General Information

Phone No: 057-8646868

About Emo National School

Emo National School is a primary Catholic school situated 6 miles to the northeast of Portlaoise .Children between the ages of 4 and 12 years attend this school. Originally built in 1889, the children moved into their new school on the 15^th June 2009.

Altogether, there is a staff of 13 teachers who are assigned to duties as follows:

1 Principal Teacher

1 Deputy Principal who is also a Support Teacher – Florence Fennelly

8 Mainstream Class Teachers

3.5 Learning Support /Resource Teachers

Board of Management of Emo National School

The Board of management has legal responsibility for the overall running of the school. It serves a term of four years and a new Board was formed in November 2011. The members of the current board are:

Patron’s Representatives – Fr. Dooley P.P. Joe McDermott( Chairperson ).

Principal and Teacher’s Representative- Cyril Duggan ( Secretary) and Florence Fennelly

Parents’ Representatives –Declan Donoghue and Roisin Hogge ( Treasurer)

Community Representatives – Mary Owens and Bernie Gorman

School Ethos

The ethos of Emo National School encompasses collective attitudes, beliefs, core values, traditions, aspirations and goals. These are reflected in the actual practices which are carried out in the school on a daily, weekly and yearly basis. While it is impossible to outline all aspects of the school ‘ethos’, the following characteristics are experienced and promoted as essential elements in the establishment of a supportive and positive ‘ethos’.

In Emo N.S. where the ethos is that of a Christian Catholic school, religious instruction, in accordance with the doctrine and tradition of the Catholic Church is part of the education given to children who belong to that Church.
The pupils are prepared for the reception of the sacraments of First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation, in accordance with arrangements in the diocese.
Prayer is a feature of the school day.
The school aims at promoting the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the pupil, including his / her relationship with God, with other people and with the environment.
The Principal and teaching staff aim at maintaining high professional standards and creating a safe and happy environment.
A spirit of mutual respect is promoted within the school community. Pupils are drawn by example and teaching to appreciate and respect people of different religious affiliations and of different nationalities.
Close contact is maintained between school and home. Parents / guardians, teachers and ancillary staff support one another and collaborate with one another in leading the children to the fullness of their potential at the different stages.

Child Protection

The Board of Management of the school recognises that child protection and welfare considerations permeate all aspects of school life and must be reflected in all of the school’s policies, practices and activities. Accordingly the Board of Management has adopted and will implement fully and without modification the Department’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools as part of this overall child protection policy.

The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) for child protection issues is Cyril Duggan

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person (Deputy DLP) is Florence Fennelly

The school’s policy is available to view on our website at www.emons.ie /

Communication and the School

The school secretary, Mrs. Fitzpatrick attends the school between 9a.m. and 1p.m.. We would appreciate it if necessary phone calls to the school were made during this time.

Notes to School

If you wish to send a note (e.g. pupil being late) to the teacher, please write the note in the comments section in the journal. Parents of Junior and Senior Infants should send a handwritten note. Notes of a private nature should be in a sealed envelope.

Parent-Teacher Communication

Formal Parent Teacher meetings are held in November. Parents are very welcome in our school and teachers will always make themselves available to meet you. However, we do ask you to make an appointment through Bernadette, our School Secretary, when you wish to see any member of staff. An appointment procedure ensures we will be able to give you our full attention.

Issues of Concern / Appointments

If there is any issue of concern, parents are requested to contact the school secretary to make an appointment to see your child’s class teacher.

The Board of Management of School Emo NS has adopted the INTO/CPSMA Complaints Procedure which provides a mechanism for dealing fairly with parental complaints against a teacher. Please see this policy on our website@ www.emons.ie

School Newsletter

A school newsletter is issued on a monthly basis and it will usually be sent by text with the link to the newsletter imbedded in the text. Please make sure that you get to see the newsletter as it contains important information on the school calendar and it details all activities taking place in the school. If for any reason you cannot access the newsletter please contact Mrs. Fitzpatrick and she will print a hard copy for you.

School Web Site

The school web site www.emons.ie is another important source of information for parents. The web site also features the school calendar, the up to date school newsletter and other items of pertinent information. The website is updated on a regular basis and is a source of school news and information for parents and children alike.

The Return of Money

When returning money for any school activity, parents are requested to send in the money in an envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name and the activity for which payment is being made clearly stated on it.

