Dangan NS Parent Newsletter

I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, I hope that 2024 has been good to you so far. Please take a moment to read the following updates.

We have a very busy term ahead with a lot of extra curriculum activities beginning over the coming weeks.

• Swimming: 2nd & 3rd Class pupils have began their 8 week term of swimming lessons at the Aura in Trim. Swimming is an important element of the PE Curriculum and the children have really enjoyed their first lesson!

• Drumming with David at Dangan: On January 22nd, we will welcome David Day back to our school for a 6 week drumming workshop with all classes. Drumming workshops can greatly improve students motor skills. Playing the drums means that all four limbs must be coordinated to work together, requiring the player to use both sides of their brain simultaneously. The Parents Association are kindly paying for the first session with David. There is a 15 euro fee per family for the remaining five sessions, which can be made payable via Aladdin

• Spanish lessons: 5th and 6th Class pupils will begin Spanish lessons next Thursday as part of the Say Yes to Languages Initiative. The classes will run for 10 weeks and we all hope to have learned some words and phrases over the course of the lessons.

• Hurling and GAA: We have our GPO Neil visiting our school every Wednesday for Hurling Sessions with Junior Infants, 1st and 4th Class. He also visits us on Thursday for football sessions with 5th and 6th Class.

• Ukulele: 3rd and 4th Class are continuing their Ukulele with Josephine every Tuesday this Term, the boys and girls are making great progress and playing some lovely tunes!

• Peace Proms Workshop: The boys and girls involved in the Peace Proms choir will resume practice next week for their big show happening on Sunday February 4th at the RDS Arena.
  

We extend a warm welcome to Melissa, our new Special Needs Assistant, joining the staff. Melissa will primarily be working in the Junior Infant Setting, and we are thrilled to have her on board!

Catholic Schools will take place from Sunday 21 to Saturday 27 January 2024 on the theme of Catholic Schools as Communities of Service. On the Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week, we celebrate Grandparents. We would like to extend an invitation to the Grandparents of all pupils from First to Sixth Class to join us for Mass at 9:30am at Dangan Church on Wednesday, the 24th. While we hope to see many Grandparents in attendance, we understand if this is not feasible for everyone. On this day, we will be honoring all Grandparents, including those who are no longer with us.

The Junior Infant and Senior Infant Pupils are planning something special for their Grandparents also, we will follow up with more information very soon.

Pupils in 2nd Class who are due to receive their First Holy Communion in May are kindly reminded to submit their First Communion Enrolment forms to Fr. Vincent at the end of any Sunday Mass throughout the month of January. Fr. Vincent requests that all enrolment forms be submitted by Sunday, February 4th.

Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the Christmas Raffle held by the Parents Association before the holiday season. A total of €1300 was raised, and these funds will be used to purchase new Maths equipment, supporting the implementation of the New Curriculum set to officially commence next September. Thank you for your support!