Dear Parents ,
Please see the following notices for your attention:
1.At our recent Board of management meeting we conducted the annual review of the child safeguarding statement. Please see letter confirming the review and also see the Child Safeguarding Statement at the following link: https://www.emons.ie/child-protection-review/
2. Parent Teacher Meetings
We regard parent/teacher meetings as an extremely valuable opportunity for parents and teachers to exchange information which enables us to do our best for your children.
Meetings will take place between 20th November to the 23rd inclusive.
The meeting slots will be available to view on Aladdin and you will have to choose the times that best suit you. If you log on to Connect you can check out what date they will be available for you to book your slot(s). Just click on the new Parent Teacher Meeting option on your home page in the App, or log on to Connect via any device to book your meeting(s)
Click here to view a quick guide
Please note that there is one slot per student so only one parent can book a slot for each student.
Priority for time slots in the first place will be given to parents with three children (7th to 10th Nov), then to parents with two children (Nov 11th – 13th ) and finally parents with one child (from the 14th November)
Teachers will have a certain amount of information to get through during the 10-minute meeting so if there is anything specific that you wish them to address please message teachers before the meeting through Aladdin. We thank you all in advance for your co-operation with the appointment system.
3.Parents Association Notice ; Christmas Cards
This year we are participating in the Christmas Cards for Schools project which is an annual fundraiser for our Parents Association. Your child has designed a unique Christmas card and a sample of it is being sent home today. The card will come in a pack of 10 and will be packaged in cellophane wrap and come with 10 matching envelopes.
The cost per pack of 10 cards is €9.
If you have any corrections as to how your child’s name appears on their card please message the school by return message to secretary@emons.ie
You can purchase the cards on the school Aladdin app from today up to Monday November 13th.
4.Curriculum and School Self Evaluation Process
The Primary Mathematics Curriculum has been introduced in all primary and special schools in September 2023.
Schools and teachers will become familiar with the new curriculum during the 2023/2024 school year and they will work towards implementation of the curriculum from junior infants to sixth class (stages 1 – 4) from September 2024.
We are implementing Science Plan and Digital Plan improvements this year.
We are implementing Science Plan ( Emo National School SIP Science 2324 )and Digital Plan ( Emo National School SIP Document 23 Digital Learning ) improvements in this school year.
Our subject for the School Self Evaluation Process in this school year is SPHE.
Ms. Dempsey and Ms. Deffew and myself met with all the parents of new junior infants on Wednesday 4th October. Oral language skills, fine motor skills, jolly phonics, homework and teacher support were the topics covered on the evening.
5. Job Advertisement
Our school secretary, Bernadette Fitzpatrick will be retiring in December . Bernadette has played a crucial role in the day to day operations of our school , acting as a linchpin between staff, students , parents and the school management team. The school secretary contribution often goes beyond administrative tasks , encompassing a warm and welcoming presence that sets the tone for the entire school community. The board of management is now tasked with selecting a replacement who can ensure continuity and maintain the high standards set by their predecessor. Please see the advertisement for the position below.
https://www.emons.ie/job-advertisement-emo-national-school-secretary/
6. Science Fair
Our thanks to Ms. Casey and all our class teachers who are organising a Science week this week. There is such learning and fun taking place all over the school and we look forward to the photographs and accounts of their work
7. Enrolment for 2024/2025 School Year .
We will publish details on our website early next week regarding enrolment for next year’s junior infants . Enrolment will take place in January 2024 .
8. Pupils
Our current enrolment is 203. The attendance for the school year 2022/2023 was 93%. We had thirteen pupils with full attendance last year. Well done to: Sarah O’Keeffe, Iarla McArdle, Cormac O’Keeffe, Darragh O’Keeffe, Grace Kelly, James Cosgrove, Lorcan Donnelly, Rachel McMahon, Eoin Cosgrove, Lily Horgan
9. Pastoral
First Friday Mass
Fr. Eugen led the school in prayer at First Friday mass on Friday, October 6th. Our next mass will be on Friday , December 8th . Parents , grandparents are very welcome to attend. Our thanks to Mr. Costelloe and Ms. Greene for preparing the music and readings with the children.
10. Educational Visits that took place recently
Sinead Morgan Autism Advisory Service.
Lisa Sheehan Jones- Oide advisor – SPHE
Paula O’Connor met with parents on Monday night, 16th October in the school at 7p.m. Her workshop covered all aspects of safety and security surrounding the Internet, digital media, gaming, online interaction, password protection, and etiquette when using social media, bearing in mind the changes to the law.
She did a 2-hour workshop with 5th and 6th classes earlier in the day.
Our staff attended a refresher First Aid course on October 2nd here in the school.
11. Activities
Well done to the girls who have reached the shield final of their football competition.
Cycle safety which was supported by PA has been completed with fourth class.
Swimming lessons for 1st to 3rd classes was completed before the mid-term break.
12. Special Classes
We moved into the 2nd Special class before the mid-term break and both children and teachers were delighted with their new surrounds and space.
Next Steps
- Removal of trees / soil from new site
- New fencing on the new site
- New tarmac and drainage to replace the yard space we are losing as a result of the modular buildings.
- SEN Extension Stage 1 meeting with the DoE and approval to progress to planning permission.
Our pre planning meeting with Laois County Council was successful and they had no issues with the proposed development.
Kind regards,
Cyril Duggan
principal@emons.ie