Contact Numbers

Please notify Bernadette 0578646868 , our school secretary of any changes in contact numbers, addresses etc. so that our database can be kept up to date.

Homework Journal

The Homework Journal is used to record homework and to act as a means of communication between home and school. All notes in relation to absences from school, dental appointments, late comings, etc., should be recorded in the journal. Teachers will communicate messages through the journal as the occasion demands. Parents should check the Journal each day. Infants do not have a journal so in the event of absences etc please forward a handwritten note.

Invitations/Cards

It is school policy that invitations to birthday parties, Christmas cards etc are not distributed in the school premises out of consideration for non-receivers.

General Information

School Uniform

The school uniform and track suit is available for purchase from the following suppliers: Julie Grattan 087-9561250 – Colgans 057-8623005 – Shaws 057-8621201

School Uniform

Girls: Boys:

Dark grey pinafore/skirt-knee length 1. Dark grey pants

Light grey shirt 2. Light grey shirt

Royal blue jumper (with crest) 3. Royal blue jumper (with crest)

Tie; Grey and royal blue stripes 4. Grey and royal blue stripes

5 Socks; Light Grey 5. Tights or socks; Light grey

Shoes; Black and flat 6. Shoes; Black (No heels)

School Tracksuit (boys and girls)

Navy with school crest

Grey polo shirt.

Health and Safety

Hygiene and Health

Children’s hair should be checked regularly for head-lice. Please notify your child’s class teacher in the event of any health/hygiene issue arising.

Lunches

Pupils are encouraged to eat nutritious food and their lunches should be as healthy as possible. Please see our healthy eating policy on the website at www.emons.ie

Insurance

24 hour insurance cover can be arranged through the school. An insurance application form will be given to each pupil.

Administration of Medicines to Pupils

Written applications must be made to the Board of Management where a parent is requesting medicine to be administered during the school day.

Safety

Pupils are requested to behave at all times in a manner that will ensure their own safety and the safety of other pupils.

Visitors to School

All persons visiting the school, collecting children etc., are asked to report on arrival to the School Secretary’s office. No person should approach any classroom without first reporting to the School Secretary. This policy is enforced in the interests of maintaining the safety of all our pupils.

Problems or Difficulties

All pupils are reminded that if they encounter a difficulty or a problem they must report the matter to a teacher as soon as the difficulty arises.

The key words repeated in our school are respect and responsibility. Each pupil is expected to respect themselves, their fellow pupils, teachers, ancillary staff and all property and to behave in a responsible manner. In doing this we are confident that all pupils will enjoy their time in Emo National School and will fulfill their potential in a safe, secure and productive learning environment.

School Day

Official opening time is 8.50a.m. Classes finish at 1.30p.m for infants and at 2.30pm for all other children. In the event of absences as a result of clinic/dental or other please send a note only to the class teacher explaining the reason for same.

The Board of Management wish to advise you that it is unsafe to have your child present on the school grounds for long spells before and after official opening time.

Junior infants will finish school at 12.noon each day of the first week back in September and or until such time as parents and teacher are happy that the child has adapted to their new surroundings. Thereafter they will finish school each day at 1.30p.m.

School Breaks

Your child will have two breaks during the school day, a small break of 10 minutes and a big break of 30 minutes.

School Calendar

We will be returning to school on Thursday 1st September 2016. The full school calendar is on our website. Please respect the integrity of the above calendar by not planning holidays when the school is open.

The Law and the School

Education Welfare Act (2000)

Under the terms of the Education Welfare Act (2000) pupils who are absent from school for a total of 20 or more days, for any reason, in a school year, must be reported to the Welfare Officer.

Where possible medical and dental appointments should be made outside school hours. In the event of your son/daughter being absent, please forward a not to your child’s teacher.

Traffic

The Board of Management requests that parents/guardians park their cars on the same side as the school when dropping or picking up children. We would ask parents to refrain from parking adjacent to the railings outside the school. We also request that cars do not obstruct the entrances to other people’s houses.

Parents Association

We have a very active Parents Association in the school that is always looking for new recruits. The parents association elects two parent representatives from each class for a working committee. This has been done and this committee meets regularly and organises various events during the year.

