Parental Involvement

1.Introduction

• Our school is a community where pupils, parents and teachers collaborate and work in partnership for our children.  When parents decide to send their child to Gaelscoil na Dúglaise they are entering a very important relationship
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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, Parents Association (Cumann na dTuismitheoirí, )
 Fundraising
 Policy making, e.g. Code of Discipline; Religious Education Programme; Homework; School Lunch Box.
 With school activities.

2. Benefits of Parental Involvement
• Children benefit from greater diversity in the classroom.
• Parental involvement actively supports and encourages the child’s learning.
• It promotes good parent/teacher relationships and a better level of understanding between home and school.
• It enhances communication, trust and respect between parents and teachers.
• Parents can learn about the curriculum.
• Parental skills can contribute to the smooth running and development of the school.
• Parental Involvement provides the opportunity of making lifelong friends.

3.How to Get Involved
• Parents are, first of all, invited to consider their skills, interests and time available, and communicate this information to the class teacher, the principal and/or to Cumann na dTuismitheoirí.
• Parents can work in conjunction with the teachers in a planned and co-ordinated way.  For example, they could help with library and shared reading book exchange, assist at art times, computers, and lend a welcome hand in many other areas which can be identified with the teacher.
• Parents can help with swimming, tours and trips, organising the school library, art and P.E. resources, and computers and may also like to make costumes for school concerts in consultation with the class teacher.
• Opportunities are endless – baking, woodwork, cultural exchanges and discussion…the school welcomes all ideas.
Please note that an appendix to this document contains guidelines for parents in the classroom and a confidentiality form.   

The following structures have been put in place to facilitate parental involvement:

(a) The Board of Management will support the  establishment of Cumann na dTuismitheoirí annually. 

The aims of Cumann na dTuismitheoirí  will be:

(i)To support the Board of Management in promoting the welfare and aims of the school among parents, pupils and the community in general, as follows:

• To make available in the area education of high standard through the medium of Irish.

• To provide and maintain for students of the school and their parents an Irish language and cultural environment.

• To promote the intellectual, social and personal education of the children.

(ii) To support parents in fulfilling their role in their children’s education.
 

(b) The Board of Management and the teaching staff will be open to the participation of parents as a valuable resource in supporting the curricular and extra curricular activities with their time and expertise (e.g., information technology, C.A.P.E.R. reading projects, cookery and handcraft lessons etc.)

(c)The Board of Management and the teaching staff will facilitate  parents in helping their children learn through the medium of Irish through providing Irish language classes, homework schemes, information booklets, etc.

 

Appendix

Guidelines for Getting Involved
• Parents come into the classroom at the invitation of the teacher by prior arrangement and for an agreed purpose.
• The happiness, welfare and safety of our children are our primary concern.  A child’s personal history and academic achievements are strictly confidential.  Any doubts about issues of confidentiality must be discussed with the teacher.
• Respect for the teachers in their professional capacity is essential.
• Discipline remains the responsibility of the teacher.
• All work will be supervised by the teacher.
• Parents who participate should be conscious of and sensitive to the needs of the entire class, not just the needs of their own child.
• Parents coming into the classroom must consult with the teacher before inviting other parents/individuals to participate.
• The highest standard of behaviour and language is expected.
• An effort, a positive attitude and enthusiasm towards Gaeilge is expected at all times.
• Punctuality and consistency are crucial
• No fees are payable.  Any expenses that you wish to reclaim must be sanctioned in advance by the teacher,
• The school ethos must be upheld at all times and it is important to keep in mind that the school is a Catholic, co-educational, child centred   Gaelscoil. Consequently, respect for all the partners in education - children, teachers, classroom assistants, school secretary, caretaker and parents - must be upheld at all times.
• Parents will be asked to sign an agreement to abide by the school policy on Parental Involvement in the School

Gaelscoil na Dúglaise Parental Involvement Agreement Form

I have read the policy document on Parental Involvement in the School and agree to abide by the guidelines.

Name: ______________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________

Date: ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_______________________________________

Ratified by the B.O.M. November 2017
Review Date September  2021

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬          --------------------------------------------------------------

 

Pupil’s name: …………………………….

Parent/Guardian Support.

You can assist us in many ways throughout this school year 2014/2015.Please make note of which area you would like to help with.

 

 Help with the school garden 

 Assisting with school celebrations 
( 6th Class party, Communion, Halloween)

 Chaperoning on field trips 

 Sharing information with us on your career 

 Other areas you have an interest in that you would be willing to share with us :

………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

We thank you in anticipation for your support and co-operation.

“Ní neart go cur le chéile!”

Signed: ………………………….

 

Ainm an scoláire: …………………………….

Tacaíocht an Tuismitheora/Chaomhnóra.

Is féidir leat cabhrú linn i mbealaí éagsúla le linn na scoilbliana 2014/2015. Léirigh thíos le do thoil,má tá fonn ort lámh chúnta a thabhairt.

 

 Cabhrú le gairdín na scoile 

 Cabhrú le ceiliúrtha scoile
(féasta rang 6, Céad Chomaoineach, Oíche Shamhna) 

 Ag teacht ar thurasanna  

 Ag roinnt eolais linn maidir le do shlí bheatha 

 Aon ábhar eile ar spéis leat agus tú toilteanach roinnt linn  :

………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

Gabhfaimid buíochais as ucht na tacaíochta agus na cabhrach.

“Ní neart go cur le chéile!”

Sínithe: ………………………….