COMMUNICATION POLICY.

Transcription

1 COMMUNICATION POLICY. Introduction. Effective communication is essential to the smooth running of an efficient school. In recognition of this fact, Cork Educate Together National School has in place a policy on communication between the various individuals, groups and committees that constitute the school community. School Ethos. The Cork Educate Together National School is a multi-denominational, coeducational school which aims to provide a structured, caring and secure atmosphere where the needs of the pupils are identified and nurtured. Members of the Board of Management, Executive Committee, Parent Teacher Association and Staff (Teaching, Administrative and Ancillary) strive to create and open and welcoming environment where good communications are fostered and developed. Aims of Communication Policy. To build a school community which is supportive of pupils, staff and all members of the school community who serve the school. To establish procedures for the sharing of information in relation to pupil progress, needs and attainment. To enrich and optimise the educational opportunities provided for our pupils by accessing the skills and talents of all the school community. To promote a culture of partnership in the education of our children. 1

2 Communication Methods. In-School The following tools of communication are in place Cork Educate Together N.S. Staff Meetings Student Council Staff Room notice board. Committee Meetings e.g. Garden etc. Regular classroom visits by the Principal. Oral notices to teachers by the Principal. Assembly. Announcements/discussion in Staff Room at break times. Facilitating teachers in interest groups to meet during contact time to discuss school-related issues. Home-School The following measures endeavour to ensure co-operation between school and home: School newsletters. Homework journals. Notes to parents on specific issues. Parent/Teacher Meetings. School Reports. Meeting parents by appointment. Phone calls. School celebration days. Sports Day. Book Fair. The website. Text-a-Parent. Playground Notice Boards. 2

3 Teachers. 1. Regular teacher meetings are held. The agenda is drawn up by the Principal in consultation with the teachers and minutes are recorded. 2. Whole staff meetings are held once a term. 3. The teachers carry out informal meetings among themselves on a daily basis, before school, during school and after school concerning curricular planning and children s learning. 4. All teachers and SNAs have access to circulars from the Department of Education and Science. Teachers and Children. Teachers communicate with children daily on an ongoing basis while teaching. Thursday is the designated day for sending written communication home. From time-to-time, however, it will be necessary to send written communication on other days. Please check your child s schoolbag/homework journal regularly. Children and Children. The Student Council. The Cork Educate Together N.S. considers it important that the pupils should play an active, positive role in the life of their school. Consequently, the Student Council was established in The role of the Student Council is: To provide an opportunity for pupils to voice their opinions and offer suggestions in relation to many aspects of school life. To discuss issues relevant to our school and promote initiatives from the pupils. To act as a channel of communication with the school organisation between pupils and between home and school. Children communicate with each other formally and informally throughout the school day. It should be noted that communications between children regarding out of school activities i.e. celebration of festivals, birthday parties/outings/trips etc. should take place before or after school time. This would also include the exchange of cards, invitations and presents between children. 3

4 Parent/School Communications. Parent/Teacher Consultations are held annually in accordance with DES guidelines. Parents are given at least one week s notice of these consultations. Should the appointed time prove inconvenient, an alternate appointment will be arranged at a mutually convenient time. A School Report on each child s progress is sent to each parent once a year. Parents are advised to keep these important documents in a safe place. Parents/Guardians who wish to meet with the Principal or Staff are asked to make an appointment so as to minimize disruption for everyone concerned, primarily the children. 1. There is regular contact with parents as individuals on an informal basis and formally also. 2. Parents arrange to meet their child s class teacher to discuss concerns regarding their child. Teachers in partnership with parents are best placed to help solve problems relating to pupils and their progress in school. 3. If a parent has further concerns s/he should arrange to speak to the Principal who will endeavour to assist in resolving any school-related problems a pupil may have. 4. Should a parent still feel that an issue has not been resolved they may wish to have the matter discussed at Board of Management level. For this to happen, the matter should be forwarded, in writing, to the Chairperson of the Board at least 10 days before the next planned Board of Management meeting. 5. Where an issue remains unresolved from the point of view of the parents, they are then advised that they may contact the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, Address: Millennium House, 52/56 Great Strand St., Dublin 7. Phone , [email protected] A standard complaints procedure has been agreed between school management authorities and teacher unions. For further information please see under the heading parents and then information. When a child is absent parents are requested to inform the school in writing or by leaving a message on the school answering service. Newsletters are issued regularly usually on the third Thursday of the month and parents are actively encouraged to make contributions. The development of the newsletter is organic and participation in its compilation and publication is greatly encouraged. A copy of the newsletter is available by , on the website or by hard copy from the 4

5 school office. To contribute to the newsletter or to receive copy contact Collection of Children. The school should at all times know who is collecting your child. In an emergency situation, the parent/guardian must leave a message on the answering service or speak with the secretary, Principal or class teacher. At no time, will a child be released to anyone unauthorised/unknown to us. Text messages to parents. The facility is used to remind parents of events/changes to schedules etc. as necessary. Information Leaflets. Forms from the HSE, DES or other bodies directly connected with education and welfare of pupils in the school will be distributed to pupils from time to time. Website. Our website address is The website will be maintained and upgraded on a regular basis. We welcome feedback on the content of the website. Parent Teacher Association. The committee of the Parent Teacher Association aims to promote the interest of all pupils at Cork Educate Together National School in partnership with the B.O.M., the principal, the teaching staff, support staff, administrative and ancillary staff. The committee of the Parent Teacher Association meets on a regular basis throughout the school year. The function of these meetings is to plan for school activities, to discuss and organise fund raising activities and to discuss general matters of concern to the parent body in the school. The principal has regular contact with the association. Individual parents are encouraged to assist at the various events organised for parents and pupils throughout the school year. Board of Management. The structure of the Board of Management is in accordance with the rules for National School as set down by DES. The Board of Management holds regular meetings. The agenda is set and notice of the meeting sent to each board member. Minutes are recorded. Communication to the Board is kept by the Secretary and dealt with at every meeting. 5

6 School Executive. While the Board of Management, the School Executive and the Parent Teacher Association are three distinct entities with unique work agendas, regular communications and collaborations on shared objectives and initiatives take place. Department of Education and Science. Generally speaking, communication to the school is addressed to the Chairperson of the Board or the Principal or both. Circulars are brought to the attention of the B.O.M., teachers and, where relevant, SNAs and the Parent Teacher Association, The Inspectorate. School Inspectors may visit the school at any time. The Principal or Chairperson communicates with the Inspectorate by phone call or in writing. Educate Together. Cork Educate Together National School is in regular contact with Educate Together and keeps itself informed of upcoming events, meetings etc. Other Agencies. There is regular two-way communication with other agencies such as HSE services, Psychological Services, Social Services, Gardai and representatives of the local community. Professional Development. As a process of professional development, teachers communicate on a regular basis with Education Centres and Colleges of Education. The professional development of teachers is motivated by the merging needs of the pupils and the school in general. The school places a premium on professional development. Review and Implementation. This policy is subject to review at the discretion of the teaching staff and/or The Board of Management. The Communications Policy is available on the school s website This Communications Policy was formally approved by the Board of Management at its meeting on John Stapleton. Signed on behalf of the Board of Management 6

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