Chairperson	Deirdre Conroy 0862171475
Secretary	Geraldine McCormack 086-0504115
Treasurer	Miriam O’Shea 087 2073661

Homework

Why give homework?
To re-inforce what the child learns during the day.
To provide a link between teacher and parent.
To develop a child’s concentration skills and develop a work ethic.
Homework is meant to be achievable by a child, i.e. it provides an opportunity to practise work already done. It is normally prepared by the teacher in class. However, sometimes with senior classes, some homework is designed to challenge children’s ability and provide opportunities for creativity.
Children are expected to do their homework to the best of their individual ability – no more, no less.

How often is homework given?
Homework is given on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but not
on Fridays. There are two exceptions :
if homework has been neglected during the week.
in senior classes some project work is undertaken at weekends.
Sometimes at the discretion of the class teacher or the principal, children are given

“homework off ” as a treat or as acknowledgment of some special occasion.

What is the content of homework?
Ideally homework will contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and written tasks.
This balance is not always possible and can vary considerably from day to day. However, it should be noted that homework time devoted to reading and learning is as important as written work.
Homework will regularly contain reading, spellings, tables, written work, pieces to be “learned by heart”, drawing/colouring, collecting information/items and finishing work started in class.
Children often feel that reading and “learning by heart” is not real homework. Parents can play an important role in listening to reading and items to be learned ensuring this work is done well.

How much (time) homework?

The following are guidelines for time spent at homework. Different children will complete the same homework in different lengths of time. Time spent will vary from day to day and also from the beginning to the end of the school year. It is important to remember that it is the quality and not the quantity of homework that matters. The following are general guidelines only:

Junior Infants; Homework will be set for junior infants in Emo N.S from October onwards and should take no longer than 10-15 minutes.

Senior Infants; Homework will be set for senior infants from mid-September onwards and should take no longer than 15-20 minutes.

Rang 1 Up to 30 minutes.

Rang 2 Up to 40 minutes.

Rang 3 Up to 50 minutes.

Rang 4 Up to 1 hour.

Rang 5 Up to 1 hour 15 minutes.

Rang 6 Up to 1 hour 15minutes.

Homework is given from Monday to Thursday. Normally there is no homework at weekends or on a school day just before a public holiday. However, children in middle and senior classes may sometimes be required to work independently on projects at weekends.

How much help should parents give?
Parents should try to help their children with homework by:
providing them with a suitable place and time to do their homework
to prevent interruptions or distractions, like T.V. or other children
Children should do written homework themselves and parents should only help when the child has difficulty.
If a child has difficulty with homework, the parents should help the child to overcome the difficulty with further explanation or examples, but not by actually doing the homework for the child. In this case the parent should write a note to the teacher explaining the problem.
Shared reading is a part of homework and is meant to be an enjoyable exercise between the parent and the child. If it’s not enjoyable, shared reading should not be done.

How often should parents monitor homework?

Parents should check their child’s homework and sign the homework journal every night. The pupil’s journal is an important record of the child’s homework. It is also a valuable means of communication between parents and teachers.

Ideally, all written messages to your child’s teacher should be put in the homework journal (additional pages available at the end of the journal).
Please check that your child records his/her homework neatly in the correct page and ticks each item of homework when completed.

How often do teachers monitor homework?
Ideally teachers like to check homework on a daily basis. However with large class numbers it is not always possible to check each child’s homework journal every day.
As children get older and learn to work independently, some items of homework are checked less often e.g. every second day or once per week.
Some items of homework (and class work) may be checked by children themselves under the direction of the teacher. This can be a useful part of the learning process for children.

When should parents communicate with the teachers about homework?
- When your child cannot do homework due to family circumstances.
- When your child cannot do homework because she/he cannot understand some aspect.
- If the time being spent at homework is often longer than the recommended amount of time.

When should homework be done?
- Each family situation is different – both parents working, child minders, etc. Ideally, homework should be done before any television is watched soon after school while your child is still fresh. However, some children need a break before starting homework.

Homework should never be left until morning time before school.

Remember

If homework is a stressful experience between parent and child, something is wrong! This leads to poor learning and defeats the whole purpose. Should this happen on a regular basis, please contact the class teacher?

Code Of Behaviour:

Code of Behaviour for Emo National School

The aims of the Code of Behaviour of Emo N.S. are:

To provide guidance for pupils, teachers and parents on behavioral expectations.
To provide for the effective and safe operation of the school.
To develop pupils’ self-esteem and to promote positive behaviour.
To foster the development of a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in pupils

based on respect, consideration and tolerance of others.

