.

Ms. Orla Connolly

The following events are planned for the school for the remainder of the term:

23/5 4th/5th Tour.

27/5 1st Class Tour.

29/5 2nd Class Tour.

11/6  Junior Infants Tour.

12/6 Senior Infants Tour.

13/6 3rd Class Tour.

19/6 or 20/6 Sports Day.

26/5 6th Class Graduation.

We had a wonderful showing of Oliver at the school on Monday. Tha children really enjoyed themselves. The company , M & M productions, will return again on 21/5/2014 with another show and lessons on stagecraft for 6th class.Please keep an eye on the gallery for pictures. Many thanks to Ms Kirwan for updating the gallery.

We collected 846.67  for Downs Syndrome Ireland from pupils & staff during our "Ice cream" event! Many thanks to Laura McCarthy for organising this event again this year! Please keep an eye on the gallery for pictures of the event!

Dear Parents/Guardians

A special showing of the Musical Oliver Twist will take place in the school for the children from Third Class to Sixth Class only on Monday 13^th May, 2013 at 9.30 a.m. 

Please contribute €1.00 towards the cost of the show.   The show is being presented by M & M Productions.  

Yours sincerely

Liam Neary Deputy Principal

10^th May, 2013

Once again, St. Luke's has held a fun fundraiser for Down Syndrome Ireland. Sponsored by HB ice-cream, the children raised money for a great cause and got to eat some great ice-cream! Well done St. Luke's!

A reminder !

As and from Monday 13^th May  ONLY STAFF, OFFICIAL DISABILITY Sticker Holders and SETANTA personnel will have access to the car park at our school complex at school opening and closing times. The gates will be closed to all others.  If you have a car, we would suggest that you park away from the school and walk to the school.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please see attached notice regarding Slapped Cheek Disease. If you think your child has any of the symptoms, please take him/her to the doctor.If the doctor confirms that they have the disease, please inform the school.

Martin Kavanagh

(Principal)

What is slapped cheek disease?

Slapped cheek disease is sometimes called fifth disease or erythema infectiosum. It is an infection caused by the parvovirus B19 virus. It most commonly occurs in children aged 4-12 years, but anyone can be affected. It is infectious (can be passed on). The infectious period is for 4-20 days before the rash appears. By the time the rash develops, it is usually no longer infectious.

In the UK, April and May are the peak months for this condition. However, it may occur at any time.

The majority of adults in the UK have had this infection in the past, usually without realising it. You normally have slapped cheek disease only once in a lifetime. This is because you make antibodies during the infection which protect you from future infections with this same virus.

Note: pet dogs or cats can be immunised against parvovirus. However, these are animal parvoviruses which are different from parvovirus B19.

What are the symptoms of slapped cheek disease?

Rash

Typically, the rash looks like a bright red scald on one or both cheeks. It looks as if the cheek(s) have been slapped. Sometimes there is just a blotchy redness on the face. The rash is painless. 

Sometimes a more widespread faint rash appears on the body, arms, and legs. Occasionally, the rash on the face and body keeps fading and returning several times for up to four weeks. However, it is more common for the rash to come and go completely within a few days.

Other symptoms

Although the rash can look quite dramatic, the illness itself is usually mild. You will usually not feel too ill. You may have a headache or mild temperature (fever) for a few days before the rash appears. Occasionally, mild pain and stiffness develop in one or more joints for a few days. This is more common in adults than children.

You may have no symptoms

Around one in five people who become infected with this virus do not develop any symptoms at all. Some people just have a fever and feel generally unwell, without any rashes.

Are there any tests for slapped cheek disease?

This condition is usually diagnosed by the appearance of the classical rash on your cheeks.

A blood test is sometimes performed. This will show if you have the disease and can also show if you have had this disease in the past. If you have had the disease in the past (even if you had it without developing any symptoms) then you will be immune to it.

Are there any complications from slapped cheek disease?

Usually not. Rarely, the aching joint symptoms last for some time after the other symptoms have gone. 

The only times the illness may become more serious are:

• In children with some types of hereditary anaemia such as sickle cell disease, beta-thalassaemia and hereditary spherocytosis. This virus can cause these types of anaemia to become suddenly much worse.
• In people with a weakened immune system. If you have leukaemia or cancer, have had an organ transplant or have HIV infection then you may develop a more serious illness with this infection.
• In pregnant women. Most pregnant women are immune to this virus, or will not be seriously affected if they become infected by it. However, like some other viruses, the virus that causes slapped cheek disease can sometimes harm an unborn child. Miscarriage is more common in women who are infected with this virus before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, if you are pregnant, keep away from people who have slapped cheek disease. If you are pregnant and have been in contact with a person with the virus then your doctor may arrange for you to have a blood test.

What is the treatment?

You do not usually need any treatment. If you have a headache, temperature or aches and pains then painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen will help.

Those people who develop complications (which is very rare) may require other treatment.

Can slapped cheek disease be prevented?

There is no vaccine or treatment that prevents this infection. Frequent handwashing reduces the risk of this infection been transmitted to other people.

There is no benefit of not going to school (or work) if you have this infection as you are only infectious before you develop the rash.

EASTER RAFFLE

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported our recent Easter egg raffle. We raised €383 and were able to purchase a selection of P.E. and yard equipment for the children to use.

Many thanks for your continued support.

The junior infant children in room 7 have been taking part in the Sow and Grow project sponsored by Innocent Smoothies. You can follow their progress by clicking on the link below.

http://sowandgrow.innocentdrinks.ie/diary/?id=606

St Luke’s National School

Dear parents/guardians,

Each year the school likes to run a fund raiser in aid of a good charity. After the success of last year HB Ice Cream Day the school has decided to once again celebrate an Ice Cream Fun Day in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland.

