Parent’s evening: Wednesday 29th of May 2019

1. Parent’s evening: Wednesday 29th of May 2019

2. Our School Community: • Staff • Children • Parents • Parent Staff Association • Letterkenny community • Department of Education • Educate Together • Board of Management

3. Letterkenny Educate Together National School: • Opened in September 2006 with 36 children, 2 mainstream class teachers and a part-time teacher • This year we have 271 pupils, 10 main stream classes, 2 Special classes, 19 teachers, 11 Special Needs Assistants, 1 secretary, 2 cleaners, 2 bus escorts and 1 care taker. • We moved into our new school building in October 2017. This building has 24 classrooms, 10 support rooms, PE hall, Kitchen, Library and a big play area.

4. School Ethos: We are: • Child-centred • Equality Based • Democratic • Co-educational

5. Parental involvement & Garda Vetting: The child's first and most influential teacher is the parent. Improving the effectiveness of the home as a learning environment is critical to promoting long-term school success.

6. HSCL teacher:Home School Community Liaison • Home school link • Home visits • Supporting families • Attendance / participation • Coffee mornings • Parent’s classes • In-class activities • End of term celebrations • Family Fridays • School 5k • Summer fair • Read DL Contact me on my email: hscl@letterkennyetns.ie

7. Good Attendance: Every child at school going age must receive an education. Your child has a right to an education. The school must inform the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) if your child has missed 20 days with or without reasons.

8. Communication between home and school: Phone calls: The school makes regular contact by phone to inform parent’s if children are sick, accidents on yard (bump to the head), inform parents of any issues during the school day, to arrange meetings and also for positive phone calls. Appointments: Parents can request an appointment with Class teacher via Edwina in the office or write a note to the class teacher and put it in your child’s homework folder.

9. Our Facebook page is: Letterkenny Educate Together N.S.

10. School website: Videos and pictures of the children’s learning will be put up on the school’s website so you can find out what they’re getting up to in school. www.letterkennyetns.ie

11. Cogar: • Is our weekly newsletter informing our school community about events happening in the school. • Is posted on our LETNS website and our LETNS Facebook page on Fridays. • Cogar is sent to the eldest child in the family (if requested)

13. High Five Rules: Be respectful Do your best Come to school Be safe Work Together

14. Dress code: • We do not have a school uniform – Hoodies are on sale with Edwina. • Ensure your child is comfortable coming to school. • Ensure clothing is appropriate for active learning • Ensure clothing is appropriate for weather. • Encourage your child to be independent and able to manage their own clothing.

15. Movement breakTurn to the person beside, in front or behind and chat about the following…. • Your child’s name • What pre-school they went to.. • Their interests… • How you’re child is feeling about starting school • Your concerns..(if any)

16. Routine for arrival and dismissal: • School starts at 9.00am and finishes at 1.40pm for Junior and Senior Infants. • The Junior Infants will finish at 12:10pm for the first 2 weeks in September. • Drop off is from 8.50am - 9.00am

17. ParkingKeeping our car park safe

18. Well being: • If your child is sick and is not in school please contact the school to let us know. • It is very important that all absences are explained, so a note must be given to the school letting us know why your child was absent.

19. Headlice: • It’s ok! It happens. • Check your child’s hair every week. • It is important that if your child has head lice that you let the teacher know and a note will be sent out to all parents to check their child’s hair.

20. Carambola – School Lunches: http://www.carambola.ie

22. Nut Allergy: We are a nut free school.

23. Book rental is a yearly subscription which includes everything from pencils to copybooks to text books. • There are no additional payments throughout the year for photocopying or art supplies as this is also included in our yearly subscription. • Fee is €100 per child and €75 for second and subsequent siblings.

24. School transport scheme It is your responsibility to take your child to school. If your child will be travelling by bus then there is an agreement between you and the bus company.

25. Over the summer: Independent work • Practice opening lunch boxes and managing their own coats • Encourage your child to go to the toilet and wash and dry their hands without any support • Encourage your child to do independent activities without any support and within a timeframe e.g. setting the table, making the bed, putting on their shoes.

26. Before you go… • Feel free to ask any questions, • Pay book rental, • Complete enrolment form if needed, • Please remember to give the school a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate.

27. Slán go fóill… Looking forward to working with you and your child in the years ahead…. Have a great summer and see you on Thursday the 30th of August at 9:30am.