To facilitate the education and development of every child.
To foster caring attitudes to one another and to the environment.
To enable teachers to teach without disruption.

Implementation

Every member of the school community has a role to play in the implementation of the Code of Behaviour. Rules will be kept to a minimum, emphasise positive behaviour and will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, with due regard to the age of the pupils and to individual difference.

Good behaviour will encouraged and rewarded. Where difficulties arise, parents will be contacted at an early stage.

General Guidelines for Positive Behaviour

Pupils are expected to treat all adults and fellow pupils with respect and courtesy

at all times. Behaviour that interferes with the rights of others to learn and to feel

safe is unacceptable.

Pupils are expected to show respect for all school property and to keep the school

environment clean and litter free.

Pupils are expected to take pride in their appearance, to have all books and

required materials and to be in the right place at the right time.

Pupils are expected to obey a teacher’s instructions, to work to the best of their

ability and to present assignments neatly.

Pupils are expected to attend every day unless there is a genuine reason for

absence, in which case the school must be informed in writing, stating the reason

for absence.

Bullying

Bullying is repeated verbal, psychological or physical aggression by an individual or

group against others. The most common forms of bullying are aggressive physical

contact, name-calling, intimidation, extortion, isolation and taunting. Bullying will not be tolerated and parents will be expected to cooperate with the school at all times in dealing with instances of bullying in accordance with the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy.

Affirming Positive Behaviour

Positive reinforcement of good behaviour leads to better self-discipline and we place a greater emphasis on rewards and incentives than on sanctions.

Strategies/Incentives for affirming positive behaviour.

A quiet word or gesture to show approval.

A comment on a child’s exercise book.
A visit to another class or Principal for commendation.
Praise in front of class group.
Individual class merit awards, points awards or award stamps.
Delegating some special responsibility or privilege.
Written or verbal communication with parent.

Discouraging Misbehaviour

The purpose of sanctions and other strategies is to promote positive and discourage

misbehaviour. Sanctions will be applied according to the gravity of the misbehaviour, with due regard to age and emotional development.

These may include:

Reasoning with pupil.
Verbal reprimand including advice on how to improve.
Temporary separation from peers within class and/or temporary removal to

another class.

Prescribing extra work.
Loss of privileges.
Detention during break.
Communication with parents.
Referral to Principal.
Principal communicating with parents.
Exclusion (Suspension or Expulsion) from school (in accordance with Rule 130

of the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular and Education Welfare

Act 2000).

Pupils will not be deprived of engagement in a Curricular Area ( e.g. PE or Art), except on the grounds of health/safety.

Suspension/Expulsion

Before serious sanctions such as detention, suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised. Where it is proposed to detain a pupil after school hours, the parents or guardians will be notified.

Communication with parents may be verbal or by letter depending on the circumstances. For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour suspension may be considered. Parents concerned will be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s case. Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher or pupil will be regarded as serious or gross misbehaviour.

Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be requested in writing to attend at the school to meet the Chairperson and the principal. If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future the pupil may be suspended for a period. Prior to suspension, where possible, the Principal may review the case in consultation with teachers and other members of the school community involved, with due regard to records of previous misbehaviours, their pattern and context, sanctions and other interventions used and their outcomes and any relevant medical information. Suspension will be in accordance with the Rules for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.

In the case of gross misbehaviour, where it is necessary to ensure that order and

discipline are maintained and to secure the safety of the pupils, the Board may authorise the Chairperson or Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days, pending a discussion of the matter with the parents. Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case, in accordance with the Rule for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000. Before suspending or expelling a pupil, the Board shall notify the Local Welfare Education Officer in writing in accordance with Section 24 of the Education Welfare Act.

Removal of Suspension (Reinstatement)

Following or during a period of suspension, the parent/s may apply to have the pupil

reinstated to the school. The parent/s must give a satisfactory undertaking that a

suspended pupil will behave in accordance with the school code and the Principal must be satisfied that the pupil’s reinstatement will not constitute a risk to the pupil’s own safety or that of the other pupils or staff. The Principal will facilitate the preparation of a behaviour plan for the pupil if required and will re-admit the pupil formally to the class.

School Rules

School rules are kept to a minimum and are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community. If a school is to function efficiently, it is necessary that rules and regulations are clearly stated and enforced consistently and fairly.

Before/After School

Parents are reminded that the staff of the school does not accept responsibility for pupils before official opening time of 8.50a.m. or after the official closing time of 2.30p.m. or 1p.m as in the case of infants except where pupils are engaged in an extra-curricular activity organised by the school and approved by the Board of Management.

Pupils involved in such activities are expected to behave in accordance with school behaviour policy during these times.

Board of Management’s Responsibilities

Provide a comfortable, safe environment.
Support the Principal and staff in implementing the code.
Ratify the code.

Principal’s Responsibilities

Promote a positive climate in the school.
Ensure that the Code of Behaviour is implemented in a fair and consistent manner.
Arrange for review of the Code, as required.

Teachers’/Staff Responsibilities

Support and implement the school’s code of behaviour.

Create a safe working environment for each pupil.
Recognise and affirm good work.
Prepare school work and correct work done by pupils.
Recognise and provide for individual talents and differences among pupils.
Be courteous, consistent and fair.
Keep opportunities for disruptive behaviour to a minimum.
Deal appropriately with misbehaviour.
Keep a record of instances of serious misbehaviour or repeated instances of misbehaviour.
Provide support for colleagues.
Communicate with parents when necessary and provide reports on matters of

mutual concern.

Pupils’ Responsibilities

Safety

For my own safety and that of others-

(a) I should be careful coming to and going from school.

(b) I should not hang out of the new railings at the front of the school.

(d) I should remain seated at all times in class and while eating lunch.

(e) I should be careful when running in the schoolyard and always show respect for my fellow pupils.

(f) I should not wear any jewellery except a wristwatch and one pair of stud earrings in ear lobes only.

(g) I should bring a note of explanation following absences.

(h) I should never leave the school grounds without the permission of the Principal.

(i) I should never wear unsuitable footwear to school.

Caring for myself:

I should respect my property, and myself always keeping my school bag, books and copies in good order.
I should always be in school when the bell rings at 8.50a.m.
I should show respect for my school and be proud to wear the complete school uniform every day.
I should always be aware of my personal cleanliness.
I should always bring a sensible, nutritional lunch to school. Crisps, minerals, sweets, chewing gum and glass bottles are not permitted.
I should not wear highlights in my hair.
I should not wear make-up.
I should always do my best in school by listening carefully, working as hard as I can and by completing my homework.

Caring for others:

I should be kind and respectful to teachers/staff and fellow pupils by being mannerly and polite, by taking turns and by remaining silent and orderly in my class line.
I should behave well in class so that my fellow pupils and I can learn.
I should always keep my school clean by bringing unfinished food and drinks, cartons, wrappers, etc. home. I should show respect for the property of my fellow pupils, the school building and grounds.
Be truthful and honest at all times.
Never form clubs or any other group that might isolate or exclude other children.
I should not bring mobile phones or portable games of any kind that might act as a distraction to myself or others in school.

Bullying:

I should never bully others. I should never allow others to bully me and if it happens I should tell my parents and my teacher. Bullying is always unacceptable. (See school policy on bullying).

Parents/Guardians’ Responsibilities:

Encourage children to have a sense of respect for themselves and for property.

Ensure that children attend regularly and punctually.
Be interested in, support and encourage their children’s school work.
Be familiar with the code of behaviour and support its implementation.
Co-operate with teachers and Principal in instances where their child’s behaviour is causing difficulties for others.
Communicate with the school in relation to any problems which may affect

child’s progress/behaviour.

Aggressive behaviour towards staff/pupils or members of the Board of Management is unacceptable.
Respect school guidelines regarding teacher appointments. Informal discussions at unappointed times with teachers/staff is unwelcome. Teachers/staff reserve the right not to discuss issues with parents/guardians unless a prior appointment has been made.
Drop forgotten lunches/sportswear/musical instruments etc. to the office only. They will be passed on by the secretary.

Code of Behaviour Approval Form

Please cut on the dotted line below and return this part only:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

We the parents /guardians of:

Name of Pupil(s) _____________________________________

have read and approve the CODE OF BEHAVIOUR. We undertake to ensure that my/our child/children complies with these rules.

SIGNED BY PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN _______________________

______________________

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