11th September, 2019
Dear Parents,
As you may remember, the Board of Management ratified a new Communications Policy in recent years and this ‘link document’ was one of the measures devised to help facilitate good communication between school and home. The first of these documents was sent home last year and we hope it was informative and useful. We are sending this in hard copy to be absolutely sure that all parents receive it. We would be grateful if you would please read this, sign it and return to your child’s teacher. This document is also posted on the school’s website as well as being posted digitally via email to all parents.
Aladdin
Last year we upgraded to a higher version of Aladdin – the digital data processing package used by the school. Thank you to all parents that have downloaded the Aladdin Connect App. We feel that it is a much more effective way of communicating important information with you and it ensures that no messages get missed. While email is still being used to an extent, Aladdin is the primary tool for communication and we would like all parents to engage with it. If you have not yet registered for Aladdin Connect, please contact the office for assistance.
Email
Email again will be used within the Aladdin App. However, sometimes teachers may use email through a google account with parents. Our communications policy allows for this and it is the teacher who decides whether or not he/she will use this method. Some teachers find it convenient while others find it doesn’t always lend itself to clear communication. We ask parents to respect the decision of any teacher should they make either choice. Parents are welcome to raise any concerns with any teacher but are asked to contact the office and make an appointment to do so and this will be facilitated within one or two days.
Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying policies and Child Safeguarding Statement
Parents are reminded of the importance of being familiar with our Code of Behaviour and also our Anti-Bullying Policies. These outline clearly how positive behaviour is encouraged and how challenging situations are handled. We feel it is important to revisit this document every year so we would ask parents and guardians to read through this with your children in the coming weeks and discuss it with them. The policy includes a declaration for parents to show their engagement and support of this. We ask you to sign the end of this document to indicate that you have read and accept this policy.The Child Safeguarding Statement outlines how the school seeks to eliminate risk of harm to children and how disclosures of any concerns are dealt with. We would encourage parents to read this also.
Parent-Attended Assemblies
We value parents attending our monthly assemblies. It is a considerable support to the school which teachers appreciate and enables parents to get a glimpse of school life on a normal school day. We would encourage all parents who are able to, to come along and attend these. The dates for these assemblies for the year ahead are as follows: 4/10, 8/11, 5/12, 10/01, 7/02, 6/03, 1/05 and 12/06. The junior assembly (Junior Infants to 2nd class) takes place immediately after drop-off in the morning. The senior assembly happens at 10 45 am. Assemblies generally last about an hour.
Other important dates for the school community.
Parent-Teacher meetings will be facilitated on Thursdays 14th and 21st November. Parents will be prompted to use the Aladdin Connect App when booking their meetings near the time. Also, all schools must close for one school day in the first term to facilitate staff training with the Primary Language Curriculum. The exact date of this closure has yet to be decided. More information about this and Parent-Teacher meetings will be provided to parents nearer the time. In addition, our school puts together a ‘Whole School Events calendar’. This is currently being finalised and will be uploaded onto the school website under the calendar section. We will send a message to all parents when this has been put in place.
Protecting Children with Allergies
We have a number of children in our school with allergies and as such, we have a policy at our school which seeks to protect these children. This policy also puts in place measures that would respond to an emergency if this arose. This policy is called ‘Severe Allergies/Anaphylaxis Management Policy’. All parents are asked to be mindful of this and to ensure that their children do not bring to school any food products containing nuts or prepared in an environment where nuts might have been an ingredient of some other product.
Traffic
Thank you to all parents that have listened to our concerns and no longer drive into the school grounds in the morning or afternoon. We ask all parents to respect our traffic management policy. Parents are reminded that it is not permitted to drive into school grounds unless a permit has been sought and granted. Permits are granted if there is a mobility problem for either a child or their parent. This measure is in place in order to keep all children safe. Parents are also reminded not to park on the road outside the school itself. We have been informed by the Gardaí that cars who do so could be clamped or towed away.
Dogs
Parents are also reminded that for insurance and also health and safety reasons dogs are banned from the school grounds. Again an exception can be made for guide dogs and therapy dogs. Parents are asked to seek a permit from the school office if this is the case.
Complaints Procedure
Parents are reminded that the school has a complaints procedure. It is important that the steps outlined in this procedure are observed. This helps to ensure fairness for parents, teachers and children. The complaints procedure is outlined on the school website.
Updating Pupils’ Information.
Please contact the school if there has been a change with regard to any important information initially shared with the school. This could include parents’ mobile numbers; email addresses, postal address or any medical condition affecting the child. If there are any specific requests with regard to who is allowed to collect your child we would ask that you put this in writing and send it in to the office.
New Staff
We would like to welcome our new Deputy Principal, Brían Ó Luasa, our new 6th class teacher Eimear Delaney and our two new Special Needs Assistants, Lorraine Cabrol and Caroline Holland.
Our School Website
Finally, we would like to encourage parents to use the school website. All policies referred to in this document, as already stated, are to be found here. Parents are welcome to make contact and raise any concerns they might have in relation to these or any other matters to do with school organisation and arrangements.
Thank you for your ongoing support and attention,
Tomás
Please sign below to indicate your receipt of this document and also your awareness and acceptance of the school’s Code of Behaviour.
Name of child(ren) ________________________
Parent’s signature ________________________
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