A thuismitheoirí, a chairde / Dear parents,

We have now begun a process of partnership together, a partnership that will grow and develop over the coming years for the benefit of your child.

Amanta Scoile (School hours)
Infants (Jnr & Snr) 9.20 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Rang 1 – 6 9.20 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.

Sosanna (Breaks)
11.00 a.m. – 11.10 a.m.
1.00 p.m. – 1.30 p.m.

Lón (Lunch) – Health Promoting School
As we are a “Health Promoting School”, please ensure that your child has a healthy nourishing lunch each day. We are also a nut-free school, as some children in the school have nut allergies. Therefore, food containing nuts / nut traces and shellfish are not allowed. Chocolate (in any form), biscuits (of any sort), crisps, chewing gum, lollipops, fizzy drinks, glass bottles or cans are not allowed either. Milk, which is subsidised by the EU, is available through the school and money for same is collected at the start of each term through our ‘Aladdin’ communication system.

Éide Scoile (School Uniform) (As arranged by our Parents’ Association)
– Grey trousers / pinafore / skirt / shirt
– Wine jumper / cardigan / tie
– Crested Tracksuit / Polo Shirt available from Shaws – Fermoy.

Bróga / Shoes
Preferably velcro for Infant classes unless your child can tie his/her laces independently.

Lipéidí / Labels
Please label all your child’s belongings as it can save much hassle at school.

Nótaí/Notes
Please inform the school through ‘Aladdin’, our school’s communication platform, phone call, text or email if your child will be absent, late arriving, leaving early prior to official finishing time or if you have to make alternative arrangements for your child to be collected. Please check Aladdin / your emails regularly for communication from the school.

Child Safeguarding and Welfare
The Board of Management has adopted and implements fully, without modification, the Department of Education & Skills “Child Protection Procedures for Primary & Post-Primary Schools – 2017” in relation to child safeguarding and welfare. Consequently, if there is a matter of concern in relation to abuse of children, we are obliged to report this to Tusla and/or An Garda Síochána.

Anti-Bullying Policy
The Board of Management has reviewed and ratified the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy in accordance with the Department of Education’s Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary Schools document and Circular 0045/2013. Any instances of any form of bullying behaviour that is witnessed or reported to the staff of the school will be dealt with in accordance with this policy.

Organisation of Classes
Although Junior Infants will be together as one class unit for the coming school year, it may occur in future years that they will be in a mixed class situation, (i.e. some children with the class standard below, others with the class standard above). The organisation of classes in any particular year is determined by the school’s Board of Management based on the Staffing Schedule circular issued by the DE (Department of Education) on an annual basis.

Tinreamh / Poncúlacht (Attendance / Ponctuality)
Under the terms of the Education Welfare Act 2000, the Board of Management is obliged to inform Tusla, (Child and Family Agency) if a child is absent for a total of 20 days or more in the school year.
Under the Act, parents must inform the school if their child is absent and the reason for the absence.
Also be aware of our ‘School Attendance Strategy’ (included in your Information Booklet) on the topics of (i) punctuality (ii) absences and (iii) taking children on holidays during term time.

Cruinnithe Tuismitheoirí / Múinteoirí (Parent / Teacher Meetings)
Formal meetings are held once a year for all classes. If you need to meet a teacher at any time, please do not hesitate to do so by making a prior appointment through the school office (025-36220 / 086-4112889). Individual written reports are issued in June each year.

Photocopying /Art and Craft Materials / Insurance Expenses
The above expenses are collected during the course of the first school term. Parents will receive further information outlining all details of expenses in September.

NIPT / Droichead:
As Castlelyons National School has a trained PST (Professional Support Team) in place, we are happy to engage in the NIPT (National Induction Programme for Teachers) process with NQTs (Newly Qualified Teachers) employed in the school for the required period of time and who wish to engage in that process.

Coiste na dTuistí (Parents’ Association)
Our Parents’ Association is very active in Castlelyons. Its objectives are to organise educational and social events, help foster the development of the school and organise fund- raising activities. Your support and help would be greatly appreciated.

Le gach dea-ghuí,
Nelius de Róiste (Príomhoide / Principal)