Here is a link to an interesting article about Tralee Educate Together’s use of computers. We should make contact with them to share experiences.
http://opensourceschools.org.uk/low-cost-ict-across-curriculum-tralee-primary.html

First of all many thanks to Ralph Depping for setting up the ICT category here on the school website.

ICT stands for Information Communications Technology so anything to do with computers, printers, scanners, projectors/interactive white boards etc. You may notice that these are all things you can touch and see (hardware).

ICT also includes many intangibles including software, training, support, and management.

Christine Donnery has brought together a group to advise and manage the school’s ICT. The first meeting was attended by Christine, Mick Robinson (parent and technical support), Eric Hurley (parent and Board of Management member), Siobhan Cronin (teacher with IT background) and myself, Donal O’Driscoll (parent and technical support).

The ICT group will advise the Board of Management on how the school spends the school’s ICT budget. Everyone including students, parents, teachers, and Board of Management must have full transparent access to the decision making process. We need answers to the following questions: what operating system should we use, what educational software should we use, what are we going to spend the school’s money on, and many more important decisions. Right now, we do not have a budget but will in the future. We have the opportunity now to carefully cost out a plan for the development of ICT at our school, to look at every angle and make sound decisions so that when we do get a budget we can spend it wisely.

Despite all the talk of smart economies, Ireland is way behind the leaders in its use of ICT in schools. Please become part of the debate and help Carrigaline Educate Together become a leader in its use of ICT.

The Parent Association is delighted to announce our spring fundraiser– a raffle with fantastic health & fitness prizes donated by parents and friends of CETNS.

Spring Fitness Raffle Prizes:

1^st: Cork Jersey, framed and signed by the 2010 Sam McGuire Cup winning team

2^nd: George Foreman Outdoor Grill worth €100

3^rd: 6 wks Golden Glow Yoga Course worth €60

4^th: Hamper from Barry Collins’ SuperValu worth €50

5^th & 6^th: ½hr Sports Massage Sessions worth €35 each

7^th& 8^th: Bike Services from Rothar worth €25 each

9^th: Voucher for The Pig’s Back, Douglas worth €20

The draw will be held on Saturday May 14^th at the school as part of our Family Eurovision Evening. There will be popcorn, spot prizes and lots of fun so come out and join us for an enjoyable evening together!

Lines cost €2 – every family will get a sheet of 20 lines, but more sheets are available in the school office so please take as many as you can sell. If you know of a shop that will sell lines for us, please let us know. We will also be selling lines in SuperValu on May 10^th & 11^th. Please sign up to give an hour or two – it really helps!

Proceeds from the raffle will go towards curriculum resources for science, art, sport, IT and more. Thanks to all who donated prizes and all parents for selling lines – All our children will benefit from your generosity!

The April edition of the CETNS Parent Association Newsletter is available online now. Click on the link for photos of CETNS families marching in the Paddy’s Day parade, pictures of the Student Council & their vegetable plot, news about our raffle and much more…