Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are keeping well. Our news this week is as follows

• Preparations for the Christmas plays/performances is continuing. We are delighted to be able to invite you to attend your child’s performance this year. Due to limited space in the hall we ask that you only attend your own child’s performance. The date is Tuesday 20^th December and the times for classes is as follows

While you may wish to take a photo of your child we ask that as per our school’s Data Protection Policy photos and videos are for your own use and are not shared on social media. We thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

• Following the recent spell of cold weather we ask that you make sure your child has a coat in school every day. If there is a thaw and the yard is not icy we will be going outside for fresh air at break times.
• The Parents’ Association have organised a raffle for each class to take place on Wednesday. There will be a prize of a hamper for each class. Tickets cost €2 for one and 3 for €5. There will also be a draw for a family hamper to take place after the performances on Tuesday. Tickets will be on sale on Tuesday.
• St Tolas will close for the Christmas break on Wednesday next 21^st December at 12p.m. The school will reopen on Thursday 5^th January at 9a.m. We wish all pupils, parents/guardians and staff a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Nollaig shona daoibh go léir.

Kind regards,

Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are well as we head into December. Our news this week is as follows

• Juniors to 3^rd classes are busy getting ready for their Christmas performances. 4^th – 6^th class are practising their songs from Peace Proms. We are delighted that this year we will be able to perform for you. The class performances will take place on Tuesday 20^th December. We will send out a timetable as soon as we can. Unfortunately our hall has reduced in size so we ask that you attend your own child’s performance only as space will be tight in the hall.
• Shannon Library have organised a series of events for Familytime in  December . All events can be booked at www.clarelibrary.ie under events

Saturday 3^rd December at 11.00am:

Christmas Family Draw-Along with artist & illustrator Aidan Courtney

Suitable for All Ages

Saturday 10^th December at 12.45pm

Christmas Creative Writing Workshop with author Maeve Devoy

For Ages 5 Plus with their Families

Saturday 17^th December at 11.00am

Christmas Storytime & Craft for 3 to 6 year olds

Tuesday 20^th December at 7.00pm

Christmas Carols with Non Nobis Domine Choir

• Following on from our Internet safety workshops organised last week it is apparent that many pupils use and enjoy TikTok. Please find attached a parent guide to TikTok that may be helpful for you.
• Thank you to Little Acorns Playschool who donated €200 to our fund to kit out our sensory room. The money raised was from their pyjama day which they held recently.
•  Junior Achievement have invited 6^th class on a class trip next Thursday 8^th December to General Motors Limerick. They will take part in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) workshop, have career talks and tour the plant. All expenses are being covered by Junior Achievement. We congratulate Junior Achievement also on being a Nobel Peace Prize nominee this year also and wish them well.  We hope 6^th class enjoy this trip and find it informative.
• We are looking for a part time bus escort starting in January 2023 to June 2023. If you or someone you know may be interested in this role please contact the school office for further details.

Kind regards,

Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal