This policy was drawn up by a sub-committee, in November 2014, consisting of two teachers(Eleanor Ronayne & Ann Fitzgerald), the two parents representatives on the Board of Management (Shirley Roche & Pat Casey) and the officers of the Parents Association (Diane Roche, Christine Dalton & Linda Hegarty), in consultation with the Staff. Introduction The staff and Board of Management of Knockanore National School is committed to ensuring that every child receives a quality education. We very much acknowledge the role of parents as partners in education and as the primary educators of their children. We encourage them to be actively involved in the life of the school. Communication between school and home should be open and positive. We endeavour to create an open and welcoming atmosphere in our school. This policy outlines strategies adopted by the school to promote positive home-school relations.
Rationale: It was deemed necessary to devise a policy on parental involvement at this time to: Ø Benefit pupil learning Ø Promote partnership Ø In response to legislation Education Act, 1998; Education Welfare Act, 2000 Ø School Self Evaluation
Relationship to Mission Statement The mission of this school is to enable every child to develop spiritually, morally, intellectually, aesthetically, emotionally and physically to his/her full potential in a friendly, safe, and caring environment. This work can best be done where there is a high level of openness and co-operation between staff, parents and pupils. Aims: By introducing this policy the school community hopes Ø To build a school community committed to supporting all its pupils Ø To establish procedures for the sharing of information in relation to pupil progress and attainment Ø To enrich and extend the educational opportunities provided for pupils by accessing the skills and talents of parents
Parents as a group have a range of talents, abilities and skills that have the potential to enrich and extend the educational opportunities provided for the children. It is our policy to identify parents with specific skills and to invite those parents to share their skills with us at a school and a class level. Respect for the professional role of the teacher and the statutory responsibilities of the Principal, Patron and the Board of Management is always an important consideration.
Parental Involvement Parents are invited to become involved in the school in many ways and at many levels, for example: Ø Serving on school bodies (Board of Management, Parent Association) Ø Fundraising Ø Policy development Ø In the school/classroom during particular activities e.g. Aistear, sporting activities.
Providing transport
Parents’ Association We have an active and supportive Parents’ Association in our school. Our Principal attends some meetings to ensure effective communication between staff and parents is encouraged. The Chairperson/officers of the committee of the Parents’ Association has a meeting with the Principal after each Parents’ Association meeting to discuss pertinent issues. The two parent nominees on the Board of Management are also members of the committee of the Parents’ Association. The Parents’ Association organise events such as Cake Sale, Sponsored Walk, Quiz, to provide social occasions for parents/guardians to meet. They also provide teas etc. following school events such as First Holy Communion, 6th Class Mass, Green Flag raising ceremony etc.
Board of Management Our BOM is constituted of eight members, two of whom are Parent Representatives. These are elected following the Procedures and Guidelines for Boards of Management. At each Board of Management meeting, Parents’ Association Report is an item on the Agenda, which allows for communication between the Board of Management and the Parents Association.
Policy Consultation Parents are invited to take part in the review of organisational and curricular policies in the school. This is done either through the setting up of sub-committees for specific policies or questionnaires issued to all parents/guardians and/or consultation with the Parents Association. Parents are made aware of draft policies and when the policy is ratified by the Board of Management it is circulated to parents, as deemed necessary. A copy of all policies is available on request.
Parent/Teacher Communication Ø Parent Teacher Meetings Parents are welcome in our school and are encouraged to keep in regular contact with class teachers and learning support/resource teachers. We realise that early communication often prevents a later difficulty arising and is in the best interests of our pupils. Informal meetings are held as frequently as needed and parents are encouraged to (a) write a note in the homework journal if they wish to meet the teacher or (b) to arrange an appointment with the school secretary.
Homework Journals
Homework Journals are used to record Homework and for parents to sign, when checked. It contains the School Rules. Most importantly, Homework Journals provide an effective means of daily communication between parent and teacher from 1st Class to 6th. A homework folder is used in the Infant Classes.
Absence Notes
The Education Welfare Act came into operation in July 2002. According to the Act, parents must notify the school in writing of the reason for a child’s absence (Section 18) and schools are obliged to notify the Education Welfare Officer of absences exceeding 20 school days. (Section 21) If the ‘Explanation for Absence’ section, at the back of the Homework Diary is not filled in (Rang 1 – Rang 6) or a note is not supplied by the parents of Junior and Senior Infants, stating the reason for the absence, it is recorded as an ‘unexplained absence’.
Ø Enrolment When parents apply to enrol their child, they are given an Information Pack, which includes the School Booklet, this contains general information, some school policies and other relevant documents. They also receive the Code of Behaviour.
Ø Enrolment Application Form The Enrolment Form contains blanket consent forms regarding trips/outings etc. Parents give/do not give permission for the inclusion of their child’s photograph with the class or in groups in local newspapers, school website and/or school display. They inform the school of any special educational needs or medical conditions that the child may have and if any legal order under family law exists that the school should know about. The parents are requested to sign to say that they have read, accept and will support the Code of Behaviour.
Ø Induction Meeting for new parents An induction meeting is held each year, in June, for the parents of the incoming Junior Infant Class. Parents are invited to this meeting by letter. School information is given and pertinent policies are distributed and discussed. This meeting provides a forum to answer any questions that parents may have regarding their child’s learning and happiness. The newly enrolled Infants are also invited to attend an Induction Morning to meet the teacher and their new classmates and to familiarise themselves with the classroom and school routines.
Ø ’Beginning of Year’ Letter The Principal sends out a ‘Beginning of Year’ letter in September. It contains the School Calendar and a copy of the School Rules, which parents sign to show their acceptance of the Rules and their support in implementing them and other relevant information. Parents are also reminded of the importance of school attendance and punctuality in this letter.
Ø End of Year Report Cards Parents/Guardians receive an End of Year Report Card in June every year. This Report Card outlines each pupil’s progress for the year including his or her performance on Standardised Tests (1st to 6th). An NCCA explanatory letter is also included with the Report Card to explain test scores to parents.
Ø Code Of Behaviour When there is a breach of Code Of Behaviour and/or School Rules, parents may be informed, if this is deemed necessary.
Ø Concerns/Complaints Parents are encouraged to bring any concerns/complaints to the class teacher’s attention at an early stage, where it is expected that it will be dealt with in an atmosphere of mutual respect and in the best interest of the child. Individual concerns/complaints should not be discussed at Parents Association meetings. See Complaints Procedure. Appendix 1 (attached).
Data Protection
Records of complaints made by Parents/Guardians will be retained in accordance with the Records Retention scheme. Appendix 1
Text a Parent
The school has established a database of mobile phone numbers for parents on the textaparent.ie website. This facilitates the sending of text messages to all parents or specific groups of parents. The school is not responsible for non-delivery of texts.
School Events
The school hosts many events during the year to encourage the participation of parents/guardians in school life. Examples of these include School Masses, Green Flag raising ceremony, Book Fair, Christmas Concert etc. Parents are also encouraged to participate in the preparation of the children for the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. Occasionally the school/Parents Association will organise guest speakers on matters of relevance e.g. Healthy Eating, Internet Safety etc. The Board of Management requests that photographs or videos taken at school events be kept for private use and not be shared in the public domain
Success Criteria: Ø Benefit to Pupil Learning Ø Parental Involvement is increased in school activities Ø Feedback from parents/staff
Roles and Responsibilities: All members of staff, the Parents Association and the Board of Management are responsible for supporting, developing, implementing and evaluating this policy.
Review: This policy will be reviewed and, if necessary, amended, as the need arises
Implementation Date: December 2014
Ratification and Communication: Policy ratified by B.O.M on 26th November 2014.
and communicated to all parents in December 2014.
It will be given to new parents at the annual Induction Meeting in June.
Signed: Fr. Patrick Condon Chairperson Board of Management
Date: 26/11/14
Amended with reference to Data Protection Policy and ratified by the Board of Management on May 12th 2015
Signed: Fr. Patrick Condon Chairperson Board of Management