We're having a great week of reading in school this week. Take a look at some of the parent reading sessions that have taken place. There's plenty more to come! Friday is "Dress up as your Favourite Book Character" Day.

Mother Language and Book Week takes place in school this week.
 
To celebrate the joy of books and storytelling here’s some of what has been organised:
 
1. Dress-up as a Book Character on Friday 2nd December:
Come to school dressed as your favourite book character! If you have the book, bring that too! (Remember to put your name on your book before you bring it to school!)
 
2. Mother Language Stories:
Parents and grandparents have signed up to read to the children this week. If you signed up, thank you! These reading sessions will take place in our new school library. We’re looking forward to hearing lots of lovely stories told in different languages.
 
3. Morning Poetry Readings:
Every morning this week, the children will be treated to a morning poetry reading over the school PA system.
 
4. Scholastic Book Fair….last chance:
The Scholastic Book Fair will close on Tuesday 29th November at 14:30. Don’t miss out on purchasing books and supporting the school.
 
 
Enjoy the week!
 
Kind regards,
The Book Week Team

Kumon classes have begun in Citywest. Kumon run maths and English classes for pupils of all ages, with classes being facilitated all around Ireland. 
The aim of the programme is to develop the independent learning skills of each pupil and to foster a positive attitude towards learning. 

Gerry Burke, a Kumon-trained instructor is now running classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Citywest. 
To learn more about Kumon, or to sign up for classes, click here.

You can also contact Gerry at citywest@kumoncentre.ie or on 01 6241738.

Our clothes collections were such a success last year that we are going to run a clothes collection all year round!

Please bring your old, unwanted clothes, shoes, belts, and handbags (bagged up, clean, and reusable) to the drop off point in the GP space of the new wing.

Bring as many bags as you like and as often as you like. It's the hassle-free way to do a clear-out at home and help to raise much needed funds for the school.

As the weather gets colder and as we get closer to a season of thoughtfulness and giving in our community, we are delighted support and encourage our school community, led by parents Lisa Breslin and Ivonne Mirales, in supporting the shoebox appeal run by Inner City Helping Homeless in conjunction with LUAS. We hope to send off as many shoe boxes and gift bags as possible to aid this very special appeal.

What we are looking for are some small items so that we can put gift boxes together. Please see the suggestion list below: 

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste 
• Roll-on deodorant
• Shower gel/Shampoo
• Small brush/comb
• Wet wipes 
• Hand/Body Lotion
• Female Hygiene Products
• Socks
• Underwear**
• Sweets/chocolate

We also need empty shoe boxes, gift bags and festive wrapping paper.


 *Please do not put razors, aerosols, hand sanitiser, perfume or aftershave into the boxes. 

**As underwear varies in size and style, we suggest a small voucher e.g. €5 for a clothes store such as Dunnes Stores or Penneys instead so that the receiver can choose the right size and style for them. 

If you would like to compose and create a completed box as a family, please do so and drop it into the box in the school foyer no later than 3rd December. It will take us time to put everything together and deliver them to the appeal so the earlier items are donated the better!

Or if you have any surplus of the listed items we would also be so grateful and appreciative of your wonderful donations. 

Feel free to add a card or a message to your Shoebox and any other small practical items as the list above contains just suggestions. 

"The Scholastic Book Fair will be arriving at our school this week! Scholastic have a huge range of books for all ages and all interests that you can take a look at here. This is a great opportunity to encourage your child to read. The fair will be held in the GP space in the new wing of the school and will be open to all at the following times:
Thursday 24th November:
12:45 - 13:30
13:45 - 14:40
Friday 25th, Monday 28th, and Tuesday 29th November:
08:15 - 09:15
12:45 - 13:30
13:45 - 14:30
If you or your child come to the fair and the book you want is not available, we can order it for you (if Scholastic have it in stock), just ask one of the volunteers at the fair.
We are still looking for more volunteers. If you have just 45 minutes to spare on any of the days that the fair will be running please support by signing up here, or on the homepage.
The fair is also an opportunity to help the school by building up our school library – every book bought at the fair helps to get free books for the school! The fair was a huge success last year and enjoyed by all. We look forward to seeing you at this year's fair!
Thank you,
The Scholastic Book Fair Team

Did you see that we have another trip for adults planned? Book your place on the trip here!

 The mathematics curriculum consists of five strands 

• Number
• Algebra
• Shape & Space 
• Measures 
• Data 

there is also an additional strand associated with the infant curriculum

• Early Mathematical Activities 

Take a look at some of the work that as been going on at all levels of the school and across all strands so far this year. 

Junior Infants, Senior Infants and 1st class have been learning about 2-D and 3-D shapes. Claire's class explored 2-D & 3-D shape using polydrons, Junior Infants made 2-D shapes using lollipop sticks and string. Orla's class and Martha's class made 2-D shape monsters. 4th class extended their learning in Shape & Space by making an obstacle course for the Bee Bots. 

3rd class and Junior Infants have been  learning about data. 3rd class are learning how to create and represent data using block charts and bar charts. Junior Infants created a bar chart based on their favourite 2-D shape. 

​Lots of classes around the school are learning about Number. Senior Infants have been learning about the  number 6 and combining sets of number to make 6. First class have also been combining sets of number with their shoes!!!!!! 2nd class are busy learning their tables and using Dienes blocks to add 2 digit numbers together. 

The curriculum that Educate Together have laid out for schools to follow for Ethical Education is called 'Learn Together'. The Learn Together curriculum encompasses four strands: 

• Belief Systems
• Equality & Justice
• Ethics & the Environment
• Moral & Spiritual

Take a look at some of the work that has been going on at all levels of the school, and across all of the four strands.

Fourth Class put democracy in action by having a debate about whether to keep Class Dojo in their class!

Healthy Living Week was a great opportunity to focus on spiritual development - children in Claire's Class and Orla's Class practised mindfulness, Jenna's Class read a book about feelings. 

​Martha's Class looked at the effects Autumn in the natural environment.

As a part of the ongoing campaign for a second level Educate Together school in our area, all classes have prepared a submission to the Minister for Education. The campaign group will pass it to the Minister on our behalf. Take a look at the poster Sarah's Class put together!

In looking at world belief systems, Aoife's Class learned about various creation stories from around the globe, and put together this fabulous display about The Golden Rule in various belief systems.

First day of the new half-term saw some very busy and frantic preparations taking place all morning, with school staff, builders and landlord all working together to make everything was just right!

We are thrilled with our new rooms and were very excited to move in today.

The corridor was extended to the right at the end of the GP Hall - it looks so good, its already hard now to remember how it used to be!