Down Syndrome Ireland HB Fun Day: Friday 10^th May 2013

Each child is asked to bring in €2.00 which will be collected by the class teacher. It will be a non uniform day for all children who bring in the money. Children will also get some HB ice cream and wafers kindly supplied free of charge by Superquinn Tyrrelstown.

All money raised will go towards Down Syndrome Ireland and we will post the total collected around the school after the event. If your child has any food allergies please let us know in writing as soon as possible. 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thursday 9th May  - Junior Infant Introductory St. Lukes National School.

A meeting for new entrants to Junior Infants will be held in St Luke’s National School in the Gym, Tyrrelstown , at 8.00p.m. on Thursday 9th of May 2013. The previous note stated the meeting would take place a week earlier. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Dear Parents,

We need your help! We have been building up our library of books in our school for the past number of years. As you know,  access to a wide variety of books is hugely important to your child's education. If you have any children's books at home that your child no longer uses/needs (that are in good condition), we would be extremely grateful if you could donate them to the school. Any books donated will be put into the libraries in the classes throughout the school.

As we begin to develop our multi-sensory room, we are also looking for any unwanted beanbags.

We greatly appreciate your continued support in the development of our school.

4th class have entered a boys team and a girls team into a one-day basketball tournament.  The girls tournament takes place at the end of May and the boys tournament is at the start of June. This is our very first tournament and we're very excited about it!

Scoil Naomh Lucáis

(Formerly Mulhuddart N.S.)

22^nd  April 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thursday 9th May  - Junior Infant Introductory St. Lukes National School.

A meeting for new entrants to Junior Infants will be held in St Luke’s National School in the Gym, Tyrrelstown , at 8.00p.m. on Thursday 9th of May 2013.

This is an information evening for parents/guardians. It is a great opportunity for parents/guardians to learn about the school and become acquainted with the educational environment your child will be joining in September 2013.  The meeting is intended for parents/guardians only – there is no need for your child to attend.

Please bring €100 to cover the cost of Books etc. €8 is payable for insurance.

Representatives from The Parents Association will attend the meeting to

• Introduce the Parents’ Association

Light refreshments will be served after the meeting.

It is in the best interest of your child that you attend the meeting without your child.

Friday 14^th  June - Junior Infant Familiarisation Meeting

On Friday 14^th June a short gathering will be held in the school from 2.00p.m – 2.30p.m.. This gathering provides the opportunity for the children and the parents to familiarise themselves with the school, the classroom and the environment. Attendance at this meeting will assist your child in preparation for their first day at school.

It is in the best interest of your child that they attend this gathering.

I look forward to meeting you on Thursday the 2^nd May & Friday 14^th June .

Is Mise Le Meas,

____________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide

Glee Club Information

The children have been getting ready to sing in the choir for this year’s Confirmation. We will be taking the choir to the church on Monday and Friday next week for rehearsals. We will also be taking the children to the church on the Confirmation day itself which is Tuesday 30^th of April. Many thanks again to all the children for their hard work and dedication. If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me.

Ms. Middleton

Scoil Naomh Lucáis

17^th April 2013.

Dear Parents,

In the academic year 2011-2012 Mulhuddart National School, now St Luke’sNationalSchool,  completed a very successful Trócaire Box Lenten Campaign.

Many thanks to everyone who has returned their Trócaire Box to the school last year. Your generous support for the Trocaire Lenten Campaign helps the very needy people in the world – this year Trócaire will be giving support to the needy people inIndia.

We hope to be as successful this year, 2012-2013, in our Trócaire Lenten Campaign.

Please return your Trócaire Lenten Campaign Box to school, as soon as possible, and at the latest by Monday 29^th April 2013.

Is Mise Le Meas,

_______________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide

COMING AND GOING TO SCHOOL & CAR-PARKING

                   Dear Parents / Guardians   -   Wed. 17^th April 2013.

The Community Centre, St. Luke’s N.S. and Tyrrelestown E.T.N.S. meet regularly to review the safety of pupils at arrival and home-times. We are always open to suggestions to improve the situation in and around our complex.

1. Please consider walking or cycling when coming to school. If walking from home or from Tyrrelstown Town Centre you will need to prepare for the wet days, even in summer.

2. Please consider car-pooling and parking away from the school. Thank you for not parking in the BELGREE area. The roads are very narrow there and extra cars parked in Belgree cause safety concerns for children and disruption to residents.

3. From Monday 13^th May (4 weeks time) ONLY STAFF, OFFICIAL DISABILITY Sticker Holders and SETANTA personnel will have access to the car park at our school complex at school opening and closing times. The gates will be closed to all others.  If you have a car, we would suggest that you park away from the school and walk to the school.

4. We want to have our schools as accessible as possible at the start and finish to the school-day, especially for our infant pupils. We also appreciate that you may have younger children with you but we are constrained by the fact that the complex is in a cul-de-sac and that the car-park becomes dangerous when too many cars come in. We will review this arrangement before the summer holidays and your opinions are important.

Le Meas,

                   Martin Kavanagh –St.Luke’s N.S.

                   Maurice Hurley – Tyrrelstown E.T.N.S.

Scoil Naomh Lucáis

10^th  April  2013.

Dear Parents,

Please find attached the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacrament of the Eucharist Programme Outline.

First Holy Communion is the highlight of the Catholic school year.

Your child, whom you brought into the Catholic Faith through Baptism, now is preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The Teachers, the Parish Priest and I look forward to working with you and your child in their preparation for the Sacrament Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The children have put  a lot of effort into their preparation and your support during the preparation is vital to indicate  to them the value you place on the sacrament.

We look forward to three upcoming events as follows:

Is Mise Le Meas,

___________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide