Introduction:
The Board of Management and staff of Scoil Mhuire, Presentation Primary School, Parnell Street, Kilkenny genuinely value the wonderful relationship we share with the parents/guardians of the children in our school. We strive to ensure that the core values of respect, empathy and trust underpinning the relationship are maintained and nurtured.
The Board of Management and staff fully endorse the following statement in the Primary Curriculum:
“Parents are the child’s primary educators, and the life of the home is the most potent factor in his or her development during the primary school years…..”
Regular consultation with parents helps teachers to come to a deeper appreciation of children’s needs and so to plan more effective learning experiences. It also provides the means by which teachers keep parents fully informed about children’s progress. Good communication between parents and school helps build a shared understanding of the principles of the curriculum, the learning goals of the school and the approaches and methodologies it adopts…..
In a more general context, the involvement of parents in the organisational planning of the curriculum and their active participation in the life of the school enhances co-operation and interaction between home and school. Parents also have a special contribution to make in creating and fostering a positive school spirit in which all members of the school community can feel a sense of belonging and have an interest in the school’s development.
Aims:
1. The Board of Management and staff fully accept that parents/guardians are the primary educators of their children.
2. Scoil Mhuire, Presentation Primary School promotes positive practical collaboration and co-operation with parents that result in improved teaching and learning opportunities for the children.
3. Management and staff are committed to open, honest and frequent communication with Parents/guardians.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Guidelines/Ways to become involved:
Parents are invited to become involved in the school in many ways and at many levels, for example:
The Board of Management and staff of Scoil Mhuire, Presentation Primary School, Parnell Street, Kilkenny genuinely value the wonderful relationship we share with the parents/guardians of the children in our school. We strive to ensure that the core values of respect, empathy and trust underpinning the relationship are maintained and nurtured.
The Board of Management and staff fully endorse the following statement in the Primary Curriculum:
“Parents are the child’s primary educators, and the life of the home is the most potent factor in his or her development during the primary school years…..”
Regular consultation with parents helps teachers to come to a deeper appreciation of children’s needs and so to plan more effective learning experiences. It also provides the means by which teachers keep parents fully informed about children’s progress. Good communication between parents and school helps build a shared understanding of the principles of the curriculum, the learning goals of the school and the approaches and methodologies it adopts…..
In a more general context, the involvement of parents in the organisational planning of the curriculum and their active participation in the life of the school enhances co-operation and interaction between home and school. Parents also have a special contribution to make in creating and fostering a positive school spirit in which all members of the school community can feel a sense of belonging and have an interest in the school’s development.
Aims:
1. The Board of Management and staff fully accept that parents/guardians are the primary educators of their children.
2. Scoil Mhuire, Presentation Primary School promotes positive practical collaboration and co-operation with parents that result in improved teaching and learning opportunities for the children.
3. Management and staff are committed to open, honest and frequent communication with Parents/guardians.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Guidelines/Ways to become involved:
Parents are invited to become involved in the school in many ways and at many levels, for example:
- Serving on school bodies (Board of Management, Parent Association).
- Policy development e.g. Code of Behaviour, Relationships and Sexuality Education:
- Homework, Healthy Lunch Policy etc.
- In the school during particular activities e.g. helping out at and coaching sporting activities, the school Book Fair, Sports Day, Concerts.
- Fundraising.
We have an active and supportive Parents’ Association in our school. The Principal, staff and Board of Management of Scoil Mhuire, Presentation Primary School are fully encouraging of the Parent’s Council in the school. We welcome and listen to their input on school matters and assist in fundraising activities.
The Parent Council functions in accordance with the guidelines set out in the National Parents Council publication called Working Effectively as a Parent Association.
The Parent Council meet regularly during the school year and all parents are invited to attend. Parents have an opportunity to suggest items to be placed on the agenda before the meeting.
The Parent Council also help teachers to run fundraising events such as Bag Pack, Christmas Concert, Raffle, Fun Day, Sports Day and other events throughout the year. Occasionally they organise their own fundraising events.
Board of Management:
Our Board of Management is constituted of eight members, two of whom are Parent Representatives. These are elected following the Procedures and Guidelines for Boards of Management.
Policy Development/Consultation:
Parents are invited to take part in the review of policies in the school. Parental consultation regarding policies where appropriate is conducted through various methods including during Parents’ Council meetings. Parents are made aware of draft policies on our school website and a hard copy is also available on request. On occasion parents may be invited to form a subcommittee in the formulation/revision of certain policies e.g. RSE.
Curriculum:
- Parents are informed on curricular updates on an ongoing basis as the school recognises the importance of the parental role in supporting the learning of the child and the school plan.
- Parents support the child’s learning in many ways – by communicating to the school the child’s learning needs and progress/barriers to progress, through homework, shared reading, spelling, independent reading, language development, preserving and raising self esteem of the child, approaches to number operations, maths language, tables, ag spreagadh na paisti chun gaeilge a labhairt sa bhaile, poetry, local history, local geography, environmental awareness, living things etc.
- S.E.N. Support: Learning Support and Special Needs; Parents are facilitated on an on-going basis to support their child’s learning needs etc.
- The S.E.N. teachers consult with parents and class teachers when drawing up student support files. An agreed amount of general and specific targets are set. Parents and teachers sign an agreed support plan. Parents are informed of their child’s progress and are involved in the review and continuation of the plan at the end of each instructional period.
- Extra Curricular Activities: Parents play an important role in supporting teachers to develop, promote and manage extra-curricular activities e.g. sports, dance, music etc.
Communication
We realise the importance of early and honest communication with parents and parents are invited to attend formal parent teacher meetings in the first term to discuss their child’s progress academically and socially. The support teachers in the school are also available to meet parents on that day. This is in accordance with Circular 14/04. To meet the needs of parents who are unavailable to meet parents on the selected dates an arrangement is in place to organise a meeting on a day that suits all parties involved. Informal meetings are held as frequently as needed and parents are encouraged (a) write a note in the homework journal if they wish to meet the teacher or (b) to arrange an appointment if the matter requires more time.
Parent Teacher Meetings:
Formal Parent/Teacher meetings will be held once a year for all classes (Circular 14/04). Where possible, they will be held in the first term. They will be initiated by the school staff and details regarding time etc will be worked out in consultation with the parents. The school will co-ordinate times where siblings are concerned and also where pupils are attending learning support/resource. The teachers use prepared guidelines for the
meetings and collaborate in advance about the progress of individual children. A short written record of the meeting is maintained by each teacher. Separated parents will be facilitated in meeting the teacher individually if they wish to do so.
The purpose of the Parent/Teacher meeting is:
- To establish and maintain good communication between the school and parents.
- To let parents know how their children are progressing in school.
- To help teachers/parents get to know the children better as individuals.
- To help children realise that home and school are working together.
- To share with the parent any concerns the teacher may have about the child.
- To learn more about the child from the parents’ perspective.
- To learn more about parental opinions on what the school is doing.
- To identify ways in which parents can help their children.
- To negotiate jointly decisions about the child’s education.
- To inform the parents of standardised test results according to school policy.
Aside from the Parent/Teacher meeting Parents are also welcome to make an appointment anytime throughout the school year. If a parent wishes to consult with a teacher he/she can contact the school office to arrange a suitable time.
It is vital that the school is immediately informed if family events/situations occur that cause anxiety to your child and therefore may affect his/her education and well being in school e.g. bereavement, separation, illness etc.
Homework Diaries/Notes home:
Homework diaries are used from 2nd class to 6th class as an effective means of communication between parent and teacher. In the infant classroom parents are asked to check their child’s bag every night for notes. These provide an effective means of daily communication between parent and teacher. Notes are sent home regularly to keep parents informed of school developments. All notes home are stapled into homework diaries so that parents receive them.
Homework diaries are used from 2nd class to 6th class as an effective means of communication between parent and teacher. In the infant classroom parents are asked to check their child’s bag every night for notes. These provide an effective means of daily communication between parent and teacher. Notes are sent home regularly to keep parents informed of school developments. All notes home are stapled into homework diaries so that parents receive them.
Welcome Letter:
The Principal sends out a ‘Welcome Letter’ at the start of the school year. Parents are also reminded of the importance of school attendance and punctuality in this letter. The incoming junior infant pupils and their parents are invited into the school for an open day in June. Parents are invited by letter. Parents receive an Induction Pack on this day. School policies and information are provided. This meeting also provides a forum to allay any fears they may have regarding their child’s learning and happiness. Parents are made aware that Scoil Mhuire, Presentation Primary school is a very open school that encourages and fosters good communication between all the partners in education. Parents’ questions are invited and answered at this meeting. Early in September an information meeting for new parents is held. Principal and infant teachers attend and information is provided on how Scoil Mhuire operates and the content of the primary curriculum is explained with particular emphasis on the infant programme. Teas and coffees are provided afterwards by the Parent Council. 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 – 6th). Parents are directed to the school website to find out more about standardised testing. On the first morning the new infant comes to the school the Parent Council organises teas/coffees in the hall and chat to the new parents in an attempt to make the first day more stress free.
Website:
This is an excellent means of communication between parents and school. All organisational policies that are of relevance to parents are in the Policies section under the Parents Information. When these draft policies go on the website, parents are invited to suggest additions and amendments to the policy. The website is used to celebrate activities, achievements, examples of pupils’ work etc. in the school and also to disseminate information and school news. It is updated regularly.
Newsletter:
Parents receive newsletters regularly throughout the year. They are kept informed of all the schools activities/achievements. Parent Council contribute to these newsletters.
Text a parent and Email:
The school has contact numbers of the parents and uses text-a-parent as another means of communication.
This is an excellent means of communication between parents and school. All organisational policies that are of relevance to parents are in the Policies section under the Parents Information. When these draft policies go on the website, parents are invited to suggest additions and amendments to the policy. The website is used to celebrate activities, achievements, examples of pupils’ work etc. in the school and also to disseminate information and school news. It is updated regularly.
Newsletter:
Parents receive newsletters regularly throughout the year. They are kept informed of all the schools activities/achievements. Parent Council contribute to these newsletters.
Text a parent and Email:
The school has contact numbers of the parents and uses text-a-parent as another means of communication.
School Events:
The school hosts many events during the year to encourage the participation of parents/guardians in school life. Examples of these include Sports Day, Book Fair, Christmas Concert. Parents are also encouraged to participate in the preparation of the children for the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation.
Occasionally the school will organise guest speakers on matters of relevance e.g. Healthy Eating, Internet Safety etc.
The school hosts many events during the year to encourage the participation of parents/guardians in school life. Examples of these include Sports Day, Book Fair, Christmas Concert. Parents are also encouraged to participate in the preparation of the children for the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation.
Occasionally the school will organise guest speakers on matters of relevance e.g. Healthy Eating, Internet Safety etc.
Liaising with other agencies:
Parents are made aware of the role of the Education Welfare Officer in communicating with parents whose children have missed more than 20 school days, in relation to placement of pupils in other schools.
Success Criteria:
This Policy was adopted by the Board of Management on __________________
Signed: _______________________________ Date: _____________________
Chairperson Board of Management
Signed: _______________________________ Date: _____________________
Principal
This Policy will be reviewed by Staff and Board of Management every September.
Presentation Primary School
Parnell Street
Kilkenny
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
POLILCY
February 2017
Parents are made aware of the role of the Education Welfare Officer in communicating with parents whose children have missed more than 20 school days, in relation to placement of pupils in other schools.
Success Criteria:
- Parents feel welcome in the school and feel comfortable approaching a teacher with any issues that have arisen.
- Benefit to pupil Learning.
- Feedback from parents/staff.
- Parental involvement in school activities is increased.
This Policy was adopted by the Board of Management on __________________
Signed: _______________________________ Date: _____________________
Chairperson Board of Management
Signed: _______________________________ Date: _____________________
Principal
This Policy will be reviewed by Staff and Board of Management every September.
Presentation Primary School
Parnell Street
Kilkenny
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
POLILCY
February 2017