Killeeneen N.S.

November 10, 2009

Dear Parents,

Please note the following items:


Phones for Boards
As you will know, Killeeneen National School is taking part in the Phones for Boards fundraiser in conjunction with The Jack & Jill Foundation. The idea is that the pupils and the parent body in the school collect old, unwanted mobile phones and bring them to the school. Killeeneen National School will then send these phones to the Jack & Jill Foundation, who will be able to use them to raise funds for their charity. The school will also benefit from the collection of mobile phones. As outlined in our previous letter, for every 500 phones collected, the school will be given an interactive whiteboard, projector, software, etc. We had been looking into purchasing further interactive whiteboards for the school, but, in the present climate, the funds are not available. Each Interactive White Board would cost 4500 euro if we were to purchase it right now. So, as you can see, it is really worthwhile making every effort to collect these old phones. As well as asking your immediate and extended family and friends, we would ask you to put a box (which we can supply) in your workplace and ask your work colleagues if they would be willing to donate their old phones.

Christmas Cards
As a school, we have decided to produce Christmas Cards for sale this year. So I would urge you to buy cards produced by all of the pupils of Killeeneen National School instead of at least some of the ones that you usually buy. These cards are being produced instead of the Christmas calendars that we have had for the past few years. The artwork on the cards will be produced by the children but the cards themselves will be made professionally by SNAP Printing. They will be of a high quality and will be reasonably priced. We would hope to have them available for purchase at the start of December. Let all your friends know so that they will support this project also! Every class will produce a number of different cards and every child in each class will be involved in the artwork. We will give you further information on this project as it progresses.

St. Vincent De Paul Society
For the last number of years, during the approach to Christmas, we have encouraged the younger children in the school to donate a used toy of their own to The Society of St. Vincent De Paul, while the older children put together shoe boxes for sending abroad. This year we have decided to devote our efforts entirely to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We have been in touch with them and they tell us that the need is very great indeed.
We propose to donate under two headings: Toys and Food.
Toys
Used toys in good condition will be appreciated. This is a good opportunity for your child to go through his/her own toys and choose to donate something that another child might enjoy.

New toys suitable for any age group from 6mths up to 12 yrs.
Price range: from 2 euro upwards.
Vouchers for older children/teenagers (eg. Zhivago, Sports shops, etc.)
It is best not to wrap the toys, as The St. Vincent de Paul volunteers will be sorting them into age groups and will need to see them in order to do so.

Food
Any non-perishable food items will be most welcome.
(Tea bags, coffee, sugar, beans, tinned fruit, cereals, selection boxes, crackers, chocolates, biscuits and sweets are some examples)
All items need to be at the school by Wednesday, Dec. 2, to allow for collection and distribution. Anything we give will be used for people in need in Galway.
You decide whether or not you wish to donate and in what way. This is an invitation only.


School Uniforms
A separate letter is being issued on paper to all families in an effort by the Board of Management to establish how parents feel about school uniforms. The letter debates some pros and cons regarding school uniforms. I would ask you to read it carefully and return the detachable slip by next Monday at the latest.


Yours sincerely,
______________________
Michael Browne,
School Principal